Unlike many other schools like Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan, UF is mostly in state kids. Does this make it hard for OOS kids to make friends and rush since I don’t have anyone going from my high school. TIA
@lucy78 I think that it really depends on the student. There is a residence hall that has a community of out of state students that you can choose. There you will be on a floor with other out of state students.
My freshman @ UF is from in state but has an out of state roommate that has adjusted very well. The OOS student did join a fraternity but is also involved in other organizations and has become good friends with my son and his group of 4-5 other guys from my son’s high school.
On the flip side, there are in state students that have difficulty adjusting to UF and making friends.
So, I think it depends on the student, their personality and the effort they make upon arrival to find their niche.
Florida is a big place. As a prospective OOS student, I would like to know: do old HS cliques typically prevail at UF? Because if they don’t it shouldn’t matter who’s in state or not
@hoosier2000 As you said, Florida is a big place and UF is a big school, so it is difficult to make general statements as facts. You will see some high school cliques prevail and some not. Many freshman rush sororities and fraternities and they typically break away from their high school friends and find themselves mostly with their brothers and sisters.
As I said in my earlier post, my one datapoint is my freshman son and his out of state roommate. He has adjusted well and has a high school clique that he joined. So, it really depends on the student.
I went to UT-Austin, where quite a few of my high school classmates also attended. I didn’t hang out with ANY of them after college started. A big school is great - you can find “your tribe.” Also, if you’re coming from the north, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how friendly people in the south are. Every time I leave Maine to visit Florida or Texas (which I do frequently), I am impressed at the level of friendless down south.
I came to uf from out of state and knew nobody. I am now in my sophomore year and am having the most amazing experience and was able to meet my closest friends without going greek (greek isn’t bad at all just don’t think that is the only way to get involved). If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to message me!
My daughter came to UF from in-state along with others from her HS. She does room with her BFF but for the most part, they all went their separate ways and have met friends in other areas, clubs, classes, etc. I think as long as you get involved (they’ll beat you over the head with that at Preview), you’ll find your peeps and won’t be at a disadvantage.
My D is a freshman at UF from New Jersey. She has met a nice blend of Florida and OOS friends already. She was slightly on the shy side and has adjusted well. She also requested the Out of Stater Gators LLC in Broward Hall and got in. Highly recommended.