MSU vs UCF vs FSU vs OUWB...

[SisterDisco08]

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Michigan residency, but was told I will have scholarships at the Florida schools to make tuition comparable to in-state. OUWB is private, and I don't know anything about financial aid there yet. Curious for your input 🙂

 

[Griffin7]

Has UCF officially offered you some sort of scholarship/financial assistance at this point? I am curious if you feel comfortable enough to share any of those details... PM if that is what you would prefer. Thanks.

 

[SisterDisco08]

Has UCF officially offered you some sort of scholarship/financial assistance at this point? I am curious if you feel comfortable enough to share any of those details... PM if that is what you would prefer. Thanks.

I believe they wait until FAFSA goes through, but they told us at my interview that they will give OOS scholarships to make it comparable to IS tuition. "At least around $12,000"

 

[Griffin7]

I see. Do you recall if they said that about all OOS applicants or would it only be for a select few? Also, I can't speak to the other schools that you are considering but I have been accepted to UCF and made my decision to go there because the school impressed me on multiple levels. It really is state of the art in many regards, has a great integrated curriculum, all the students and faculty I spoke with were loving their experience there, and the atmosphere is conducive to learning. I am sure the other schools you are thinking about have a lot of pluses but UCF is a great option.

 

[SisterDisco08]

From what we were told at mine, UCF was going to do as much as possible for each OOSer, and that it would likely be around $12,000, at least

 

[Sephiroth]

I dont think thats what they said. I was just at my interview yesterday. They said they were going to try to spread scholarship money over fewer ppl so it would be more significant, and would lean toward oos students since they pay more and to defray those costs, but i dont think they are guaranteeing all oos students scholarships. Id say your best bet is get all your financial forms turned in asap and then see what you are offered and make a decision then.

 

[SisterDisco08]

It's likely you have more current information than me about it if your interview was yesterday. They were very vague about it and gave the impression of what I said earlier when I interviewed back in the beginning of the cycle, and told me ~$12000 at least when I asked how much they projected each/most OOSer(s) would get. Working on that pesky FAFSA this week either way...

 

[MossPoh]

I'd go with the school that you can get the cheapest tuition and cost of living, is better established and has multiple residencies affiliated with it. UCF has done a lot of timeshare-esque sales techniques. If you're parents or family are in Michigan, don't underestimate how much of an advantage it is to have them relatively close.

It is also dependent on where you intend to practice. There are regional biases for residency programs. While they can be overcome, it is just easer to go to the school in that region if you are aiming for a residency program there.

Also, look at the clinical years. I'm sure UCF has a fine experience, but I know that FSU took a few years to really iron out the kinks and there are already multiple schools rotating in Orlando to muck up the works a bit.

I'm not really counting OUWB in the mix...I just don't know anything about it. You really can't go wrong with any of the others. If you have a more laid back and outgoing personality, FSU is great. I've noticed a slightly different personality going to UCF overall.

 

[REL]

I'd go with the school that you can get the cheapest tuition and cost of living, is better established and has multiple residencies affiliated with it. UCF has done a lot of timeshare-esque sales techniques. If you're parents or family are in Michigan, don't underestimate how much of an advantage it is to have them relatively close.

It is also dependent on where you intend to practice. There are regional biases for residency programs. While they can be overcome, it is just easer to go to the school in that region if you are aiming for a residency program there.

Also, look at the clinical years. I'm sure UCF has a fine experience, but I know that FSU took a few years to really iron out the kinks and there are already multiple schools rotating in Orlando to muck up the works a bit.

I'm not really counting OUWB in the mix...I just don't know anything about it. You really can't go wrong with any of the others. If you have a more laid back and outgoing personality, FSU is great. I've noticed a slightly different personality going to UCF overall.

Would love more details about your experiences at UCF and what you say about the "timeshare-esque sales techniques" and "multiple schools rotating in Orlando to muck up the works a bit."

 

[REL]

I dont think thats what they said. I was just at my interview yesterday. They said they were going to try to spread scholarship money over fewer ppl so it would be more significant, and would lean toward oos students since they pay more and to defray those costs, but i dont think they are guaranteeing all oos students scholarships. Id say your best bet is get all your financial forms turned in asap and then see what you are offered and make a decision then.

The message on OOS'ers has not changed. I do expect "all" to get an offer of something to help defray the cost of OOS tuition.

 

[PlayUltimate15]

Best wishes in your decision process! Obviously I'm biased, but if you decide that you would rather stay in state please contact me with any questions about CHM. Also, if you haven't already, check out Amanda Xi's blog about OUWB. She seems wonderful and provides a lot of info about her experience.

http://www.amandaxi.com/

 

[Sephiroth]

Would love more details about your experiences at UCF and what you say about the "timeshare-esque sales techniques" and "multiple schools rotating in Orlando to muck up the works a bit."

Oh, alright then.

I'd go with the school that you can get the cheapest tuition and cost of living, is better established and has multiple residencies affiliated with it. UCF has done a lot of timeshare-esque sales techniques. If you're parents or family are in Michigan, don't underestimate how much of an advantage it is to have them relatively close.

It is also dependent on where you intend to practice. There are regional biases for residency programs. While they can be overcome, it is just easer to go to the school in that region if you are aiming for a residency program there.

Also, look at the clinical years. I'm sure UCF has a fine experience, but I know that FSU took a few years to really iron out the kinks and there are already multiple schools rotating in Orlando to muck up the works a bit.

I'm not really counting OUWB in the mix...I just don't know anything about it. You really can't go wrong with any of the others. If you have a more laid back and outgoing personality, FSU is great. I've noticed a slightly different personality going to UCF overall.

Not sure what you mean by that. What personality are you talking about? I have a few friends at both FSU and UCF. I've gotten a much better impression about UCF than FSU, though it's obviously a very small sample size. And about clinicals, I know FSU has some rotations in Orlando (and a lot o other places), but I don't think there are any other schools there, are there? I didn't pick up on anything I'd consider timeshare-esque, what did you see/hear that you thought was?

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

UCF in a heartbeat Sisterdisco. I am incredibly biased though...

GL! 🙂

 

[StudyShy]

I would go where Blue is going. 😀

Otherwise, I'd probably go to Oakland.

 

[Butler]

Would love more details about your experiences at UCF and what you say about the "timeshare-esque sales techniques" and "multiple schools rotating in Orlando to muck up the works a bit."

I have already chronicled some of my thoughts on the comparison between UCF vs FSU here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=878141.

I don't intend for any of my comments to be taken as a personal attack against UCF, or any school for that matter. I am giving my honest assessment based on my own experiences (which are of course inherently biased, as are everyone's). And as a personal note to REL: my opinions are not a reflection of the work you have done as part of the admissions committee, which as a matter of note is very excellent in my opinion, but a reflection of the current state of UCF and their curriculum/program.

As a side note, I also was turned off by UCF's mandatory research requirements. 5 out of the 6 students (small sample size, I know) I spoke with during my interview there had very negative things to say about their projects. They ended up choosing easy studies that they could finish as quickly as possible without much work involved. I wanted to pursue research, but on my own terms without "big-brother" watching over my shoulder so to speak.

Anyways, hope this helps make your decision easier. Good luck!

 

[REL]

I have already chronicled some of my thoughts on the comparison between UCF vs FSU here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=878141.

I don't intend for any of my comments to be taken as a personal attack against UCF, or any school for that matter. I am giving my honest assessment based on my own experiences (which are of course inherently biased, as are everyone's). And as a personal note to REL: my opinions are not a reflection of the work you have done as part of the admissions committee, which as a matter of note is very excellent in my opinion, but a reflection of the current state of UCF and their curriculum/program.

As a side note, I also was turned off by UCF's mandatory research requirements. 5 out of the 6 students (small sample size, I know) I spoke with during my interview there had very negative things to say about their projects. They ended up choosing easy studies that they could finish as quickly as possible without much work involved. I wanted to pursue research, but on my own terms without "big-brother" watching over my shoulder so to speak.

Anyways, hope this helps make your decision easier. Good luck!

Thanx, I did read that and of course "real" research isnt for everyone. Presumably you interviewed at UCF and KNOW what the research is and what the purpose of it is? In the UCF curriculum research is anything that is of interest to you....clinical, bench, or anything health related....very open, and designed for you, as a physician to develop your spirit of inquiry. It is designed for that as well as setting you up for residency. There are some very involved research for those who are into research. It is definitely a smorgasboard of interests. And it is really a minor portion of the program, but yes, required. Every program is different, and with a differnt vision. UCF and this collaborative medical city has a vision much greater than any program around and, I suspect, the leadership and community assets to make it happen.

All of the Florida programs are solid, an not a one in the upper ranks of the nation....yet....:>). Cheers!!!

 

[amandaeleven]

Best wishes in your decision process! Obviously I'm biased, but if you decide that you would rather stay in state please contact me with any questions about CHM. Also, if you haven't already, check out Amanda Xi's blog about OUWB. She seems wonderful and provides a lot of info about her experience.

http://www.amandaxi.com/

Thanks for posting a link here to my blog!

Anyone who has questions about OUWB, please message me -- I'm always happy to share my experience with admitted students! Plus... the process is still pretty fresh in my mind so I completely understand making the best decision for individual case. I might be ridiculously enthusiastic about my school, but keep in mind that it's because it has been a phenomenal fit for me. 👍