Trying to decide UF vs FSU

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

<p>I am only applying to UF and FSU (applied early August). </p>

<p>I am not too worried about my chances at either university, but am rather trying to choose between the two. I go to a highly ranked public magnet that typically sends about 20 students out of a class of 100 to UF each year. </p>

<p>For everyone's reference, here are the highlights of my application:
GPA: 3.89 / 4.60, rank ~#10/90
SAT: 780/700/800 (1480/2280)
Main ECs: Extensive debate (local-, district-, state- and national-level awards), varsity tennis team (ranked 3 & "Most Dedicated"), 100+ volunteer hours at Ronald McDonald and 25+ at local hospital, National Merit Semifinalist, Florida Girls State
Essay: About 490 words, based on experience of reaching finalist level at National Forensic League Nationals as a sophomore although I was told that I could never succeed
Schedule: Very rigorous for my school, nine APs by graduation: Bio, Chem, Macro, Lang, Lit, Spanish, Comp Sci A, US History, Calc AB</p>

<p>I realize that UF is highly ranked, but the attitudes of many students as well as admissions officers at the university are turnoffs. I was wondering if this "holier than thou", elitist attitude is evident at the university. Additionally, since it is so large, having huge class sizes, TAs instead of professors for all classes, and having an impossible time registering for gen ed credits are all concerns. </p>

<p>I have visited both campuses and appreciate both Tallahassee and Gainesville. </p>

<p>My major choice is unclear- I have looked at both the international relations program at FSU as well as the agricultural program at UF (highly varying interests). Study abroad is especially appealing, and foreign language study is a must. </p>

<p>Does anyone from UF have any insight on the atmosphere of the university, ease of registration, rigor of courses, level of personal attention, etc? </p>

<p>(The reason I am not asking on the FSU board is because, not only do I have a boyfriend and many friends at FSU, but my family is full of alumnus and I have visited the campus many many times.)</p>

<p>Thank you for any help and insight! This is not meant to be a personal attack or blind stereotyping, merely anecdotes and observations that I have collected over the past year of college admission exploration. Thanks again!</p>

2

<p>The elitist attitude isn't what people make it out to be. What someone who did not (or could not) go to UF would call elitism, UF alumni would call pride. (And that pride becomes real beneficial when it comes to alumni connections for careers).</p>

<p>"Additionally, since it is so large, having huge class sizes, TAs instead of professors for all classes, and having an impossible time registering for gen ed credits are all concerns."</p>

<p>First, TA's for all classes is a gross exaggeration. As for the rest, that happens at all the large state universities (UF, FSU, USF, USF) unless you enter the honors college.</p>

<p>You can argue the finer points of the two schools until you are blue in the face. At the end of the day, the University of Florida has at least some level of NATIONAL prestige to it while FSU does not. UF has a better reputation to get you into more competitive grad schools (if you go) and greater national mobility.</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
You can argue the finer points of the two schools until you are blue in the face. At the end of the day, the University of Florida has at least some level of NATIONAL prestige to it while FSU does not. UF has a better reputation to get you into more competitive grad schools (if you go) and greater national mobility.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is a general myth. If anything, this would be very program specific. Most do not care a bit or can even tell the difference. I cannot say how many times, as an FSU grad, I've been congratulated by out of state people on the performance of the FSU gators. Whew.</p>

4

<p>Thank you both for your replies. </p>

<p>UofF - I would be interested in honors colleges at both schools, but I also had heard that UF only guarantees one honors course per semester, and does not give priority registration.</p>

5

<p>parent2noles: FSU gators, lol</p>

<p>
[quote]
but I also had heard that UF only guarantees one honors course per semester, and does not give priority registration.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I was a NMF at UF as of last year and I got priority registration. Man that was pretty awesome.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I realize that UF is highly ranked, but the attitudes of many students as well as admissions officers at the university are turnoffs.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Untrue from everything I've experienced. The school spirit is played up a lot, but TRUST ME it is way worse other places. For example, I'm working on my PhD at GT and during the new grad orientation they had the gall to gloat over their high national rankings for like 15 minutes. I already matriculated there so why would they bother to extend a 4 hour orientation by 15 minutes other than to stroke their egos? Getting back to it, most UF students I've met are quite humble and approachable (unless it comes to football of course :))</p>

<p>
[quote]
Additionally, since it is so large, having huge class sizes, TAs instead of professors for all classes, and having an impossible time registering for gen ed credits are all concerns.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I had only one class taught by a TA that wasn't a lab and that was a BS technical writing class. The rest were taught by professors. The quality of instruction is fine, but due to varying amounts of slackers the curves can be quite easy or difficult.</p>

<p>Regarding academic opportunities, I'm not sure if FSU has something similar but UF has something called the University Scholars Program which is a 2500 stipend + travel expenses to do research for a couple of semesters. It's a GREAT way to kick start an academic career if that's what you're looking for. I participated in this program and it has paid off immensely for me even in the past year.</p>

<p>If I might ask, which county do you live in? Your HS sounds awfully similar to mine from what you've given.</p>

6

<p>Thank you very much for your insightful reply, gthopeful. I was looking for exactly that type of information. So the rumors aren't true?</p>

<p>I got that impression from a certain poster on a certain "FSU vs UF" thread that I saw a while ago; here are the highlights: </p>

<p>
[quote]
After all, if you turn down UF for FSU, you're going to be around an entire campus (FSU) full of people who would have given virtually anything to have taken your spot at UF. All of those extra miles you traveled in high school, running for that office in clubs, getting into the NHS, going balls out test after test to get good grades--kid, whether you know it or not, that was you going the extra mile so that you didn't have to settle for FSU, you were earning that trip to UF.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>and</p>

<p>
[quote]

In closing, how anyone could take FSU over UF is beyond me, and truthfully beyond most anyone who is very knowledgeable about the differences between the two, even FSU students (although they may disagree out of school pride and self pity). I'm sure I'll draw some negative reactions from some FSU people on here, but they should seriously ask themselves if that is simply due to the fact that they (or their kids) were unable to get in here.

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</p>

<p>I was worried about an arrogant atmosphere, not feeling welcome, being made to feel as if it was an honor to be accepted there, etc. But both UF students on this thread have said that that is not the case. I appreciate both of your inputs.</p>

7

<p>As a neutral observer who has visited both campuses on several occasions, I can tell you that the rumors ARE certainly true about UF. The UF supporters on this board will never admit to it, but a false sense of entitlement and arrogance is very prevalent at UF. In all honesty, that was the main thing that turned me off about the school. Hearing UF students calling their school the "Harvard of the South" should be a dead giveaway of the amount of delusional arrogance found in Gainesville.</p>

<p>You should spend some time on UF's campus and talk to students. Get a real feel for the school before make a decision.</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
This is a general myth. If anything, this would be very program specific. Most do not care a bit or can even tell the difference. I cannot say how many times, as an FSU grad, I've been congratulated by out of state people on the performance of the FSU gators. Whew.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Gators, Seminoles, Buckeyes, Wolverines, etc.... are all sports related. MIT, Harvard, Yale, etc... are the best schools in the world and have the best name recognition... but can you name their mascots? NO. ;) but just because you can't name their mascots doesn't mean you don't know how good they are in academics.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
Untrue from everything I've experienced. The school spirit is played up a lot, but TRUST ME it is way worse other places. For example, I'm working on my PhD at GT and during the new grad orientation they had the gall to gloat over their high national rankings for like 15 minutes. I already matriculated there so why would they bother to extend a 4 hour orientation by 15 minutes other than to stroke their egos? Getting back to it, most UF students I've met are quite humble and approachable (unless it comes to football of course )

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I went to GaTech and I didn't get that feeling of gloating.</p>

10

<p>JEZ21 is a known UF hater.
He is the only individual on this board that continues with the "Harvard of the South" nonsense.</p>

<p>You need to visit both schools and spend some time there.
IMHO if you really don't know what you want to major in you are better off going to the school which offers the MOST programs that may interest you.
Only you know what those are.</p>

11

<p>Honestly, I lived in Gville for a year a few years back and yes, the elitism does exist..but to a small degree. You only really notice that elitism outside of Gainesville I've found. When you are actually there, you get much more of a homely sense. At least that's what I took from it. You really have to realize that 50,000 students attend the school, so the elitist are really going to be the minority, compared to the amount of chill, humble kids. UF, FSU...you really can't go wrong with either. </p>

<p>Like suggested previously, visit both cities before you decide anything, because there is definitely a different vibe given off by each. I just happen to prefer the Gville atmosphere.</p>

12

<p>I don't consider myself a UF hater, just someone who thinks that UF is not the only college in the state where someone can receive a great education. </p>

<p>I've been hearing that whole "Harvard of the South" thing for years. UF's students, alumni, and supporters say it all the time. I've even seen shirts that read "Harvard, the UF of the north" which I'm sure was meant as a joke, but still pretentious. </p>

<p>Some people may absolutely love an elitist and pretentious environment, I'm just not one of them. The OP has some valid concerns and I'm here to voice my opinion on the matter.</p>

13

<p>I agree with jasoninpines. You can't really go wrong with either UF or FSU.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
I've been hearing that whole "Harvard of the South" thing for years.

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</p>

<p>I still want to know who says this stuff. Perhaps they were trying to be ironic? People say some pretty ridiculous pro-UF stuff here on CC but I've never actually experienced it on campus. School pride outside of sports is pretty low key from my experience in engineering. Maybe it's more pronounced in CLAS? Maybe it's middle-aged alums trying to live vicariously through their alma mater? I'm being very honest here. I do give my fair share of criticism against UF when it's warranted.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I went to GaTech and I didn't get that feeling of gloating.

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</p>

<p>Oh for Pete's sake the front page of GT's website for like 6 months was a big ol' picture proclaiming GT moving up like one spot in the USNews rankings. The students are pretty apathetic toward it, but administrators/faculty constantly bombard us with elitist comments. Any given day I'll walk into class and a professor will say something to the effect of "well at some other school you might not have to know [x detail] but since you go to Georgia Tech we expect you can handle the unsimplified case". It drives me nuts. I never heard one comment like that in the 4 years I was at UF but I heard it in 2 different classes on the first day here. Another case in point (that happens to tie in deliciously with what JEZ21 said), one of the professors actually said on the first day in class "Georgia Tech is the MIT of the South". Needless to say I dropped that class after he spent 15 minutes of the first lecture talking about his academic pedigree. Come the F**K on.</p>

15

<p>I agree with gthopeful in that I have yet to hear anyone on campus say anything about UF being the Harvard of the South. People on campus can be pretty cocky when it comes to sports, but nobody really runs around gloating about the quality of education. Not to say it isn't good - it's fantastic, from what I've experienced - but nobody is silly enough to compare it to an Ivy League school. Everyone is pretty chill.</p>

16

<p>i think this is a case where its not necessarily said on campus, mostly because your ON campus. think about it this way, even if it doesnt make sense,lol. when you go to philly do you order a cheese steak sandwich or a philly cheese steak sandwich? obviously your in philly already so you just order a cheese steak. any other part of the country you have to put that philly in there. at the UF campus nobody gloats about the education because they are there, who are they gonna gloat to, their classmates? no, thats retarded,lol. but outside of gainesville its very apparent, and i hate to say it. but its sickening sometimes what ive seen.</p>

<p>btw, before i get bashed. been a die hard uf/gator fan since i was about 10 years old. been to gainesville over 10 times. live in Miami where there are more gator alumni than local UM Hurricae alumni. and yes, i am attending FSU in spring because UF gave me the biggest headache ever but trust me, thats not making me talk bad about them. as much as UF has seemed to hate me,lol, i still find it hard to not like em. shiiit, i watch every game TWICE!</p>

<p>oh, btw, the harvard of the south is so common down here in south florida. so i dont know how some of you all havent heard it. i ever heard it on my UF official tour. problem is, i think its actually true at the moment.</p>

17

<p>
[quote]
Oh for Pete's sake the front page of GT's website for like 6 months was a big ol' picture proclaiming GT moving up like one spot in the USNews rankings. The students are pretty apathetic toward it, but administrators/faculty constantly bombard us with elitist comments. Any given day I'll walk into class and a professor will say something to the effect of "well at some other school you might not have to know [x detail] but since you go to Georgia Tech we expect you can handle the unsimplified case". It drives me nuts. I never heard one comment like that in the 4 years I was at UF but I heard it in 2 different classes on the first day here. Another case in point (that happens to tie in deliciously with what JEZ21 said), one of the professors actually said on the first day in class "Georgia Tech is the MIT of the South". Needless to say I dropped that class after he spent 15 minutes of the first lecture talking about his academic pedigree. Come the F**K on.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I have not had ANY professors from GT talk like that. They were actually very humble professors that really knew their stuff. Some of the professors I had: Linda/Scott Wells, Schauffer, Stuber, Clements, Schimmel, etc... The only professor I had that I thought was a little cocky was Schauffer, but, he was some old guy ready to retire that considers himself the "father of DSP". All the others were great.</p>

18

<p>^ My Cousin graduated from Georgia Tech. He is a cocky SOB, and talks about the U.S. News rankings all the time. He actually thinks getting rid of Chan Gailey was a good idea.</p>

<p>Oh ya, I went to a bowl game in Jacksonville between WVU and Tech a few years back. No kidding more Gators fans represented than people associated with Tech (they had less than 1,000 fans total).</p>

19

<p>Thanks to everyone for the insightful replies, I greatly appreciate all the input that I'm getting. </p>

<p>One more consideration: FSU offers a $6k/year scholarship to NMFs, in addition to various other scholarships. I have not been able to find comparable scholarships listed on UF's website. Does anyone know how generous UF is with merit money, and if they are stingy, is it still worth it to go there over FSU?</p>

20

<p>UF used to give $3750/semester for being a NMF, but I believe they cut it back to between 1-4k a year a couple years ago. I hear that there's a possibility of going back to giving more money though, but you would really have to contact the honors office to be sure. Financial</a> Aid | UF Academic Programs lists one person, but Fran Green in the honors office is actually responsible for NMF scholarships for UF students ( <a href="mailto:fgreen@honors.ufl.edu">fgreen@honors.ufl.edu</a> )</p>

<p>As a final note to you lorrainemichaels, in the grand scheme of things it will not matter whether you went to UF or FSU if you're a talented person. In fact, there was a study done in the early 90's involving thousands of people being tracked over 10-20 years that showed exactly this. I still remember the day Shap pulled me into his office after hearing I was going to keep my name on the waitlist at MIT and told me how it's just not worth it to have to pay to go to undergrad out of state. Obviously I took his advice, and it's very good advice, and I'm glad to see others are realizing this. Sure I got some crap from friends that did go out of state to higher ranked schools like MIT, but being unencumbered by debt at the start of your professional life is an amazing feeling.</p>