So I went on my visits to UF & USF this week... lots more info, still no decision. Some thoughts:
what USF thinks about UF - the students are boderline cut-throat and Gainesville sucks, in addition USF loves their clinicals and claim that the attendings are extremely supportive
what UF thinks about USF - why would you want to go to USF if you get into UF cause UF is obviously the best school in Florida and has the best rep? And who cares if Gainesville is not too much of a city, you won't have time to enjoy Tampa anyway.
what professors joke about at USF - that the students are hung over
what professors joke about at UF - that the students have no free time
My Comparisons -
admissions
~UF - greeted with a hug and by name, she was glad I had my host to show me aorund, said to come back by the office if I needed anything or had any questions, a very warm welcome.
~USF - Mr. Larkin really made me feel important, introduced me to Dr. Spector (dean) and the dean of curriculum. Gave me contact info for some students (unfortunately the numbers were old and not active)
preceptorship
~UF - 2.5 weeks after Thanksgiving, lots of say about where in Florida, students wish it was more time
~USF - 1 day a week with one all first year, one each half second year - 1 of the 3 will be distant (45-60 minute drive)
lectures
~UF - I went to pharm and EKG class with second years, professors were clinicians, EKG guy wrote the book and put so much effort into his powerpoints. I went to a genetics course with the first years - the first half was a prominant researcher giving background on CF and the second half was a 14yo boy from his gene therapy study and his mother answering questions about living with CF (very cool!). Then I sat in for two phis presentations, the students made lots of jokes in the powerpoints, people laughed and had a good time (didn't seem cut-throat). On another note, they claim to be the only school in Florida with a pharm class which they say is a significant portion of step 1 and a big reason why they do so well.
~USF - sat in on M1 classes (M2s have already taken their step 1s and are done till July, UF takes them in June). First was a neuro class on sleep, very interesting, guy in front of me played internet chess and talked on im the whole time (it is cool that there are internet hookups at the desks, there are not at UF but the building is wireless). A figure showed how penile erection cycled through the night and a guy asked a funny question about what the units were (perhaps a bit too much laughter about penile erection, a bit imature? In addition, when showed tapes of individuals with night terrors they laughed uproariously, felt a bit insensitive.) Next came an ethics class on unruly patients that only about 25% of the class stayed for.
students
~UF - complicated. I stayed with an amazing host for my interview that welcomed me back this time and everyone she introduced me to was so cool and welcoming and many other students came up and introduced themselves and talked about how much they loved UF. However, the second years think the first year class is too competitive and uptight and one M1 even admitted to having 10-12 gunners in her class (yikes). They are young and tight, they know each other. Another note - when an email was sent to 1st and 2nd years asking for someone to volunteer to take me to class, no one responded, luckily I had my host but that's not a very good sign.
~USF - harder to gauge, I did not stay with a host and therefore sat in the classes without much interaction (only one girl introduced herself to me). However, when I approached some third years to ask questions they were extremely friendly and happy about USF and their clinicals. I get the feeling the class is less tight, spend less time together, but they certianly feel more laid back which is nice.
clinicals
~UF - didn't get to talk to a 3rd year but the M2s are excited and don't seem to mind going to Jacksonville. I heard one third year complain about how Shands in Jax had only 2 good programs (OB&ER) but the children's hospital in Jax is phenomenal. They love Shands, love the Harell center (do scripted practicals on tape), feel good about their preparation for the practical part of the USMLE, have a free clinic in town where they can see their own patients starting first year, etc.
~USF - The students are very excited about the diversity of clinical facilities and feel that the increased driving is worth it... the dean of curriculum told me the best part about USF was the diverse patient base. Most of the 3rd & 4th years are spent at Tampa General which is on an island on the water right past downtown (beautiful environment!)
area
~UF - They say a bar a night has a free ladies night (impressive), the downtown district is getting revived and looks like it'll really be a cool place to hang out, they love football games, and feel that there is more to do in Gainesville than med students have time for. Cheap apartments are easy enough to find, some are grad student specific for $800 for two bedrooms, there are some cheap houses if people are looking to invest but they are a bit rundown.
~USF - Tampa is great, shopping, museums, water, Ybor city, clubs, bars, professional sports... its also small enough to know your way around and feel comfortable very quickly. There are lots of apartments around the school (kinda pricy and lots of undergrads), New Tampa to the north is conveniant for the first two years and lots of students move to south Tampa (Hyde park area) for the second two, Davis island has adorable little houses and renting can be reasonable but buying out there starts at half a million.
Concerns -
*which students will I fit in better with? Uf is younger and tighter but also more competitive and less laid back.
*where do I want to live? I love Tampa and wonder if I'll be happy in Gainesville for four years
*where will I have the least hassle? the driving in tampa, the externships to Jax at UF, the traffic in both
*does the reputation difference matter to me? I don't want to go out of state for residency so it shouldn't make a difference but will it get old if some people assume I went to USF cause I didn't get into UF?
*what will my oppurtunities be afterward? so many students at each school stay where they are. I know I don't want to be in Gainesville for more than 4 years so will I be able to get to Tampa after that? Only 5 people on UFs match list this year stayed in Florida at places other than UF (3 at USF), is that because that's where they want to be or because USF likes to keep their own?
ARGHHHHHH!!! I am leaving for a cruise Monday and plan to drink myself into epiphany on some tropical beach. If anyone has any thoughts on how to process all this information, I'd love to hear it! (Sorry this was so long!)
!! I think I would rather go to UF because there are more opportunities and better facilities, from what I saw. I'm also only waitlisted at USF so I can't really choose to go there yet. Keep me informed.
