USF vs. FSU

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ranne13

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Hi friends, I’ve been accepted to FSU, USF, and an out of state school (but I’m not seriously considering OOS, because their OOS tuition is outrageous). I’ve also been waitlisted at UCF, which is currently my first choice. But, I can’t guarantee coming off the waitlist, so I’d like some advice for choosing between FSU and USF, since those are my realistic options.

I love the emphasis on research at USF because I’m interested in integrating research into my future career. I think the opportunities there would set me up well for that possibility. Their teaching hospitals (TGH, Moffitt,etc), and their first and second year curriculum (each system covered twice) are also great. Importantly, I think they tend to do a bit better on Step 1 than FSU students do, and they have a higher match rate into competitive specialties. I’m really interested in radiology, so I’d like to leave the door as wide open for that, or any other competitive specialty, as I can.

At FSU, they don’t emphasize research, but it’s possible to get involved in it if you seek it out. Their first and second year curriculum seems strained (I mean, right from the beginning, you cram anatomy into a single summer). But I love the community based teaching model they use for their clerkship years. From what I’ve heard, this model sets you up really well for Step 2, and students have opportunities to assist with things hands on that students at a large academic center (like USF) wouldn’t have the chance to do until residency. Also, on a personal note, FSU is only 3 hours from home for me, compared to 6.5 hours in Tampa. I’ve never lived away from home before, so being closer to home could be really beneficial for my emotional well-being while I adjust to living on my own.

What do you all think? I value your opinions and feedback!
 
For the most part, you should only chose FSU if you want to go into primary care. FSU's mission, which they hugely emphasize, is to reduce the issue of the primary care physician shortage in areas throughout Florida. They place a significant emphasis on family medicine, geriatrics, and rural medicine. If this is what you would be interested in, FSU would be ideal. However, if you are interested in radiology or other competitive specialties, you should definitely chose USF. USF's rankings have been increasing dramatically ever since their new dean came in. Also, their new downtown campus should be opening this year which seems really nice. The research at USF and rotations at Tampa General would really make matching into radiology much easier compared to the smaller regional community hospitals and clinics that FSU is affiliated with.
Thank you so much for your feedback! I know that USF would make matching into more competitive specialties more likely, I just thought it was still possible at FSU. Sounds like you’re saying though, only go there if I’m sure primary care is a good option for me, which I’m not.
 
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