Fiu

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>3.26 UW 4.10 W
1280/1600 SAT
Full Diploma IB Candidate</p>

<p>AP Spanish - 5
AP Macro Economy - 4
AP Micro Economy - 3
AP Computer Science AB - 5
AP Calculus AB - taking this year, planning on a 4-5 easily. Im good at math.</p>

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<p>So I only applied to FIU because I wanted to go back to Miami and in Miami there was only two choices, FIU or UM and UM is just too expensive so I just chose FIU and got accepted but now I am not even sure I want to go there. This is mainly from what people tell me, I mean, if it was just by me then it would be fine but since people keep telling me that FIU sucks etc, it makes me question my decision.</p>

<p>I got into the Honors College in FIU and I am planning on doing a double major in math and computer science. Lets say I do really good in my Undergrad years etc, being on the Honors College, good GPA etc and all. When I graduate and apply to grad school, will they be like "Big deal, its FIU..." ? I dont know I am just unsure. My friend is a sophomore in Tufts and he got in with a lower SAT than me etc and he is the one that has been telling me how I could go somewhere else etc.</p>

<p>I am just really confused. Anyone shred some light? Thanks.</p>

<p>Go where you'll be happy. Once you have your degree and start working no one will really care where it came from. </p>

<p>Have you visited the other state schools?</p>

<p>I went to FIU for undergrad and absolutely loved the place. Is there something specific that you want to know about the school or are you just checking to see what people think of it?</p>

<p>SomethingBruin - I am just checking what people think of it. So did you actually graduate from FIU?</p>

<p>parent2noles - No I havent visited any, except FIU.</p>

<p>Yes, I spent all four years there and graduated. FIU is a relatively young school and it's undergoing a transition from being strictly commuter to partly residential/traditional. You have to remember that although FIU itself has excellent academics, people's perceptions are going to change much slower than reality. It's not a household name around the country because it's young and their major athletic teams haven't had much success nationally, other than baseball and women's bball. This doesn't really matter in the long run. It has top honor societies like Phi Beta Kappa and the professors are every bit as good as those at "top" universities. Visit the school and see if you feel at home there. You'll get a lot more from your college experience if you enjoy where you're at rather than attending a school that you don't like but which has more "prestige", whatever that means.</p>

<p>I'm just curious as to why you don't consider Florida State.</p>

<p>Because I wanted to stay in Miami. I grew up in Miami and I just love the city. I know many people think otherwise but I love how it is a big city, has an awesome Beach to party, and I love the Hispanic enviroment.</p>

<p>I already visited FIU and I did a Campus Tour and I liked it. The only thing that bothered me was people's opinions. I guess since I am going to be in the Honors College, that will look good.</p>

<p>Rankings don't mean everything Acere, but the fact that it's a fourth tier university will raise a lot of eyebrows (perhaps even those that belong to graduate school admissions officers). If you're happy to go to FIU, that's what should matter, but be aware of the possible risks. My suggestion: find out how well FIU places its students in grad school. If they do a decent job, then don't worry about it.</p>

<p>"My suggestion: find out how well FIU places its students in grad school. If they do a decent job, then don't worry about it."</p>

<p>How do I find out such information?</p>

<p>I worked in a lab at FIU and while I was there, we had students get accepted to Yale, UCLA, Indiana, and FIU for grad school (you can guess which one I was by my name). I also got accepted to the U of Chicago and Michigan State. No one ever raised the issue of where I got my undergrad degree, they only cared what my GPA and test scores were and how much research experience I had.</p>

<p>Honestly, if you were looking to hire someone and one candidate was from the FIU honors college and had acheived Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude while another candidate went to UF and had a 3.6 GPA, who would you hire? Too many people on this site think that prestige is going to give you a distinct advantage. The only time it really matters is when two candidates are nearly equal in all other factors. If you study hard, get involved with campus life, and get some great research experience, you'll have a chance to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack. You can get an education at FIU equal to that of Harvard if you just put in the effort. In short, FIU does not suck and if they have the right program for you and you feel that you fit in well, go for it. If not, find a place that will make YOU happy, because that's all that really matters.</p>

<p>Acere, ask candid questions. For example, if law school is your intended grad spot, e-mail a pre-law adviser, and ask the school's success rate in placing students into law school. Also ask about specific top law schools that have connections with the university.</p>