FSU vs UF

College Search & Selection
41

<p>wow, that’s the attitude that never ceases to amaze me from some people about UF. It factored heavily in my son’s decision to not even apply there. School spirit is one thing, but flat out arrogance is another. </p>

<p>We found that FSU is very student oriented. We have had occasion to email them from time to time and they always reply within a couple of hours. They arranged for someone in the business dept. to accomodate our schedule when we went to look at the school. He spent over an hour with my son then took him on a tour. When I tell UF alumni that story (and I work with A LOT of UF graduates) you can see they are surprised. It seems UF has the attitude that the students should just be grateful they were accepted but then “don’t bother us”. FSU seems to care more about the students. Just an observation and something I have even heard from some of the older UF graduates I work with.</p>

<p>It is interesting that in his senior class there is a “type” of who want to go to UF and then there are a few studets that never considered it but are going to FSU. My son likes the fact that not many kids in his class are going to FSU–he likes the idea of being farther away,meeting new people, and seeing a different part of the state.</p>

<p>I’m not saying UF isn’t a great school, but I wish they’d acknowledge that there are other schools that have a lot to offer.</p>

42

<p>UF accepts more students from public hugh school and does not choose students with florida pre pay. UF admissions is simply nothing but a lottery. Atleast FSU is consistent.</p>

43

<p>My daughter was accepted to both FSU & UF, but she chose FSU and she LOVES it!!! A lot of her friends went to UF and can’t get their classes because when they go to sign up, the classes are always full already!! My daughter got a scholarship from FSU and was invited to the Honors Program - she lives in Landis Hall, a beautiful dorm for the honors students, right in the middle of the lovely campus. UF’s campus was not impressive at all, and it’s spread out in the middle of the state. FSU is hilly, beautiful, and has lots to offer - more artsy, lots of things to do, etc. etc. Plus, my daughter, as an Honors student, gets to pick her classes a month before the other students do, and she has always gotten into the classes she wants! She is sooo happy to be a Seminole, even though she could have been a Gator. UF is waaayyy over-rated, due to their football team. But now that Tim Tebow is gone, we’ll see how good they really are. The dorms are terrible; we visited her friend’s dorm earlier this year, and the place looks like a prison!! They have a community bathroom way down the hall, whereas in Landis Hall, every 2 dorms share 1 bathroom, the dorms are bigger and nicer, with mirrors & sinks in each dorm, as well as 2 nice desks/chairs in each dorm. FSU has renovated their dorms to the tune of millions, whereas UF has old, musty dorms and some have no A/C!!! Imagine that, in hot Florida!! It’s a no brainer - FSU ALL THE WAY, BABY!!!</p>

44

<p>I’m graduating highschool in a year and I’m really into psychology. As far as I see, FSU has the better campus and overall better student life; people are a alot nicer and there is more things to do than at UF. Also, from what I’ve read and heard, I’m leaning toward FSU. But the main issue is which school has a better psychology program?</p>

45

<p>FSU has the older, more distinguished program: [Psychology</a> History Timeline](<a href=“http://www.psy.fsu.edu/history/history.html]Psychology”>http://www.psy.fsu.edu/history/history.html)</p>

<p>FSU recently built the huge psychology building near the College of Medicine, impressive facilities even by international standards: [Florida</a> State University - Foundation - New Psychology Building](<a href=“http://foundation.fsu.edu/community/Page.aspx?pid=1433]Florida”>http://foundation.fsu.edu/community/Page.aspx?pid=1433)

</p>

<p>For a compilation of FSU rankings see: <a href=“http://www.fsu.edu/highlights/rankings.html[/url]”>http://www.fsu.edu/highlights/rankings.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

46

<p>UF is a **** hole
gainesville is in the middle of nowhere
and is full of all the rich stuck up brats who own BMW’s and Range Rover’s
FSU is much more laid back and everyone just wants to have fun
ur parents income dont matter as much
this is bias
but still i would never attend UF even if they paid me to go i wouldnt
FSU is my future school in 2012 and i couldnt be happier
but FSU is the easier school to get into and is comparable to UCF and FIU in its admissions. Its one of those if your instate and have alright scores and GPA your in schools. UF is much more competitive and you will be with much smarter students
its wat ever floats your boat
I swear i see nothing but 18-22 year olds driving BMW’s when ever i drive through gainesville</p>

47

<p>I don’t know why there is still such a strong belief that UF is better than FSU. Academically, it all depends on what your major is. I got into both UF and FSU, and for Physics FSU definitely dominates UF (and most public universities in the South). In Tallahassee we have some of the top researchers/professors as well as facilities–the National High Magnetic Field Lab was moved here from MIT decades ago. So anyone who says UF dominates all the sciences is either ignorant or a liar.</p>

48

<p>^…“for Physics FSU definitely dominates UF”</p>

<p>FSU has a solid physics program from sure…but hyperbole such as “dominates” just hurts the credibility of your argument. UF’s physics program, in fact, is ranked higher than FSUs by USNews and in both the most recent NRC r- and s-based rankings system. Also the Nation Mag Lab is jointly operated by FSU, UF and Los Alamos.</p>

49

<p>Does anyone else wonder which school the kid who started this thread actually chose?</p>

<p>And if anyone as any info one one versus the other on Occupational Therapy I would love to hear it:D</p>

50

<p>Keep in mind that FSU students are mostly locals from Tallahassee and the surrounding area so there’s very much a “high school 2.0” attitude going on among the students there. Being from somewhere else will be regarded as a curiosity.
There are a few out-of-towners who assume that they’ll make new friends from different places there, or go to FSU looking for a “college experience” to take them out of their shells, but they usually wise up or drop out after a semester or two. </p>

<p>That said, I actually love FSU and the people who go there, so it kind of pains me to say this but UF has the better reputation for academics over all (even if the trend of calling the school a “Public Ivy” feels like a gargantuan exaggeration if you actually visit the campus).</p>

51

<p>I second the person who told you to look at Miami. Has all the same top programs as UF, but isn’t in gainsville where you’ll have nothing to do but be surrounded by rednecks.</p>

52

<p>UF is not a public ivy. There is no such thing, regardless.</p>

53

<p>Obviously, UF is the easy choice to NE. The students are smarter than the students at FSU. US News ranks them higher. They have better sports team year in and year out. The campus in nicer (IMO, but both are crappy). Okay so the city of Gainseville isn’t the best, but it’s not like Tallahassee is much better. People who think it’s “all hicks” need to visit both FSU and UF because they both seem to have a small number visable. </p>

<p>FSU is comparable to UCF and USF to me. UF is clearly better than FSU and is cheaper version of UM with less Hispanics. </p>

<p>And for the record, I will prob not be going to any FL school, am not a Gator sports fan nor a Nole. Just my unbiased opinion as a Sr. living in SoFlorida.</p>

54

<p>In 2010, about 5200 of FSU’s 40,800 students were from local Tallahassee area (Leon county). About 8600 of FSU’s 2010 student body came from Miami/South Florida area (Dade, Broward, Palm Bch. counties.)</p>

<p>[Office</a> of Institutional Research - Florida State University](<a href=“http://www.ir.fsu.edu/reports.cfm?cat=leadstates&ID=fall2010factsheet]Office”>http://www.ir.fsu.edu/reports.cfm?cat=leadstates&ID=fall2010factsheet)</p>

55

<p>If I had to pick between UF and FSU, I’d go to UF. Then again, I’d never go to UF or FSU. Miami is probably the only school in Florida I would attend.</p>

56

<p>UF President Machen says the US News ratings are a “rip” and he tries to game them. FSU is the better school in my opinion. UF is substantially overrated while U Miami (FL) is limited and too expensive.</p>

57

<p>I think since UF and FSU each went coed after WW II, the biggest advantage UF has had over FSU is that UF is closer to the population centers of Florida. Many students and families simply opted for UF over FSU because it was a shorter drive from the southend of Florida saving the extra 2 hour drive getting to FSU. The course offerings are similar, the professors are about the same caliber at each institution; folks just tended to go to UF over FSU because they didn’t feel like driving another 2 hours to Tallahassee on top of the 5 or 6 hour drive from the south to Gainesville!</p>

58

<p>My little cousin has this exact same dilemma so I’ll give you guys the same pep talk I’ve been giving him. </p>

<p>There really isn’t a comparison academically. UF is becoming near-impossible to get into right now, even more so than a few years ago. Because of this everyone I graduated with, unless they received some kind of financial aid to an Ivy League or other prestigious out of state school, who was accepted to UF went to UF and those who didn’t settled on FSU (one girl did claim to have chosen FSU over UF but, I kid you not, her reasoning was she liked FSU’s colors more than UF’s , though I did learn later than she had only been put on the waiting list at UF and was eventually rejected). FSU is UF Lite; kind of like a “any you can do I can do better” situation. I’m not saying FSU is a bad school but it really isn’t on the level of UF. Unfortunately the current economic situation is hurting almost every public institution in the country and UF is no different, thus it’s dropping a little in the rankings. Basically, it all depends on your chosen field of study but overall UF overshadows FSU in most academic disciplines, and when it comes to getting a job, a degree from UF still has much more clout with prospective employers when applicants are on level pegging. </p>

<p>As for the non-academic things I’m sick of hearing how FSU has a better student life than UF. UF and FSU have the same kind of bars and “clubs”. Having spent a lot weekends in Tallahassee visiting friends I can tell you there isn’t a huge difference. In fact, UF’s nightlife might be better overall because a lot of the places where FSU students frequent usually fill up with the less desirable element of Tallahassee as the night goes on while UF’s usually remains primarily student only. I have never had a problem at any Gainesville nightspots but have been witness to some unsavory things at some Tallahassee hangouts. As for the Greek system I don’t belong to a fraternity but my major is full of sorority girls who I hang out with on a regular basis so I’m kind of a defacto greek, and I also have some friends who are greek at FSU. Having been to greek events at both schools I would say UF’s greek life is great, as is FSU’s. Bottom line is if you want to find fun you’ll find fun in Gainesville, and if you can’t you’re not trying. Can’t forget to mention that Gainesville is pretty much equidistant from both coasts so you have your pick of beaches, as well as Orlando and Jacksonville (great for a road trip to Disney or Magics/Heat game, or a Jags game). There’s also always stuff to do at the Reitz Union or other places and student clubs around campus for those students who aren’t into the party scene as much. </p>

<p>When it comes to sports there really isn’t a comparison. FSU isn’t a bottom feeder by any means but UF is good, if not great, at pretty much everything from football (even though we just had our first down year in six years) and basketball to tennis and golf. Sporting events at UF are almost always full, packed with rabid Gators, and our tailgate situation is pretty tough to beat. We don’t have a centralized tailgating area like the Grove at Ole Miss but that only adds to the fun of walking from one tailgate to another, making friends with and getting free food and beer from random alumni along the way. Our intramural system is excellent too, as is our club sports system. Our golf course is pretty sweet and cheap for students, and since it’s literally right down the street on campus there’s times when my friends and I will take our clubs to an early class then meet up for a round. The main rec center, the Southwest Rec, just got a massive facelift and is now better than ever.</p>

<p>As for the people on here who say Miami is better than both UF and FSU I can honestly say, being from Miami, the college experience down there blows. Unless you’re a rich kid from the Northeast who wants an excuse to live in Miami for four years (since they’re usually the only people who can afford the ridiculous tuition) the Miami lifestyle made popular by celebs and athletes is out-of-reach. Hell, I’m on spring break right now and I’m limited in the places I can go to. $20 for a drink, no thanks. The college life at UF and FSU is more fun, and the education better, all while being dirt cheap in comparison. </p>

<p>I’m sure there’s some stuff I’ve missed but hopefully this helps some of you in deciding where to go to to school (hopefully choosing UF over FSU). Good luck, everyone!</p>

59

<p>^ great post Joz. Totally agree with pretty much all points (and I dont go to UF or FSU) </p>

<p>Thanks for sharing your insight.</p>

60

<p>The [url=&lt;a href="http://www.nacda.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nacda/sports/directorscup/auto_pdf/DIFullReleaseJan12]Director’s"&gt;http://www.nacda.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nacda/sports/directorscup/auto_pdf/DIFullReleaseJan12]Director’s</a> Cup<a href=“a%20rating%20of%20university%20sports%20programs”>/url</a> standings - Final Fall Standings, Division I, as of 01/11/2011:</p>

<ol>
<li>Stanford</li>
<li>North Carolina</li>
<li>Ohio State</li>
<li>Florida State</li>
<li>Penn State

&lt;li&gt;Florida&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;