Florida International University's new medical school is still a year away from opening, but more than 1,600 students from around the country have applyied for the 40 slots in its inaugural class. More than 300 students from South Florida have applied, and FIU has received almost enough applications from its own ranks to fill the first class. Florida is badly in need of new physicians, and FIU hopes the doctors they educate will practice in South Florida, said Sanford Markham, MD, the medical school's dean of students.