The article goes on to list the advantages of moving up in the rankings. These include significant economic impacts for the state as well as significant advantages for the university.
It’s the case UF will be making to the state legislature to get additional funding. Continue to fund the Universities initiatives (like hiring 500 additional faculty, building the new music school, etc.) and UF will continue to rise in rankings, which will lead to a significant financial impact for the state.
Over the last several years, the state has given UF the funding, and UF has delivered in rankings, increase research funding, increase alumni giving, increase graduation rates, etc. (and to varying degree’s the same can be said for the other Florida public universities).
Personally, I hate the influence of rankings on higher ed, but It’s great if UF can generate more research dollars and a better facilities and student/faculty ratio.
The article mentions the need to draw students nationally - selfishly, I hope that translates to good news for my OOS applicant!
The University of Florida’s current ranking at #8 among public national universities is already impressive. All one needs to do is to look at the schools currently ranked at #10 through #20 in order to realize the significance of being ranked at #8.
Personally I think UF is better than UNC or UVA because they admit a much lower calibur of in state student. I read just yesterday one kid say he got in from a rural county with a 21 act. Even he was shocked. OOS are boosting their average scores and gpas whereas UF in state students are all the very best students in FL! BIG DIFFERENCE. Give it a few years and we will for sure be passing UNC. GA Tech is a great school though… I feel like there is a chance they will also be moving up along with us. 8 kids at our school applied EA… only 1 got in - the lowest grades and scores - because she applied as a GA Resident with her father’s address. All OOS deferred or rejected…2 NMF included. 2 of those deferred, my son and one of the NMF got into UNC. One deferred got into Georgetown. Great engineering school but very pricey out of state. Apparently GA lets you get their Hope scholarship even if you go to school out of state if your in state parent has claimed you on their taxes. So not only did this girl have the benefit of applying as an instate student and qualify for instate tuition… but now she will get an instate full tuition scholarship similar to bright futures! Lucky girl! I’m glad FL doesn’t allow that!!! We have enough competition to get into our top school!!! I’m already concerned about the out of state benequisto impact on in state kids. At only $30 UF has a very cheap “what the heck” application to throw in on the coalition with the promise of a full ride. I can’t think of any good reason why any NMF would skip applying to UF!! So I worry about them all using it as a back up to their Ivy sweep…as apposed to REAL Gators who use their Ivy and top 10 sweep as a back up for UF!!! LOL GO GATORS!!!
GO GATORS!!!