<p>Agreed Rograceer. Even if the OP was an in-state resident and wanted to study something offered by all three schools and was able to get into all 3 we still don't know the environment that the OP would want to be in.</p>
<p>Fit as we know from this website is MOST important.</p>
<p>umm, as for my situation with moving, I will probably be eligible for in state tuition by the time my second year comes around. </p>
<p>In terms of the type of college, I'm not exactly sure what i want. Having access to a lot of things (like in miami) is good, but not exactly needed. Money is definitely a factor. I also don't want a commuter college. The sports atmosphere can be great, but I'm not totally into it. As far as frats and stuff, i dont really care that much. I've visited UF and UCF, and I like both. I prefer UF, but the fact that its so big makes it kinda unattractive to me. For those asking my stats, I'm top 5% with 1380 sat. I also do not know what i want to study, but good science related majors is good.</p>
<p>I would go with Miami then. They have smaller class sizes and with your grades, assuming you have an A average, you qualify for a 16k/yr. scholarship. And if you can get over 1400 on your sat's, you may get 24k/yr.</p>
<p>Miami has the most people living on campus aswell.</p>
<p>I would suggest you visit Florida State. It has many more ranked programs, especially in the sciences, than UMiami and a much lower cost of living. Auto insurance, for example, is probably double or more in Miami than Tallahassee. Also a much lower cost of tuition. </p>
<p>There is also substantially less crime and general urban congestion in Tallahassee than Miami. Plus, Tallahassee has beautiful hills, canopy roads and a more 'change of seasons' climate than either Gainesville or Miami. FSU is a traditional residential university. It has been in the same location since the 1850s, which no other university in Florida can claim.</p>
<p>Compared to UF, it is very comparable in the sciences, even better in areas. Plus, Tallahassee is substantially more cosmopolitan than Gainesville as it is the state capital, with FAMU and a junior college located there too. </p>
<p>FSU also has the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and outstanding opportunities for undergraduate research. My older daughter, a biochemistry major, selected FSU over Wake, Duke, UF, Suwanee and others due to this aspect (plus scholarships, cost of living, climate and so forth). See: <a href="http://www.research.fsu.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.research.fsu.edu/</a></p>
<p>With your SAT score it is likely you would qualify for the FSU Honors Program. This would be essential to having all the doors open up for you in research at FSU. See: <a href="http://honors.fsu.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://honors.fsu.edu/</a></p>
<p>If you know the program area you want, make your selection based on that and cost. This will probably render the best result, as long as you are happy with the location. For example, if you want to be an engineer, go to UF. If you want to study nuclear physics, go to FSU. International banking - go to UMiami.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Disagree completely with SoCal18 regarding the sciences (unless, perhaps we are talking pre-med)...UF and, to some extent, FSU offer better programs at far lower cost. If you want a city atmosphere and can afford the cost differential, then fine, UM would be the choice. But for academics, especially in the sciences, UF has the best programs in the state. And as parent2noles indicated, FSU has some good programs too. If "sciences" mutates into "engineering"...as is often the case...then UF is the clear choice from an academic and cost perspective.</p>
<p>IF the OP wants to do pre-med then Miami wins by a mile. Miami not only has a terrific pre-med program but it also has one of the best B.S./M.D. programs in the country.</p>
<p>I believe the average SAT score for the B.S./M.D. is around a 1470.</p>
<p>If cost won't be a factor then Miami would be the winner due to its city-oriented nightlife with nightclubs, restaurants, bars, concerts, athletic events, cruises etc....</p>
<p>Miami is a smaller school than UF and FSU. It is private so it doesn't need to draw a certain amount from in or out of state and lastly the OP said he was worried about huge class sizes.</p>
<p>At Miami class sizes are MUCH smaller then what one would find at UF or FSU.</p>
<p>If you can afford the pricetag of UM (you will also likely get a pretty large scholarship) I strongly suggest University of Miami.</p>
<p>UCF=Unlimited Construction Forever</p>
<p>Dunk...how can you say for pre-med UM wins by a mile? UM does have a very strong pre-med program (as I originally pointed out), but so does UF. In fact, on these very boards last year, a UM biology professor was recommending UF's pre-med program over his very own. Suffice to say, they are both very solid programs tied to nationally ranked med schools.</p>
<p>You also say.."if cost is not a factor"...but the OP stated cost <em>is</em> a factor. And you further imply city-oriented social life is better than that provided by a college-oriented town. For you perhaps, but it is a gross generalization to imply this is the case for all students. Only the OP can answer that question.</p>
<p>So...if the OP was to pick UM over UF (or FSU)...it would really be because he (or his family) is willing to pay extra for the supposed social benefits of living in Miami over Gainesville or Tally. It's not because of academics.</p>
<p>OTOH, if the OP falls in love with UM and can afford it...I say go for it...it's a fine school!</p>
<p>In terms of the type of college, I'm not exactly sure what i want. Having access to a lot of things (like in miami) is good, but not exactly needed. Money is definitely a factor.</p>
<p>So he wants access to a lot of things if he can have it. However, it is not a requirement for him.</p>
<p>University of Florida and University of Miami are both great schools.</p>
<p>University of Florida offers the typical college atmosphere in the typical college town of Gainesville and has great school spirit in addition to great academics. The cost is much cheaper as well.</p>
<p>University of Miami offers the quintessential city atmosphere while still retaining a suburban campus. While the campus maybe suburban, in about 10 minutes you can be in the vibrant city of Miami and can explore all the nightclubs, restaurants, concerts and athletic events the city has to offer. In addition to the city atmosphere Miami like UF also has tremendous school spirit and great academcs. The cost is much higher, but if you can afford the $40K price tag and enjoy the city lifestlye perks such as nightclubs, restaurants, athletics events etc.... it will make for a wonderful college experience</p>
<p>Both fine choices.</p>
<p>With regard to class sizes, in the Honors Program at FSU you have 25 or less students per class. This has been our experience. </p>
<p>For example, my daughter's Calculus II Honors class she took as a brand new freshman had 24 students and was taught by a full professor.</p>
<p>You just have to do incremental comparison to get what you want.</p>
<p>Noodle,</p>
<p>With the stats you've posted most likely you would have a 1/2 scholarship at UM. My D loved the campus and the fact the profs live in the dorms.</p>
<p>100% BF in the honors college at UF and Miami and she goes to AZ but is graduating debt free.</p>
<p>There many good schools in FL. A small public is New College. This is good school for those that what to figure out what they what to major in and it is kind of self directed learning. There is no big football games or such. But the school is fairly new and it is a very laid back university.</p>