Innovation Academy - Anyone Going?

[Funnells]

<p>

1-IA students will have experiences with the Innovation Hub.

deal, i’m wrong</p>

<p>

2-These colloquias and seminars are for IA students. Period.

alrighty here too</p>

<p>

3-Aid is not limited in the summer. Actually even Bright Futures works in the summer.

you’d think i have the decency to not expose my ignorance, but, obviously I don’t</p>

<p>

4-If you fail a class, retake it the next term while taking that terms elective or humanities online or somewhere else

I’m under the impression that if someone fails a class, taking a harder load the next semester isn’t going to help unless they had issues the previous semester, or try harder, but please correct me if i’m wrong</p>

<p>

5-Less people in the fall do internships. Meaning more of these internships and opportunities are open to IA students.

that’s true but, this option is already available to traditional students, I do stand by my traditional students can get internships in the fall if they choose too.</p>

<p>

6-There is only one restriction: no physical classes or on campus housing in the Fall. That basically the off term.

well… nothing to argue about here</p>

<p>

7-You would be surprised at just how many classes are offered in spring and summer

I’m not too sure about this, UF already said they’d make sure IA students had the classes they need, so I don’t think that was ever an issue, but - getting ahead still seems difficult</p>

<p>

8-going back to have to retake a class, you can always take on a harder schedule.

This comment looks strikingly similar to 4, please explain the difference (not trying to be sarcastic)</p>

<p>

9-There’s only a handful of students unhappy with IA and they are all on CC

If there’s only a handful, would it be that much of an issue to just let them, would 10 people make such a big dent in classes when there’s 6k+ freshman? I’m not too sure about how many people are unhappy about it, but I do think, given the choice, anyone truly interested in IA, would end up on that path on their own.</p>

<p>

10-IA students get the same education. They will be in classes with traditional students next to them. In addition though, they will have certain experiences (in exploring innovation , creativity, and entrepreneurship)…with just them.

I didn’t think that UF was going to isolate IA students… as I was saying, choice is what’s more important here.</p>

<p>

11- IA is for prospective students. It’s not forcing if you choose it.

I completely agree, ultimately students do get a choice, but it’s kind of like a car, you choose to get a car, and you want it so much, but in the end, you have to buy insurance - not by choice, although you know that when you get the car, you will have to buy insurance, and you can’t really “back out” of it, without getting rid of the car. You go to IA, by choice, you get no fall semester, but you can’t get a fall semester(from UF, I know they said you could take CC course in the fall and what not) without leaving. </p>

<p>You get a say in the initial part, but the latter is, at the very least partially out of your control.</p>

<p>

12-Education is a process as you said. But quality matters. The quality is the same for IA and traditional in their respective manners. But the process is simply different. Education can have different processes but as long as it is comprehended and understood and received, does it matter what the process is? What you say seems to imply (or so I assume) that education has inferior and superior paths. But I disagree they are just different and you choose. In the end, you get educated. That is all that matters.

An education can be superior to one another, a different path makes the difference, who would argue that an education from Harvard is less than one from a CC, the price speaks for itself, for IA admits yes the price is the same, but simply getting educated isn’t all that matters. We don’t know how IA will turn out, but there is a lack of information on it. If UF had more to say to the students about IA right now, I’d feel more confident that UF has carefully thought this out, which is one of my issues with IA, it doesn’t feel like it was properly planned.</p>

<p>

into IA a bit more.

I will</p>

[ChickenWing221]

<p>They just hired a director for IA and more info. is starting to be released. </p>

<p>I was interested in the educational paths claim you mentioned. Quality is what matters not the path. The path is up to you to how you get education, this is the indviduals preference. On your regard of Harvard vs CC…well of course the Harvard education would be better But that’s not because of the path…it’s because of the top notch quality at Harvard. So my point stands for IA in the sense that it’s a prospective path and you’ll still get the same education, if not, then more, as a traditional student. To get the most out of your education, it’s up to you. How much will you apply yourself?</p>

<p>And with regards to the whole harder schedule…it’s just speculation. TBH, I don’t think failing a class will be an issue but if it happens the. A harder schedule can be taken or…let’s say the next semester there were 4 classes…one of them were offered online in the fall. Simply do that class online in the fall then retake the class you failed as a replacement, and ur schedule should remain normal. Again, it depends on the indvidual ;)</p>

[Funnells]

<p>

They just hired a director for IA and more info. is starting to be released.

Yeah, but if I were an IA student, I’d prefer if Mr. IA director was appointed before I was accepted, it just gives the impression that it’s a well thought out plan.</p>

<p>

To get the most out of your education, it’s up to you.

That’s it! It’s up to the people! They get a choice to make the most of things, but what if IA students want to go fall/summer and get an internship in the spring! There’s no choice!</p>

<p>

How much will you apply yourself?

But now they can’t apply themselves in ANY manner they want, no matter much they apply themselves!</p>

<p>Chickenwing221, Sorry if I’ve sounded angry at you specifically, I just think that IA students should have a choice in what they do, and the manner they do it, particularly because as you mentioned, UF themselves said that getting into IA was just as hard as Fall (although I don’t believe it), which is why I don’t think that some students should get a choice in their path of education, while others do not. </p>

<p>For IA admits that do want IA it works out perfectly, but for others it might not.</p>

<p>Anyways
Truce :D?</p>

[ChickenWing221]

<p>Funnells, the program and idea of it has been in the making for about a few years or more. It hasn’t been brought out of the blue and just thrown in. This is the University of Florida we are talking about. They know what they are doing and this program exists because it CAN work, it WILL work, and it HAS purpose. I’m assuming the director’s job will mainly start when the IA students start their UF career. The IA director’s job, in a very general sense, is to take care of the IA students and co-ordinate the IA exclusive stuff. When will all of these be possible? When IA students begin their career.</p>

<p>In regards to the “most out of your education” point…you can’t say there’s no choice for what I assume is a rare and even unlikely scenario. Not only that, but the lack of the possibility you mentioned is a small inconvenience in the grand scale of things. It’s just the fall they can’t go take physical UF classes. But then again, they can do online classes and go to a community college to do get some credits from there. This goes back to my point of “to get the most out of your education, it’s up to you.” To get the most out of your education, it depends how much your willing to get your education, how much you’re willing to apply it, and etc. And that’s specifically pertains to situations where there may be a lack of choice. If you want the most out of your education, and find yourself with limited options…depending on you, you will figure out a way to get the most.</p>

<p>In regards to the “apply yourself” comment…yes, they CAN apply themselves in MANY variations. Like I said, it’s UP to them. The only limitation is the Fall physical class restriction. You exaggerhate the negativeness of the Fall restriction. First off, HOW you apply yourself and HOW MUCH are two different things. I’m talking about how much. An IA student can apply themselves as much as any other UF student, be it a traditional or honors student. But HOW they apply themselves, which is what you are talking about…they CAN indeed apply themselves in all possible variances excluding those that involve physical classes in the Fall. And not only that, but HOW they apply themselves doesn’t always mean WHEN they get their education. It could also mean HOW they get their education/get the most out of their education. Your claim that IA students can’t apply themselves in manner they want, no matter how much they want, is simply false. Completely false. Your claim attempts to put to rest such a general topic and it’s simply not possible because your claim is not true.</p>

<p>IA students definately have a lot of choice. They can still get UF education in the fall, just not through physical classes. All options excluding those involving physical classes in the fall…are open to IA students. And given the idea of IA, there may indeed be options and paths IA students may exclusively see that traditional students won’t.</p>

<p>It is as difficult to get into IA as the Fall. Because getting into IA simply getting into another program at UF. You have to get into UF first. Students indicate IA interest on their applications if they are interested. Speculating, once they get in then UF decides which students with IA indicated interests should be accepted into IA. The others are accepted to Summer or Fall. UF made IA because there’s too many people in the Fall and IA is another way for the innovation focus to be further…well, “focused on” at UF. And plus, there are people who didn’t indicate IA interest with stats not as competetive as various IA students, yet they’ll get into the Summer or Fall. It is definately a mistake for those who picked IA interest thinking it was an easy ticket to UF, especially when UF said picking IA will not make it any easier to get into the school. Those students that picked IA interest basically made it a very large possibility for them to be admitted to the IA program. Speculating again, had some of those IA admits that made this “mistake”, thinking that IA interest was an easy way to get into UF, not pick IA interest…then they very well could’ve gotten in through Summer or Fall. This is the SAME MISTAKE people make when they think Summer term makes it easier to get into a school than Fall term…it’s not true! Pick what interests/suits you! You will be admitted to UF, if they want to admit you! Picking IA simply tells them “I like the IA program and would be in it” once they admit you. Just like picking summer says “I like the summer term and would be in it” once they admit you, or the same for Fall term.</p>

<p>And it’s okay lol, we are having a discussion. This is a forum, it’s where we exchange opinions and offer our own speculations on many topics No hard feelings on either side, I for one felt none for this whole discussion :p</p>

[ChickenWing221]

<p>One last thing I’d like to mention…IA students have a big benefit that traditional students don’t have: They have a small college feel on a big university. This is a major reason WHY people should do IA ;)</p>

[Agentk]

<p>Would anybody happen to know if IA is still available for term changes?</p>

[Moveeh]

<p>Wait do you want to switch into IA or out of IA lol ?</p>

[College1456]

<p>unfortunately innovation academy isn’t the best for a bright future.</p>

<p>If I was you I would try to switch out of IA immediately or try and get 60 semester hours by end of this year(2012), some of you might have like 30 already from AP or Dual enrollment, so it shouldnt be that tough if you take some over the summer too + 17-19 during this semester, that way you can just transfer to UF fall by next year.</p>

<p>IA has a messed up schedule, = 5 years = more money</p>

[ChickenWing221]

<p>@College1456</p>

<p>You’re wrong. Completely wrong. You jump to the conclusions far too quickly and I advise you may want to research more into IA. First off, the estimated average costs for IA is about $3,000 less than traditional costs.</p>

<p>Second off, the majors in IA can all be completed in a 8 semester time span (4 years). UF has been planning this for a while now and they’ve been planning it good. You are speculating when you assume IA has a messed up schedule. It doesn’t. It just has a different schedule. IA students get the same education, same degree, same diploma, and the same opportunities as traditional students, and I believe there’s even exclusive experiences/opportunities IA students get that traditional students won’t. This includes the co-curricular experiences, seminars, and etc. that are focused around the idea of innovation. Essentially, there’s a new minor that IA students get to take advantage of.</p>

<p>You have to do your research more, there’s a lot of information about IA being released lately. You’ll see that UF really HAS thought this out and know what they are doing. And as a matter of fact, I’ve started seeing other people wanting to be IN IA. </p>

<p>What’s important to note for IA students is that, up-front, they are UF students. They are UF students first, they are taking the same classes, getting the same education, experiences, opportunities and etc. as traditional UF students would get. Except, IA students are UF students in another UF program: The Innovation Academy program. And they get to explore the themes innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, in which I believe they have exclusive classes and experiences together. It’s just another program. Just like the Honors program is another program at UF. UF Honors students, up-front, are UF students first, except they are UF students in the honors program at UF.</p>

[ChickenWing221]

<p>@Agentk</p>

<p>I assume you may mean switching INTO IA via term changes. I believe it’s still a possibility, just email <a href=“mailto:freshman@ufl.edu”>freshman@ufl.edu</a> and state your reason for wanting to change into IA. If I’m not mistaken though, term changes are rarely granted, but if you’re truly interested into IA and want to do it, then I don’t see why you shouldn’t send in a request. Hope I helped ;)</p>

[Ashleyms]

<p>I got accepted to UF IA and at first I was concerned. Then I called, wrote emails, got poor feedback. Then, I was upset. Granted, I applied late, I scored a 23 on the ACT and my GPA was a 3.5 but also, I’ve been in college since I was 16. Yes, maybe I was too arrogant. Maybe I thought I “deserved” it. And frankly, I wasn’t bugged by the IA thing until I had to explain to people. “Why didn’t you get into fall?” I feel ashamed, almost embarrassed. I feel the freshman attending in Fall think IA kids as a joke. We were the ones that don’t make it. Yes, I am attending IA. However, not by choice. </p>

<p>I’m not the smartest. I’m not the best at anything. I know it’s mainly my fault why I am in IA and part of me is grateful for being accepted. Even though others may not admit it, I know they feel the same to.</p>

<p>I don’t want this stupid “special” experience. I want to be an average college kid. Yes, you may be wondering why I don’t I just go to another college. I’ll tell you why. I only applied to 2 colleges and I want to be a gator because that means something. I’d rather be an IA student at UF that be a traditional student elsewhere.</p>

<p>I know going to UF as an IA student might be a mistake. I know that they didn’t prepare at all. I know they just made this crap on a limb. I know I’m just part of some experiment. Nonetheless, I will take it how it is, bare through it, and uphold myself and say that I’m a gator. I only hope IA will live up to it standards and become something more than a whimsical idea. </p>

<p>As for the fall admits. A big FU goes out to you guys who think you are better than us because you are attending Fall. I know you think that and here’s what I have to say. I may not be brilliant but there are IA kids who are. Don’t feel bad for us because we are smarter than you think. </p>

<p>I’m not even sure if this post is relevant anymore but I hope someone that is an IA student reads this and know I am on your side. I know it’s not the best situation but we will show everyone that we should have been first picked.</p>

[ChickenWing221]

<p>Ashleyms…why are you ashamed? There’s people who have gotten into traditional UF with stats just like yours and people with amazing stats not get in period. Actually I know a number of people with 30+ act and 2000+ sat (one of them are going to Emory!!) and they didn’t get in. One of then appealed, and STILL didnt get in. So don’t feel ashamed that you got into IA. Admissions for IA is no easier than traditional admissions (I’ve talked to ppl who talked directly to UF that can confirm this). </p>

<p>You jump to far to conclusions honestly. You need to research first (and you should’ve done this before you even made your college decision). </p>

<p>Right now I mean, most IA kids I see aren’t negative at all. The IA website launched and I hear the IA part of preview was fantastic. </p>

<p>You can’t take what is on college confidential and assume that’s what the general population feels. College confidential really in fact has a small number of common users. There are a lot of liars here (you may be lying for example, but I’m assuming you’re not lol). Then there’s a lot of overexaggergative ppl here. A lot of people who say out their speculation as if it’s the truth. A lot of people like me who love to write long posts lol. And why? Because this is the INTERNET. More importantly, it’s forums. Forums aren’t the most reliable sources of information. </p>

<p>You show the IA group of students assuming they are inferior when you don’t even know that. I understand you’re trying to support but the manner you are supporting is incorrect. It’s like me saying strawberries still taste good albeit not amazing like oranges. When in fact there’s strawberries that are better than oranges, vice versa, and in which both fruits are delicious or distasteful. </p>

<p>I really implore you to research more on IA and start interacting with the actual IA group. College Confidetial is not a representation of the majority IA opinion. </p>

<p>Finally, I’m going to tell what IA essentially is. It is traditional UF on a different schedule plus a new minor. That’s essentially it. IA students are in the SAME CLASSES as traditional students. And by that I mean even in the same rooms where you don’t know who’s IA and who’s traditional. That being said, major and genED education is the same, diploma and degree are the same, and opportunities are the same between an IA (not including minor) and traditional student. The ONLY difference was the difference in schedule. Then we include the IA minor…THAT’S where IA students are kept together in various classes, seminars, experiences, and etc. So if you really want to do a worst case scenario of the program then the worst case scenario is literally this: the IA minor is no good but IA students still get the same high quality education as traditional students, only on a different schedule. However, this is the Unversity of Florida we are talking about, I doubt this worst case scenario will ever occur (especially given the talented staff running this program who you can learn about on the IA website). </p>

<p>Conclusion:
if I were you, I’d start looking up the REAL facts and doing proper research on IA, not listening to the speculations all over on college confidential (which seems to be the case with you) and start getting excited for UF. You’re a UF student first and foremost. IA is just another program you’re in. Its a program just like how the honors program is another program at UF.</p>

[ChickenWing221]

<p>Also I forgot to mention but there are current UF students who actually like the idea of IA and would’ve liked to be given the option. </p>

<p>Also forgot to mention the Fall opportunities and stuff</p>

[Ashleyms]

<p>@Chickenwing221 I suppose you’re right. I was in a very bad mood after reading what others had to say. But, IA still makes me nervous because of how new it is. I know that I’m lucky to be accepted and I wasn’t trying to gloat. I will however look more into and try to have more of a positive outlook.</p>

[ChickenWing221]

<p>@Ashleyms</p>

<p>lol it’s understandable. But honestly, once you go to your preview session (orientation), you’ll learn a lot. Make sure to ask questions while you’re there. You’ll learn how the program has been in the works for years in fact. And there’s even more planned for IA (There’s going to be IA exclusive dorms or something in a few years)</p>