How to Get Into USF Morsani College of Medicine: The Definitive Guide (2024)

If you’re a Florida resident looking into local medical schools and have searched online for “best medical schools near me,” there’s little doubt that USF Morsani College of Medicine has made its way to your list. Since its birth in 1971, the USF College of Medicine has proven to be one of the best medical schools in Florida.

Who is the Morsani College of Medicine named after? Morsani College of Medicine was named after Frank and Carol Morsani, philanthropists and great USF Medical School supporters. This couple believes deeply in caring for all people, which resonates well with the mission, vision, and goals of the founders of the USF Medical School.

The USF Morsani College of Medicine is built upon the foundation of four key pillars. They are:

1. Education – The purpose of the USF Medical School was to educate aspiring physicians in the foundational Science and practical skills needed to provide quality care to patients.
2. Research – The school longs to stay at the forefront of medical research, technology, and discoveries. USF Medical School worked hard to become the fastest-growing federally sponsored health research center worldwide. The school is one of the largest freestanding Alzheimer’s Centers in the world.
3. Community Impact – If you’re looking into Tampa medical schools, you’ll find the USF Morsani College of Medicine to focus significantly on serving the Tampa Bay region, the state of Florida, the United States, and the world. The USF Health Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation was planted in the downtown area of Tampa. Faculty love working where they can make a real difference, and students flock to this school for advanced studies and practice in surgery with robotics, patient safety, and more.
4. Patient Care – The USF Morsani College of Medicine faculty teaches students to look at each patient as an individual. The teaching hospitals of USF Health allow students to hone their skills, which offer patients the latest and greatest in medical research, techniques, and technology.

Be an Informed Applicant

International Medical Aid (IMA) was established around the vision of assisting aspiring physicians to get into their chosen medical school. Our mission is to make the application and interview process as simple and stress-free as possible for the applicants we work with and to increase their chances of gaining acceptance. This was our purpose for developing these medical school guides. The more prepared you are as an applicant, the higher your odds of matriculating.

Reading through this guide to Getting into USF Morsani College of Medicine will help you enormously and could significantly impact the outcome of your application. The information and guidance found here will walk you through the application process. Our medical school guides are available to you free of charge.

If there are several medical schools you’re exploring, be aware that we offer these medical school guides for a variety of other medical programs as well. If you want to apply to a medical school near you, try searching “medical schools near me,” and then check back here to see if we have a guide for that particular school.

This guide was explicitly built for USF Morsani College of Medicine and should not be considered a guide for any other FL medical schools.

Topics covered in this guide include:

• Why the USF Morsani College of Medicine?
• Medical Programs at the USF Morsani College of Medicine
• Facilities, Student Organizations, and More
• Selection Factors: What the USF Medical School Looks for in an Applicant
• Admissions Requirements for USF Medical School
• The USF Medical School Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics
• The USF Medical School Tuition & Cost of Attendance
• AMCAS Primary Application & USF Medical School Secondary Application
• The USF Medical School Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
• The USF Medical School Interview Process
• Medical School Admissions Consulting
• Voluntary Healthcare Internships Abroad

Personalized Help

The best way to prepare for your application to medical school and increase your chances of getting accepted to USF Morsani College of Medicine is by seeking a little one-on-one, personalized coaching from one of our experts at IMA. Our medical school admissions consulting program was designed to meet each applicant’s individual needs every step of the way. Each candidate is unique, so it’s vital to have an individualized approach. Our experts are available and here for you. They can offer advice about your essay responses and prepare you for your interview, including running you through mock interviews. Contact us here if you have any questions.

Why the USF Morsani College of Medicine?

USF Morsani College of Medicine is a particularly attractive program because of its residency programs’ number, variety, and quality. USF Medical School maintains the following residency options:

• USF Psychiatry Residency
• USF Emergency Medicine Residency
• USF Plastic Surgery Residency
• USF General Surgery Residency
• USF Pediatric Residency

As you can see, these are some great residency options for graduating students. There are also top-notch departments where clinical work will take place, such as:

• USF DPT (Physical Therapy)
• USF Neurosurgery,
• USF Neurosurgery
• USF OBGYN
• USF Orthopedics
• USF Ophthalmology
• USF Cardiology
• USF Emergency Medicine
• USF Psychiatry

USF Morsani College of Medicine is an excellent program because it employs fantastic faculty. The faculty has vast knowledge and experience in every field, from private practice in Tampa to South Florida orthopedics. Some of the notable faculty who work with students include:

Rafael Carrion MD – Chair in the USF Urology Department. He is an expert in Sexual Medicine, Peyronie’s Disease, Neurology, Male Health, and Urology. He is highly published and even more highly regarded by his fellow peers.

Anthony Bradshaw MD – Fellowship in Neuromuscular Medicine and a residency in USF Neurology. His research interests include peripheral nerve hyperexcitability syndromes, inflammatory and necrotizing autoimmune myopathies, CIDP and other Immune-Mediated Peripheral Neuropathies, Myasthenia Gravis, Neuromuscular complications of cancer, and more.

USF Medical School Ranking

US News and World Report states that USF Morsani College of Medicine is unranked in:

• #41 in Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
• #46 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care (tie)
• #50 in Best Medical Schools: Research (tie)
• #63 in Most Diverse Medical Schools (tie)
• #80 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
• #135 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas

Medical Programs at USF Medical School

Faculty and committee members from Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine have worked together to develop a program that perfectly integrates academic learning and clinical experience. Graduates of the DO program walk out thoroughly prepared to treat patients holistically and in that osteopathic manner that sets them apart from other medical professionals.

Medical Education (MD)

The USF Medical School offers two medical programs that run parallel with one another and have options for emphasis and location.

CORE MD Program

The CORE MD Program is a four-year program based in Tampa, Florida. Students in this program focus on mastering the preclinical integrated curriculum. In year four, they will engage in small group learning, clerkships, and career tracks to prepare them for their future residency.

There is a Scholarly Concentrations program that provides students with the ability to focus on specific areas of interest that diverge from the regular curriculum. These fields include:

• Health Disparities
• Health Systems Engineering
• Public Health
• Medical Education

At USF Medical School, almost all students take part in research projects. This is often completed as a summer research project after year one. A small group Doctoring class also takes students through the necessary advanced communication skills and includes introductory science courses.

An emphasis on clinical work has led to the Doctoring Clinical Experience program. This program pairs first- and second-year medical students with skilled and knowledgeable faculty and occasional private instructors for a portion of the week. This provides an incredible opportunity for intense learning and growth.

SELECT MD Program

The SELECT MD Program has students spend two years in Tampa, Florida, and then two years in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The integrated curriculum continues to be the focus. Still, this program also allows students to earn a graduate certificate in leadership, health systems, and values-based patient-centered care. These prepare students for positions of leadership in the medical community.

We need strong leaders in the medical community, which motivates the development of this program. The world is constantly changing, and strong leaders must help shape and shift the medical world when needed. This pathway develops specific characteristics in students, including:

• Intellectual Perspective
• Empathy
• Creativity
• Passion to Make Change
• Health of Communities
• Emotional Intelligence

MD/PhD Degree

The small class of MD/Ph.D. students are individuals who are particularly driven, ambitious, and hard-working. The program combines foundational medical education with scientific training and state-of-the-art integrated clinical trials. This program is designed to meet the educational needs of each student.

For the first two years, the focus will be completing the MD program and participating in research lab rotations during the summer. Students will also be admitted to the Ph.D. program’s seminars and events. Years 3-6 will take students through the preparation needed to complete a primary research lab, and they will also work with a mentor to prepare themselves for the Comprehensive Qualifying Examination and dissertation research.

The final two years of this program are when students complete their Ph.D. dissertation and defense. At the end of these two years, students take the USMLE Step 2 exam and make sure all MD classes are completed.

Physician Assistant Program (PA)

The University of South Florida PA Program is a 24-month commitment that prepares students to practice healthcare with integrity and skill. This mission is to produce physician assistants focused on meeting each patient’s needs as a unique individual while using the evidence-based medicine they have learned. The world of medicine is changing as quickly as people have. It takes critical thinkers and problem-solvers in the medical community to make positive change.

The USF PA School requirements are competitive. The USF PA School requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and completion of prerequisite coursework. Students must also have had a minimum of 500 hours of patient care experience in a medical setting. Of the Florida PA schools, USF PA School is careful to see applicants as individuals and to think holistically in terms of admittance.

Didactic

The first 12 months of the University of South Florida PA Program are like other Florida PA programs, beginning with thorough instruction in the primary and medical sciences. This foundation must be solid to be built upon in the clinical phase. Students will also benefit from the extensive collaborative academic experience they will have through USF Health. Academics will be taught through lectures, problem-solving small group activities, clinical simulations, and laboratory time.

Clinical

The second phase of this program includes 2300 hours of hands-on clinical practice supervised by faculty and medical professionals. There will be five-week core clinical clerkships in the following disciplines:

• Internal Medicine
• Family Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Surgery
• Emergency Medicine
• Women’s Health
• Behavioral Health
• Mental Health

Most PA schools in Florida require a research aspect of the program, and USF PA School does as well. Students will also be responsible for putting together a capstone research project, which will develop their skills in biomedical research and application to meet the needs of individual patients. Once students graduate from the program and have completed their project, they will receive a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree. They can sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

Physical Therapy (DPT)

The USF DPT program has declared its mission to “Move Lives Forward” by training students in every aspect of working as physical therapists. They focus on anatomy and Science, diagnosing physical issues, building a treatment plan, and more. The School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences offers the following programs:

• Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
• Professional Athletic Training Program
• Orthopaedic Residency Program

The USF DPT degree program takes three calendar years to complete, including two summer sessions. It takes a minimum of 120 credit hours from start to finish. Students will go through academic classroom learning and then move on to hands-on clinical experiences.

Master in Medicinal Sciences (MS)

The USF MS in Medicinal Sciences Program has a variety of pathways, all designed to help students learn the foundational material for building careers in the medical and research arenas.

The faculty of this program are top-notch, experienced, and knowledgeable. The medical track concentration options include:

• Pre-Professional Program (MSP3)
• Health Sciences (100% online)
• Anatomy
• Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS)

There are also research tracks available to students at USF Medical School. This route is best for students particularly interested in a career in medical research. It also prepares you for future education, like pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences.

Facilities, Student Organizations, and More

Facilities

• Interdisciplinary Research Building
• Byrd Institute
• Morsani Center for Advanced Health Care
• USF Health South Tampa Campus
• USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
• Fred Wright Flow Cytometry Lab
• Lisa Mum Weitz Lab
• Byrd Electrophysiology Care
• USF Health Core Facilities
• Moffitt
• Engineering
• Tampa General
• Cell Biology
• Physics

Student Organizations

• Advocacy for Survivors
• American Medical Association
• American Medical Women’s Association
• Anesthesiology Interest Group
• Arts in Health at USF Morsani College of Medicine
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Mentorship
• Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association
• Association of Medical Science Graduate Students (AMSGS)
• Association of Physical Therapy Students
• Association of Physician Assistant Students
• Athletes in Medicine
• Athletic Training Students’ Association
• BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic
• Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group
• Christian Medical and Dental Association
• Class of 2026 Class Council at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
• College of Medicine Allocation Committee
• College of Medicine Wellness Council
• Compassionate Companions
• Crisis Response International: Student Interest Society
• Dermatology Interest Group
• Doctors Raging Against Gravity
• EdByMed
• Emergency Medicine Interest Group
• Family Medicine Interest Group at USF
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allied Medical Student Association
• Global Surgery Student Alliance Healthcare Improvement Group
• Infectious Disease Interest Group
• Interdisciplinary Oncology Interest Group
• Internal Medicine Interest Group
• International Health Service Collaborative
• Interventional Radiology Student Interest Group
• Jewish Medical Students’ Association Margins of Medicine
• MCOM Cardiology Interest Group
• MCOM Class Council – Class of 2024
• MCOM Collegia
• MCOM Disability Coalition
• MCOM Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs
• MCOM OSA, Engagement and Wellbeing
• MCOM Running Club
• MCOM Student Council
• MCOM Student Council on Diversity and Inclusion
• MCOM 2025 Class Council
• Medical Ethics and Integrity Group
• Medical Mandarin
• Medical Music Club
• Medical Spanish Club
• Medical Students for Choice
• Medicine in Motion
• Military Medicine Interest Group
• Mindfulness and Meditation in Medicine
• Morsani College of Medicine Green Club
• Muslim Student Doctor Association
• Neurological Surgery Interest Group
• Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group
• Orthopedics Interest Group
• Otolaryngology Interest Group
• Pathology Organization for Students
• Pediatrics Interest Group
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group
• Plastic Surgery Interest Group
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound Interest Group
• Preventive and Integrative Medicine Interest Group
• Project Hillsborough Health
• Project World Health
• Psychiatry Interest Coalition
• Public Health Interest Group
• Quality of Life Club
• Radiation Oncology Interest Group
• Radiology Interest Group
• Sports Medicine Interest Group
• Student Interest Group in Neurology
• Student Interest Group in Ophthalmology
• Student National Medical Association
• Student Physicians for Social Responsibility
• Surgical Interest Group – CORE
• Surgical Outcomes Research Team
• Syrian American Medical Society at USF
• Tampa Bay Street Medicine
• The Pulse Student Review
• Toast MEDsters
• Urology Interest Group
• USF Health Shared Student Services
• Vascular Surgery Interest Group
• Virtual Reality in Medicine Special Interest Group
• Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
• Women in Surgery Interest Group
• YYC AfterHours

Selection Factors: What USF Medical School Looks for in an Applicant

The Admissions Committee at USF Morsani College of Medicine is dedicated to selecting dedicated, passionate, and unique candidates. They are committed to diversity, inclusion, and social equity, so they will look for applicants who share those beliefs. While test and GPA scores are essential, they will not just look at these numbers but also at applications holistically.

All USF Health Medical School applicants must have finished the required bachelor’s degree at an accredited university or college in the United States. These courses must have passing grades.

The following are some of the more critical factors the admissions committee will look carefully at early on in the process:

• Completed Coursework
• GPA
• MCAT Results
• Clinical Experience
• Commitment to Diversity
• Professionalism
• Residency
• Citizenship
• Letters of Recommendation

Admissions Requirements for USF Medical School

Successful applicants to the USF Medical School, like other medical schools in Tampa, must be citizens or legal permanent residents. They must have taken the MCAT exam within the past three years of applying. Applicants must be able to pass a background check. Candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply, and every accommodation possible will be made to provide a safe and functional living and working environment for everyone. However, applicants must have the physical, emotional, and mental ability to perform the tasks required by supervisors.

Students must be able to function well in the following five domains:

1. Observation
2. Communication
3. Clinical Skills
4. Intellectual-conceptual, Integrative, and Cognitive Skills
5. Behavioral Attributes, Social Skills, and Professional Expectations.

Minimum GPA and MCAT Requirements for USF Morsani College of Medicine

The USF Morsani College of Medicine does not have a minimum MCAT, but the average MCAT scores are higher than most Florida medical schools at 515.

The USF Medical School doesn’t have a minimum GPA for admission, but the average GPA is 3.76.

Volunteer Service and Clinical Experience

There is no minimum number of volunteer or clinical hours applicants must log before applying to USF Morsani College of Medicine. Still, it cannot be understated that having some good, quality medical experience under your belt is highly favorable among the Admissions Committee. They expect that dedicated aspiring physicians will put in the work during their undergraduate years to gain some clinical or medical volunteer experience.

If you plan early for medical school while you’re still working on your undergraduate degree, take this as an encouragement to start getting that medical experience now. The more clinical experience you can share with the Admissions Committee, the better.

One option that looks great on an application is participation in a pre-med shadowing study abroad program where you gain clinical experience and are immersed in some natural, cultural diversity. IMA runs such a program, and you can learn more about our pre-med shadowing study abroad program here.

USF Morsani College of Medicine Letters of Recommendation

The Admissions Committee at USF Morsani College of Medicine requires a minimum of three letters of recommendation for an applicant. These letters must be submitted through AMCAS, whose service helps gather applications and run them through the basic qualifiers before passing them on to the Admissions Committees of various schools. Again, letters must be sent through AMCAS, where you will also submit your primary application.

Only three letters are required, but five letters are preferred. At least one of these letters should be authored by a faculty member from the science department at your institution. Other letters can be written by non-science faculty, or they can be letters from individuals who know you well and have experienced your hard work, dedication, and knowledge. Letter packets compiled by your school will also be accepted.

Required & Recommended Coursework at USF Medical School

Specific prerequisite courses must have been taken for an applicant to be considered seriously for admission. Applicants should have completed the following classes:

Required Courses

• Biological Science with a Laboratory (2 semesters)
• Chemistry a with Laboratory (2 semesters)
• Organic Chemistry with Laboratory (1 semester)
• Biochemistry Principles (1 semester)
• Physics a with Laboratory (2 semesters)
• Mathematics (2 semesters)
• English or Expository Writing (2 semesters)

Recommended Coursework

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Arts and Humanities
• Ethics
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Microbiology

Does USF Medical School Require the CASPer Exam?

The USF Medical School does not require the CASPer exam.

The USF Medical School Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics

The USF Morsani College of Medicine receives around 5,300 applications each year. Out of these applications, 189 new students matriculated. Some 16% of new students were underrepresented minorities, and 12% of the incoming class was disadvantaged somehow. These numbers show the school’s commitment to diversity and social equity. About 50% of the incoming class did undergraduate schooling in Florida, while the other 50% were out-of-state.

*The acceptance rate is based on the percentage of applicants who enroll. Other factors affect rates.

USF Morsani College of Medicine’s 2024 Class Profile

The following are some statistics regarding the class of 2023:

• Class Size: 189
• Average MCAT: 515
• Average Science GPA: 3.76
• Florida Residents: 50%
• Male Students: 51%
• Female Students: 49%

USF Medical School Tuition & Cost of Attendance

These tuition and fees are based on the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s 2022-2023 academic year. Fees are subject to change.

Year 1

• Tuition and Fees: $33,726 Core IS/$54,916 Core OOS/$54,916 Select Off-Campus
• Books & Supplies: $1,520 Core IS & OOS/$1,555 Select Off-Campus
• Housing: $14,190 Core IS & OOS/$17,028 Select Off-Campus
• Food: $5,972 Both/$7,167 Select OOS
• Transportation: $3,590 Core IS & OOS/$4,275 Select Off-Campus
• Personal: 17,696 Core IS & OOS

Total: $66,694 Core IS/$87,884 Core OOS/$93,231 Select Off-Campus

Year 2

• Tuition & Fees: $33,726 Core IS/$54,916 Core OOS. $54,916 Select Off-Campus
• Books & Supplies: $1,844 Core IS and OOS/$1,849 Select Off-Campus
• Housing: $14,190 IS & OOS Core and Select
• Food: $5,972 IS & OOS Core and Select
• Transportation: $3,700 Core IS and OOS and Select
• Personal: $7,907 Core IS & OOS/$8,021

Total: $67,339 Core IS/$88,529 Core OOS/$88,703 Select

Year 3

• Tuition & Fees: $33,726 Core IS/$54,916 Core OOS/$54,916 Select Off-Campus
• Books & Supplies: $1,444 Core & Select IS & OOS
• Housing: $17,028 Core IS & OOS/$13,380 Select Off-Campus
• Food: $7,168 Core & Select IS & OOS
• Transportation: $3,240 Core IS & OOS/$4,140 Select Off-Campus
• Personal: $8,579 Core & Select IS & OOS

Total: $71,185 Core IS/$92,375 Core OOS/ $89,627 Select Off-Campus

Year 4

• Tuition & Fees: $33,726 Core IS/$54,916 Core OOS/$54,916 Select Off-Campus
• Books & Supplies: $220 Core & Select IS & OOS
• Housing: $15,609 Core IS & OOS/$12,265 Select Off-Campus
• Food: $6,570 Core & Select IS & OOS
• Transportation: $3,900 Core IS & OOS/$4300 Select Off-Campus
• Personal: $8,764 Core & Select IS & OOS

Total: $68,789 Core IS/$89,979 Core OOS/$87,035 Select Off-Campus

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 medical school costs in the United States, check out our Medical School Database, where we provide guidance and helpful information.

AMCAS Primary Application & USF Medical School Secondary Application

The USF Medical School sends all applicants to apply through AMCAS for the primary stage of the process. This is where AMCAS gathers basic information about the applicant to screen for eligibility. This is also where letters of recommendation are submitted. Applications deemed eligible by the service are then forwarded to whichever medical schools the applicant has requested they be sent to, and secondary applications are requested.

Secondary applications through the USF Morsani College of Medicine allow candidates to go deeper into who they are as individuals, how they will add positively to the student body at USF Health, and their vision for a career in medicine.

The admissions committee will review the secondary applications and send out invitations to only a select number of candidates offering an interview.

USF Medical School Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice

Below are the secondary essay questions for USF Morsani College of Medicine for the 2023-2024 application cycle.

Essay #1. Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? If yes, please provide specifics as to how your competitiveness was impacted. If not, type “N/A.” (1500 characters)

Answer this question if the pandemic has affected your academics or lifestyle, even if you think it’s a small effect. This could be a hit on your GPA, a loss of time, emotional struggles, etc.

Essay #2. What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? (Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Health Policy, other). Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question (1500 characters)

You don’t have to have all of your ducks in a row now, but the Admissions Committee wants to get an idea of your general plans for your future career in medicine. They want to see that you’ve put some thought into it, have ambitious goals, and have passion for what you’re planning to do.

Sample Answer

After graduating from medical school, I plan to spend some time working in private practice before serving in Healthcare Administration, particularly in the community of South Florida. I’ve always known I was destined to be a leader and to do something that leads the way in change and innovation. As a physician, I look forward to working with patients individually and meeting their medical needs. I’ll excel at this because of my strong working memory, people skills, problem-solving ability, and passion for understanding the human body.

I do not plan to stay in Private Practice forever. My natural leadership skills and management ability make me a perfect candidate for Healthcare Administration. I have a passion for enacting positive change. In Private Practice, I’ll be helping patients on a one-to-one level. Still, in administration, I’ll be able to make significant changes, address major needs in the medical community, and improve the lives of thousands of patients and healthcare professionals. This excites me, even now, as I type this response.

By putting all that I’ve learned at medical school and in Private Practice to good use, I’ll address the major healthcare issues at the heart of it all. I’m strong in making decisions, working with a team, managing with respect and integrity, and leading others into the future. I believe in being progressive and always looking for ways to improve our current status. Mediocrity is not something I can endure. In Healthcare Administration, I’ll be able to make a difference on a large scale level.

Essay #3. The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students, and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly Concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of coursework, practical application, and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: (Scholarly Concentrations Program / USF Health) a. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1500 characters)

Take time to get a good grasp of the Scholarly Concentrations program before attempting to answer this question. Research is important. Plus, you’ll need to know if this program suits you.

Essay #4. The USF Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status, and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but is not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research, and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and, ultimately, to the field of medicine? (2000 characters)

This is an excellent opportunity to open up with the Admissions Committee about who you are. What are your experiences with diversity, interests, and passions, and how will that bring growth and diversity to the student body? Share as much as you are comfortable sharing, but know that the Admissions Committee wants to get to know you. This is where your application will stand out and make a lasting impression.

Essay #5. If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B,” including B-, or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts.) (2000 characters)

Be transparent here. If you have a B or lower, or a class withdrawal on your transcripts, explain what was going on for you then. Was the pandemic affecting your studies? Did you have a personal conflict interfering with your ability to concentrate? Share your experience and how it was resolved.

Essay #6. If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match the mission of the SELECT program. (MD SELECT Program / USF Health) (1500 characters)

Again, research is essential. Take time to learn about the programs offered at USF Medical School, and then you can answer this question more effectively.

USF Medical School Interview Process

Applicants who make it through to the interview stage of the application process will be notified via email that they are being invited to an interview. They will also be scheduled. The interviews may be done in person or online.

It would be best to learn much about the school before the interview. Be sure to dress to impress, speak confidently, and be vulnerable to sharing information that would help people.

There will be specific characteristics about you that the admissions committee will be looking for during the interview. They particularly like to interview a candidate who excels in:

• Developed Interpersonal Ability
• Able to Focus
• Self-Confident
• Compassionate
• Committed to Diversity
• Knowledgeable about Osteopathic Medicine
• Passionate about Helping Others

Preparing for an interview can be stressful and overwhelming. Applicants usually find it helpful to acquire personalized coaching and a mock interview through our medical school admissions consulting services.

Medical School Admissions Consulting

There’s no doubt that applying for medical school is stressful and challenging. This is true no matter who you are or where you come from. The process is daunting, from the first application to the interview process. However, while it’s a stressful undertaking, gaining acceptance to one of the schools of your choice and earning your degree so that you may one day practice osteopathic medicine is so worth it.

At International Medical Aid (IMA), we aim to make this process as easy and stress-free as possible. Our medical school admissions consulting program leads you through the process from start to finish.

You may be the type of person who interviews well naturally or not. Either way, our experts can and will help you prepare thoroughly for one of the most important interviews of your life. We will walk you through the process, offer expert advice, and even conduct mock interviews to ensure you are as ready as possible.

Please take a moment to schedule a free consultation with one of our experts here.

Voluntary Healthcare Internships Abroad

One of IMA’s most popular programs is our pre-med shadowing study abroad program, which takes students worldwide to expose them to healthcare conditions in underserved parts of the world. The experience is priceless as students come into contact with medical issues unique to their country’s living conditions.

Our pre-med shadowing study abroad program was explicitly designed for pre-medical and gap year students with the vision of preparing them more than ever for their future as humanistic, global citizen physicians. Participating in one of those pre-medicine internships in Peru or Africa is different.

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!

We at IMA wish you the best of luck as you pursue your dream of studying medicine at the USF Morsani College of Medicine. Our efforts here to help prepare you for the application process will pay off for you and land you an acceptance letter. This guide is a valuable tool to help you navigate the complex system for the best chances possible.

If you’d like to explore our medical school admissions consulting program, please contact us, and we will contact you with the support you need to feel confident.

Whether you looked for medical schools outside of Florida or searched for medical schools near me, the USF Morsani College of Medicine is a beautiful choice. We hope our guide helps you achieve your goal of attending this fine institution.

• Florida State University College of Medicine
• 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

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.