Hello, so last week was pretty interesting for me in terms of college admissions. I got into the Honors Program at FSU, and two days later I got into UF. My parents were stoked about UF, but each time I visited (three times) it just didn’t feel right. I only toured FSU once and it kind if clicked. I could see myself there, the campus is GORGEOUS. So it would seem the choice is obvious, but that’s where my problems come into play. I intend to major in biology and hopefully go to med school. For this my parents and most people are pushing UF on me because of rankings and whatnot. Every time I start to get a little more okay with the idea of attending UF, I picture myself in Gainesville on that campus and I just get uncomfortable. That might be an exaggeration but I don’t know of how else to word it. I’m not even sure exactly what it is about UF that gets me feeling weird but it’s probably a combination of how huge and isolated (Gainesville is all UF) it is. The honors dorms at FSU are also way nicer than the ones I’ll be in at UF, and they’re literally in the heart of campus. I don’t know what to do! I want the education that will leave me in the best spot for medical school and a good career. Growing up in Florida, I am completely aware of the mindset a lot of people have that FSU is where you go when you can’t get into UF. Well, I’m living proof of that misconception. So now I’m stuck.
If you want to go to med school, UF produced 802 med school applicants in 2015, while FSU produced 341.
https://www.aamc.org/download/321458/data/factstablea2-7.pdf
That said, you can certainly get to med school from FSU. Good luck with your choice.
In terms of education, they’re both outstanding schools, the best 2 in the state. Which ever you choose you will come out with a degree that is notable and means something. They both cost the same amount with in-state tuition, so all thats left is: where do you see yourself? Its a big commitment, 4 years of your life to live in another city, most likely hours away from your family. Its important that your home away from home feels comfortable, happy, and… well… like home lol. So go where you’re comfy. Head to Tally baby
Picking a college is sometimes like picking a spouse…sometimes there is an unexplainable x factor that makes u prefer one over another even if “on paper” things lean the other way. Not everything is reducible to nice neat formulas. I’ve never been to either school, but the hideous blue and orange uniforms and obnoxious gator arm gesture would be enough to keep me out of Gainesville.
I would do research into exactly what advantages the honors program at FSU will provide. Honors programs vary from school to school. If you get things like a better dorm, smaller classes, first dibs on course selection, ability to get involved in research with professors etc. – the honors experience at FSU may provide you with a boost in terms of med school admission. And it may be enough to convince your parents that it woudl be a good choice. Plus if the honors award comes with a scholarship then that is money you can save for med school. IMO it sounds like you are already sold on FSU.
@moooop that’s a really good way to put it. I also have to agree about the uniforms.
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@happy1 yeah, those are the things that are keeping me from committing to UF. I think if it were FSU regular vs UF, I’d be much more willing to become a gator. The honors program allows the students priority registration (I’ve heard this can be the difference between graduating in 4 years and 5?), the dorms are significantly nicer, and FSU does have undergraduate research opportunities for those who apply. But still, UF has Shands hospital on campus and they do produce more medical school applicants. Still torn. I hate this feeling.
It’s all relative - how many kids try for Med school at each school? I would imagine more get weeded out at UF.
In my personal opinion Gainesville is a one cow town. Tallahassee has more going on.
You are lucky to be able to choose between two fine options. At this point all I can say is whatever school you choose, never look back.
Both are good options. So go for the one you feel more drawn to and excited about attending rather than the one you think “might” (based on what exactly?) provide better chances for med school. Also, Honors program could help you get better undergrad research which could matter more in the long run.
You sound like you have an obvious and strong preference for Florida State. You’ve already visited UF and Gainesville three times and you still don’t like it.
You can go to medical school from either college. Med schools don’t really care where you went so much as they do your GPA, MCAT scores and appropriate activities (shadowing, research, etc.)
You DO know what you want to do. You’re just afraid to want it because of what your family and others are telling you. But don’t be afraid to want Florida State. It’s a great university and it can get you to your career goals.
So go to Florida State!
This is where rankings get annoying. People buy into them wholesale: they think quantitative orderings of universities are meaningful in some deep way, such that they imagine small differences actually are bigger than they are. And they attach rankings to all kinds of things, like success after college and admission to graduate school.
But there’s little evidence that attaches rankings to post-college success once you control for student inputs (wealth, ambition, student preparation before college). A really excellent student who got into UF but chose FSU for personal reasons could do just as well coming out of FSU as they could out of UF. There’s a study that provides evidence for that (it followed kids who went to Dartmouth and compared them to kids who got into Dartmouth but chose to go elsewhere).
Go with your instinct. The only thing I would do is visit FSU, maybe overnight, just to make sure it’s still your first choice. If you still like it, go!
I could go on all day with the pluses and minuses between the two schools. But really, they are all minor. You can be a success at either.
Keep in mind that it’s YOU that has to spend 4 years at FSU or UF; you that has to power your way through Organic Chemistry; it’s you that needs to be happy with your choice.
Many “pre-med” student do not end up going to medical school. Have a back-up plan. What will be your major? If it’s say, Biology, and you end up hating it, what other major would you be interested in? Then compare those majors at UF and FSU. Both schools share many of the same majors, but some are only taught (or taught much better) at one school or the other.
Good Luck!
PS: If you go to FSU, it will feel like we’re losing a recruiting battle over a 5 Star quarterback! Ack! But we’ll get over it…I guess (maybe our med school can out recruit FSU’s!). :-SS :-SS
I went to FSU and was in the honors program eons ago. I grew up in Florida very close to Gainesville and chose Tallahassee simply because of its slightly farther distance from home. This was back in the simple days before US News, etc. I don’t think I applied anywhere other than FSU. Anyway, just writing to say that the honors program at FSU was really great - even back then - and the honors dorm, in particular is a very nice feature. I met my husband in that dorm and all of our closest college friends were people we met in the dorm - it does become a smaller community of strong students. The priority scheduling is great and, although I had to take several large classes outside of the honors program, the smaller honors classes were really good with opportunities for lots of interaction with the professors.
And, I ended up getting accepted to UF law school, so UF didn’t hold it against me when it came to the next step! 
The only negative I’d mention about Tallahassee, if you don’t already know, is the blasted rain. I swear it rains more in Tallahassee than anywhere else I’ve ever lived!
@Gator88NE Thank you, I have been thinking a lot about what I’d be interested in outside of biology. I think I picked bio simply because it fit with the pre-med track, and I’d rather major in something else to be honest. I’m really into economics and statistics. I still want to work towards medical school but a backup plan would be nice. Also, I just sent in my deposit to UF! Shocking! I started watching youtube videos from students and reading about various clubs and I’m a lot more comfortable now. Plus Shands is right there, so that’s a major benefit. If I put in the effort I don’t doubt that I can do well there. I’m excited!
:-bd :-bd :-bd
You can point a Gator towards Tallahassee, but you can’t make her do the tomahawk chop.
Congratulations on making a decision. Enjoy your college experience.
@happy1 Thank you!
@moooop 
Edit: Also, I wanted to thank you for your earlier advice. Still not crazy about the orange and blue, but I’ll get over it.