Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Interview Feedback Summary
Boca Raton, FL
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, students rated the program a 5.7 out of 10 for satisfaction. The student body is described as moderately cooperative. The environment is considered supportive for underrepresented minorities, LGBTQ+ students, married students, students with disabilities, non-traditional students. Graduates feel adequately prepared for board exams. Faculty members are seen as reasonably approachable.
🎓 The Basics ▼
What was the zip code of your residence in high school?
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 73,642.00 | 3 |
What do you like most?
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Optional Lectures First 2 years, Uworld Subscription purchased for you
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Individualized attention, camaraderie, PBL
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The school is small (64 per year) so they are able to nurture a good, supportive learning environment. I was not just a body with a student ID attached to it.
What do you like least?
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Preclinical PBL Excess, Lack of research support, Lack of educational support, clinical rotations at community hospitals with potentially malignant attendings.
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No pre-existing clubs that provide volunteering opportunities (i.e. student clinic)
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As an out-of-state student, the 30K extra tuition is a crime. Although financially still worth it to become a physician, the parent university (FAU) is really trying to monopolize on those outside of Florida.
🧾 The Details ▼
What are the facilities and clinics like (old/new, well maintained, etc.)?
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Old, poorly maintained.
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New
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FAU facilities are new and they are constantly updating them based on identified need or student feedback (increased OSCE/simulation space, more communal study tables and rooms, better coffee, etc.)
How do students from this program do after graduation - are they adequately prepared for practice?
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No,
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To date, residencies seem to rave about our students so no concerns.
What are rotations like?
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Community hospitals often not used to having students can create an environment where you are frequently neglected and not taught basic things.
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FAU is unique in that all students spend years 1&2 in Boca Raton on the main campus, but then 3rd year is either around Boca (North rotations) or more South in Fort Lauderdale (South rotations). This gives students flexibility to chase after a particular experience or specialty as there are ~8 different hospitals you can rotate at, including major trauma centers and VA. None of these places are major academic centers except Cleveland Clinic Florida. That does not mean the education is sub-par, it's just not as rigid.
How do students from this program do in the Match?
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Many are frequently disappointed by match results. Heard several stories about people having to Soap for non competitive specialties, Dean's letter uses heavily "Coded" Language. Little support from faculty and admin.
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To date, FAU has generally had a 100% match rate with unique circumstances for the few who have not. Matching is such a case-by-case thing so it is hard to generalize but FAU is matching people in competitive specialties and highly-respected programs.
Any other information you want to share?
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People are frequently targeted and treated unjustly for small things like failing to submit a single evaluation, a culture of fear permeates.
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FAU is a small but great school, where you will be taken care of by the faculty. Major specialties are represented with residency programs (IM, EM, Psych, Neuro, Gen Surg) and most sub-specialties are covered by community practicing physicians. The school really tries to make well-rounded physicians ready for residency and it seems to be working. The school is continuing to increase in rank and the quality of programs students head off to is only getting better. 10-20 years from now, I believe FAU will be seen as very good medical school.
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