<p>"That it's even a discussion is quite telling."</p>
<p>But aren't we having the same exact debate UF v. FSU?</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Keep in mind I am a HUGE UF Advocate. I just happen to think FSU is getting screwed in the Court of Public Opinion against the emerging regional universities.</p></li>
<li><p>FSU's problem is they keep trying to say: "Hey we are as good as UF", when they should in fact be carving their own niche. To engage in an academic arms race with UF will only get FSU burned.</p></li>
<li><p>No matter how you slice it: FSU has some damn good programs. They are building their endowment, and they have a solid alumni base. However UF is like an empire of a University. We have so much momentum that it's unreal.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Also when I say empire, I mean that UF is building up at a tremendously fast rate. We are becoming like the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas.</p>
<p>I wish UF's study abroad web page was as clear as FSU's, and that they had the same amount of diverse programs that FSU has. Besides that, it's GREAATT to be a Gator.</p>
<p>ABC Why are you so angry? Get off P2N's back. He is a dedicated contributor to this board and his advice helps many. You are proud of UF and you should be!! However try expressing it to us positively. Maybe you can share some examples of great things happening at UF . ANd please for your sake as much as all of ours avoid being personally critical. It is discourteous and not useful. I look forward to hearing some examples of what makes UF so special.</p>
<p>Let me tell you guys a little story about the real world. I have two UF grads working under me, both of whom also have their MBA degrees. Our boss graduated from FIU, and he only has bachelor's degree. Do you see where I'm going with this?</p>
<p>When we interview new candidates for a position, we could care less if they graduated from UF, FSU, FIU, Michigan or Cal-Berkley. Unless that person graduated from a top 10 school (HYPS), it's not going to impress us one bit in order to get the position. Even HYPS grads have been passed over in favor of public university grads.</p>
<p>UF grads should be proud of their degrees, as should FSU grads. But be aware that your UF degree will not necessarily get you hired over an equally qualified candidate from a less "prestigious" university.</p>
<p>^^^I don't think that we could handle another UF grad in the office. ;)</p>
<p>In all seriousness, we're not hiring at moment and probably won't be for a while. We're actually downsizing at the moment, and had to recently let go some very good employees.</p>
<p>I've heard that starting salaries for new college graduates with Engineering Degrees from UF are higher than any other state university engineering graduate. Any truth to this?</p>
<p>The general perception is that when you use the phrase "Flagship State University" for whatever reason, it usually means UF. However, there might be a subliminal message there since the initials for "Flagship State University" are FSU.</p>
<p>Honestly, even though I'm an FSU student right now, I regret almost every day that I went here instead of UF. Unless you're dead-set on a particular program in Tallahassee UF is just a much more solid school all-around, it isn't located in a ghetto and its sports teams are awesome. It's known as The Harvard of the South for a reason.</p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, I love FSU for some aspects and hate it for others. But the bottom line is: Choose Florida over Florida State.</p>
<p>^^^^ The ghetto? Harvard of the South? You sound like a disgruntled FSU student. I respect your opinion, but I can assure you that most FSU students don't share your views on this. To each his own, I guess.</p>
<p>dude, if you haven't noticed, the properties surrounding FSU are pretty run-down and depressed. There are definitely some nice parts of town, but the immediate area around the school is a dump. Am I lying?</p>
<p>Now I don't know much about Gainesville, but I think it was ranked by some magazine recently as being one of the best places to live in the country. </p>
<p>Academically, FSU is pretty solid but from an all-around standpoint, UF is better. Like I said it depends entirely on what you want to do (FSU is for liberal arts, UF for biz/med/science) but the average UF grad will generally do better than the average FSU grad. Overall I'm pleased with the education I've received here, but in retrospect, I would have benefited more from Florida. 49 vs. 110 is a huge disparity.</p>
<p>I was accepted to both Florida State and UF. I chose Florida State hands down. I am going into Art History and Museum Studies, so FSU is clearly the better choice. However, I really believe that even if I was not going to study something related to the arts I would have still chosen Florida State. UF was very unwelcoming and I felt like I was in an infested swamp when I visited.. it was disgusting.. but that is just an opinion. I think you should just go to the school you feel comfortable in and ignore everyone who tries to make decisions for you.</p>
<p>I go to UF, and I will agree that it is an unwelcoming place. but as far as being "disgusting," that is a bit.....exaggerated and false. i am actually shocked at the lack of trash i see littered on campus. i can honestly say that it is rare to see trash on this campus. and most facilities are clean, but dont all places have their dirty spots? i would definitely NOT classify this place as disgusting, and this is coming from someone whom does feel FSU has a more beautiful campus over UF, his own school</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input. I really didn't mean to get people to fight with each other. I know its just a passionate feeling you have for your school. I was leaning toward FSU before and now I feel better about my decision. I met many really nice students at UF when I visited, it just seems from some of the comments that I have read that there is a certain sense of arrogance at UF and I dont think I would fit in well with that. I also dont really see such a big difference academically between the two. The UF business program (I think I want to major in that), is great. But the FSU program is also really good.</p>
<p>I am sure that UF is a fine school.. After all I applied, so I must have liked something about it. As far as the value of the degree goes. For me, being from the northeast, I really don't sense that people up here think there is much difference between the two schools. </p>
<p>I hope to go on to graduate school anyway (I am leaning toward studying Finance as an undergraduate), so it seems that my advanced degree will have a bit more meaning to potential employers down the road.</p>
<p>It's nice that the UF students think that the UF undergraduate degree is worth so much more than an FSU degree. Obviously, they feel like they are getting a great education and national rankings beyond the top ten schools matter. They may be right, but for me, FSU seems like it will a better fit.</p>
<p>Thanks again everyone for all your input. Both schools are really good and have much to offer. By turning down UF, I will be opening my spot up for one of the students who has been deferred. Hopefully that helps.</p>
<p>"I really didn't mean to get people to fight with each other."</p>
<p>UF & FSU have been fighting with each other since the dawn of time.
JK - But it's been really bad since the 1970's. It got insane during the late 90's, and has cooled off a bit.</p>
<p>The alumni, students, and faculty even get in pi$$ing matches with each other. They bring their venom to the office, to the beaches, to the supermarket, and to the Legislature.</p>
<p>Maybe just maybe we will all rise above it one day....</p>
<p>^^^^Very true. All the fighting actually hurts both institutions in the long run. Although, it seems like both schools are currently working together to separate themselves from the directional schools. One example is the Tuition Differential Bill that both schools pushed to get approved.</p>