Do you intend to study any medical course and you are looking to find information related to medical schools in Florida, then this blog post was written specifically for you! In this blog post, we have highlighted all the important information you need to make your best decision.
In the end, you will come to know the individual school’s acceptance rate, and selection factors.
The third-most-populous state in the union and one of its most southern contiguous states is Florida.
Florida is known for its warm, sunny environment, an abundance of beaches, and a sizable immigrant population from all over the world and Cuba.
Along with sizable cities like Miami and Jacksonville, Florida also features suburban and rural areas, especially in the state’s north. Florida is a popular retirement destination and has rapid population growth.
Explore what the medical schools in Florida have to offer if you want to study in a nice environment with exposure to people from different backgrounds and all ages, notably the geriatric population.
Here’s a comprehensive list of the medical schools in Florida and their specific requirements:
The List of Medical Schools in Florida
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University
- Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
- Florida State University College of Medicine
- Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine
- University of Florida College of Medicine
- University of Central Florida College of Medicine
- University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
- USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM Bradenton)
- Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM)
Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University
With a mission to advance the health and well-being of the community around them, they believe is possible if they are able to train future generations of human-oriented medical practitioners. This university accepts receive over 4000 applicants, who compete for about 65 positions.
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Course Requirements
- English – 2 semesters
- Inorganic Chemistry + labs- 2 semesters
- Organic Chemistry + labs – 2 semesters
- Physics + labs – 2 semesters
- Biology/Zoology + labs – 2 semesters
- Mathematics – 2 semesters
- Additional science – 2 semesters
Recommended Courses
- Biochemistry (strongly recommended)
- Cell and molecular biology
- Genetics
- Statistics
Admission Requirements
- Average accepted MCAT score: 512
- Median GPA: 3.79
- Overall Success Rate: 1.63%
Visit Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University.
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
By providing a setting that is enhanced by diversity, clinical innovation, and research, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine trains socially conscious, community-based doctors, scientists, and other health professionals who are uniquely qualified to transform the health of patients and communities. The college receives an average of 4500 applications competing for a place in the available 122 spots.
Location: Miami, FL
Course Requirements
- General Biology (with labs), 2 semesters
- General Chemistry (with labs), 2 semesters
- Organic Chemistry with labs (satisfied by either Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 or Organic Chemistry 1 and Biochemistry), 2 semesters
- Physics (with labs), 2 semesters
- College Mathematics, 2 semesters
- College English, 2 semesters
Recommended Courses
- Statistics
- Cell Biology
- Foreign Languages
- Genetics
- Humanities
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Physiology
- Social Sciences
Admission Requirements
- Median MCAT: 510
- Median GPA: 3.79
- Overall Success Rate: 2.6%
Visit Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.
Florida State University College of Medicine
The Florida State University College of Medicine’s mission is to train and cultivate outstanding medical professionals who provide patient-centered care, advance knowledge, and respond to community needs, particularly by serving underserved, elderly, rural, and minority communities. Over 7000 applicants compete yearly for the available 120 spots.
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Course Requirements
- Biology (with labs), 8 credit hours
- Biochemistry, 3 credits hours (1 hour of labs is preferred, but not required)
- College English, 6 credit hours
- College Mathematics, 6 credit hours
- Organic Chemistry (with labs), 4 hours
- Physics (with labs), 8 hours
Recommended Courses
- Biological Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Physics
- Genetics
- Cultural and physical anthropology
- Intro to Psychology
- Social psychology
- Intro to sociology
- Ethics/Philosophy
- Spanish
- Humanities
- Macro or Micro Economics
- Health Policy
- Applied statistics
Admission Requirements
- Median GPA: 507
- Median MCAT: 3.8
- Overall Success Rate: 1.64%
Visit Florida State University College of Medicine.
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine
With a mission to advance human health through ingenious innovation, the Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine continues to rely on quality research, patient care, and community engagement continues to improve community-based healthcare. Over 5000 applicants compete for about 50 spots in the college.
Location: Davie, FL
Course Requirement
- Biology: 2 semesters (or equivalent) with lab
- General Chemistry: 2 semesters (or equivalent) with lab
- Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters (or equivalent) with lab
- Biochemistry (with or without lab) may be substituted for the second semester (or equivalent) of organic chemistry
- Physics: 2 semesters (or equivalent)
- *Mathematics (college level): 1 semester (or equivalent)
- *Calculus is not required. Statistics is acceptable
If the applicant’s college or university transcript has specific information about the individual courses and credits granted, Advanced Placement (AP) courses will satisfy the prerequisite requirements.
Recommended Courses
- Immunology (strongly recommended)
- Anatomy (strongly recommended)
- Biochemistry (strongly recommended)
- Physiology
- Genetics
Admission Requirements
- Median GPA: 3.75
- Median MCAT: 512
- Overall Success Rate: 0.98%
Visit Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine.
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
The University of Central Florida College of Medicine cultivates and motivates students to become outstanding clinicians and researchers, pioneers in the medical field, scholars in discovery, and early adopters of cutting-edge technology in order to advance human health and wellbeing.
Outstanding medical treatment, ground-breaking research, and cutting-edge medical and biological education are used to fulfill our patient-centered goal in a setting that is enhanced by a diversity of people, backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and beliefs.
120 available spots yearly are usually competed for by the over 5000 applicants.
Location: Orlando, FL
Course Requirements
- Biology (with labs), 2 Semesters
- General Chemistry (with labs), 2 Semesters
- Organic Chemistry* (with labs), 2 Semesters
- General Physics (with labs), 2 Semesters
- College English or a writing-intensive course, 2 Semesters
- College Math, 2 Semesters
- *Biochemistry (with lab) may be substituted for the second semester of Organic Chemistry.
Prior to the M.D. program’s August matriculation, all prerequisites must be satisfied.
Recommended Courses
- Statistics (strongly recommended)
- Calculus (strongly recommended)
- Biochemistry
- *Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Comparative Anatomy
- Course work in humanities, natural sciences, or communications arts are also encouraged.
- *Biochemistry (with lab) may be substituted for the second semester of Organic Chemistry.
Admission Requirements
- Median MCAT score: 513
- GPA: 3.86
- Overall Success Rate: 2.34%
Visit the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
University of Florida College of Medicine
Through excellent and continually exemplary leadership in education, clinical care, discovery, and service, the College of Medicine seeks to improve health care in Florida, the United States, and around the world. Annually, about 4500 applications are received for the 137 available spots.
Location: Gainesville, FL
Course Requirements
- General Biology (with labs), 2 semesters
- General Chemistry (with labs), 2 semesters**
- Organic Chemistry (with labs), 1 semester
- Biochemistry – 1-semester survey course, upper-division, content and level appropriate to a biology or chemistry curriculum (3 or 4 credit hours)**
- Physics (with labs), 2 semesters
**Due to differences in programs between schools, organic chemistry II with lab can be used in place of the second general chemistry course if a program only offers one semester of general chemistry. It will take a 3- or 4-credit biochemistry course to satisfy the requirement.
Recommended Courses
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Immunology and/or Physiology
Admission Requirements
- Median MCAT score: 516
- GPA: 3.91
- Overall Success Rate: 3.04%
Visit University of Florida College of Medicine.
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
Its commitment to patient care, quality teaching, research, and community service has earned the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine one of the most sought-after med schools in Florida, with over 9000 applications received annually to compete for 207 available spots.
Location: Miami, FL
Course Requirements
- Biochemistry (with lab), 1 semester
- Organic Chemistry (with lab), 1 semester
- Inorganic Chemistry (with lab), 8 credit hours
- Physics (with lab), 8 credit hours
- Biology, 8 credit hours
- College English, 6 credit hours
- Behavioral Sciences
- Two Humanities courses (3 credits)
Recommended Courses
- Cellular & Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Physiology
- Computer Sciences
- Developmental Biology
- Social Sciences
Admission Requirement
- Median MCAT: 514
- Median GPA: 3.78
- Overall Success Rate: 2.26%
Visit the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
The Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida was founded with the purpose of educating individuals in the health and biomedical sciences by fostering excellence in the pursuit of lifelong learning objectives, research activities, and compassionate patient care.
182 open positions have recently faced competition from 5,574 candidates.
Location: Tampa, FL
Course Requirements
- Biological Science (with labs), 2 semesters
- Chemistry (with labs), 2 semesters
- Organic Chemistry (with labs), 1 semester
- Biochemistry Principles, 1 semester
- Physics (with labs), 2 semesters
- Mathematics, 2 semesters
- English or expository writing, 2 semesters
*Students who successfully complete molecular biology, genetics, or microbiology will receive special consideration.
Recommended Courses
- Molecular Biology (strongly recommended)
- Genetics (strongly recommended)
- Microbiology (strongly recommended)
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Ethics
- Arts & Humanities
Admission Requirements
- Median GPA: 3.82
- Median MCAT: 516
- Overall Success Rate: 3.27%
Visit USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM Bradenton)
In order to improve everyone’s quality of life through better health, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) trains students to become osteopathic doctors, dentists, and pharmacy practitioners via programs of excellence in education, and research, clinical care, and community involvement.
All students are the focus of the professional programs, which also expand postgraduate education and opportunities for interprofessional collaboration.
Location: Bradenton, FL (Branch)
Course Requirement
- Biology/Zoology, 8 semester hours (with lab)
- Organic Chemistry, 8* semester hours (with lab)
- Inorganic Chemistry, 8 semester hours (with lab)
- Physics, 4 semester hours (with lab)
- College English, 6 semester hours
- Behavioral Sciences, 6 semester hours
- *May substitute 3 credits of biochemistry for 4 credits of organic chemistry.
Candidates must complete all prerequisite courses with a “C” or higher. Candidates must retake any prerequisite classes where they received a C- or lower.
Recommended Courses
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry, 3 semester hours
- Genetics, 3 semester hours
- Physiology
- Math/Statistics, 3 semester hours
Admission Requirements
- GPA Requirements: A minimum grade point average in science is required for applicants. Successful applicants often have grade point averages in science and overall 3.2 or higher.
- MCAT Requirements: The last three years’ worth of MCAT results are acceptable. A competitive MCAT score is one that is at or above the 50th percentile.
In place of MCAT scores, LECOM may employ an Academic Index Score that is calculated using undergraduate and graduate GPAs along with the Critical Reading and Math sections of the ACT and/or SAT.
- Median GPA: 3.5
- Median MCAT: 503
- Overall acceptance rate: 3.7%
Visit Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM Bradenton).
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM)
The Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program is committed to osteopathic medical education that is student-centered and results in outstanding osteopathic doctors who are known for their skill and compassion.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL (main campus); Clearwater, FL (branch)
Course Requirements
- Biology/Zoology, 8 semester hours (with lab)
- Organic Chemistry, 8 semester hours (with lab)
- Inorganic Chemistry, 8 semester hours (with lab)
- Physics, 8 semester hours (with lab)
- Biochemistry, 3 semester hours
- College English, 6 semester hours
- Applicants must earn a grade of C (2.0) or higher in all required courses
Recommended Courses
- Anatomy
- Genetics
- Physiology, 3 semester hours
- Behavioral Sciences, 3 semester hours
- Humanities, 3 semester hours
Getting Into Medical Schoo
Admission Requirements
- Minimum GPA Requirements: Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 3.0.
- MCAT Requirements: Must be no older than three years prior to the date the AACOMAS application is submitted.
- Median GPA: 3.5
- Median MCAT: 505
- Overall acceptance rate: 3.9%
Visit Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) .
Tips for Applying to Medical Schools in Florida
Applying to medical school can be quite stressful. Check out our top ten suggestions below to make the application process effective and seamless, regardless of which Florida colleges you’re applying to!
- Choose the schools that best suit your needs. The right school shouldn’t merely be chosen based on price or reputation. Additionally, consider which school will best suit your objectives and learning style.
Make inquiries about the academic atmosphere, research possibilities, academic program, and geographic location of the schools that interest you.
Once you’ve reduced your alternatives, confirm that you are fully aware of the selection criteria, requirements, and crucial dates for each of the institutions you have shortlisted.
- Don’t rush; take your time. You will be a stronger applicant the more time you invest in your application. Make sure you are familiar with all the requirements for your application.
Prepare your application in advance by beginning months in advance. Check out the application deadlines for medical schools to be sure you’re on the correct track.
- Pass the test. The admissions committee for medical schools can see your academic qualifications through your GPA. Learn about the GPA criteria for medical school and work to get the best GPA you can!
- Excel at extracurricular activities. To have a solid application to medical school, you must have excellent extracurricular activities.
Volunteering at a hospital or nursing home, doing community work, or participating in research all strengthen your application.
- Pick your references carefully. You need to select authors for your recommendation letters for medical school who will provide a solid reference for you. Move on to someone else if they seem hesitant or unenthusiastic about supporting you.
Verifiers and referees on your medical school application serve as your representatives before the admissions committee; thus, choose them carefully and with confidence.
- Create a study plan for the MCAT. Consider the MCAT score requirements for the institutions you are considering, and then create a study strategy that will help you ace the test. At least six months before the test date that you have scheduled, you should begin studying.
- Get job shadowing experience. Medical schools typically require or suggest shadowing experience, and doing so will give you useful insights into the professional life of doctors. To get started, learn how to request to shadow a physician.
- Write your personal statement several times. Writing personal statements can be challenging, and there is never a perfect first draft. Before you start, familiarize yourself with several sample personal statements for medical school.
Then, make the commitment to writing and rewriting your statement for at least a few weeks. Ask a teacher or consultant for input to make sure it is compelling and clear.
- Prepare thoroughly for the interview. To get ready for your medical school interview, you must practice a lot! To begin, practice your responses to typical inquiries like “Why do you want to be a doctor?” and “Tell me about yourself.”
Together with a mentor or consultant, create effective interviewing techniques that can help you stand out.
- Pose inquiries. It’s simple to become confused along the way because the application process for medical school is a tedious and demanding one.
Ask the admissions office of your top-choice school or a medical school counselor for assistance if you need it or if you have questions about the MCAT, requirements, deadlines, or any other aspect of the application process.
How Much Does Medical Schools in Florida Cost?
| University of Florida College of Medicine | $36,657 IS $48,913 OOS |
| University of Miami Miller School of Medicine | $50,621 IS $50,621 OOS |
| University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine | $33,726 IS $54,916 OOS |
| University of Central Florida College of Medicine | $29,680 IS $56,554 OOS |
| Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine | $31,830 IS $67,972 OOS |
| Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine | $38,016 IS $69,516 OOS |
| Florida State University College of Medicine | $28,987 IS $68,619 OOS |
| Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus | $36,030 IS $37,840 OOS |
| Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine | $57,234 IS $63,953 OOS |
| Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine | $59,936 IS $66,790 OOS |
What Is The Easiest Medical School To Get Into In Florida?
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is probably the easiest medical school to get into in Florida. With an acceptance rate of 6.5%, it’s higher than its rivals while its average MCAT (510) and GPA (3.7) sit somewhere in the middle.
But obviously, those figures don’t tell the complete tale of how hard/easy Schmidt College of Medicine is to really get in. Especially when you consider the difficulty of reaching these prereqs in the first place!
Furthermore, Tallahassee’s FSU College of Medicine has the lowest average MCAT score (498) of all other med schools in the state. Couple that with its 120-size admission cohort, and it looks potentially a little easier to gain acceptance to than the next college on this list.
Although traditionally the school has appeared as one with the “lowest acceptance rates” (specifically in the years 2015-17), it seems chances have improved slightly in more recent years.
USF Health might have a comparably higher average GPA (3.76) than other schools in the region, but its acceptance rate of 5.10% is actually pretty healthy.
One thing that might skew the figures is its large number of applicants.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Accepted Into Medical Schools In Florida
Of course, there’s no truly “easy” medical school to get into in Florida. Those listed above still take serious work and effort to gain acceptance.
With average incoming class sizes ranging in the 100s (and applications in the thousands), you can see how much the numbers are stacked against you.
To make your application as competitive as possible, however, here are the obvious things to think about.
Extracurriculars
Having excellent extracurriculars is one of the best ways to stand out among students applying for schools in Florida.
In-state students could make use of the following hospital volunteer programs to help score solid letters of recommendation (LORs), make connections, and show community leadership.
Research Experience
Research experience is one way of impressing your primary and secondary applications. If you can get your name in a publication, that’s even more impressive.
Clinical Experience
Clinical experience can be best gained either via shadowing physicians, working as an EMT or medical scribe, or other healthcare workers.
If you’re based in or around Miami, make sure you check out the following opportunities; 4 Physician Shadowing Opportunities In Miami.
Academic Excellence
You should have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (the higher, the better) and an MCAT score of 510 or above. Also, make sure you’ve done all the required prerequisite courses outlined by the schools above.
Some of these you can of course do online (if accredited) or at community college, but as this article suggests; Do Medical Schools Accept Community College Credits? (Explained!), it’s better to get these covered at your undergraduate college.