<p>Well, my S is deadlocked between these two very different schools. He likes things about both schools. We are arranging for him to re-visit them both over the next two months.
I would like for anyone whose child attends (or attended) one of these (or alums) to send input, especially regarding engineering.
Brief background:
We live in metro New Orleans area
S will major in Electrical Engineering
Attends an extremely rigorous high school
Has partial scholarship to Tulane and nearly full (NMF) to UF
Wants honors dorm
Serious student - interested in research
Not a partyer
Loves to play music and enjoys being part of concert bands/ensembles/praise band/jazz bands
Thanks to anyone who can give input!!!</p>
<p>He was also a National Merit Finalist and was recruited by UF. Although he received sizable merit scholarships to UNC and Vanderbilt, he chose UF because of the free ride. </p>
<p>Like your son, he's a serious student, not a partier. He is in the Honors Program and lives in Hume, the honors dorm. It's the nicest and newest dorm but it's on the far end of campus, away from most of his classes, other dorms and dining halls. He would have liked to be more in the center of things, I think. However, next year he is moving off campus, so go figure!</p>
<p>He went in thinking that he might want to major in engineering but I don't think it will happen. He's currently taking an Introduction to Engineering course -- it's one semester, meets for 3 hours once a week, and explores all of the different branches of engineering in order to give a good idea of what each discipline entails. UF is reputed to have a great engineering department but I don't think he will ultimately choose to major in it. His roommate is an aerospace engineering major and loves the department. Sorry, I wish I could give you more information in that regard. Maybe some other parents or students can shed more light. </p>
<p>One other thing to consider -- UF is generous in their AP course credit. Look at the chart at
<a href="http://www.reg.ufl.edu/04-05-pdfcatalog/student-info/ap.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.reg.ufl.edu/04-05-pdfcatalog/student-info/ap.pdf</a> </p>
<p>You will see that course credit is frequently given for a score of 3 on the AP exam. S had 22 AP credits going in, which allows him the luxury of taking more exploratory courses. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks, patsmom. I really appreciate your input. Thanks, too, for AP credit info. Great to know, with registration for APs coming up soon.
S will be staying in Hume when he visits next month.
If you think of anything else, please post or send me a message. Thanks again!!!</p>
<p>We just visited UF and DD decided, ultimately, to turn down the free ride, but my husband's father attended a million years ago and loved it. We really liked the NM recruiter (she was very hip) and the honors advising. One student wandered in while we were there, and he was arranging some kind of study abroad odyssey. They seemed to all be on a first-name basis. It was a lovely campus. (I know that this isn't much help.....)</p>
<p>anxiousmom, (love your screen name, it should be mine!) thanks...I think I recall reading posts of yours previously, and didn't your D go to Rice? I may have u mixed up with another mom, though...
I appreciate any and all input. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Yes, my daughter is at Rice and loving it. I just reread my post and realized that the "we just visited UF" sounds like I meant "we recently visited UF" instead of what I really meant which is "we only visited UF, my kid is not attending". English is such an ambiguous language!!! We visited last March. My HS sophomore son has decided that he wants to be a NMF and go there for free (oh, if only this could be!!!!). One of the things we found out while at UF, (and I never saw this in print), is that NMFs get priority registration, which means one gets the classes one wants - always. The perks for NMF are just incredible!</p>
<p>Anxiousmom - NMFs must be in the Honors program to get priority registration. Of course, the majority of them are. And priority registration doesn't mean you automatically get the classes you want. From the Honors webpage: "Students in the Honors Program receive priority registration for HONORS CLASSES ONLY. Each semester, normally about 2 weeks prior to regular registration, current Honors students register for one or two Honors classes to take. At their regular registration appointment time about 2 weeks later, they register for the remainder of their non-honors schedule. Incoming Freshmen invited into the Honors Program choose their Honors course preferences by mail before Preview. The registration for their other non-honors courses happens at the Honors Office on the second day of Preview at the same exact time as all non-honors students are registering as well." Honors students are only required to take four honors courses, but may take more if they want.</p>
<p>My S got to register early as a freshman at Preview but he didn't get everything he wanted. Some sections were closed so he had to take a second choice. There are so many Preview sessions that they periodically release spaces in some classes so that everyone gets a chance to get what they want. My S had a late Preview and he had to wait till drop/add before he could get into the section he wanted. </p>
<p>One nice benefit is that Honors program kids get one-on-one advising at Preview, while all others have a sort of group advising session before they register. Also, they can always go see the Honors advising staff on a walk-in basis if they feel the need.</p>
<p>I visited Tulane last semester (I've been accepted with 1/2 scholarship but don't plan on attending) and the atmosphere of that school doesn't seem like one your son would like. You live in New Orleans so you ought to know a lot about the school, but it is a major partying school. It's hard to find students who aren't at least two or three parties every weekend. UF is a fantastic school with great programs and a school with a little less party emphasis. That's my two cents worth--your son and I sound alike in a lot of aspects and Tulane was just a bit too drinking oriented for me!</p>