<p>I would say that the top 1/4 of the kids admitted to UF are top students, who could be compared favorably with just about any school in the country. Even some National Merit Scholar winners go to UF, probably for financial reasons (in state tuition). </p>
<p>But with an SAT 25/75 percentile of 1170-1360 (on a 1600 scale), it is apparent when looking at that 25% figure that a LOT of kids who are not truly top students are admitted to UF each year. If UF wants to be a truly elite institution, in my view, it must slowly start weeding out its less impressive students.</p>
<p>By the way, I myself only got a 1200 SAT when I was a kid, so I am not putting anyone down for only getting a 1200. I am just saying that if UF admits students with that low an SAT, and if 25% of their class scored LESS than 1170, that it really can’t be considered a truly elite institution.</p>
<p>This doesn’t mean that UF isn’t a good school. But the numbers don’t lie. Down here in Florida, many UF people tend to strut around like they graduated Harvard or something. To me, it is almost like one big “group-think”, where each UF graduate tells the other UF graduates how great they are. </p>
<p>UF’s mission is not to be the highest ranking public university in the US. They view themselves as having a broader mission. There is nothing wrong with that approach. But I do think that having such a broader mission tends to hurt UF’s overall academic reputation.</p>
<p>Floridadad when did you graduate from HS? I graduated in 1976 and I remember taking the SAT no one made a big deal about it. Our HS were not geared for College prep, no APs, not very good counselors.</p>
<p>When I took the first SAT back in 75 I thought it was a government fcat type test. Times sure have changed. </p>
<p>My son was accepted to Ga Tech and was offered a full ride to UM. But still chose UF. In his words: the engineering department at UM just didnt seem to be as good as UF. He didnt go to Ga Tech, because UF gave him a partial scholarship. And for his degree the difference was not huge between the two schools.</p>
<p>I agree with you on the point that UF is a too lenient on accepting marginal students. From my sons HS 3 students were admitted that had no business getting in. 2 have dropped out and 1 is on the bubble.</p>
<p>I never called you a racist, I said “racist accusations”, as in you are [accusing] UF of admitting the kid because of his [race]. Even if the kid himself “theorized” this, you are putting a little more weight on it by publishing it like this, almost as if it were a fact.</p>
<p>and yes, someone who acts negatively, and bashes on people just because they have an accomplishment, is referred to as “hating”. </p>
<p>UF admits who they want to admit and who they feel is a good fit. I don’t know why anyone else would take it upon themselves to announce their opinion of who “deserves” what, and who is “worthy”. </p>
<p>You seem to be outraged that people with 2000+ SAT scores get rejected. I guess you must not be aware that numbers aren’t everything, and just because someone is a straight A book worm doesn’t mean they are the “best” candidates.</p>
<p>In answer to your question, I graduated high school in 1973.</p>
<p>Also, I actually thought that all in all, given the low cost, that UF made the most sense for my son, because it is indeed a good school, but he and his mother disagreed.</p>
<p>Are you sure that you folks aren’t arguing over a red herring? Maybe I am mistaken, but didn’t Jeb Bush ban affirmative action for college admissions years ago?</p>
<p>I think what UF really needs is to cut their admissions rate. It will be a slower process, but by doing this, they can retain more money for less students. It shouldn’t be a drastic cut in size, as the school attains funding from the tuition of students. However, there should be a decrease in the amount of students accepted to UF, and a small continual increase in the cost of tuition.</p>
<p>I’m not a fan of tuition raises, but still… I’d rather pay more for my school to stay top notch than to pay less and watch my school suffer.</p>
<p>While formula varies some from year to year, more students ='s more $$'s.</p>
<p>Please note “in general” the system is driven by a credit hour formula.</p>
<p>a) butts in seats x b) credit hours for the class ='s x credit hours. c) times all classes ='s
dollars returned by the State to UF. Tuition take is less but has grown considerably over the last few years. Obviously, an increase in student numbers yields more $$'s.</p>
<p>Bottomline. If fewer $$‘s are placed in the pie appropriated by the State for higher education UF will even with its’ flagship status receive reduced dollars. Worse, some $$'s maybe “called back” during the year making budgeting by UF difficult by comparison to years where the threat of a “call back” of $$'s does not exist. </p>
<p>In my opinion, reducing student numbers is not a good idea.</p>