<p>Ok....before i start...i am african american so u cant say im racist...well u could but im not lol...anyway....as u all may be aware, there is a program at UF called the AIM program for minority students....and basically if u know anythign about it these students picked for this program are blacks typically with low SATs but whom UF feels has potential.....so they are admitted.....now stop right there....u would think that favor would be enough to these ppl beign admitted....but NOOO...i also just found out that 2 of my friends in the program dont have to pay for hosuing at ALL this summer yet i have to pay $782 for my housing in the summer.....so its like let me get this straight.....they are being waived almost a thousand dollar of fee for having sucky SATs.....but us students who were admitted without having to be put in that program have to pay? this is a bunch of ********....u would think it would be enough that they were admitted when they barely qualify for a place like... FAMU.....i mean seriously!!! bull crap! lets form a strike! its free speech! this is a RIP OFF</p>
<p>Most if not all of those AIM student are financially disadvantage and would not be able to afford summer at UF (UF uses its financial aid for fall and spring, only loans are available summer). Students are also accept on the condition that they start summer B and get ready for college level work. They also take a special class on english and test taking skills. My only big problem with the program is that the students get to pick their classes before anyone else EVERY semester they are there, even before athletes. I dont see the need after the first semester. Its not just low SAT score, they are suppose to have a high GPA too--thats why they take a class on test taking skills.</p>
<p>....but its understandable why you would be upset.</p>
<p>First of all, why would athletes be entitled to pick classes first? And second, why are the AIM students allowed to? </p>
<p>So, if I were black and came from a disadvantaged family, the world would be mine. I wouldn't have been accepted to the 1 (maybe 2) ivy league schools that I did but I'd have been accepted to all of them PLUS free money? The ones who can't make it to ivies (because they'd go if it was free lol (which it would be)) go to UF and then get to pick their courses BEFORE everyone else? That is a bit unfair, to say the least.</p>
<p>OK to start I am not in the AIM. they have lower SATs but higher GPAs and this program is designed to help them to be more successful at UF and the waived fees are to encourage them to join and stay in the program. As well many of the people in the program are in financial need. Now if you have a high GPA and SATs why would you expext to be selected for a program that is intended to help people who need it not those who will do fine without it. Now you may think it unfair that they are being given benefits, but what do you expect. Help is given to those who need it. A problem I seem to notice is that everyone hates when others the feel are undeserving are given things that they feel are undeserved. University is not only a place for those with the best credentials but also a place of opportunity. Your attitude 9and that of many others) of screw the "dumb kids" where's mine. i'm not gonna lie I had similar feeling when i first found out about this program (though not as extreme) but it gives assistance and help to those who need it. and it's not your decision who gets what UF gives what they want to who they want (and this is coming from some who is getting zero financial aid and isn't in AIM and I am not "rich"). They are not doing people favors or giving handouts.</p>
<p>
[quote]
why would athletes be entitled to pick classes first?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Usually the order is (from my experience)...</p>
<ol>
<li>AIM (before registration starts)</li>
<li>Athletes (they are special here at UF)(free food (not regular dining hall food), housing, stipend, tuition)</li>
<li>Honors (they do there honors classes selection
<strong><em>The more credits you have the earlier your time is</em></strong></li>
<li>4th year</li>
<li>3rd year</li>
<li>2nd year</li>
<li>1st year</li>
<li>Transfers</li>
</ol>
<p>
[quote]
And second, why are the AIM students allowed to?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not sure, I don't see the benefit.</p>
<p>But, the problem is Dark, that college admissions and college in general is becoming too socialistic. Ideally, college admissions should be a MERITOCRACY, whereby students are judged on their merit for the position they are going to be taking away from someone else. You have taken on the opinions and views, and I don't mean to offend you, of the socialistic liberal world of academia. People should be in college for what they did in high school and be, at least, holistically graded, rather than A LARGE amount of weight being placed on socioeconomic status. College, plain and simple, isn't a place for the "dumb kids," and I'm not saying that kids in AIM are "dumb," but perhaps they are better suited for somewhere other than UF. Second, let's assume I concede that they do deserve a place at UF because I've decided to be a socialist, WHAT IN HECK GIVES THEM THE RIGHT TO PICK CLASSES over me or anyone else? They've pretty much sewn a permanent disabled sign onto their behinds so that they can get a quick pass to the front of the line for everything. I would honestly not be suprised if they got to go to the front of the line for meals either. </p>
<p>The point is, college SHOULD be a meritocracy, and outrage over this is certainly justifiable. Color of skin, creed, religion, socioeconomic status, or anything else other than your merits to be in college should be the ONLY things considered for admission. Sadly, they are not.</p>
<p>ASMAJ, by "not regular dining hall food," what do you mean? Do athletes have their own special dining hall? Or, do they just get free money to eat at the restaurants around?</p>
<p>The problem, calculus, is that a meritocracy can be just as ideal as socialistic admissions system.</p>
<p>Yes, athletes have their own dining hall within GC where they get the good, real food. Sweet deal.</p>
<p>The general convention is for college admissions to be a meritocracy, that's why a lot of people are becoming outraged from the drift from (well, not that it ever really was) a meritocracy. Anything can be ideal to anyone, but it's usually the majority (at least from what I've seen) opinion that college admissions should be a meritocracy.</p>
<p>life isn't fair...get used to it</p>
<p>Yeah, basically restaurant-style food every night. Scallops, steak, fried shrimo, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for that vital insight into life Chamilitary. I'll be sure to take that into consideration next time I'm slighted unnecessarily. One second, let me go get a pencil to write that down, I might forget it.</p>
<p>I'll leave that there just because that was a bit of a rude comment. </p>
<p>But, on second thought, you are right, and I don't mean to complain too much. I guess I'll get used to it.</p>
<p>Probably my last input into the AIM topic but I do feel the program needs change. The current structure is flawed and needs reworking. The students in the program should be required to do more for what they are getting. After the first year, they are not required to do anything and still get the registration benefit. They should be more requirements after their first year like papers, program, research, something.</p>
<p>ASMAJ, I don't really care about anything else (like you) other than their early registration. As if free college admissions and tuition wasn't enough, they get to register before us too?</p>
<p>Like you, I don't get the registration thing either.</p>
<p>I guess to guarantee they get a course schedule they can handle and is consistent with the program objectives?</p>
<p>Well let me just address the class thing. i never said it would be ok for them to pick classes first. And that statement about going ahead of the lunch line is not necessary, becaue you make sound as if they just walk through the dorr get all their things paid for, for no reason and then get a degree with nothing contributed on their part. Financial Aid is given to thoes who need it, period. Many people are going to college and are just scrapping by, but many who are given financial would not be able to go to college without it and are scrapping by with it (again i got zero FA). You make it sound as if UF is allowing a majority of below avergae students into their school. If you want it to just be a "merit" system then basically only people with 1400s, 1500s, and 1600s, would be allowed into college. and for the most part people that get into UF in my opinion are qualified. I havent heard of any 2.0 or even 2.5 acceptees. also test scores are not all that counts whether you want to admit that or not. Why is UF getting so much better every year.... i don't think its just because its from all the students with 4.0s and 1600s. college is not just a plave for people who have the highest grades it for those who are deserving more than just by an academic standard, though that is number 1 on the list, (don't care if you think I believe it or not), but more is taken into account and that is why UF is always getting better because students contribute academically but also to the capus as a whole. It's not your decision who is desrving of who gets to go college and get an education. Don't make it sound like people with good grades and SATs have nowhere to go. Don't know too many people with 1300s+ and high GPAs stuck going to the local community college because nowhere would accpet them. As people going through the college process are minds are very narrowed on who should be accpeted because we all think they should be at such and such a level or screw em, period. Obviously UF is doing something right because their constantly moving up.</p>
<p>P.S. not angry or anything just responding and having a healthy argument</p>
<p>The regisstartion thing is unfair though i'll admit that.</p>
<p>Gator, but like ASMAJ was saying (and that's all I know is what he said), they don't do anything after their first year. It seems like an aimless (no pun intended) program after the first year whose benefits still linger.</p>