Hello everyone. I’m currently making a very tough decision between the University of Alabama and Florida State University. I have been very lucky and both schools have given me amazing scholarships so cost is not an issue. I am looking to major in Biology with a Marine Bio track. I am from Pennsylvania so it would be very different to be in the South for me. Overall, what I’m asking is just what are the pros and cons of each school and what would possibly be a better choice? I am very academically minded so I would do the honors college for each but I also love my social life. I was just hoping to get some opinions on either school and possibly help my decision in any way! Thanks!
Both schools are respectable but I would put FSU over UAlabama academically. And think about where you’d rather live - Florida or Alabama? The choice is easy for me.
I don’t know if LBad96 has visited Alabama or FSU. I have been on FSU’s campus a couple of times in recent years and UA’s campus many times.
I have no clue as to why LBad97 (a college frosh) would think FSU is better than Alabama academically. That just sounds like a naive assumption based on…uh, UA is in Alabama so it must be worse…duh. :rolleyes: (in other words, he has no idea)
Have you visited them?
Tuscaloosa is a lovely, but good-sized, college town.
UA is a much better looking school…very updated…many new buildings.
FSU is 90% instate.
UA has about 50% OOS students, which can be nice for OOS students.
FSU looks run-down…and it is.
Tallahassee is fine, but no charm.
They’re both ranked the same.
I suggest that you visit both, I think that will make your decision easier.
@ziggyturtle what scholarship did FSU provide you?
@mom2collegekids - FSU looks run down???
Yes, it does. There are some areas that have been improved, but a good number of the buildings and grounds looked run-down. During the last visit, I spend 3 days walking around it. Maybe it just visually doesn’t compare well. Just used to a better looking campus.
The OP should just visit both campuses. I’m confident that he’ll see exactly what I mean.
The top 21% of students at FSU has an ACT 30+
The top 36% of students at UA has an ACT 30+
FSU is ranked on many most beautiful campus lists.
@mom2collegekids refer to my College Ratings thread for my rationale as to why I made that statement.
@ClarinetDad16 I’m comparing it to Alabama’s campus. Have you been on both campuses?
FSU doesn’t have Saban, looks like an easy decision to me
I have a visit scheduled for Alabama mid January! And for those that have asked, FSU gave me an out of state tuition waver and the freshman scholarship. Thanks for all the feedback!
As a Florida resident who knows many attending FSU - the campus and town around it is pretty bad. Academically it isn’t well regarded either.
@mom2collegekids - We all know you are a Bama Fan Mom. That is cool.
I have been to FSU several times and many colleges nationwide.
Cannot disagree with you more about FSU’s campus. It has a far different look and feel than the tropical parts of the state. It is actually in great shape, well designed and very highly regarded. Unlike many northern schools that are a hodge podge of styles from different eras, FSU did a great job to blend new and old buildings together.
That being said, one’s bias towards Bama or Gainesville, or Miami is not relevant. The review of the FSU campus should be about the FSU campus and how it is for a student considering it today.
For the OP who seems to have received $2400 a year plus an OOS waiver it is a great value and worthy of serious consideration. Recommending colleges is based on fit for the student, not our personal preference. The OP has to live at a school for around 4 years and FYI, there are programs at FSU for students coming in with substantial credits that can be completed in three years by design. That could be another significant factor in computing affordability.
FSU has a solid alumni network to boot and a ton of campus pride and is certainly committed to providing a solid education as one of two flagships of the Florida system, one of the largest states in the country.
@PengsPhils it’s definitely one of those schools that’s better than the local reputation seems to suggest. Better than Alabama for sure (which is CC’s most overrated school).
Plenty of folks like UA and FSU’s campus, it’s a matter of taste and you can make that determination after your visits.
FSU and UA are academic peers. For example, US News has them both ranked 96th (tie).
UA has a large number of “high scoring” students, due to the generous OOS scholarships being offered. However, FSU has higher stats (GPA and Test scores) requirements for admissions. It also has a much higher graduation rate.
Bottom line, you’ve find a solid group of peers at either school.
Take a closer look at each school’s Marine bio/science programs.
https://www.marinelab.fsu.edu/
http://www.bio.fsu.edu/undergrad/tracks.php
http://www.ua.edu/academics/majors/marinescience/
Good Luck!
@LBad96 - Bah! Spoken like someone who has no true first-hand knowledge of UA.
It depends on whether the OP was admitted to the UA Honors College. The HC is its own school within the school. An HC students’ academic peers will be other HC students, not the general student body. Does FSU have an Honors College?
@LBad96 You really have no idea. You’re a college freshman. FSU is not better than Alabama. They’re peer schools. You probably haven’t been to either school. I have…multiple times.
I’m glad that you’re happy with your school, UNCW. I’m sure it’s a nice school.
@ClarinetDad16 My comments were mostly directed at what I noticed about the FSU campus’ appearance, not on the quality of the school. There is something to be said about attending an OOS school with a student body of nearly all instate students.
This student obviously has high stats so it might interest him to know that at Bama he’ll more likely be surrounded by very strong students (36% have an ACT 30+). HIs STEM classmates will likely come from THAT group.
I was not the least bit impressed by the FSU campus. This is not Bama Bias. You should read the campus reports after folks have visited Bama. Their first words are usually something like: Drop dead gorgeous, extremely clean, very well-maintained. These people aren’t Bama folks, these are strangers.
I’ve been on many, many, many college campuses in the West, SW, SE, Midwest, MidAtlantic and some NE. FSU had a couple of attractive areas, the rest looked upkempt and in need of attention. I am aware that FSU is currently doing some serious remodeling, so likely they realized that updating was sorely needed.
I’m glad that the OP will be visiting. His own impression will make his decision, as it should be.
@Momof2collegekids - you are the first I have heard critical of the FSU campus. Again you give no specifics. And the campus is really nice.
Any links?
@mom2collegekids a college freshman whose revolutionary ratings system is the toast of CC. I did consider applying to FSU for a bit but felt it was much too large for me. Don’t be so offended…3.5 stars is pretty good in my book! I’m just saying that it’s not a world-beater public Ivy like some on here claim it to be. Being African-American, I would be more comfortable on FSU’s campus than on Bama’s (saying that, I’d attend Bama over Ole Miss any day of the week). Bama girls are smokeshows, though. 
And thank you, UNCW is a more than fine school. 
(Don’t take that opening sentence 100% seriously, btw. I’m only half-kidding. 
)
I know that you’re kidding. You’d have to be.
@ClarinetDad16 ??? you want links that prove my belief that FSU’s campus isn’t that great looking? lol Are you kidding. I’m from a UC, and I think many UCs and CSUs are butt-ugly (and some are), but I couldn’t provide links.
Anyway…this thread is silly and the OP will be visiting, so… Roll Tide!