UCF vs FAU

[BuccoBruce]

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Hi everyone! I could really use some advice on deciding between these two schools. I’m a very indecisive person, and both options have their pros and cons.

Context: FL Resident, not sure about specialty yet

UCF College of Medicine

Pros:
$8k/yr scholarship, bringing the COA for 4 yrs to ~$200k

More comfortable living situation: newer apt complexes, lower cost of living area, ~5 min commute, situated in up-and-coming part of Orlando

Closer to home (~2 hours away) with extended family close by and a childhood friend will also be attending

Strong research opportunities integrated into the curriculum (FIRE Project) and a focus on innovation

Nicer, newer facilities

Slightly stronger reputation

Cons:
H/HP/P/F for Years 1, 2, and 3

While there is a home hospital, it’s new and very small — about half of clerkships would still be at an HCA clinical site that could be across the state (free housing provided if further than 45 miles)

FAU Schmidt College of Medicine

Pros:
$15k/year scholarship, bringing COA for 4 yrs to ~$195k

P/F Years 1, 2, and 4

Small class size fosters a tight-knit community, easy access to faculty and mentorship

Some strong clinical sites (ie. Cleveland Clinic FL, Joe Dimaggio Children's) that are not as spread out across the state

Cons:
No home hospital

AOA so grades still somewhat matter

Limited research opportunities

Further from family (~4 hours away)

More dated facilities

Higher cost of living; would need to commute ~30 minutes to campus and clinical sites can still be far with South Florida traffic

Would love to hear your thoughts on how to weigh community/support vs grading vs clinical training. Any insights from Florida peeps, current students, or anyone familiar with either school are especially appreciated!

 

[ophthoaspirant]

Hi everyone! I could really use some advice on deciding between these two schools. I’m a very indecisive person, and both options have their pros and cons.

Context: FL Resident, not sure about specialty yet

UCF College of Medicine

Pros:
$8k/yr scholarship, bringing the COA for 4 yrs to ~$200k

More comfortable living situation: newer apt complexes, lower cost of living area, ~5 min commute, situated in up-and-coming part of Orlando

Closer to home (~2 hours away) with extended family close by and a childhood friend will also be attending

Strong research opportunities integrated into the curriculum (FIRE Project) and a focus on innovation

Nicer, newer facilities

Slightly stronger reputation

Cons:
H/HP/P/F for Years 1, 2, and 3

While there is a home hospital, it’s new and very small — about half of clerkships would still be at an HCA clinical site that could be across the state (free housing provided if further than 45 miles)

FAU Schmidt College of Medicine

Pros:
$15k/year scholarship, bringing COA for 4 yrs to ~$195k

P/F Years 1, 2, and 4

Small class size fosters a tight-knit community, easy access to faculty and mentorship

Some strong clinical sites (ie. Cleveland Clinic FL, Joe Dimaggio Children's) that are not as spread out across the state

Cons:
No home hospital

AOA so grades still somewhat matter

Limited research opportunities

Further from family (~4 hours away)

More dated facilities

Higher cost of living; would need to commute ~30 minutes to campus and clinical sites can still be far with South Florida traffic

Would love to hear your thoughts on how to weigh community/support vs grading vs clinical training. Any insights from Florida peeps, current students, or anyone familiar with either school are especially appreciated!

if preclinical is P/F, only clinical grades will matter for AOA?

 

[BuccoBruce]

I think they have internal rankings during preclinical and the top 25% get AOA

 

[DoctoDude]

I believe FAU also does have their own hospital (that they're in the process of rebranding) and also does have some home residency programs. Any of UCF's home residency programs are affiliated with HCA hospitals, so do keep that in mind. I also think the reputation of both schools really doesn't make a huge difference in this case; neither will really open any doors for you based on prestige/name alone, as they are very similarly ranked schools. They both have pretty strong match lists, and the P/F grading can be a huge stress relief throughout your early M1/M2 years.

That being said, I have heard both schools really care about their students (although you will probably get more support at FAU due to the smaller class size), and I think you will be happy with either decision. It seems like you're leaning more towards UCF, though, and I think its very advantageous to have a good support system close by (you can easily visit family/friends every weekend from UCF if you wanted to).