Schools in Florida???

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>[ quote]
I dislike Florida schools in general because of my personal dislike of Florida. Most schools are huge, contain too large of a ratio of kids who don't care to kids who do, and are overly conservative (although most schools are democratic in general).
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<p>I would not overlook Florida schools. Tuition are fairly low at Florida public university. Place like FAU has small classes at least for its engineering school and is fairly easy to get in. It did graduated someone like Mark Dean, co-inventor of IBM PC, Philip Zimmermann, creator of PGP, world's leading E-mail Encryption software and Susan Skemp, first woman president of a major engineering society in U.S. and many more.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Also class size at FAU tends to be small (20-30 student classrooms is rather typical) and classes are mainly taught by faculty.

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</p>

<p>Yes, but some of these "faculty" give two grades: 100s if they like a student, and 0s if they don't. Not to mention the administration sometimes deliberately hires unqualified candidates above those with research and actual credentials. And many physics/engineering majors at FAU have trouble converting units.</p>

<p>But on the bright side, they have an Honors College, and you can pretty much go to FAU free if you're in-state and get a Bright Futures scholarship.</p>

83

<p>
[quote]
Yes, but some of these "faculty" give two grades: 100s if they like a student, and 0s if they don't.

[/quote]

This is admittedly somewhat of an issue -- I think you're being a little extreme with the numbers but I see what you mean -- but a smart college student knows what to do before signing up for a class (check ratemyprofessor.com, ask around, find out who is tenured faculty since tenured faculty tend to care less about an even grade distribution). </p>

<p>One of the advantages to FAU is that if you don't like a professor in Boca, you can often take a different/better professor at the Davie campus. I do admit the seven campus strategy is a double-edged sword, however...</p>

<p>
[quote]
Not to mention the administration sometimes deliberately hires unqualified candidates above those with research and actual credentials.

[/quote]

I'm really in no position to debate this but I was hoping you could elaborate. I did hear about a psych professor from Harvard who wanted to teach at FAU but they couldn't find a job for his wife so they couldn't take him on. I don't know if they hired someone less qualified in his place or not.</p>

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<p>UF definitely has the best reputation from florida.</p>

<p>as for UCF... I don't want to be mean, but let's just say the people who go to UCF are the people you never ever want to see again from high school.</p>

<p>I'd go for New College.</p>

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<p>USF st.pete campus is nicer then Tampa. Its also cheaper and has smaller class sizes.</p>

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<p>As someone who has lived in different cities in Florida and attended multiple schools, I can try to give a fair assessment of schools in Florida.</p>

<p>UF-
Best overall academics. Some programs are better at other schools.
Campus is very nice but too big for some.
Party scene is very active and very greek driven
Small town. Some complain that is too boring if you don't like the party scene.
Very high school spirit. Gator fans are very passionate</p>

<p>FSU-
Solid academics. Was ranked a lot higher a few years ago(#64), but droped for some reason when the new prez. took over. It's making a big effort to again become a top public univ.
Oldest campus in Florida. Nice historic campus similar to UF, but not too big.
Active party scene just like UF. Not as greek driven.
Medium size college town. State capital of Florida so there are some attractions.
Tallahassee is a little far if you're from south Florida like myself.
Very high school spirit. Football saturdays are very fun.</p>

<p>UM-
Good academics. Climbing the rankings.
Campus is nice and clean but a little plain. Nice if you like palm trees. Commuter school.
The school is VERY expensive.
School spirit is not too high unless the football Canes are winning a lot. Most students don't get too involved in attending games.
There is a major misconception about the party scene. UM itself has no party scene, the city of Miami has a big party scene if you go to South Beach or The Grove. I actually live in Coral Gables, and I can tell you that this is not a place for a college student. Everything is very expensive and the crowds are mostly young and middle age professionals. Miami is a very big and expensive city and in my opinion is better suited for a young professional and not for a student.JMHO</p>

<p>New College-
Don't know too much about it, but I hear some good things.
Good academic reputation.
Liberal school.</p>

<p>USF-
Decent acedemics, getting better
Commuter school. Campus is OK but plain like most commuter schools.
Tampa is an active party town, Ibor City etc..
School spirit is growing with the football program.</p>

<p>UTampa-
OK academics
very small school
beautifull campus
everyone knows each other on campus
Spent some time visiting friends there and liked the atmosphere</p>

<p>UCF-
I always heard that it was an ok acedemic school. For some reason they droped in the rankings.
Big new campus with a lot of construction.
Orlando is not really a college town, but that part of the city in west Orlando, has become a college area(mini-college town).
Decent party scene. Downtown Orlando is very fun.
School spirit is getting better.</p>

<p>FAU
Actually attended there during the summers.
VERY plain campus. not really my style
Academics are ok, but getting better
As someone who grew up in Boca, I can tell you that it is the farthest thing from a college town. Boca is very nice, but can be boring. It is a good place to study and have no distractions, as opposed to UF or FSU.
Good location. Ft. Lauderdale is 30 min away and Miami is 50 min away.
No school spirit. Some people do have it, but very few.</p>

<p>FIU-
Doesn't have a great academic rep in the city of Miami, because everyone compares it to UM.
Mostly a school for the local miami kids. Commuter school
Campus is OK.
No school spirit. Zero</p>

<p>This is just the opinion of someone who has visited all these universities.
P.S.- Sorry about the spelling, I typed this in a hurry :)</p>

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<p>I agree with FSU-MBA...for the most part, fairly accurate assessment. To his/her list I would add that FIU is very diverse (you could really practice your spanish-speaking skills there). UCF's and USF's reputations and admissions standards are climbing d/t trickle down effect of increasingly competitive admissions at UF and FSU. UTampa is a private institution(more $$). New College is a tiny, tiny (about 700 undergraduates..TOTAL) school with a good academic reputation.</p>

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<p>I was wondering about the student body reputations at the Florida Schools (both public and private). My daughter, currently a hs junior, wants to go to a medium to large school in Florida because she is coming from a tiny private school atmosphere. She is a great kid. Many of her hs friends are from band but I don't think she is planning to continue playing an instrument in college. She is looking to meet "her people" which tend to be the down to earth, not overly academically intense or materialistic, "good kids" (she would not connect with the stoners, the extreme partiers or jocks, or the elitist crowd). Can she find this at the large universities in Florida? I have read so many stereotypes on this website that it is hard to know what is real and what is conjecture.</p>

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<p>I think all the schools in Florida have a diverse student body. I don't know if one particular school fits a mold, but I can try to give you a general idea.</p>

<p>UF- athletics friendly, somewhat academic and many partiers, social crowd, some elitist, very clickish, frats and sororitites are very influential, kids from all over the state and country.
FSU-athletics friendly, more laid back academic and many partiers, social crowd, more down to earth, friendlier crowd than UF, student body is more open minded, students from all over the state and lots of student from around the country.
UM- VERY materialistic, elitist, 80% of students come from money, many kids from the northeast, not very friendly as opossed to UF or FSU.
USF and UCF- very similar student bodies, laid back, commuter schools, many kids still live at home, people are very friendly for the most part. Some partiers and some academic types.
FAU-commuter school, somewhat academic, many know each other from high school(think Boca crowd).
FIU- mostly latin students, commuter school, crowd is not as friendly as other schools(mostly because that's how Miami is), most know each other from high school(Miami crowd).
Rollins- very elitist, materialistic, huge party crowd(drugs).
New College- very liberal, laid back, academic but down to earth, very accepting of others, a "different" kind of crowd.</p>

<p>Like I said, every school has it's different crowds. These are just generalizations for the purpose of this topic.</p>

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<p>Remember that a lot of the folks you associate with change as you determine your major. In the sciences, it can be cut-throat competition (per my daughter at FSU in biochem) due to all the pre-med types. Not many party animals at all. </p>

<p>Other majors may be much less intense...it really varies.</p>

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<p>A couple of things here...</p>

<p>First, I agree with parent2noles that it really depends on what major you pursue. I am currently a premedical student -- although I don't consider myself cut-throat at all -- but I was formerly a computer science major and it was like being on a different planet. I've definitely noticed that your personality type plays a big role in what major you'll pursue.</p>

<p>As my name suggests, I currently attend FAU so I thought I should chime in on a couple of the points made about FAU here (which is partly why I joined this board in the first place).</p>

<p>I agree with most of FSUMBA's assessment, although I'm not sure when s/he actually attended. FAU is in a huge transition right now so some of the points -- like that it's a "plain" campus -- may not hold up as well now.</p>

<p>For 40 some years, FAU has been a commuter campus. In the last five years, FAU has made a point to basically redefine itself in many aspects. The main campus in Boca Raton endeavors to be a traditional college in every respect. </p>

<p>As such, by 2010, FAU Boca campus plans to have a football stadium, ~5000 people living on campus, more traditional landscaping (many more bike racks, more oak trees, streetlight banners, etc), a revamped Student Union, a revamped cafeteria, a $13 million wellness center, a 9-story hospital, and much higher admissions standards (it currently admits 54% of first-time-in-college applicants). </p>

<p>Every semester there's something newer and better happening at FAU.</p>

<p>It's going to take some time but the school will eventually parse out its reputation as a commuter school ... well, as much as it can. FAU is spread out over a number of partner campuses set up years ago, each with small populations of students, and those campuses will remain commuter-oriented. So the tag may never fully go away.</p>

<p>However, that doesn't mean it's not a great place now. We have brilliant faculty (I've written to several professors and told them they changed my life), down-to-earth students, a very very safe mid-sized campus (nobody hassles you for money here), hundreds of active clubs, at least 30 Greek organizations, an award-winning campus newspaper, great guest speakers (we've had Jane Goodall, Senator Kerry, Elie Weisel, etc), campus traditions (i.e. Carnivowl), and a steadily-emerging school spirit (I counted 30 FAU shirts today between classes and attended a very rowdy basketball game with people who had painted their faces with the school colors). </p>

<p>Unfortunately high-school students get this idea that either you go to UF/FSU or you're somehow a failure. Sometimes it comes from parents who believe that rankings are the most important thing -- tell that to every out-of-work UF grad down here in South Florida. Tell that to all the FAU premeds who were accepted to medical schools at Duke, Dartmouth, and another who is on his way to an interview at Johns Hopkins.</p>

<p>I love my school. It's going to be a really prominent place in years to come. To seiclan: I think FAU would be a wonderful place for your daughter. I definitely think you should check it out.</p>

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<p>The majority of the kids that go to UF think they are elite. The rest of the schools in Florida are up and coming.</p>

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<p>I agree with FAU Guy, when it comes to giving FAU a good look before choosing a school in Florida. I attended FAU during the summer terms between 1995-1999. The school has had many changes since I was there. The campus is very clean and nice, it shows that the school is investing a lot in it's campus. When I said that it was "plain", I meant that it doesn't have that traditional historic "brick" look as FSU and UF do. I'm sure plenty of students prefer the FAU campus as opossed to other campuses.
FAU is a decent school and it is making big strides academically. FAU grads do as well, or better, than grads from UF or FSU. The US news rankings are published to give the alumni something to brag about around the water cooler. Someone should not choose a college solely on the rankings, but on how a school fits your lifestyle and personality.</p>

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<p>Thank you for your kind words, FSU MBA. I agree with everything you said... especially the last sentence!</p>

<p>I believe it was in 2000, after you attended, that they agreed to transition into a traditional campus and began to overhaul things. My understanding is that the brick look -- which I too think is fantastic -- is pretty costly and creates a longer construction period than some of the prefab concrete. Apparently it also insulates heat very well, which is not exactly something you want to do here in South Florida.</p>

<p>Oh well!</p>

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<p>I don't know if this was mentioned or not but UNF is guaranteed admissions. You could have the lowest gpa and test scores and still get in.</p>

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<p>Old thread, but it's this way currently:</p>

<p>Undergrad: UF=UM>FSU>>USF=UCF</p>

<p>Graduate: UF>FSU>UMiami>USF>>>UCF</p>

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<p>I just wanted to thank everyone on this forum, especially FAU_Guy for all the wonderful information posted here.</p>

<p>Bottom line, I'm a parent who is trying to help my son make a difficult decision. He will be a freshman in the fall of 2007. I'm new at this whole admissions game.</p>

<p>My son is an IB senior and is looking to go into Pre-med. Cost IS a factor.
His GPA is 3.3 un-weighted and scored a 34 on the ACT and somewhere in the 1500 range on the SAT, I don't recall the writing score. He is introverted and quiet and being in an IB setting, would probably do better in a small class enviroment.</p>

<p>He has been accepted to FSU, UF, FIU, UCF, UM, and FAU Honors College aka known as HARRIET L. WILKES HONORS COLLEGE. </p>

<p>We've basically narrowed it down to UF and FAU. We visited each campus and feel comfortable with these two choices. </p>

<p>FAU is only a three exit ride on I95 even though he will dorm his first year. UF is a good 4 hour drive. I just keep hearing that UF will offer the better education. </p>

<p>Our main concern is not so much the campus social scene as much as we are the education offered at each school. He has been offered a full scholarship at FAU. We are still waiting to hear what the financial aid package will be at UF. </p>

<p>Can anyone shed some light on the pro's & con's of these two schools? Most importantly, if he decides NOT to go to UF this time around, will his FAU credits be transferable should he decide to make the move IF he doesn't like FAU?</p>

<p>I know the reputation of the Pre-med program at UF but I can't find much information on the program available at FAU. They are currently building their Medical program and we've been told that in four years, it will be fully up and running. Apparently, they have some kind of agreement with UM.</p>

<p>Any and all input would be GREATLY appreciated.</p>

<p>Thank you all in advance!</p>

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<p>Pre-med program at UF? There's no such major as pre-med. There are the pre-requisites and the clubs, but no definitive pre-med program.</p>

<p>For pre-med, UF, and USF are the best choices. Don't rule out UCF, either :) They'd probably give him a lot of cash for being in IB. I was in IB, too, btw. UCF is very good with engineering and science as well.</p>

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<p>Actually, if he can qualify for Honors, Florida State has a direct entry program for freshmen into the FSU Med School called the Honors Medical Scholars Program.</p>

<p>Here's the website for more detail: <a href="http://www.med.fsu.edu/news/2005/MedicalScholars.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.med.fsu.edu/news/2005/MedicalScholars.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>An excerpt: </p>

<p>"The program is open only to graduating
high school seniors. The program is highly
competitive and is open to a limited number
of students who already have been accepted
to FSU’s Honors Program. To ensure that your
application is considered, apply early to FSU!</p>

<p>Early acceptance in the FSU Honors Program
will enable you to submit your FSU Honors
Medical Scholars Program application by Feb 1.
Candidates to be invited into the Honors Medical
Scholars Program are identified by late February
and notified of acceptance by mid-March.</p>

<p>Three admissions are required: by the university
as a freshman for the following fall; by the FSU
Honors Program and, finally, by the College of
Medicine Honors Medical Scholars Program."</p>

<p>At Florida State his SAT of 1500/1600 (plus IB) would get him into FSU and Honors easily. The med program may be a challenge, but I'd say he's qualified. He'd also likely receive the University Scholarship of $9600 plus 100% Bright Futures plus whatever else is available. Highly talented kids receive lots of attention. Here's some detail on scholarships: <a href="http://www.fsu.edu/students/prospective/undergraduate/finances/scholarships.shtml%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.fsu.edu/students/prospective/undergraduate/finances/scholarships.shtml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The research opportunities for undergraduates at FSU are outstanding. See: <a href="http://www.med.fsu.edu/biomed/undergraduate/default.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.med.fsu.edu/biomed/undergraduate/default.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>My daughter is a senior at FSU now in biochemistry and she's been able to generate funded research and be published.</p>

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<p>We have found that FSU staff and faculty are superb to deal with and would recommend a personal visit with Admissions, Honors and the Med School staff.</p>