<p>I'm a Florida resident and I am planning on majoring in engineering. I will get the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship from University of Florida and i received a 56,000 scholarship from Clemson, so money is not really a factor in my decision.</p>
<p>I know that UF is technically better academically but I'm afraid it is too large and has too many large classes.</p>
<p>I like the size of Clemson much better but I'm afraid the town is too small and there isn't much to do.</p>
<p>Send a Personal Message to pierre0913. He had a similar choice a year ago, chose Clemson, and loves sharing his enthusiasm about the experience he’s having there. (Actually, he’s likely to check CC today and post here when he sees your title.) Clemson, SC is indeed small, but it is the home of the happiest, most enthusiastic college students in America. Why? I don’t know - maybe they slip some happy drug in the water there. I’ve been there a couple times - it’s a great campus and a beautiful place, but everyone who comes out of Clemson bleeds orange for the rest of their lives. It’s smaller and far more intimate than UF, and has an incredible sense of community for a major land-grant university. C.J. Spiller, who’s about to be the first running back selected in this week’s NFL draft, had a Clemson vs. UF decision. He chose Clemson, and then didn’t leave for the NFL a year ago as most fans expected, because he wasn’t willing to leave the Clemson community early.</p>
<p>It would be accurate to say that Harvard, Yale, Chicago, MIT, etc. are technically better than Clemson (or UF) academically, but UF? It’s listed higher in US News’ rankings, but the practical real life difference in academic quality between the two should be negligible.</p>
<p>Its sounds like your heart is tugging at you to go Clemson. Do it. Its a perfectly strong academic experience if you seek it out. Its a lot of fun, and Clemson is known for some of the strongest school spirit in the nation. I have been to Death Valley and seen firsthand what its like being stuck in a small section near the endzone as a visitor with 80,000 fans decked out in orange supporting the Tigers. Its a daunting experience for visitors. </p>
<p>The weather is wonderful there. Four distinct seasons with gorgeous foliage. Its LOTS of fun, and close enough to Greenville for a city life, and some travel to Atlanta for big city stuff.</p>
<p>Plus, being from Florida you can escape all your high school friends and make a new family of friends at Clemson. Something to be said for that. </p>
<p>Clemson is not small either. But its smaller than UFlorida by a lot. Go for it.</p>
<p>We really liked Clemson when we visited. It’s a lovely school.</p>
<p>Are you sure that the cost would be about the same?</p>
<p>I’m guessing that the $56k scholarship is for 4 years. That’s $14k per year. Unless Clemson is ALSO waiving out of state tuition rates in addition to that $14k per year, Florida would be much less expensive since Bright Futures is paying for most of your tuition, leaving you with just room, board, books and any remaining tuition. </p>
<p>If the Clemson scholarship is only covering the non-resident portion, then the cost would be much higher than UF. However, if your parents don’t mind paying the difference, then - no problem. :)</p>
<p>But, if the $14k scholarship is in addition to a non-resident tuition waiver, then the costs differences would be negligible. Then, I’d go to Clemson. It’s just a really nice school.</p>
<p>For fun, I just calculated Clemson’s and UF’s percentiles in terms of their standings among US News’ 262 National Univs - UF is 82nd %ile on their list and Clemson is 77th - both in the top quarter. But as M2CK says, $14k per year may not balance out the cost differential. When I googled it, I found that the in-state and OOS costs at Clemson are different by $14K, so you may be referring to having gotten an OOS tuition waiver there but no additional aid. That may make your cost at Clemson $18-20K a year; wouldn’t UF be a good bit cheaper with Bright Futures?</p>
<p>Clemson has some fine engineering programs…but be aware that UF has roughly 3X the amount of research going on, and that may very well translate into more opportunities for you.</p>
<p>I think you’re silly to pass up UF in-state in arguably UF’s strongest area.</p>
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I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone compare a college with UF and complain the other college’s town is “too small” . Gainesville is perhaps a town of only 100 thousand.</p>
<p>Clemson is a lot smaller than Gainesville but I have never been bored here and that’s not possible if you get involved on campus! Congrats on getting into two excellent universities. If you want to come here, go for it! I have no complaints about the engineering program so far and all the seniors I know in engineering would agree with me too. Good luck on your decision and let me know if you have any questions about Clemson!</p>
I’ve been there a couple times - it’s a great campus and a beautiful place, but everyone who comes out of Clemson bleeds orange for the rest of their lives. It’s smaller and far more intimate than UF, and has an incredible sense of community for a major land-grant university. C.J. Spiller, who’s about to be the first running back selected in this week’s NFL draft, had a Clemson vs. UF decision. He chose Clemson, and then didn’t leave for the NFL a year ago as most fans expected, because he wasn’t willing to leave the Clemson community early.</p>
. Gainesville is perhaps a town of only 100 thousand.</p>