I know threads like this exist for Ivy hopefuls, but what about those of you who are dead-set on your local dream school, good old University of Florida? What ever will you do if you don’t get in? Will you be a disgrace to your entire state? Will alligators start physically manifesting in your home to shake their heads at you in disappointment?
Let me offer you a bit of consolation: UF is kind of over-hyped. I currently go to UF and don’t get me wrong, it’s great here, but college is really what you make it. I mean that 100%. If you don’t get into UF there’s no reason to be upset, honestly. This school is a LOT of work (anyone who disagrees with this is probably taking very easy classes, is involved in absolutely zero extracurriculars, or simply isn’t trying hard at all) and I’m gonna let you in on a little secret - I’ve talked to many people here who have said that at the beginning of their freshman semester, they really regretted coming here. They were overwhelmed by the amount of school work, overwhelmed by the magnitude of everything, overwhelmed by how quickly they had to adjust to this new life, overwhelmed by being away from their friends and family, etc… So please don’t let the internet make you think that once you get into UF, you’re golden, you’re set on a path to an amazing future and every day of college is going to be awesome and fun and successful. There are other colleges in FL that are easier to get into, still ranked highly in the state, and are tremendously less work than UF.
I know, I know. Your mind is blown because someone said some negative things about UF. Like I said, I like it here a lot, but I want to offer a perspective that I rarely see offered: UF is JUST a school. It’s just a bunch of buildings where you attend classes, study, go to club meetings, etc. What you get out of school is what you put into it and you can get a fun, productive experience anywhere you go. This school isn’t on some amazing level of quality that no other FL colleges have achieved. People make it seem like attending UF is a one-way street to success and happiness - you’ll make amazing connections, the faculty is top-notch, the campus is gorgeous! Allow me to offer a reassuring reality check. It’s just a campus, with old buildings and a lot of construction and really humid weather. You can make connections at any school and I know plenty of people who haven’t networked at all here at UF because guess what? You have to work for it here, just like everywhere else. It’s not like UF is just going to hand you employment opportunities, qualifications, and experience on a silver platter. And yes, I know, UF beats every other Florida school in national rankings, but how much do rankings really matter? Is your life going to improve drastically because of how high your institution’s name is on a list? People dispute the validity of these lists all the time anyway. You can have an amazing time at Unknown University in Middle of Nowhere while someone at Harvard is hitting their head on a desk to avoid a stress breakdown. How “impressive” a degree from UF looks should not out-prioritize your happiness as a person. UF is enjoying an inflated ego these days and admission is becoming more and more competitive every year. Find a way to make peace with the fact that you might not get into UF. It’s SO not the end of the world.
“But UF is my only chance at doing [thing I want to do!” you say. “UF is the only school that offers [major/program/etc.]!” Here’s something amazing: did you know there is more than one path to success? Life has a way of working out. If UF is the only school that offers your degree or program of choice and you don’t get in, you can try again for grad school. I mean, that’s the only situation in which I can understand really “needing” to get into UF. And even then, you have other options. Santa Fe/other community college and then transferring; getting a similar degree somewhere else and then coming to UF for grad/professional school; etc.
I’m not dissing UF. Go Gators and all that. But don’t let the hype and the ridiculous amount of gator pride that seems to run through all of Florida make you think that you’re missing out on something impossibly spectacular. You’ll have a good time wherever you go. You’ll get a good education even if UF rejects you. Keep your chin up, my friends.
