I was accepted for transfer to both UF and FSU this week after attending community college. Right now I’m trying to decide which to attend. My major is Political Science but I have an eye toward med school. I’m trying to figure out which institution offers the best research and hospital/clinic volunteer opportunities as well as the best education in Gen Chem 2, Organic Chem 1-2, Bio 2, Biochemistry, and Physics 1-2. I’ve read a couple people say UF blows FSU out of the water in areas of science and research but I’ve also read that this is not true and FSU is just as good. Could some of you enlighten me with your opinion on the matter? In my mind, I’m imagining Florida being more competitive in research positions due to more premed students, and in that case I would see FSU as preferable if it is easier to get a spot in a research program. But is that the case, or can I get into a UF research program just as well as I can at FSU? Also, which school generally has the better abroad study opportunities? I would love the opportunity to study abroad and it would look good on my med school application.
Both schools can get you where you want to go…
FSU is fairly strong in the physical sciences (physics and Chemistry). To give you a sense of the comparison.
UF Total R&D expenditures: over $700 million a year
Life Sciences R&D expenditures: over $500 million
Physical Sciences R&D expenditures: over $25 million
FSU Total R&D expenditures: over $252 million a year
Life Sciences R&D expenditures: over $30 million
Physical Sciences R&D expenditures: over $74 million
As you can see, UF spends R&D expenditures are about 3 times FSU’s. However, FSU does spend more on the Physical Sciences (while UF dwarf’s FSU in the life sciences).
What does it mean for you? Both school have research opportunities, and while UF may have more students competing for research slots, it has more slots available.
I think you can do fine at either school. You may find it a bit easier to keep your GPA high at FSU, but if you can get an “A” in FSU’s organic chemistry class, you can get an “A” taking the same class at UF.
UF does generate more medical school applicants (it’s one of the top 3 or 4 feeder programs in the country, with peers like UCLA and Michigan), but FSU (as well as USF and UCF) is also fairly respectable.
Both schools have solid study abroad opportunities.
Good Luck!
Unless you have a specific tie to FSU or it is significantly cheaper, you are better off going to UF. It’s a higher ranked school and you will have better quality peers.