<p>Ignoring rivalry, can someone really sell FSU for me? I'm coming from penn state and I didn't like how gargantuan the school was. I know FSU is similar in size, but maybe since it's a different school, it may feel different. IDK. I only applied to miami because it has a great meteorology program and it's a small private school feel. IM SO CONFUSED. Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>From an academic standpoint, my opinion is that all three are solid. We have been to miami and fsu (our son goes there). Miami has a really nice campus. When we first visited fsu, we were amazed at how nice the campus was. for a large school, they do a tremendous job at fsu creating and cultivating a feeling of being at a smaller school. everything is within walking distance, cars are not allowed to drive all over the campus which is nice.</p>
<p>also fsu has a stronger sense of college community life as compared to miami. For example, like penn state, fsu has a football stadium right on campus, miami does not. also, in miami, the social experience focus appeared to us to be centered on the city, which is nice if thats what you are looking for. be aware however, that u miami is outside of the city of miami in coral gables. its about 20-30 minutes to south beach. coral gables is an extremely nice area. </p>
<p>Our son has a friend who attends miami and he has not been that happy thus far. he ended up joining a fraternity this year (sophmore year) and i think that has helped.</p>
<p>Other than those things, obviously there is a tremendous difference in terms of cost. It is amazing to us what a great financial deal FSU is for all that it has to offer. </p>
<p>Good luck. visit both if you can. Congrats on getting in to both. they are very good choices, with very different student profiles.</p>
<p>FSU has likely the best meteorology program in the southeast.<br>
See: [FSU</a> Meteorology Home Page - Florida State University Meteorology Department](<a href=“http://www.met.fsu.edu/]FSU”>http://www.met.fsu.edu/)</p>
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<p>nycollegedad, why did your son’s friend not like Miami at first? just curious.</p>
<p>he still doesn’t love it, but its better. basically, while a social kid, he found it difficult to find a cluster of friends. He didn’t like that many social activities do not take place on campus. most students go up to miami. he liked the sports there, but thought not having the games on campus made it a bit different. </p>
<p>kids for the most part have lots of $$$ and it is costly to do many things there. he visited my son at fsu recently and he loved it there. maybe he will transfer… not sure. I also know of two boys at miami who love it. both are older than my son, but seemed to really like the college. </p>
<p>I can’t stress enough trying to visit both, if you can. I think bith have great academic programs and as P2N has told us, fsu has an awesome meteorology program. </p>
<p>FSU is a big school, like penn state, but I can tell you that it doesn;t feel like a huge school. the weather is another big bonus over penn state. if you want to talk with my son, send me a message and i will give you his fsu email so you can ask him whatever you like.</p>
<p>Rivalry aside - both FSU and Miami have the best met programs in Florida. FSU’s program is better than Miami’s, program but is located at a large state university. However, meteorology, like mathematics, is a self-limiting degree in terms of population. It is a difficult program heavy in math and physics. You would rapidly find your advanced classes small. </p>
<p>Here is a significant difference - Miami would have smaller classes from the start where FSU’s classes would be larger - initially. Once the basic math and physics classes are finished the class size would be very similar…however, Florida State is much less expensive than Miami, both in tuition and fees and the necessary living expenses. Consequently what your extra dollars buy at Miami would be your liberal studies and lower division science classes, unless you qualify for Honors at Florida State.</p>
<p>Penn State also has a great met program. If you are a transfer student with completed basic studies work (an AA degree) then you’d likely go directly into upper division met and related classes at FSU which would be on the order of 20 students or less, likely less.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>If your looking to come down to FL check out the program at Embry Riddle also.</p>
<p>[Office</a> of the University Registrar](<a href=“http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/programs/majors/bio.html#1]Office”>http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/programs/majors/bio.html#1)</p>
<p>They are located in Daytona Beach near the track. Small school about 4,000 students.
Male / female ratio is however pretty bad (If your a guy)</p>
<p>P.S. I was accepted into Miami and choose not to attend. Wanted to do engineering but going $100K in debt for an engineering degree from UM was not worth it. </p>
<p>About the only advantage I see are direct flights into Miami. Tough to get to Tally.</p>