I have recently heard good things about both schools as well as many arguments as to which one is "better". In your opinion, which one do you think has a better pre-med experience (acceptance, opportunities, etc.). Or if you want to look at it in a different light, which one will give you a better chance to go to the big shot schools: Harvard Med, Johns Hopkins, Yale, UPenn, Michigan?
University of miami vs university of florida - premed
- Thread starter JHoping
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I'll tell you what I was told when I asked a similar question:
Go because you want to, not because of the name 🙂.
Go because you want to, not because of the name 🙂.
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Name can help in admissions to an extent, or so I've heard.
If you can compete in a top school and can earn a high GPA, a student coming from Yale with a 3.8 would look better than a student from a state school with a 3.8.
The consensus seems to be, however, if you do well wherever you go, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
If you're a Florida resident, UF might be cheaper (depending on Bright Futures scholarships). I've had friends from both schools gain acceptances from top schools, and both programs have good relations with their respective medical schools. UF has better sports, though 😉
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Out of State: Apply to both... See which offers you a better financial package.
In State: If you have the funds to pay ~58k per year (UM), apply both. If you don't, apply UF.
I applied early action to UM last cycle, had above average stats and got no money with my acceptance. Great school, I just wasn't going to pay 200k+ for an undergraduate education. I'm happy with my three years of undergrad for around what one year of UM and most top 50 schools cost 😉
In State: If you have the funds to pay ~58k per year (UM), apply both. If you don't, apply UF.
I applied early action to UM last cycle, had above average stats and got no money with my acceptance. Great school, I just wasn't going to pay 200k+ for an undergraduate education. I'm happy with my three years of undergrad for around what one year of UM and most top 50 schools cost 😉
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As the biggest UM homer around I have to tell you that it would all come down to tuition costs. UF is almost definitely cheaper for in-state residents unless you get a large merit scholarship from UM. You can excel and go to any medical school from both undergraduate premedical programs.
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Please don't go to UM unless you're filthy rich or absolutely don't care about the money. UF will give you the same, if not better, education as UM but at a substantially lower price (this is assuming you live in Florida).
Basically, what everybody else said.
Basically, what everybody else said.
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CHEAAAAAAA. If you go to harvard and pull a 3.0. Congrats your not going to med school!!
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I mean, if you have the money (AKA rich parents), go visit UM. I guarantee you will fall in love with the school and the area in a matter of seconds. I visited and loved Miami... Everything was perfect for me: location (coconut grove <3), weather, science base, research focus, med school matriculation rate, strong school pride, interesting majors (microbiology & immunology FTW) and so on...
Just beware of the people. When you go somewhere like Miami, expect rich and snobby Northeasters who drive BMWs, Audis and Mercedes who wear designer clothes and hang out with their other rich trust fund friends. I can't really talk, as I am from the north east and my family drives Audis and BMWs but I can safely say I am not like the snobs that go to UM 😛
Just beware of the people. When you go somewhere like Miami, expect rich and snobby Northeasters who drive BMWs, Audis and Mercedes who wear designer clothes and hang out with their other rich trust fund friends. I can't really talk, as I am from the north east and my family drives Audis and BMWs but I can safely say I am not like the snobs that go to UM 😛
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deleted357625
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Academics: UF > UM. UF has some awesome research opportunities, though UM is no slouch. UF has some *BIG* intro courses, though upper-level classes are more in line with what you will find at UM.
Social Scene: UM > UF...particularly if you don't care about football. UM football is still big (and they probably still pay their players more), but there are plenty of other things to do in/around Miami compared to Gainsville. The campuses have a very different feel, so you'll need to walk around each campus to see which feels better; just be happy you aren't stuck in Tallehassee. 😀
Cost: UF >>> UM. Miami is expensive to live, expensive to be social, and downtown Miami is nothing to write home about. Living a bit north of UM would offer better beaches, though you'll want to be close to campus. You want the least amount of debt coming out of your undergraduate training. Being 6-figures (or close) in debt after undergraduate is an incredibly bad financial decision for 99.8% of students, particularly those who want to pursue graduate/professional training.
Weather: UM >> UF. It is hotter in Miami, but the winters are gorgeous. It actually gets cold in the winter time in Gainesville (low 40's at night, high 60's during the day...ugh) compared to Miami's low 50's at night and high 70's during the day. That probably sounds fine either way, but after you spend a year in S. FL...any day that is <65 is COLD and requires a decent weight jacket.
If you do well in your classes, the MCAT, etc...either school should be fine.
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Didn't know UM offered a Microbiology and Immunology Major !!!!!!!!!!!!
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UM > UF in academics actually if u follow the rankings/ believe in them. Even though the undergrad and medical school rankings are so close together, the lead UM has is probably insignificant. UM has alot of research oppurtunities in medicine and biomedical engineering, can't talk about UF. Bascom Palmer Eye institue and Sylvester cancer center are at the top in the country. Bascom is #1 still i believe. The miami-dade area has mount-sinai, miami childrens, and cleveland clinic also for shadowing and volunteering. The miami health fairs are big events also. Going to undergrad at UM, since it is in south florida, there are many medical schools down here that you can be exposed to; Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Miami, Nova Southeastern, etc. if you want to go to some of those. If you want to go to UM, UM accepts alot of their own, if not you will be competing with others from top schools. There are alot of international people in south florida and alot of people from the NE, it is intimidating for some people. To me UM does NOT have the characteristic college 'experience' since it is in a major city. Fraternities and 'school events' are not much cared for. You go to class and you go to your apt or whatever off campus for the most part. It is a better situation to get internships, volunteering, research, connections, in my opinion. UF is a huge school, HUGE. UM has a few thousand. My premed classes had about 100 kids. It does cost a fortune.. make sure to look into 6 and 7yr programs UM has, i believe UF also has this. But of course i am bias, i'll stop pluggin my alma mater now. Food for thought.
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I doubt the presence of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Sylvester Cancer Center should carry much weight in a high school student deciding which school is a better fit in terms of getting into medical school.
Follow the $$$, seriously.
