UM (Miller) vs. UF

[neonpothos]

Hey guys, I've been going back and forth on this decision and I'm interested to see if you guys have other perspectives that I haven't yet considered. Any advice, tips, further questions, or comments are more than welcome! 🙂

University of Miami
Pros

• Close to family and friends (I am a Miami native so it'll be nice to be in a familiar setting)
• Was accepted to their MD/MPH program and I do want to get my MPH. This program is nice because you get both degrees within 4 years.
• New NextGen curriculum which gives you early clinical exposure (you do pre-clinicals in about a year)
• I would get to rotate at Jackson as well as other clinics in West Palm Beach area because of the MD/MPH
• Students seem really happy and good work-life balance
• Has a well established Diabetes Institute which is what kind of research I would like to continue doing

Cons

• Living in Brickell is expensive and I do want to have the experience of living away from my parents
• The administration is not as responsive or kind as I would have hoped
• The medical school is in Overtown which is not as desirable. I don't know how comfortable I would be leaving the library at night and walking to my car.
• No new environment or exposure to a new place. Miami might also be a big distraction.

University of Florida
Pros

• Top-ranked medical school in the state of Florida and 36 nationwide
• Shands Hospital is right across the medical school and it seems like a wonderful teaching hospital
• The medical school is beautiful and has new buildings and cool tech which would be really cool to study with
• The faculty really emphasizes caring for the person as a whole and not just their condition which is something I try to focus on
• Longitudinal anatomy course so you learn anatomy as you learn the different systems
• Everyone, from the students to the faculty, is extremely kind and respectful and seems to really enjoy their time at UF.
• Big emphasis on research and community service
• Even with my UM scholarship, it is cheaper and I could live in a really nice place.
• I would get the college experience (tailgates, living next to campus, etc) because I lived at home during undergrad.

Cons

• I have never lived in a small city like Gainesville and I'm afraid I'm going to miss the vibrancy and excitement of Miami for the little amount of time I do have free.
• No integrated MPH so I would have to take another year to do it.
• 5-hour drive from Miami (aka family and friends) but would be closer to my boyfriend who might live in Orlando

Summary: I am very confused and scared of making (and then regretting) a wrong decision. If any Miamians have insight to life in Gainesville, I'd love to hear it!

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[Endee]

I have the same 2 school decision, and I'm also a S. FL native. I'm almost certain that I'm going to UF. I can't wait to get out of South Florida. The drive down to visit family is really not bad, I've done it a few times over the last few weeks looking at real estate and it goes by pretty fast. Gainesville may not be urban like Miami/Wynwood/Coconut Grove/Coral Gables etc but it's a fun city with a lot of young people that like to do fun things.

That being said, if you're dead set on MD/MPH, saving a year is nice. However as a Miami MDMPH student, I am under the impression that *most* of your clinical rotations will be in Palm Beach, not at UM/JMH, except for maybe electives and such.

The COM community at UF seems special. I felt a very warm family like feeling when I visited. UM has felt...the opposite, for lack of a better term.

 

[Banco]

If you're very certain on doing the MPH, then yeah getting it done in 4 years is a nice little perk from Miami. I'd go there. If you're wishy washy on the MPH, then UF seems like the choice for you. 5 hour drive is doable for weekends/breaks, and you can easily match back to Miami come residency time.

 

[worried_applicant]

Gainesville is definitely a smaller town compared to Miami and is more academic focus; that is, I feel like many of the activities available revolve around the University and the town is definitely a college town catered towards students at UF. With this said, you can still find activities, especially outdoor activities like walking through nature trails and etc., in the town. It sounds like you like either school, though like the users above mentioned, I think how much you want the MPH is an important factor in the your decision. The extra year saved from Miami’s program might be equivalent to an extra year’s salary, which might be an incentive for you to attend UM. On the other hand, if you are not sure you want the MPH, UF’s program might be better overall, unless you are interested in orthopedics or something. Either way, both places are amazing schools with strong matches, so I don’t think you’ll lose out with either choice. Congrats on the acceptances!

 

[Woahtherebecky]

had to make this decision last year and went with my gut and choose UF mainly for the sense of community I felt during my interview. I can say wholeheartedly that every student, professor and faculty member I’ve talked to have been some of the nicest and most caring people. I feel like I’m learning to become a better human in the process of being here.

 

[MB190E]

Miamian who did undergrad at UF here. Plant to attend Miller in the fall. All things considered, I think UM and UF are about the same in terms of prestige and match lists. UF might be higher ranked on USNWR but UM has more NIH funding, and USNWR doesn’t really mean anything anyway! I personally think Jackson >> Shands as it is nearly three times larger and has a much more diverse patient population. If you're interested in trauma or transplant, it's not even close. If you're dead-set on the MPH, Miami also gives you a big advantage by letting you complete it in four years, but rotations don't occur at Jackson from what I've heard.

Overtown isn't the best neighborhood, but the UM/Jackson campus is VERY safe. No problems walking to my car late at night or early in the morning. UF’s campus feels a lot sketchier and there is a good amount of crime in the area.

Though it does seem like you vibe with the students/admin at UF better, I have to say I found the UM admin to be very welcoming and responsive and the students seem laid-back. You're going to spend the next four years around these people, pick the ones you like better.

UF is cheaper and the COL in Gainesville is very cheap though for what it's worth, luxury buildings are popping up all over Gainesville, forcing older buildings to remodel and rent is creeping up with it (like what is happening/happened to Ann Arbor). College towns aren't for everyone but I found there was plenty of things to do and was pretty fun to be around a bunch of other folks your age. Lots of places to drink if that's your thing, and football/sports games are very fun. Another fun thing is that most students move using mopeds which is actually extremely convenient and the thing I miss the most. Awesome coffee shops and food scene. The undergrad libraries closed pretty early while I was there and weren't open on holidays which sucked. The University Administration is very tone-deaf. Gainesville is still nothing compared to Miami, but it's quite fun especially as a student trying to live frugally.

The five hour drive to Miami will often be more around 6 or 7 when you factor in traffic/thunderstorms and can honestly be pretty brutal. Not something you would enjoy doing or would even be able to do often as it would detract significantly from study/personal time. There's a few bus services but they are relatively expensive and are slower than driving.

tl;dr: Miami is the better city, but Gainesville is very fun and cheap as a student.

Feel free to PM if you have any questions I can definitely give you a few housing or other recommendations!

 

[neonpothos]

Thank you everyone for all the insight! I really appreciate it!

 

[neonpothos]

Miamian who did undergrad at UF here. Plant to attend Miller in the fall. All things considered, I think UM and UF are about the same in terms of prestige and match lists. UF might be higher ranked on USNWR but UM has more NIH funding, and USNWR doesn’t really mean anything anyway! I personally think Jackson >> Shands as it is nearly three times larger and has a much more diverse patient population. If you're interested in trauma or transplant, it's not even close. If you're dead-set on the MPH, Miami also gives you a big advantage by letting you complete it in four years, but rotations don't occur at Jackson from what I've heard.

Overtown isn't the best neighborhood, but the UM/Jackson campus is VERY safe. No problems walking to my car late at night or early in the morning. UF’s campus feels a lot sketchier and there is a good amount of crime in the area.

Though it does seem like you vibe with the students/admin at UF better, I have to say I found the UM admin to be very welcoming and responsive and the students seem laid-back. You're going to spend the next four years around these people, pick the ones you like better.

UF is cheaper and the COL in Gainesville is very cheap though for what it's worth, luxury buildings are popping up all over Gainesville, forcing older buildings to remodel and rent is creeping up with it (like what is happening/happened to Ann Arbor). College towns aren't for everyone but I found there was plenty of things to do and was pretty fun to be around a bunch of other folks your age. Lots of places to drink if that's your thing, and football/sports games are very fun. Another fun thing is that most students move using mopeds which is actually extremely convenient and the thing I miss the most. Awesome coffee shops and food scene. The undergrad libraries closed pretty early while I was there and weren't open on holidays which sucked. The University Administration is very tone-deaf. Gainesville is still nothing compared to Miami, but it's quite fun especially as a student trying to live frugally.

The five hour drive to Miami will often be more around 6 or 7 when you factor in traffic/thunderstorms and can honestly be pretty brutal. Not something you would enjoy doing or would even be able to do often as it would detract significantly from study/personal time. There's a few bus services but they are relatively expensive and are slower than driving.

tl;dr: Miami is the better city, but Gainesville is very fun and cheap as a student.

Feel free to PM if you have any questions I can definitely give you a few housing or other recommendations!

This was super insightful! I will definitely PM you 🙂