UF vs USF

[floridabeach2580]

Hello! Since the April 30th deadline is coming up I need some help deciding between these two schools. My brain is telling me UF, but my heart is telling me USF. I am interested in a few competitive specialties (leaning rads or orthopedics). Tuition is roughly the same between schools (33K USF vs 37K UF).

UF (University of Florida)
Pros
--Better reputation (top FL school)
--Better match list
--P/F preclerkship
--No mandatory lectures
--Less regular weekly schedule I believe
--Shands is a great teaching hospital

Cons
--I really don't like Gainesville 🙁 went to UF for undergrad and not sure I want to live here for another 4 years
--I believe clerkships are graded A/B/C/D/F (with +/-)?? Seems like that would be very stressful.
--I don't know anyone who is a student here
--In-house exams only
--Didn't vibe as well with school

USF (University of South Florida)
Pros
--Familiar with area and school (I am from Tampa and love it here); Tampa>>>Gainesville
--Could live with parents and save significant $$ on COA
--I have many friends that go here
--Access to Tampa General Hospital, Moffit Cancer Center
--Mix of in-house and NBME exams

Cons
--Honors/HP/P/F grading all 4 years
--No anatomy lab dissections
--Mandatory lecture attendance (as far as I can tell?)
--Lower ranked
--Problems with match in the past (didn't many students have to SOAP?)

Neutral
--Has not released scholarships yet, UF did not give me any aid but it's possible USF might? (I have to CTE there first unfortunately)

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[MSappinfo]

Congrats on two solid choices.
A few other considerations.
Would you be tempted to hang out/go out and study less if you live at home? I know I would so that would be a negative for me.
Traffic is pretty bad in both places. Maybe commute would be less at UF. ??
Where would you have a higher chance to stand out…since you’re considering competitive specialties?
Which has easier/better opportunities research opportunities?

 

[tweedledumb]

congratulations!
This is my personal take, informed by some (admittedly unhappy) USF morsani students. USF admin has bad vibes. They are often unsupportive. The graded preclinical being something that the student body requested just makes me think it’s full of gunners. I also just strongly dislike a lot of USF’s policies during admissions, for example that you have to CTE to be considered for scholarships.

I loved UF’s vibes as a school. I’ve heard the admin is incredibly supportive. It’s easier to match out of state if you wish too. It’ll set you up better for competitive specialties. If you dislike gainesville, how do you feel about jax? perhaps a lol but you could do your last 2 years there instead.

I, personally, would pick UF in this case. However, if the COA is significantly different, and you feel like you will perform better with your support system close by (and friends already there), you have a tough decision to make.

Best of luck!

 

[homersimpsonfan12]

Can anyone confirm if USF has mandatory attendance? I did not hear about that.