Hey guys i need help here. Which has a better reputation and a better atmosphere? I know UF ranks 48 and Michigan state is 78 i believe, so that seems like a huge gap in rankings. I would like to go to law school so no doubt UF has the better law school. UF also has better weather.
It really depends on the major, where you want live and what you want to do after you graduate. Both schools have strong alumni networks with good academics, with UF obviously stronger in the Southeast and MSU’s better in the midwest. One big difference is that MSU will always be second fiddle to UM academically, and Sparty grads have to compete with Notre Dame, Northwestern, Chicago, Purdue, Indiana, Wisconsin and UIUC grads on a regional basis. In contrast, UF is the flagship school in Florida, and, outside of GT, UGA and Emory, it has little out-of-state regional competition.
If you want to go to law school, you will probably have an easier time getting into a southern law school from UF than a midwestern law school from MSU.
I’m thinking i would eventually want to practice in the state of Florida and live there after graduation. I would like to major in history.
I know i am most interested in practicing criminal defense, and wrongful death (ie mesothelioma, product liability) so it seems Florida may be the better market.
If you’re from Michigan, go to MSU. The ranking differential isn’t that large for undergrad. Law school is a different story. Choose the best school financially and ranking wise. To me that would be MSU or UM if I was a Michigan resident and UF if I was a Florida resident. It will be cheaper than paying 40+ thousand a year for undergrad at UF. If you’re a Florida native, go to UF.
UF law school all the way if you want to practice in Florida.
And yes, the weather is definitely better than Michigan.
You’ll have to do the price comparison. But factor out the winter wardrobe…
Law school admission is totally dependent on LSAT scores (most important) and grades. So stay instate if financially that is best and apply to UF law school when the time comes if that remains your goal. Or come down and enjoy some sunshine.
I have NO idea what it takes to become a resident these days for school admissions–you may want to research.