If you’ve found this website because you’re pursuing a career in the medical field as a doctor, physician assistant, or biomedical researcher, you’ve likely done a lot of research and searched “best medical schools near me,” or perhaps “PA schools in Florida.” FSU Medical School has no doubt popped up as one of the best medical schools in Florida.
Somewhat young, Florida State Medical School was founded in June 2000 with the goal of bringing quality healthcare to the people of Florida, whether they reside in more populated or rural regions. The first graduating class in 2005 had 30 students, and the volume of students increased year by year until it became one of the more popular medical schools amongst aspiring physicians.
The original design of the school was as a community-based medical institution. Various regional campuses were planted in Orlando, Tallahassee, and Pensacola in 2003. Later, campuses opened in Sarasota, Daytona Beach, and Fort Pierce.
The goal of the FSU School of Medicine is to train doctors to be lifelong learners, so they will constantly be evolving, developing their skills, staying on top of the latest research and development in the medical community, and always being open to ways of sharpening their skills. The world is ever-changing, and physicians must be willing to evolve as well. While the basic educational component of the Florida State Medical School program takes place in a college environment, the hands-on clinical experience will happen in the trenches of the medical world, working with a variety of patients from every walk of life, background, socio-economic status, etc.
Be an Informed Applicant
Getting into medical school, no matter which school it is, can be extremely challenging and stressful. There is no way to be completely prepared, but you can help yourself immensely by being as prepared as possible. Part of this preparation comes from doing research, like you’re doing here by reading this guide.
This medical guide has been written to help you prepare yourself for applying to FSU College of Medicine and to give you the best possible chance of matriculating to the school you’ve chosen. Take plenty of time to read through this guide in its entirety, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We are here to help. Our medical school guides can be incredibly helpful during the process of applying to medical schools.
If there is more than one school on your application list, be aware that we offer these medical school guides for many other medical programs as well. If you’re wanting to apply to a medical school close to home, try searching “medical schools near me,” and then come back here to see if we have a guide for that particular school you’ve identified.
This guide was developed specifically for FSU Medical School and should not be considered a guide for any other medical college.
Topics covered in this guide include:
- Why the Florida State Medical School?
- Medical Programs at Florida State Medical School
- Facilities, Student Organizations, and More
- Selection Factors: What FSU Medical School Looks for in an Applicant
- Admissions Requirements for FSU Medical School
- FSU Medical School Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics
- FSU Medical School School Tuition & Cost of Attendance
- AMCAS Primary Application & FSU Medical School Secondary Application
- FSU Medical School Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
- FSU Medical School Interview Process
- Medical School Admissions Consulting
- Voluntary Healthcare Internships Abroad
Personalized Help
One-to-one, personalized assistance through the medical school application program is absolutely the best way to prepare for applying to Florida State Medical School, or any school for that matter. Our medical school admissions consulting program was developed to take the burden off your shoulders and provide you with the support you need. If you’re looking for professional assistance, our experts will be there to support you every step of the way, helping you with your applications, providing advice about your essay responses, and preparing you for your interview, including running you through mock interviews. Contact us here if you have any questions.
Why Florida State Medical School?
According to their Strategic Plan, the mission of the Florida State Medical School is to “educate and develop exemplary physicians who practice patient-centered health care, discover and advance knowledge, and are responsive to community needs, especially through service to elder, rural, minority, and underserved populations.”
The FSU College of Medicine is committed to the idea of compassionate care and stresses this vision to its students throughout their time there. Being aware of the way the world is changing is important in the medical community so that doctors can stay relevant, provide appropriate care, and meet all their patients’ needs without exception. Everyone deserves quality healthcare and compassion from their providers, and this is a concept the Florida State Medical School faculty reinforce over and over throughout the program.
These are the values of the FSU College of Medicine:
- Collaboration with our Colleagues and Communities
- Respect and Open Communication
- Emphasis on our Students and Patients
- A Constant Commitment to Innovation and Continuous Improvement
- Teamwork and Motivation to Work with Others to Achieve Results
- Excellence in All We Do
The ways in which the FSU Medical School achieves these goals and values are through:
- Teaching Excellence
- Research Excellence
- Clinical Care and Service Excellence
- Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Excellence
One of the things that makes FSU College of Medicine so successful and popular is the quality of the faculty and staff they have on-board. The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs & Diversity, Cheryl Porter, PhD, is one of these special individuals. The work she does in FSU Medical School’s diversity and inclusion programs is astounding.
Another important individual is Susan Epstein, MSLS, AHIP, who is the Head of Library Access Systems at Charlotte Edwards Maguire Medical Library. This library is one of the keys to the school’s success.
When it comes to biomedical research, Jeffrey Joyce, PhD is the man to speak to. He is the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs, as well as a Professor of Biomedical Sciences. He keeps these programs running smoothly.
One of FSU’s most highly recognized faculty members is Charles G Maitland, MD, who is Professor of Neurology and a highly experienced and knowledgeable individual. Students learn so much from Dr. Maitland.
FSU Medical School is dedicated to diversity in the student body as well as a compassionate and tolerant attitude towards social equity in the medical workplace. The Council on Diversity and Inclusion at Florida State Medical School is responsible for ensuring that diversity and inclusiveness are core aspects of the school’s personality and foundation. They consistently work towards increasing awareness and openness, as well as making sure the student body is full of unique individuals with varying backgrounds. Some of the initiatives they currently have going on include:
- Providing a safe space for people to receive nonjudgmental mentoring and a listening ear,
- Sponsoring annual Grand Rounds events,
- Providing orientation sessions for new FSU College of Medicine students, faculty, and staff that focus on diversity and inclusion,
- Selecting and featuring resources that promote diversity and inclusion,
- Developing diversity and inclusion training and education opportunities on campus,
- Partnering with stakeholders to make it more accessible for students to confidentially report any concerns or negative incidents.
There are many reasons applicants find FSU College of Medicine to be their best choice among the Florida medical schools. The FSU Internal Medicine Residency Program alone is worth enrolling in. There is so much this school has to offer students.
Florida State Medical School Medicine Ranking
US News and World Report states that FSU College of Medicine ranked:
- #18 in Most Diverse Medical Schools (tie)
- #45 in Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
- #50 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
- #71 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care (tie)
- #98 in Best Medical Schools: Research (tie)
- #123 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas (tie)
Medical Programs at Florida State Medical School
Medical Doctor (MD)
The four-year Medical Doctor (MD) program at FSU College of Medicine went through a curriculum redesign and restructure process. This preclerkship curriculum has gone from being a traditional program to one that is a fully integrated biopsychosocial model based on modern research about what is proving effective in medical training. This new curriculum plan is continuing to evolve, develop, and grow.
The primary focus of the curriculum is to see the human being as the framework for everything, as well as to train new physicians to be lifelong learners, able to think on their own, reason, research, and grow to adapt to a changing world. Students will gain knowledge and experience from the perspective of accessing, believing, and understanding the patient in every aspect.
- Highlights of the MD program include:
- Activities to Develop Professional Behavior, Wellness, and Medicine in Society
- Early Clinical Experiences with Simulated and Real Patients
- Reduced Lecture Time Replaced by Interactive Small and Large Group Sessions
- Customized NBME Assessments
- 6 Weeks Study Time for USMLE Step 1
- Preclerkship “Boot Camp”
According to their website, candidates for the MD degree at FSU College of Medicine must meet the following requirements to graduate:
- Be able to fully perform the essential functions in each of the following categories: Observation, Communication, Motor, Intellectual, and Behavioral/Social Attributes as described in the College’s Technical Standards for the admission and education processes;
- Successfully complete all required and elective courses and clerkships, Years One through Four;
- Pass the USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS;
- Complete all requirements listed in the procedure’s log, including CME Conference attendance, all listed procedures, ACLS, and BLS;
- Complete all required surveys;
- Be a “student in good standing” in the Spring Semester of the Fourth Year.
Physician Assistant (PA)
FSU PA School is known as one of the best PA schools in Florida. This is a 27-month program, broken up into 7 semesters with 111 credit hours. It was developed with the goal of preparing graduates to practice medicine in partnership with a physician. Graduates of this program receive a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice degree and are ready to start serving in the medical community.
FSU PA School is a challenging program that focuses in-depth on biomedical sciences, simulation work, and learning procedural skills necessary to provide care to patients. While the classes are challenging and the coursework difficult, the atmosphere in the classrooms and during clinical work is friendly, encouraging, and inspiring. It is considered by many to be one of the finest Florida PA schools open today.
Biomedical Sciences PhD Program
Florida State Medical School has an exciting PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences that endeavors to train students to research for the answers to medicine’s most challenging questions and problems. The goal is to continue learning more and more about the inner workings of the human body, the functional use of treatments to attack illness and cancer, and to develop new methods of caring for patients.
One of the most exciting parts of the program is the diversity of research questions and technical methods. There is such a wide variety of health and disease-focused research topics for students to select from that repetition is rare. Students in the program study everything from individual molecules to complex organisms and what makes them all work together.
Masters MS Bridge Program
Many students are finding great success through the Bridge to Clinical Medicine major of the MS Program in Biomedical Sciences. This program was designed in a way to draw in applicants from medically underserved and rural areas of Florida, making it an incredibly diverse and inclusive program by nature.
Students take part in a 12-month program that takes them through the foundational medical knowledge needed as well as hands-on experiences in clinical practice opportunities. This special program makes a way for disadvantaged students from every region of Florida to access medical training and walk the bridge to post-graduate medical school. It also prepares them for what will be expected of them in medical school, which is incredibly helpful.
Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) BS Degree Program
The point of this program at Florida State Medical School is to train students who are aspiring to pursue a career in the medical realm. This degree does put students through challenging science courses, as well as providing individualized counseling, hands-on learning, and the design of seminar and capstone course sequencing that helps students figure out what their true academic potential is, what career in medicine would best suit them, and how to determine what the right direction or route should be taken to get there.
The program provides health care exploration through a wonderful program called the “IMS Experiential Service Learning Seminars.” Students can choose from three major options for their study program in order to prepare them for entry. The following are their options:
- Clinical Professions Major
- Community Patient Care Major
- Health Management, Policy, and Information Major
Facilities, Student Organizations, and More
Facilities
FSU is one of the Florida medical schools with the most beautiful and modern campus. Florida State Medical College is made up of many regional campuses. The Regional Medical School Campus in each of the cities below provides an environment for students to rotate through various specialties such as: family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics/gynecology, geriatrics, and emergency medicine. This opens a lot of possibilities for the students in the program.
The FSU Primary Health Building is where students go to care for their own healthcare needs. This can be incredibly useful.
FSU Medical School campuses are:
- Daytona Beach
- Fort Pierce
- Orlando
- Pensacola
- Sarasota
- Tallahassee
- Marianna Rural Program
- Immokalee Health Education Site
- Thomasville Program
Hospital Affiliations
Here are a few of the hospitals that the FSU College of Medicine partners up with to give students the most comprehensive, thorough training possible.
Sarasota Memorial
The Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center with 819 beds. It’s one of the largest systems of its kind in the state of Florida and is one of the largest employers in the entire county. Founded in 1925, Sarasota Memorial is a full-service health system that provides quality care to the public through a variety of programs.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
The Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare system strives to meet the needs of the entire region, with 772 beds serving 17 counties throughout North Florida as well as parts of Georgia. It is one of the only Trauma Centers designated by the state of Florida.
M.T. Mustian Center
The M.T. Mustian Center is a multi-story surgical hospital with 28 updated operating rooms. With family zones, real-time patient tracking, and many support services provided, this hospital is a great place for students to practice and learn.
Winter Haven Hospital
The Winter Haven Hospital has 468 beds and provides high-quality medical care to all students. The facilities and equipment are state-of-the-art. Winter Haven Hospital has great services in cardiology, psychiatry, emergency care services, oncology, and orthopedics. Students also do clinical work at the Winter Haven Women’s Hospital nearby.
Student Organizations
- American Medical Association / FL Medical Association
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
- American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
- Anesthesiology Interest Group (AIG)
- Biomedical Science Graduate Student Association
- Business and Medicine (BAM)
- Cardiology Interest Group (CIG)
- Christian Medical Association (CMA)
- Dermatology Interest Group (DIG)
- Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG)
- Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)
- Family Medicine Scholars
- Florida Rural Health Association (FRHA) – Medical Student Chapter
- FSU Cares
- Geriatrics Interest Group (GIG)
- Humanities and Medicine (HAM)
- Interprofessional Allies (IPA)
- Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG)
- Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
- Medicine Interest Group (MIG)
- Medical Respect for Life Organization (MERLO)
- Medical Student Council (MSC)
- Military and Veteran Medicine Interest Group (MVMIG)
- Multicultural Association of Pre-Med Students (MAPS)
- Nutrition, Exercise, and Wellness Organization (NEW)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group (OGIG)
- Ophthalmology Interest Group (OIG)
- Pediatrics Interest Group (PIG)
- PRIDE in Healthcare (Promoting Recognition of Identity, Dignity, & Equality)
- Psychiatry Student Interest Group (PSIG)
- Radiology Interest Group (RIG)
- Research Interest Group
- Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (SAAAPA)
- Students Interested in Global Health (SIGH)
- Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN)
- Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
- Surgery and Anesthesiology Interest Group (SAIG)
- Wilderness Medical Society (WMS)
Selection Factors: What FSU Medical School Looks for in an Applicant
The admissions committee at FSU College of Medicine is looking for applicants who are unique, diverse, passionate about medicine, compassionate towards others, and committed to their studies. They are looking for game-changers who will lead the way in medical advancements and bring quality healthcare to the underserved regions of Florida, as well as around the country.
Getting into Florida State Medical School is a competitive goal. The number of applications each year is high and the acceptance rate is low, so it’s important to be as prepared as possible and to be diligent throughout the process. There are several personal and academic achievements that the committee will be looking for, and there are also red flags. Overall, test scores are important, but there is much more the admissions committee looks for than just high MCAT scores and GPAs.
There are going to be some basic qualifications that will filter applicants out right from the start. To be seriously considered for an interview, you must:
- Residency
- Passing Prerequisite Courses
- Have Maintained a 3.3 GPA or Higher
- Have taken the MCAT and Scored 498 or Higher
- Possess Knowledge of the Medical Field
- Be Committed to Diversity
- Display Professionalism
- Submit Letters of Recommendation
Feel free to direct questions to the admissions committee at medadmissions@med.fsu.edu.
Admissions Requirements for FSU Medical School
To be considered for admittance into FSU College of Medicine, an applicant must have completed a degree program and be able to produce transcripts proving that they have completed all prerequisite coursework and showing their GPA. Applicants must have earned a Bachelor’s Degree before enrollment date.
There are going to be some basic qualifications that will filter applicants out right from the start. To be seriously considered for an interview you must:
- US Citizen or Valid Permanent Resident
- Completed all Prerequisites at a University or College with a Passing Score
- Taken the MCAT
For applicants to be considered eligible, they must show that they possess the physical and emotional capabilities of one day doing this trying job. One must have certain capabilities that will be needed to do the job of a doctor. These are the five varieties of skills that an eligible candidate must possess:
- Observation
- Communication
- Motor
- Conceptual
- Integrated and Quantitative
Minimum GPA and MCAT Requirements for the FSU College of Medicine
Applicants should have a MCAT score of 498 or higher to be considered for an interview.
Applicants with less than a 3.3 GPA are not considered competitive candidates.
Volunteer Service and Clinical Experience
While there is nothing in writing to indicate a minimum requirement of volunteer and clinical service, the admissions committee will see any clinical experience as a major advantage. If you’re doing your research ahead of time, you should take this as an encouragement to seek out as many opportunities as possible to volunteer in medical settings.
There are plenty of ways you can gain clinical experience. No experience is too small or insignificant. Volunteer hours in underserved and rural regions of Florida will look fabulous on your application, so don’t forget to list them. Working at a clinic, shadowing a physician, volunteering at a vaccine site – these are all great opportunities.
One option that looks fabulous on your application is participation in a pre-med shadowing study abroad program where you gain clinical experience hours and are dropped into some really culturally diverse circumstances with mentors right there by your side. IMA runs such a program, and you can learn more about our pre-med shadowing study abroad program here.
The FSU College of Medicine Letters of Recommendation
The Admissions Committee at FSU Medical School requires a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 letters of recommendation. If your educational institution provides letter packets, this can meet the entire requirement. When it comes to individual letters of recommendation, the best letters with the most influence on the committee will be written by a faculty member who has taught the applicant and/or experienced their work, especially in the science department.
All letters of recommendation should be submitted through AMCAS online. Letters sent by mail or email will not be considered or counted.
Required & Recommended Coursework at FSU Medical School
The following prerequisite coursework is required:
- College English or Writing Intensive (6 semester hours)
- College Mathematics, Statistics Recommended (6 semester hours)
- Biology with Laboratory (8 semester hours)
- Organic Chemistry with Laboratory (4 semester hours)
- Physics with Laboratory (8 semester hours)
- Biochemistry (3 semester hours)
Recommended Coursework
- Sociology (3 semester hours)
- Psychology (3 semester hours)
- Genetics (3 semester hours)
- Spanish (6 semester hours)
Does FSU Medical School Require the CASPer Exam?
The FSU College of Medicine does require applicants to take the CASPer exam. It is conducted online. Applicants must sign up for a time slot to take the exam.
FSU Medical School Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics
Florida State Medical School received 1,726 applicants for the 2022 entering class. Out of those applications, 84 were accepted, and 60 matriculated. This means they have a 7% acceptance rate, and they also boast a 93% graduation rate. 88% of new students were residents of the state of Florida.
*The acceptance rate is based on the percentage of applicants who enroll. There are other factors that affect rates.
FSU College of Medicine 2023 Class Profile
The following are some statistics regarding the class of 2023:
- Average MCAT: 506
- Average GPA: 3.45
- Florida Residents: 88%
- New Class Size: 60
FSU Medical School Tuition & Cost of Attendance
These tuition and fees are based on the FSU College of Medicine’s 2022-2023 academic year. FSU College of Medicine is known as one of the cheapest medical schools in the US if you are from In-state. Fees are subject to change.
Year 1
- Tuition: $19,696 IS/$45,733 OOS
- Living Expenses: $16,000
- Books and Supplies: $2,100
- Transportation: $4,100
- Personal: $4,800
Total: $46,696 IS/$72,733 OOS
Year 2
- Tuition: $29,798 IS/$69,160 OOS
- Living Expenses: $16,000
- Books and Supplies: $2,600
- Transportation: $4,100
- Personal: $4,800
- USMLE Step 1: $645
Total: $57,943 IS/$97,305 OOS
Year 3
- Tuition: $19,656 IS/$46,272 OOS
- Living Expenses: $16,000
- Books and Supplies: $3,000
- Transportation: $5,100
- Personal: $4,800
- OSMLE Step 2 (CK): $1,945
Total: $50,501 IS/$77,117 OOS
Year 4
- Tuition: $19,656 IS/$46,272 OOS
- Living Expenses: $16,000
- Books and Supplies: $1,600
- Transportation: $5,100
- Personal: $4,800
Total: $47,156 IS/$73,772 OOS
Learning about the inner workings of the financial aspect of medical school is important, as is taking advantage of financial aid support when needed. For more information on the costs of attending medical school in the United States, check out our Medical School Database, where we provide guidance and helpful information.
AMCAS Primary Application & FSU Medical School Secondary Application
FSU College of Medicine partners with the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) for primary applications and letters of recommendation submissions. This centralized service makes it easy for schools to sort through the thousands of applications that come flooding in every year to find those applicants who meet the base qualifications for consideration. Feel free to check out their website for more information.
AMCAS will forward qualifying applications to the FSU Medical School admissions committee for further evaluation, and those applicants will be invited to fill out the secondary application developed specifically for the FSU College of Medicine. They do not charge an additional fee for the secondary, supplemental application.
Those who successfully make it past the second round will be invited to the interview series. Getting to this stage in the process is an accomplishment in itself and a large part of what determines who will be offered a spot in the incoming class.
FSU Medical School Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
Below are FSU College of Medicine secondary essay questions for the 2022-2023 application cycle. All prompts have a 500-word limit.
Essay #1. Why are you choosing to apply to the FSU College of Medicine? Please be specific in describing what is particularly attractive about FSU College of Medicine.
This is a good place to show off all the research you’ve done at the FSU College of Medicine. Prove to the Admissions Committee that you know what you love about the school and what’s drawing you there.
Essay #2. In what field/specialty of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? Please list no more than three specialties.
You may not know exactly what field of medicine you want to go into yet, and that’s perfectly fine. Are there a few you’re leaning towards or find more interesting? Go ahead and write about them. What you write about here isn’t written in stone, but what’s most important is that you show your passion for medicine and commitment.
Essay #3. Write a short statement describing how you envision using the specialty/ies you listed above to advance our mission.
In order to answer this question, you must know the mission of the FSU College of Medicine. Once you have a firm grasp on the mission, you can share how the specialties you’re interested in will make positive change that lines up with the school’s mission. Be very thoughtful in your response.
Optional
Essay #4. Please provide a description of your family.
The Admissions Committee loves to get to know applicants as unique individuals with their own stories. Share as much as you’re comfortable with.
Essay #5. Please provide a description of where you grew up (i.e. rural area, large city, etc.).
Be honest and open about your background. Don’t try to anticipate what the Committee wants to hear.
Essay #6. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.).
Let the Admissions Committee see you as a real person and not just a name on an application. If there’s a unique hobby or interest you have, share it. It’ll help you stand out among the crowds.
Essay #7. What is a unique trait, experience, or interest that we would not normally learn about you?
Again, this is just a way of getting to know you. Share as much as you’re comfortable sharing.
Sample Answer:
When I was eight years old, my parents moved my family to Scotland for three years because my father was going to pastor a church there. Living in another country was a major culture-shock for all of us, but I found the change quite interesting. It ended up being a big opportunity for personal growth.
Living in another country meant using their healthcare system at times. With socialized medicine, it was almost eerie to be able to go in to see a doctor or go to their version of the emergency room at the hospital and never have a dime to pay. Healthcare is truly available to all in the United Kingdom. However, it was not always good healthcare, so we found there were positives and negatives to socialized medicine.
I recall a time when my mother went to the doctor because she was struggling to conceive a third child. After my brother and I were born, my mother and father tried for another baby for years without success. She went to the doctor, and the doctor ordered some tests. Unfortunately, the hospital was so backed up that they couldn’t fit her in for the results for 6-7 months. Then she had to wait several months to see the doctor again. The tests were inconclusive, so another round of imaging was ordered. This took another 6 months to schedule. This is how the pattern went, and my mother found that she was three years into the process of trying to figure out the source of her infertility with no answers.
While the benefits of having “free” healthcare for all seemed really great in the beginning, the shine wore off when we experienced very slow healthcare and limited options. What I believe is that all people deserve quality healthcare. They don’t just deserve healthcare; they deserve good, high-quality care in a timely manner. There has to be a way to accomplish both at the same time.
My experiences living in the UK and receiving healthcare in a foreign country were enriching and educational. I’ll never forget all that I learned there and witnessed firsthand. It is part of the reason I first felt drawn to go into medicine.
Essay #8. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you are comfortable voluntarily sharing with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine.
This is a great question because it gives the Admissions Committee a way to see how you might bring diversity to the student body at FSU College of Medicine. The school is highly committed to diversity, so share with them anything about yourself that highlights your diverse background.
Essay #9. What do you feel are your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine?
What about you as a person makes you a good fit for the college of medicine program? You might share about your good study habits, ability to memorize anatomical systems, commitment to social justice and equity in healthcare, etc.
Essay #10. How do you feel you will contribute to the success of the FSU College of Medicine and our unique mission?
First of all, make sure you have a solid grasp on the school’s mission. Next, talk about how your positive traits, skills, and passion will help you contribute to the actualization of that mission. This is an important question, so be thoughtful before answering.
Essay #11. If you have previously interviewed or applied to the College of Medicine, what steps have you taken to improve your application?
Only answer this question if you have interviewed or applied to the College of Medicine before. If so, make sure to give a few examples of what you’ve done to improve yourself as a candidate for the program. Have you done some clinical volunteer work? A pre-med shadowing study abroad program? These are all ways you can improve your chances.
Essay #12. COVID-19: The Admissions Committee understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so.
Take this opportunity to share if COVID-19 has caused you any setbacks in your education or in your personal life. Did your grades drop with the many changes and stresses of the pandemic? Did it put you behind in terms of your classes? How did you persevere?
Essay #13. If FL has previously been your state of residence but it is not your current state of residence, explain.
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. Why did you leave FL and why would you like to come back?
Essay #14. If you were never a FL resident, explain ties to FL.
Any ties or connections with FL? Do you have any family in FL or work opportunities? Any fond memories?
Essay #15. Criminal/academic discipline question.
FSU Medical School Interview Process
Interviews at FSU Medical School will continue to be held virtually via Zoom. In preparation for your interview, you should take time to learn as much as you can about Florida State Medical School. You can research by studying this guide and by exploring the school’s website.
On Interview Day, applicants will be able to mingle with faculty and other students so that they can ask questions and get to know each other. The interview is considered informal, though you should dress appropriately. Applicants will go through two interviews with members of the Admissions Committee, and each of these interviews should last around 50 minutes.
Be sure to bring plenty of questions with you to show how eager and excited you are. Be early and be prepared to open yourself up with the committee about who you really area. They love to get to know you personally, so be prepared to share.
There are certain characteristics that every admissions committee is looking for as they interview applicants. Here are a few things they will be looking for:
- Solid Interpersonal Ability
- Good at Following Directions
- A Great Listener
- Ability to Communicate Well.
- Self Confidence
- Compassionate
- Aware of Social Issues
- A Passion for Medicine
- Longing to Help Others
Preparing for an interview can be stressful and overwhelming, no matter how confident you are in your interviewing abilities. Applicants find it useful to have personalized coaching and even a mock interview with our medical school admissions consulting team. We are here to help!
Medical School Admissions Consulting
Researching, applying, and interviewing for medical schools is challenging and requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Here at International Medical Aid (IMA), our vision has always been to develop a program that would aid the next generation of medical students as they matriculate to the medical schools of their choosing. Our goal is to help you succeed, because that means more qualified doctors in Florida communities.
If you think you could benefit from one-on-one coaching through the application, essay, and interviewing steps in the application process, our experts are ready to help you. You’ll be shocked how good it feels to have someone working alongside you who has a deep understanding of how the process works and what admissions committees are looking for in a candidate.
Take a moment to schedule a free consultation with one of our experts here.
Voluntary Healthcare Internships Abroad
Former participants will testify that there are few experiences more educational, enlightening, and life-altering than shadowing skilled physicians in foreign settings, spending time with real patients in environments that are unfamiliar and new, and getting an idea of what it’s like to work in a hospital or clinic in a foreign country. If shadowing a physician abroad is something you’d like to learn more about, we would love to provide you with more information.
Our pre-med shadowing study abroad program was designed specifically for pre-medical and gap year students with the vision of preparing them more than ever before for their future as a humanistic, global citizen physician. There is nothing in the world like participating in one of those pre-medicine internships in Peru or Africa.
Please take a few minutes to explore the benefits of our program on our website and reach out if you have any questions.
Best of Luck!
As you take your first step towards matriculating at FSU College of Medicine, we wish you the best of luck and hope that this guide has helped you along your journey. If you find yourself having questions, or struggling with your application, you can reach out to our experts anytime.
Spend some time exploring our medical school admissions consulting program, and please feel free to contact us, and we will get you the support you need to feel confident. Feel free to contact us if you have questions about the application process, our medical guides, our pre-med shadowing study abroad program, or our Medical School Admissions Consulting services.
Whether you looked for medical schools in a different state or searched for medical schools near me, Florida State Medical School is a wonderful choice. We hope our guide helps you achieve your goal of attending this fine institution.
- Morehouse School of Medicine
- Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
- Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM)
- Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM)
- ECU Brody School of Medicine
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
- University of South Carolina Medical School
- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
- Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM)
- Penn State Medical School
- CUNY School of Medicine
- SUNY Downstate Medical School
- NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
- NYU Long Island School of Medicine
- TOURO College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Albany Medical College
- Norton College of Medicine at Upstate Medical University
- Jacobs School of Medicine at the University at Buffalo
- Hofstra Zucker School of Medicine
- Weill Medical College of Cornell University
- University of Rochester Medical School
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- University of Toledo College of Medicine
- Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
- Ohio State University College of Medicine
- Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM)
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS)
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU)
- A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine
- University of Missouri Medical School
- Kansas City University (KCU)
- UMKC School of Medicine
- New York Medical College
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- University of Wisconsin Medical School
- VCU School of Medicine
- University of Maryland School of Medicine
- Case Western Medical School
- University of North Carolina Medical School
- University of Florida Medical School
- Emory University School of Medicine
- Boston University College of Medicine
- California University of Science and Medicine
- UC San Diego Medical School
- California Northstate University College of Medicine
- Touro University of California
- CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
- UC Davis School of Medicine
- Harvard Medical School
- UC Riverside School of Medicine
- USC Keck School of Medicine
- UT Southwestern Medical School
- Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio
- University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
- UT Austin’s Dell Medical School
- UTMB School of Medicine
- McGovern Medical School at UT Health
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- McGovern Medical School at UT Health
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
- UNT Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of Houston College of Medicine
- Texas A&M College of Medicine
- Johns Hopkins Medical School
- Baylor College of Medicine
- George Washington University School of Medicine
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
- St. George’s University School of Medicine
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (in Pennsylvania)
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine
- Western University of Health Sciences (in California)
- Drexel University College of Medicine
- Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago
- Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Yale School of Medicine
- Perelman School of Medicine
- UCLA Medical School
- NYU Medical School
- Washington University School of Medicine
- Brown Medical School
