<p>UF is not in the same league as Brandeis.</p>
<p>idk...u just never hear about people applying to Brandeis as a "reach" (at least in Florida). The only people I've ever heard even mention Brandeis were Jewish kids at my high school who applied to it as a safety...after UF. Since only 2 AP kids at my school got into UF last year (UF is severely biased towards IB kids), a lot of the kids who dropped out of IB ended up going to Brandeis...and they all seem to like it a lot. all they complain about is the cold, the "ugly" campus, and the fact that they have to pay for tuition and we don't.</p>
<p>The posters who maintain that the gap between it and UF is huge are right in a lot of ways....There are programs at UF that are a more highly ranked than Brandeis. As for it not being UVA, Michigan or Berkeley, that's true...For peer institutions, think more U-Texas, Wisconsin and UCSD....all great schools.</p>
<p>It sounds like Brandeis would actually be cheaper since they're covering tuition + some of room and board, whereas UF is only covering tuition. Based on what you said you wanted socially, I think you should pick Brandeis.</p>
<p>Brandeis is probably the better school academically. Plus, you sound like you'd be happier there</p>
<p>I am from Florida, UF has a very good rep in state, but once you leave its considered simply another flagship state school like others have said. In that same way, I am not so sure Brandeis is regarded as significantly better, even though I do think their is a slight difference. The way you described yourself I would say Brandeis is the right move, based on what you want out of college.</p>