<p>On the UF Honors program website, it says the minimum SAT score is 2070 OR 33 ACT. Unfortunately, my highest score is a 2060 and 32. I've already been accepted to the Honors program at FSU and USF, and will most likely get into the Honors program at University of Miami. </p>
<p>My question is: will it be better to go to UF normally or to the Honors programs at the other schools?<br>
I really wanted to be in the Honors program at whatever college I go to, and I don't really have strong loyalties to any one college. I know there is lateral admission into the honors program at UF, but I'm not sure I would be able to get in with that.</p>
<p>That makes it tougher – I’d push UF for engineering, but I’m not sure that UF has much (or any) edge over FSU in the areas you are interested in. I like USF (I have a kid who may go there), but with your stats, UF or FSU are the way to go. Visit them!</p>
<p>I can apply to get in the second semester of my freshman year, but I would need to take 5 classes first semester, have a 3.5 gpa, and be “actively involved” in the UF community. I know that it usually takes me a little while to open up and get used to new places, so I’m not sure I’ll be able meet the actively involved requirement, and still make good grades. </p>
<p>I am visiting UF and FSU in early feburaury. The only thing that is sort off pushing me away from FSU is it’s reputation, most of the people I know that go there or plan to go there are not very academic. I know UM is a private school, but do you think that would be better than FSU? I’ve been there, and i sort of like it.</p>
<p>My child is a freshman at UM and is in the honors program. She was very impressed with the Honors class in her major that she took this semester with her advisor as the instructor. There were 15 students in the class. They require one honors class per semester and some of the classes must be outside the major to be exposed to different areas of study. The requirement of maintaining a 3.5 GPA at Miami, versus 3.0 at UF, indicates that it is more rigorous at UM. As Technomancer says, the UF program is for 2 years, but the UM program is for all 4 years. There is no special dorm for Honors participants at UM, but that did not matter to us at all. The overall quality of classes, small class size and personal attention, as well as being able to take classes in your major immediately, are some of the many advantages to UM. The students we know at UF are struggling to get classes they want, are taking online classes or have huge numbers of students in their classes, and many cannot take classes in their intended majors until sophomore or junior year. The entrance requirements for Honors at UM are at this link:[Entrance</a> Requirements | University of Miami](<a href=“http://www.miami.edu/index.php/honors_program_home/entrance_requirements/]Entrance”>http://www.miami.edu/index.php/honors_program_home/entrance_requirements/) Good luck with your decision - we love the U for all the opportunities it offers. My other child is a senior there and has studied abroad, had great internships through the U, and loved it there - not in honors but still had great small classes [even taking a class next semester taught by Donna Shalala, the university president] and personal attention.</p>
<p>My D1 attended and graduated from FSU and is now enrolled in the [FSU</a> College of Medicine](<a href=“http://med.fsu.edu/]FSU”>http://med.fsu.edu/). She selected FSU over UF (as well as other schools) and was in the Honors program. She had the opportunity to perform substantial undergraduate research all four years, including access to the [National</a> High Magnetic Field Laboratory](<a href=“http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/]National”>http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/) for her research in biochemistry. I heartily recommend FSU and the [FSU</a> Honors Program](<a href=“http://honors.fsu.edu/]FSU”>http://honors.fsu.edu/).</p>
<p>I believe that Ryan’s analysis is too conclusory. If the major is engineering or agriculture, I’d agree with him. (I know nothing about Miami, so I won’t comment on that). However, as far as the social sciences are concerned, I would not summarily dismiss FSU – particularly the honors college. Do some research on the number of Fulbright scholarships FSU grads earn every year. My daughter is leaning towards FSU because she is impressed at the number of international scholars that FSU manages to produce. However, Tallahassee is rather far from home and her brother goes there (not a good thing in her mind) so she is also looking at UF. She liked USF a lot – they put on a great show for visiting students-- but it probably won’t be her choice.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that you are on the UF board, so expect some bias. I’d suggest that you post on USF, FSU and UM to get more perspectives (but keep in mind they will all be biased!).</p>
<p>glasswright - your scores are really close. I’m a current UF honors student and I remember when I had only a 2060 SAT and had to magically pull a good enough score on the December ACT to qualify.</p>
<p>When comparing UF to other schools, I strongly suggest you carefully consider what you plan to study - for history or geography, UF and FSU would be among my top picks, and I (unfortunately) might have to give some weight for FSU honors. However, for environmental sciences, I know UF is the way to go, though I can imagine UM having a solid environmental science program due to their location.</p>
<p>More importantly than all of this is visiting the campuses of UF, FSU, UM, and USF. The college you pick will be your home for the next four years, so you’ll be more likely to succeed in a place where you feel comfortable. Sure, prestige is important, but individual success will trump anything else.</p>
<p>Remember, you can always apply for UF Honors after one semester. One of my good friends who didn’t get in prior to fall semester applied laterally and recently got accepted. I know you’re worried about being “actively involved”. Don’t worry about that. When you come to UF, it’s difficult not being involved with something. Join one or two organizations on campus, maybe do some community service, and keep the grades up. Good luck on your decision and Go Gators!</p>