Since I am too lazy to retype anything, I will go ahead and paste some old posts of mine that gives some general information about USF. Let me know if you have more specific questions.
Post #1
Now USF has some strengths and weaknesses that have already been mentioned. The best strength would have to be the great clinical program installed at USF. This program is very special for it gives early exposure in clinical medicine. With the new curriculum, you will see your first patient during the first week of school. You will continue seeing patients throughout the rest of your medical school career. The clinical facilities are great and plentiful. Students work rotations at Tampa general hospital, Moffit Cancer Center, Veterens Hospital, USF medical clinic, USF eye center, All childrens hospital, Bayfront medical center, and I am sure there are others that I am forgetting. You are not limited to one hospital like some other schools. Tampa is a great city with lots of interesting clinical cases. Believe me when I say that USF will deliver a STRONG clinical education. Other strengths include high board scores, friendly professors, H, PC, P, F grading system, laptop hookups in every classroom, good residency match, and friendly students.
The only weaknesses I would say is that the classrooms and labs are not the most pleasant surroundings. They are just kinda old. I would agree that the school is not as well known out of state, but its reputaion grows each year. There are plenty of students that leave the state for residencies.
Post #2
First of all let me say good luck to everyone applying this year. I just wanted to comment on some things that I read. I am a first year student at USF. Yes Cobragirl is correct that changes were made in the curriculum. Yes it has been challenging, but also rewarding. The main changes first involved the incorporation of a new class before the "real" classes started. This three week introductory class was called the profession of medicine. The class involved the discussion of ethics, professionalism, evidence based medicine, state of the art presentations on clinical aspects of medicine, and (my personal favorite) an intro to physical diagnosis. We learned how to conduct basic chest, lung, and abdomen exams during these three weeks. This was on actual patients, but of course they were paid. The three week course was fun but to be honest it took away much time from our other courses causing lots of cramming. The first two blocks did involve mainly four days of 8-5. However, now that is all over and it is back to three days of 8-5. Let me assure you that the mistakes made in our class will be fixed for next year.
Unfortunately we were the guinea pigs and mistakes always happen when new things are tried out. It will be better for next year?s class. They will make the POM class shorter and more concise. This will create more time for Gross and lesser class time. Another incorporation to the curriculum was the LCE class. During this class we meet with physicians in the community once a week. During these visits we gradually move forward in our tasks we are allowed perform on patients. This continues into the spring till May. You will get one specialist, primary care doc, and a doc of your choice during the first two years.
Interviews started back in the end of September. I know they were behind due to the mess with AMCAS. USF's match lists are competitive as well. I never have compared it to UF's list, but it does have matches as well into Diagnostic Radiology, Optho, ENT, Surgery, and Derm.
In my opinion, USF's greatest strength is its clinical program. Numerous hospitals and clinics throughout the Tampa Bay area are utilized ranging from Tampa General Hospital (downtown tampa), All children?s hosp, Shiners Children?s Hosp, Bayfront Medical Center, USF med clinics, USF Veterans Hosp, USF eye clinic, Moffit Cancer Center, and other facilities. With all these numerous institutions one will be exposed to many different cases involving different cultures. It will be the third and fourth year that gets you into the residency of your choice. I know for a fact that USF's clinical program is recognized nationally as a program that prepares its student well for the life as a resident. Now I am not trying to say USF is better than UF, UM, or FSU. In my opinion each school has their own strengths and weaknesses. Choose which school you feel will make you the most comfortable academically and environmentally. I just wanted to clear up any confusion anyone might have had concerning our new curriculum. Let me know if you have any questions?
