<p>Im on the first floor, it’s a four digit number but the second is a 1 and when I selected the room it was the first floor. I honestly don’t know what wing, but I think it is on the left side when you enter through the main doors.</p>
<p>On the floor plan it’s only a 3 digit number and the first digit is 1.</p>
<p>Ah, I see now that they add a 0 to the front of all the room numbers when they list your room number. If you’re to the left as you enter the front doors, you’re in the east wing, which means if you’re on the first floor, you’re male. A good location, don’t have to use the stairs.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m a male so I guess I’m on the east wing!</p>
<p>Hi, sorry if I repeat someone else’s questions, I tried to scan through everyones’ but ran out of time. What meal plan would you recommend? I’ll be living at Hume and will have access to the kitchen, and I’m pretty enamored of my cheap, healthy, quick breakfast I make at home every morning. Is it worth it to get the all-access meal plan (basically the ONLY option, it seems like, since even the 14-meal/week plan is only about $100 cheaper) or to just pay per entry?</p>
<p>Also, I’m considering 3 majors at the moment: economics, statistics, and PR (probably not PR though, haha). Are those departments good?</p>
<p>Also, this is going to sound really conceited and awful, but how does UF help the top students and allow them flexibility? I didn’t get into a lot of the top-tier schools because of my GPA, but I got a 2360 on my SAT, and just for peace of mind, I wanted to ask if I’d be able to develop close relationships with my professors in smaller class settings, have undergraduate research opportunities (I have a $1,000 stipend from National Merit, but idk if that will be enough), and otherwise be able to distinguish myself for grad schools and employers? And how is the caliber of the student body? I know it’s going to be a mixed bag, but in your experience, you came across a lot of really smart people, right?</p>
<p>Hi! I will be attending UF this Fall as a freshman and I will be living in Broward Hall. I’m trying to decide what sort of things I should bring with me so maybe you guys could help? Like should I bring a minifridge, microwave, how many sets of sheets, how much clothes, storage basins? What about supplies? I’m planning on majoring in business administration or health professions for healthcare administration. Any recommendations on laptops? On average, do most people take their laptops to class or do they just take notes by hand? Is having a laptop with you really a distraction? How common is laptop theft? What can I do to ensure that mines is not stolen (other than carrying it around all the time)? If there are links to threads that answer these questions, I will take those gladly. :D</p>
<p>Hey Carol, welcome to UF!
-Bring a minifridge if you like having your drinks or your personal food cold.
-Microwave isn’t too necessary since each dorm floor’s lounge area has a microwave to use.
-Bring one to two sets of sheets I’d say.
-Storage basins are good, I had a few under my bed throughout the year last year.
-Have a decent laptop that has either the various Microsoft office programs or download openoffice.
-Most people seem to take their notes with laptops and often bring them to class. It can be a distraction but good self-discipline will remedy that. Laptop theft isn’t too common (bike theft on the other hand…), just keep it in your bag when you’re not using it an going to and from classes. You can leave it in your dorm room when you don’t need it, just let your room mate you would like the room locked when neither of you are in the room or something.</p>
<p>With regard to using a laptop in class: </p>
<p>It really depends upon your personal learning style. I personally do not like using a computer to take notes, I find that I get something out of the process of hand writing them. I also cannot type as fast as I can write, and a lot of times if you need to draw graphs or diagrams it is much easier to hand draw it than try to do it on a computer. It is also distracting in my opinion, with Facebook, email and everything else competing for your attention.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help eagleskyline! :)</p>
<p>Have you or know of anyone that has taken REL 2240? I am scheduled to take it this fall but I have read a few reviews online and am now nervous that I won’t do well.</p>
<p>@GA Girl</p>
<p>Meal plans really do tend to get repetitive since you’re binded to them for a whole year. I personally didn’t have one but all my friends did. They loved it at first and ate there all the time but after the first month they loathed eating there and most would just go for fruits/drinks/cereal and milk, they ended up wasting money in the long run. I wasn’t an experienced cooked and had no problem adjusting; only problem was around exams because of the time constraint but I just ate out around that time and it wasn’t bad.</p>
<p>@GAgirl- I’m pretty sure you can develop close relationships with professors/participate in research etc regardless if you consider yourself a “top student” or not. Just like I’m sure you can get to know a professor whether it be in a big class or small one. Where you really bond is during his/her office hours.
Now about your question regarding UF’s Favoritism policy regarding “top students” (smh)…maybe someone else has input?</p>
<p>Ive been researching combined degree programs, because I was thinking of doing a BA/MA in Sociology or a MBA in Management (for non-business students). For anyone working on two degrees, what is that like? BTW I’m a 2nd year Sociology major beginning this fall.</p>
<p>Hi. This year I’ll be a junior at New College of Florida, the state of Florida Honors college. NCF is a great school and has higher admission stats than UF, and it is a school for uber-serious academics. NO organized sports, no Greek system. I love the school and love the location, but the facilities for curriculum in my field of interest are seriously lacking. I’m considering transferring to UF.</p>
<p>NCF doesn’t have GPAs, everything is P/F (they assume you’re a quality student if you were admitted in the first place). I did have a 3.83 GPA for college work while still in high school, as a DE student, and prior to going to NCF. I’ve got other ECs but for transfer they don’t seem to count much. SAT 1990.</p>
<p>First: can you chance me?</p>
<p>Second: what’s with all the crime in Gainesville, around UF? Stealing bikes, break-in, taking wheels/tires from cars–sounds like one big ghetto. Is there one area that’s better than another? </p>
<p>Third: along the same lines, is there a particular (off-campus) apartment complex that is known for attracting more serious students who aren’t into the frat boy and keg scene? Money is not an issue, but distance is.</p>
<p>@chicabuena - Just so you know, NCF does not have higher admission stats than UF, UF’s are higher. There are plenty of serious minded students at UF, they even have an Honors program 
The minimum requirement for the Honors Program is at least a 2070 on the SAT or 33 on the ACT (but I think you have to enter as a Freshman). And comparing UF to the ghetto? One of the biggest problems is bike theft. Bike theft! As far as large universities go UF’s crime is low and Gainesville is a great town. :)</p>
<p>UF 2011 Freshman Profile
Middle 50% of the Class
• High School GPA of 4.1 - 4.4
• SAT of 1830-2090
• ACT of 28 - 32 (Composite)</p>
<p>New College 2011 Enrolled Freshman Statistics
Middle 50%
• Weighted GPA* 3.69 – 4.29
• SAT 1220-1390 (Critical Reading + Math)
• ACT 27-31 (Composite)</p>
<p>I’m not saying UF is a ghetto–far from it! It’s the “student ghetto” term that I’m seeing whenever I look at off-campus housing. I’m confused by what that means.</p>
<p>Here on CC I’ve seen parents asking other parents, as well as students, about safety at UF. There seems to be a lot of mention of safety, and cautions about where one lives, where one locks his/her bike, peeping Toms, car break-ins…again, I’m confused, because the 2x I visited UF I didn’t ever see anything that even remotely set off my internal danger alarm. </p>
<p>About UF vs. NCF: if you look at the individual SAT scores for the students, UF is higher in Math (something like 680 to 640), while NCF is higher in CR (710 to 670). No argument with you–there’s a fair amount of transfer between schools, meaning the caliber of the students is on par.</p>
<p>I came up with another question: for students that have already attended UF, how much would you say your average cost of attendance was? Would you say it was more or less than the COA predicted by the university? What are some ways of bringing down these numbers? The financial aid I received is not enough to cover their expected COA (and that includes me getting a loan… I have no intention of getting another one this year) so I want to know if I’m going to spend more or less than what they tell me. Some numbers are of course already set (like the housing rent) but would you say a student could survive on campus with, let’s say, $17-18,000 instead of the ~$20,000 the school predicts? I don’t spend my money on electronics or anything like that. I’m not a luxurious person. And also, how difficult is it to get a job on or off campus? I didn’t want to work the first year but I fear that I may have to if I don’t find another solution for my financial aid situation. I have volunteer experience and I have a bit of work experience (internship at a hospital and I am a cashier at a store). Will the bit of experience help me at all? And I don’t have work study, which sucks because many of the jobs posted on GatorJobs are for students who have it. Will not having work study limit me much?</p>
<p>@chicabuena If you’re asking for an apartment complex that isn’t known for a party scene, I can’t think of one. I can say avoid University Club and Woodlands though: constant parties there.
Although all the parties I’ve been to at those complexes have been fun, with friends and decidedly non-Greek. Frats have frat houses, they don’t party in off-campus apartment complexes much.</p>
<p>Wow! I can’t believe this thread is still alive. It’s great to see people chip in with advice - it’s a nice way to consolidate information. Keep the tradition alive! hah. </p>
<p>I thought I’d drop in and comment on some stuff that got overlooked that I happen to have experience with and knowledge of … for old times sake! 
</p>
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</p>
<p>Research Positions at UF</p>
<p>Yes, you’ll be able to develop close relationships with your professors. However the burden is on YOU to initiate contact with him/her and then subsequently develop a rapport. You have ample ways to distinguish yourself despite (and in a of ways because) of UF’s size). Start with some research if that’s what you’d like to do. You might have to wait until at least your 2nd semester of freshman year to participate though. But here’s some helpful links on positions, scholarships and upcoming opportunities in research:</p>
<p>[Research</a> >> University of Florida](<a href=“http://www.ufl.edu/research]Research”>Research & Impact | University of Florida)
[Research</a> Awards, Scholarships and Opportunities](<a href=“http://web.history.ufl.edu/undergrad_studies/awards.htm]Research”>http://web.history.ufl.edu/undergrad_studies/awards.htm)
[Example</a> of Research Opportunities >> Psychology Department](<a href=“http://www.psych.ufl.edu/~undergrad/resopps.htm]Example”>http://www.psych.ufl.edu/~undergrad/resopps.htm)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that your high school GPA and SAT officially do not matter anymore! Now your college GPA will come into consideration for the better research positions (and honor societies, co-ops, internships…keep that GPA up!) but even many of those prestigious awards have low minimum requirements (e.g.: a minimum of 3.2 for Business majors; 3.0 for majors in CLAS). Some researchers don’t even ask for your statistics at all tbh. For e.g.: The first research project I assisted on at UF only required the submission of a resume and two recommendations - that were apparently never even checked! </p>
<p>Quality of the Econ, PR and Stats Departments:</p>
<p>The quality of the departments that house the majors you’re interested in range from good to great to excellent and nationally renowned. </p>
<p>The college of Journalism and Communications is ranked within the top 10 Journalism programs in the nation every year. The PR Department itself was dubbed part of the “PR Ivy League” and is generally ranked in the top 5 of all college PR undergrad programs (depends on the publication, obviously).</p>
<p>Finally Warrington, UF’s undergraduate College of Business, is arguably the best undergraduate business program in the state of FL and is well received nationally, too. Economics is a great program with some amazing, top-notch professors on staff (Rush, Denslow) in the department.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I did a combined BS/MS Computer Science degree when I was an undergrad (and funnily enough I’m finishing a Master’s of Science in Management now- strange!) </p>
<p>Working on two degrees</p>
<p>Make sure you start early in the app process and have all the deadlines/other info in order. I submitted my app to the grad school in the beginning of my junior year (fall 2007) and, before that, I studied for 6 months on/off for the GRE. Scheduling study time for the GRE was pretty difficult to fit in! </p>
<p>Plan out all classes very carefully. You’ll actually be assigned a special advisor of sorts to help you finish the classes for the combined degree if you’re accepted. You may have to trade something off to complete the bachelors and master’s degrees at the same time though. To fit in all the courses for the combined degree, I personally had to drop the math double major and, eventually, the math minor I was working on because there would’ve been no time to fit in all of the courses I needed for the combined degree if I’d done a third major or a minor. </p>
<p>So I ended up taking the bare minimum amount of electives required outside CS and gen eds. I took 12 CS credits at the undergrad level that transferred to my Master’s and so my senior year was then spent taking the last 18 credits needed for the BS/MS.</p>
<p>It was definitely difficult. Not the actual material, for me, it was just the sheer amount of work that had to be done. Scheduling things down to a T was difficult, as was keeping on track and staying up to date with assignments. I was also working, volunteering, active in clubs (the usual) and basically worked all week, and the majority of Sat. and Sun. Friday evening was my designated day to go out and chill. </p>
<p>If you’re serious about getting a combined degree, I’d recommend that you be sure by the end of this year (your sophomore year). Make sure you are prepared to take the GRE and that you’ve worked out at least a tentative schedule with an advisor. If you’re a focused student, you can plan ahead and if you are positive thats’s what you want to do, go for it! Don’t be scared of doing the graduate work itself. </p>
<p>One question: The Sociology/Management combo sounds like a great idea. The Management program I’m doing really has prepared me for moving up into a management role in IT in my next job. I’d recommended it highly! </p>
<p>Well THAT was looooong! and happy. Sorry about that!! hah. I Hope that my ramblings helped someone at the very least.</p>
<p>Cont’d – Brevity is not my strong suit so I split my last post into two.</p>
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</p>
<p>NCF is a great school! What are you majoring in btw? I know you feel your department and its facilities aren’t up to par but NCF seems like a such a good fit for you. Would you be applying to UF for your senior year only ? </p>
<p>1. Admissions and Chances</p>
<p>As far as admissions go- since NCF does P/F and written evaluations instead of a traditional grading system, you may lose some credits in transferring. </p>
<p>Also wanted to mention that for transfer admissions in general your college GPA, ECs and personal statement will matter the most. Your SAT will not be a consideration at all because of your junior status.</p>
<p>From my perspective, here’s some pros and cons regarding your acceptance ‘chances’:</p>
<p>PROS: You do have great grades and, I’m assuming, great evaluations. Admissions will find a way to transfer as many credits as possible and, at the least, will recognize you’re a great student. Also the DE credits matter since it will give the ad com an easy to read representation of your grades. Your major is probably housed in CLAS which is not limited access (unlike business or journalism) which means more transfer spots are available. Finally, the college will read your personal statement - so make it strong and clear that NCF does not have adequate resources for what you want to do. OTOH, New College is very respected so that could be a boost. Not sure how good your ECs are?</p>
<p>CONS: Like I’ve pointed out, the vast majority of transfer spots are reserved for community college students. Since you’re applying for your senior year (unless I’m mistaken??), this will bring up questions like “why is this applicant transferring at all?” and that will be a compelling reason for the spot to go to a CC student or maybe someone not as far along in school. It’s quite odd to only transfer for one year unless there are extenuating circumstances such as a student can’t afford their private school or OOS tuition anymore or, perhaps, they need to be in their home area for whatever reason (health, financial). Lastly, you have an opportunity to get a bachelor’s from an institution just as academically respected as UF. Transferring allows CC students to pursue a bachelor’s whereas students from 4 year institutions have that opportunity already (like you at NCF) – hence why people from FSU, NCF, UCF, etc. are usually the the last individuals to fill transfer spots (if they even do at all).</p>
<p>It’s a crapshoot, tbh. If you were transferring into UF your junior year (or freshman/sophomore year), you’d have had a better shot. Unfortunately there’s just not many openings for transfers that aren’t from a CC. I’d say you have a 50/50 shot. Maybe less, maybe more? Who knows? It is possible for you to get one of the spots not reserved by a CC student or someone else. </p>
<p>On your app., make sure to emphasize your ECs. and really drive home something in your personal statement about why NCF just can’t accommodate the needs for your major. Also throw in your strength as a student. Hey, anything to help make the P/F/Eval. transcripts easier to go over! lol</p>
<p>2) Crime in Gainesville and “The Student Ghetto”</p>
<p>Gainesville is actually a safe place to live aside from a few pockets. The parents on CC are over exaggerating as per usual <em>smh</em>. </p>
<p>Yes, bikes are stolen (usually overnight and if you leave one out and don’t move it for weeks). I’ve lived in Gainesillve for 7 years now and have only had ONE bike stripped and, additionally, I’ve never known anyone that’s experienced a break-in, rim/tire jacking or anything else. I know all of that happens, obviously, just probably not to the frequency you’ve been lead to believe. </p>
<p>As for the term “Student ghetto”? It’s an area of town with cheap houses/duplexes,etc. where people looking to save money reside and eat a lot of ramen. These areas also attract lower income individuals who are not students. Crime is a bit higher in these areas but its not a “real” ghetto with like drive-bys and knife fights hah.</p>
<p>Stay away from parts of SW 13th, though. Once you get past a certain mile marker, it changes quickly from “decent extension of the campus” into a ghetto ghetto. Google Biven’s Cove to see what I mean. Biven’s in particular is a terrible complex - they’ve had multiple drug busts, DEA raids, noise violations, DMV incidents. Hoo boy! </p>
<p>As far as housing with a lot of parties I have to agree with electricchapel on University Club and Woodlands. University Club in particular is kind of like Vegas- nice to visit but wouldn’t want to live there. </p>
<p>However, believe it or not, there ARE plenty of complexes that don’t have parties 24/7! Mount Vernon, Williamsburg Village (Mount Vernon’s “sister” complex), Piccadilly Apartments, Point West, Camelot, Cazabella Apartments and Town Parc all immediately spring to mind as great complexes. I can’t remember any more off the top of my head right now but looking at those apartments and areas would be a good start for a search. All the apartments I mentioned are aimed mostly towards grad/law/other professional students and do in fact meet all of the qualifications you listed above.</p>
<p>Well THAT was looooong and happy again! Sorry (again) about that!! hah. I hope that one of my last two posts/ramblings tangentially related to other poster’s comments at least helped at least one person!</p>