Trying to decide UF vs FSU

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Florida
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<p>Okay, I’ll to answer best I can cause I’m pretty familiar with UF, although I’ve never attended. </p>

<p>“Do any FSU/UF students regret their decision to go to either university, or wish they had gone to the other? Or is it more of a “once you get to college, you are happy” sort of thing? It is hard for me to get opinions from a lot of people I know because they are so fiercely biased one way or the other, by nature or by nurture.”</p>

<p>I have friends at both schools. Some who got rejected by UF and are here now are VERY happy and wouldn’t have it any other way – genuinely. Honestly, I’m not quite like that. I like FSU for what it is but I still think I would’ve liked UF more. Being neutral as possible, your experiences at both schools academically will be really similar. UF is definitely more known for science research, but as an undergrad that will have NO BEARING on your research opportunities. Take me for my word. It will have no bearing what so ever. You will be able to do whatever you want at FSU and the Undergraduate Research office does a good job at placing people. One recent honors student even got to work with a Nobel Prize winning chem professor. Honors Chem 2 students can opt out of regular chem 2 lab and instead work on a science research project with a professor, which is awesome. I regret not going through the honors Chem path but oh well.</p>

<p>Both schools have their share of not-too-bright kids, even UF. You’ll find yourself thinking “HOW DID THEY GET IN HERE?” I think it has to do with legacy admissions and grade inflation at certain high schools (UF loves boosting GPA stats). Generally - out side of honors - there are more smart UF kids than FSU kids. But hey, look at the last 3 Rhode’s scholars in Florida. I can’t say FSU isn’t educating well. </p>

<p>I doubt it’ll be harder to change majors at UF. No worries there.</p>

<p>The UF ticket system is done by a lotto, and likelihood of getting tickets is based on your classification by credit hours. Sophomores are more likely to get tickets than Freshmen and so on. </p>

<p>Party scene at FSU and UF are both good obviously. No difference in my eyes. I do enjoy partying at UF more just because I have more of my old friends (not to mention my gf) there. </p>

<p>Although I can’t say I picked FSU over UF, I did pick FSU over U Miami and NU and I don’t regret it at all. FSU, so far, has given me all the opportunities that I could imagine. I got to start writing for the newspaper as a freshmen and I know of people who have gotten intensive research positions as freshmen. There’s so much you can do around Tally/FSU too… volunteer in shelters, volunteer for the on-campus concert venue - Club Down Under, take a course that leads to a tutoring job in writing that pays well, etc. I’m not saying there aren’t good opportunities at UF, because there definitely are. But, only someone very ignorant would tell you that you’re missing out by going to FSU over UF. I say choose the place you can see yourself for the next four years. It might not be the same for everyone.</p>

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<p>How does UF calculate GPA? I’m starting to get kind of nervous because my GPA isn’t so great (3.6 uw, 4.0 w), however I have pretty good scores-1360 m+r (hoping to have improved them today)</p>

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<p>I “believe” they take core classes only (Math, English, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language) and for every honors class add .5, every AP class add 1 with the exception of grades below a C.</p>

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<p>Two ways to do undergraduate research:</p>

<p>1- University Scholars Program: allows you to pursue your own research and work one- on- one with UF faculty . You need to apply to the program.
LINK: [University</a> Scholars Program](<a href=“http://www.scholars.ufl.edu/]University”>http://www.scholars.ufl.edu/)</p>

<p>2- Research open to all : A good starting point is to browse the Undergraduate Research Database for opportunities in all academic fields.
LINK: <a href=“http://www.honors.ufl.edu/webapps/researchdb/Default.aspx[/url]”>http://www.honors.ufl.edu/webapps/researchdb/Default.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Bottome line…the only people who can answer a question of this U vs. that U are those who went to both. Which is exactly where my USF vs. UF argument came from on other posts (although I do realize that argument is rather obvious). But what I am trying to say is that unless someone went to both, it would be really hard for them to compare the two, no matter what institutions those were. I think out of all the posts I’ve read, johnnytremain comes the closest, but still for a complete understanding, you’d have to find someone who went to both. Otherwise a bias may influence their comments without a full understanding. Based on job prospects, I happen to think UF is the best school in the state, but maybe I am biased as well :-). Just my two cents…</p>

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<p>I can vouch for the FSU undergraduate research program. Older daughter took it through Honors and it is really remarkable. She was mentored by both faculty and grad students, earned funded research, received a fellowship to travel to present her work and will be published. She was also able to work with the Mag Lab when conducting her work.</p>

<p>Just an amazing set of opportunities for an undergrad. When she presented her work she was the only undergrad at the gathering to her knowledge. She was also recruited by faculty from other major universities when they realized she was an undergrad. She wound up electing to go to med school as opposed to the PhD route for now.</p>

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<p>Seriously consider UF! I was in the same situation as you last year at this time. Nole parents, the only schools in Florida I applied to were UF and FSU (though I did apply out of state), concerned not only with the elitist attitude but also the references of UF being the “Nerd School”. I love it here!!! I haven’t noticed any elitist attitudes or snobbery. Registration has been no big deal… got everything I wanted when I wanted it. Some classes are large but I’m sure you’ll have that at FSU as well. Really nice good students. Look at the people at your high school who get accepted into UF and imagine being with those kinds of students from every high school in Florida. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t love it here. Good luck with your decision.</p>

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<p>I just received a lovely letter from FSU informing me that they dropped my housing application on a technicality. I had priority number 18 and was banking on getting a single in Landis, but I guess that won’t be happening now. Perhaps a sign from the divine? haha. </p>

<p>I have pretty much made up my mind about the issue at this point, and will hopefully be attending UF if accepted. Although FSU did offer great scholarship money ($8400/year) and USED TO offer a great dorm option, it’s hard to argue with UF’s reputation. I don’t want to spend the next four years of my life having to justify to everyone why I selected FSU over the more prestigious UF, especially if accepted to both.</p>

<p>My boyfriend attends FSU but was accepted to UF as well. At this point, he is really regretting his decision and is hoping to transfer to UF. Not to be offensive, but the final straw for me was my friend being accepted with a 2.8 GPA (bottom 20% of the class) and a 1200- she is not a minority or an athlete, did not have any awards or hooks, and did not apply for summer. I know that there are probably people like that at all universities, but for some reason I made this into a “test” for FSU which it failed. </p>

<p>The situation today was terrible as well. I contacted them and they had a “well that’s the way it is” attitude that angered me- I am still an undecided prospective student and they are already leaving me out to dry? I thought UF was supposed to be the bad mother that abandons her kittens. </p>

<p>It’s still hard to envision myself as a “gator” but it is something that I suppose I will have to get used to. Our family is full of FSU alumni, so our house is full of Seminoles gear so I feel like I’m shacking up with the enemy.</p>

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<p>Lorrianemichaels, if you don’t mind me asking, what was the technicality they dropped you on for housing? My D is just a few numbers behind you with 22.</p>

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<p>S just got a letter stating that they did not receive parental signatures, so he was date and number dropped as well. They said after subtracting a fee, the housing deposit would be returned.</p>

<p>I personally submitted the housing app so I KNOW they received it.</p>

<p>Ah well…Dartmouth here we come.</p>