<p>@gator4ever, Is your son a National Merit Finalist? How did he get the 10,000 per year to UCF? I thought the highest scholarship they give to non-NMF was the new Provost scholarship ($20,000) $5,000 per year. Just wondering…</p>
<p>no mizyaybabe, he is not a nmf.</p>
<p>mizay, my bad I totally missed the UCF deal. my wife just told me it was $4,000 per year. Big difference SORRRRRY :(</p>
<p>I would go to USF. I got into some top 20 schools when I applied for college, but choose UF because I didn’t want the additional financial burden ($50K-130K over 4 years) and UF gave me a scholarship. Also I knew my goal was medical school and that would give me enough debt later on. He should also think long term, if he decides on a biology major, there is little most can do with that degree other the teaching, research, or grad school. Although $30K seems small to some, that would be significant in my family.</p>
<p>@Jena, I am an entering Freshman with very similar options to your son. I personally find a decision like this to be dependent on what your son wishes to do. If he is like I am, and it he has always wanted to attend UF, he should go, because when it comes down to it, the experiences availible a UF outweigh its additional costs. If he feels indifferent towards the colleges though, and doesn’t mind the different types of college life, than his decision should be more based around what major he wants to pursue and personal finances. </p>
<p>If he were looking for advice though, I would tell him that, in my opinion, UF is the superior choice. Of course, I have some orange & blue bias, due to me being a gator since birth, but I do have some additional insight, because I live in Tampa where the USF campus is located. I’ve been to each campus and the atmospheres seem completely different. When I visited Gainesville for the first time it gave off the traditional college town aura. School spirit was everywhere and college kids were the main population. At USF, however, whenever I find myself by the campus, it still feels like I’m just in the city of Tampa. It doesn’t have that same feel of being all about the college. </p>
<p>In the end, though, the decision should be made by your son, hopefully, without any regrets. Attending college is just as much about the experiences you have while you’re there as it is what you learn there, so make sure your son ends up, where he can thrive best. As you can probably tell, I chose UF over my scholarships and I think it’ll be worth every penny, and if your son chooses the same path I hope he ends up feeling like it was worth it as well.</p>
<p>My son and I have had a couple heart to heart conversations the past couple of nights and he IS going to UF. That’s where he really wants to go and that truly is where I can picture him being in my head. I can see him walking on the campus. I will simply never look at the USF offer again and just move on. I feel so much better that we have made a decision and feel that it is the right one. Thanks everyone and best of luck to anyone who is in the same boat. The right decision will come to you.</p>
<p>@Jena Congratulations to you and your son and welcome to the Gator Nation!</p>
<p>Congratulations! He will love it.</p>
<p>I have one thing to say: thank goodness he made the right decision.</p>
<p>LOL everyone. Go Gators!</p>