<p>Hello fellow Gators!</p>
<p>I wanted to start a discussion board for students (Freshman and Transfers) who will be starting at the University of Florida in Fall 2014.</p>
<p>Feel free to introduce yourself, post your major, etc.</p>
<p>About myself:</p>
<p>I am a transfer student (Coming from Santa Fe College) majoring in Sports Management. I am hoping to join a few clubs including Gator Sports Management and PAW (People for Animal Wellness).</p>
<p>I’m a transfer student from the State College of Florida in SW Florida
GPA: 3.87
Major: Chemistry
I was accepted on January 14th, but I applied September 14th, so if you’ve just recently applied then you probably have a long way to go.</p>
<p>I’ve already been accepted. I hoping to meet other UF admits who will be starting Fall 2014.
Have you made housing arrangements yet, or will you be living on campus?</p>
<p>Oh, I’m planning to live off campus. I’m visiting Gainesville this weekend to scope out apartments. I’ve heard mixed reviews about every apartment building that I’ve looked into so far, so I’m going to see for myself which ones are good and which are bad. </p>
<p>Good luck. I thought about living off campus. But, I found out that it’s nearly impossible to find parking on campus. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to select my room. I believe it’s next week. I do know that I get to choose before the incoming freshman. </p>
<p>@UFSportsBound: Most people who live off campus don’t drive to school. There are UF buses that stop by each of the nearby apartment complexes every 5-10 minutes throughout the day, so students don’t have to worry about parking. It can be up to a 20 minute ride, but I walked about 20 minutes to class on most days anyway. </p>
<p>@dflorida, I know that the buses come by many apartments. I actually considering buying an apartment at La Mancha, but my mom wanted me to have the “full experience” by living on campus. Do you have any recommendations for on-campus dorms? </p>
<p>You are an upperclassmen right? I’m assuming that because if you were a freshman you wouldn’t have been accepted yet. I would recommend the Keys Complex. It is apartment-style and I know people who have lived there 3 years and love it. I live in Simpson, and I think it is good for a community-style dorm, but I wouldn’t stay here again. In community-style dorms, you share a room with someone else and you share a kitchen/lounge with 50 people, and a 4 showers with 50 people. In the Keys, you get your own bedroom, and you share a living room and kitchen with 3 other people. There are two bathrooms in the apartment, so you only have to share with one other person. Lakeside is set up the same way, but it is a lot further from classes. You would have to ride the bus to class as if you were living off campus. I’m not sure if Hume is an option because it is the honors dorm, but I would also recommend that one. There are some dorms in Sledd / Thomas / Fletcher area where you can get your own room, but all the rooms in that area are different and I don’t live there so I’m not sure how it is set up.
If you decide to go with community-style dorms, Simpson is pretty great. It was renovated in 2011, so it’s a lot nicer than other dorms. Yulee and Mallory are also a good option because they are really close to classes. Avoid Broward Area - it is mostly freshman and I have heard that it is pretty gross. </p>
<p>@dflorida Wow! Thanks for the info. I was always concerned about the community bathroom layout and have
read some mixed reviews about it. I was also told that Weaver Hall is a great experience considering the international students who live there. I considered Lakeside, but the location is what changed my mind. Especially since I want to go to the games. </p>
<p>Yeah, Weaver would be a really cool dorm to stay in. Some people don’t mind the community bathroom layout, and some do. I think it mostly depends on how germaphobic you are.
If you wanted to consider Lakeside, you could ride a bike around campus and it wouldn’t be too bad. There are places to chain your bike everywhere, but how you want to get around campus is a matter of personal preference. </p>
<p>I was admitted in Dec for communications and I applied in November. I am hoping to meet some new people…good luck everyone who is waiting on decisons</p>
<p>i applied for communications! i’d be a freshman. waiting is the hardest part! </p>
<p>Hello everyone. I actually just selected my dorm and I will be staying in Weaver Hall. I am very excited, even though it is over six months away. I already planning my outfits and buying gator gear. Go Gators!
@Florida1on1 Congrats on your acceptance. What CC are you coming from?
@Hopmayer I hope you get accepted! The 14th is coming soon! </p>
<p>@UFsportsBound Chipola College and how did you select your dorm? When I go to choose nothing comes up.</p>
<p>@Florida1on1 I went through the Housing Portal, then clicked on Room Signup. It will prompt you to select the term you are getting housing for, then you can choose from what’s available. Your college is actually across the street from mine. (College of Health & Human Performance) Hope this helps! 
</p>
<p>@Uf SPortsBound When did you reserve your dorm like November? </p>
<p>@hopmayer did you get in</p>
<p>@Florida1on1 No. I actually selected it about a week and a half ago. I was surprised at the number of rooms still available. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any comments about living in the Graham area? Any of the benefits, drawbacks, or info worth knowing as I try to pick my housing choices?</p>