<p>Hi there, </p>
<p>I am not sure which of the two colleges has a better Philosophy program. </p>
<p>Worth noting: I could careless about how contrasting the social scenes are from NCF to UF. I am only interested in which school is more beneficial academically and with getting me into a great Grad School for Philosophy.</p>
<p>Should I go to New College of Florida or University of Florida?</p>
<p>I think you’d be doing yourself a great disservice by only comparing the two academically, as they are incredibly different schools. </p>
<p>The first difference is size. NCF has about 825 students, so classes are small, everybody knows everybody, and you really get to know your professors. UF is much larger, so there are more resources and you have more anonymity. A big downside to NCF is that because it is so small, there are less courses offered and fewer professors. Because of budgeting, many professors are also visiting professors, which can get frustrating when it comes time to ask for letters of rec and to find a thesis sponsor (NCF students are required to write a thesis to graduate). Here’s a link to NCF’s course catalog: [Office</a> of the Registrar - New College of Florida](<a href=“http://www.ncf.edu/registrar]Office”>Office of the Registrar - New College of Florida)</p>
<p>NCF is an honors college. This means that the work is more demanding and you are judged with higher standards. It is also arguably more writing-focused than UF. I don’t know about Philosophy specifically, but NCF is a better school than UF academically in general. </p>
<p>Again, I can’t speak to Philosophy specifically, but NCF has impressive graduate school acceptance rates generally. From 2004 to 2008, for example, 87 percent of New College students who applied to a Masters/Ph.D. program were accepted. 65 percent of Philosophy grads choose to go to grad school (source: [Graduate</a> School - New College of Florida](<a href=“http://www.ncf.edu/graduate-school]Graduate”>http://www.ncf.edu/graduate-school)).</p>
<p>I would say New College is better academically, but as both schools are very good, I think you ought to make your choice based of of fit and personal preference as far as size goes. Be aware that NCF is extremely liberal and “hippyish” as well. </p>
<p>Where are you in the application process? Have you applied to either? Have you been accepted to either? If not, applying to both would be wise. </p>
<p>Best of luck as you begin your college journey!</p>