<p>I got accepted into 4 schools in South Florida. I am determined to go to school in South Florida yet I don't know which school I should attend. I was accepted in University of Miami, Flordia Atlantic University, Barry University and Nova. Right now I feel torn between UM and FAU except that UM is over 30,000 a year. I am a psychology major although I am thinking of switching back to education in History. </p>
<p>Any suggestions. Thanks</p>
<p>One of FAU’s greatest strengths is its Education program so if you’re looking to be an Education major, this is certainly a good place to do it. Furthermore, Boca Raton is a thousand times cleaner and safer than Miami, thought Miami has more nightlife. Your call there. UM’s got a better national reputation but the price tag is tough to swallow. $30k x 4 years is $120k. Personally I’d rather spend less money on undergrad and go for a “name” in graduate school.</p>
<p>University Of Miami
Academics:
A force, much like a real hurricane, to be reckoned with academically and in athletics, the “heavily sports-oriented” University of Miami offers “academic excellence along with cultural diversity.” the reputation is a result of the efforts of the university’s president, Donna Shalala, whose “forward thinking” has “transformed this university into an academic leader.” In addition to its “top-notch” nursing program, the school’s other notable programs include business and communications. “Coursework is often challenging, even for those students who got straight A’s in high school.” Class size ranges from “200+ person classes” to “small interactive classes,” and students are generally pleased with their professors who “are always available and very willing to talk to students.” One student says, “The majority of the teachers were good, and those that weren’t made up for it with sheer enthusiasm.” The school’s administration is both “very visible and approachable” and “is working hard to improve the quality of the university through facility improvements and additions, as well as program restructuring and evaluation.” “It is not uncommon to see multiple administrators showing their support at school events and club meetings.” During final exams, “faculty, trustees, and student government executives served free breakfast to students from 9 p.m. [to] past midnight” and also “strung up 30-some hammocks between the palm trees behind the library for [students] to study or sleep.” One satisfied student sums up, "Students here are respected, and seemingly no one rests until every pupil is academically satiated.</p>
<p>Student Body:
At first glance, “it can appear that the University of Miami admits only super-thin or super-buff students looking for the perfect spot for a tan while cruising in their Mercedes down the ritzy streets of Coral Gables.” University of Miami students “all love warm weather and not wearing an excess amount of clothing” and “develop an urge to wear shades at one point or another.” However, “the students at Miami are not all about tanning and partying; [they] are a competitive bunch.” “The typical Miami student is probably from either Miami-Dade/Broward Counties or the Northeast” and is “into athletics.” Students seem to fall into three categories: “those who go to South Beach, those who just have fun and party, and those who choose to remain for the most part academic.” "While “students are not politically active,” “most students perform community service.” The student body “is very diverse,” with students from more than “90 countries,” and “international students have formed various cultural organizations that reach out to their respective cultures.” Although “it can seem that people are a little ‘clique-y’ when it comes to their culture,” University of Miami students seem “widely accepting of many cultural groups” and manage to "all live together symbiotically.</p>
<p>Campus Life:
Depending on which student you talk to, the University of Miami “can be the hottest party spot” or “the ideal place to gain experience in almost any field of work or research while living in a beautiful place with a culture mix that is truly unique.” One international student raves that “the school’s rich culture and proud spirit acted like a sponge and soaked me into the Canes culture.” Students compare their “very mellow” campus to “a country club” that is “secluded from the poverty and sham politics of Miami, where students live in a party-life bubble, protected from the real world.” The “vibrant student life” includes “going out clubbing” as well as “following the football team” and “tailgating.” Students also agree that “sorority/fraternity life is also a major part of life.” “Every day, there are dozens of programs (cultural, social, physical, or academic) to participate in,” and students can get involved in “theater productions, musical performances, cultural events, student shows and showcases, on-campus movie showings, service events, leadership opportunities, and seminars.” For off-campus fun, “the beach is a popular weekend destination,” and “people either go to Coconut Grove or South Beach.”</p>
<p>Florida Atlantic University:
Academics:
"Florida Atlantic University is a large public university with “lots of commuters, a growing but small contingent of school spirit, and good professors at the upper division.” Undergrads here keep their eyes focused squarely on the prize: a degree that should translate into improved career opportunities. That doesn’t mean their eyes don’t stray occasionally; this is Boca Raton, after all, so most full-timers here “study and work hard though the week, then party, hit the beach, and get started on next week’s work on the weekend.” Business studies are popular and solid here, and the location accommodates the school’s “strength in ocean and marine studies,” while “good technology” supports the science programs. Undergrads report that the school’s career center “is very helpful and provides several opportunities with careers, choosing majors, and practicing for internships (resumes, interviews, etc.).” Students in the “harder classes such as math and science” also appreciate how the school provides “outside free help that truly makes the classes easer.” “Overall, FAU makes a huge effort at getting students to succeed,” says one student. The school’s significant contingent of part-timers, on the other hand, complains that the school does not make things easy for them. “FAU does not cater to working students even though they compose a large chunk of the student body,” explains one student. “All nonacademic activities occur during the day. Freshman orientation is a full weekday. Health services are only offered from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advising services have limited hours as well.”</p>
<p>Student Body:
"Florida Atlantic is “a very diverse university with students from all ethnic groups” who “generally converse” with each other. Everyone is “nice to each other, even if they don’t hang out.” Most students are from the surrounding area. Those who live on or near campus “tend to be more involved with school activities,” while “Those who live off-campus are very likely to not be so involved.” Proximity to the beach draws lots of “surfer dudes and girls,” and there is the occasional conspicuous display of affluence (“Louis Vuitton purses for females, Oakley sunglasses for males”).</p>
<p>Campus Life:
"FAU is “a great place if you make it a great place.” Those “who get out and do the campus recreation, whether it’s the climbing club, sailing, or diving, and participate in school events are all having the best times of their lives.” On the other hand, those “who just sit in their dorms and do nothing all day hate it here.” The school is working to improve campus life, though some find that this has been “tough because most of the students are commuters.” That said, the school is “now building a new football stadium and many new dorms, which will make the social life of on-campus students way better.” Hometown Boca receives mixed reviews. The biggest gripe is that it’s too pricey for those on a college budget. One student tells us that “The only place the school is close to is the beach. Otherwise, all the places here are expensive restaurants.” Those with money to spend, however, enjoy the many available dining options and point out that “30 minutes in either direction (of Boca) there are things to do.</p>
<p>Pierre, where are you getting this information? I’m impressed.</p>
<p>I can tell you that living in (or near) Boca isn’t as expensive as it’s made out to be. We have Wendy’s, Subway, McDonald’s like anywhere else. The housing is not cheap, although if you poke around and you’re willing to share a place with a roommate, you can find rooms for $400-500/month… the same price my friends are paying in Gainesville.</p>
<p>This is a pretty interesting question. Clearly UM is the better school but is it really worth the extra money? In my experience, the answer is no for undergrad. You’d probably have a lot more fun at UM and theres certainly a lot more pride in going there and for some people its probably worth the extra money. As far as academics are concerned I doubt it really makes a big difference where you go. If this were for graduate school you’d probably want to go to Miami regardless. Tell me, if you go to Miami would you pay completely out of pocket or do you have any scholarships? I’m not sure if you can use bright futures for Miami or not but if you can I’d probably go to UM, if not I’d probably go to FAU (at least for the 1st two years.)</p>
<p>Take a look at FAU’s Honor College. It sounds like a great program if you are looking for academic rigor to get you ready for grad school.</p>
<p>@FAU_Guy:</p>
<p>pierre0913 is quoting the Princeton Review. Hopefully he copies and pastes it from the free online version, because typing all of that out from the book would be a major waste of time.</p>