Hello,
I am trying to figure out which school to apply to. University of Connecticut or Florida State University. I am a Washington state high school student (of color, if that matters) with a GPA of 3.6 (unweighted) and 3.4 (weighted). Also my SAT scores are 1060 and 1100. My SAT Essay score was 18/24. I haven’t visited either college campus, although I have watched plenty of videos of both. If it helps as a reference at all, other schools I am applying to are Northeastern University, Boston University, UMass Amherst, and College of Charleston. I also have already applied to UW Seattle. Boston University is my favorite school on my college list. I like more of a urban campus but I am open minded to a more suburban campus, hence UMass Amherst. I am undecided but I am possibly interested in archaeology, pre-law, marine biology, acting, or maybe international affairs. I realize this is a broad spectrum. I also realize that both schools may have strengths and weaknesses for undergraduate programs compared to each other when it comes to my choices. I realize the chance of me getting into either school is similar. I need some help finding which school is the best match for me to apply. I appreciate anybody’s help and time spent!
Thanks,
iandicollege
You have applied to colleges that all have very competitive admissions with profiles high above yours. Make sure you add in a good number of safeties. I would consider applying to both if you are interested. And then quickly look for some schools with high acceptance rates, over 70% even.
Are all of these schools financially affordable if you got in?
Thanks for the advice! Yes, none of these schools provide a challenge financially if I got in. I am well aware of the acceptance rates of the schools I am applying to. College of Charleston has an acceptance rate of 77% and UMass Amherst has an acceptance rate of 58%. I also have many different aspects to my profile (not listed above) that I plan on using to my advantage as well. Just wondering if you had any insight on the difference between FSU and UConn?
My apologies for the tangent, so I’ll do my best to add to FSU vs UConn, though I’m not an expert on either.
Both would be considered suburban campus, most definitely not urban. Both will offer good general stregnth in many programs, which should suit you well. Both are decently strong state schools. For your case, I don’t think theres much difference. The weather of course is a big one. Again, I think applying to both would be a great idea.
As far as Amherst and Charleston go, I think those schools are good matches, but not safeties. Given your strength in other areas besides test scores, you should look into test optional schools for some good safety fits - they will also allow you to highlight the others areas of your application you mentioned.
I really want to emphasize that because I think with your list, there’s a small chance that you get rejected from every school. It’s really better to be safe than sorry there.
Since you seem to like Boston, I would strongly suggest looking at Suffolk University as a safety. High acceptance rate (87%), in the heart of Boston, many of your subjects offered, and your SAT score is in the higher end of their class comfortably. I think it would be a great safety option, one you may not need with Amherst/Charleston, but again, better safe than sorry.
Good luck! 
If you have the time, report back after decisions! I’d be happy to find out you didn’t need any of these schools in the end.
PengsPhils,
Thank you for your help! I will take your advice into consideration with safety schools. I’ll let you know after decisions!
Best,
iandicollege
If you end up being serious in marine biology, at UConn you will have to eventually transfer to their branch campus Avery Point. I don’t think for marine biology at FSU you would need to transfer.
The town of Storrs is basically just UConn. The campus is suburban, with a good amount of restaurants, but the immediate area around it is quite rural. Lots of cows! And obviously the weather is going to be very different from FSU. Be prepared for wicked harsh winters.
Hey, thanks for the info! I think I will stick with FSU! I realize that Avery Point is their coastal campus.