I got accepted into the traditional admission program at FSU and the PaCE program at UF, which i took the same as getting rejected. idk what i should do. I know everyone says with PaCE you miss the college experience but i would not live in a dorm anyway. my family is moving wherever i go to college and im staying with them so its not like im getting the college experience anyway. idk i just feel like i have to go to uf to prove to myself that im smart (i know that seems vain and stupid but aaaa i cant help myself) but also idk how id do taking online classes for a year it seems like itd be even harder to make friends or do my work. oh and by the end of my senior year ill have (hopefully!) 28 credits from ap classes. and i have bright futures. and idk if this makes a difference to anyone but i applied with a 4.6 gpa and a 31 act. so yeah what would you recommend?
Did you apply/get into honors at FSU?
There’s a thread about PAcE on this forum.
But I agree that if you’re living with your family and taking only online classes it’s too isolating and not worth it.
Did you apply/get in anywhere else?
What’s your major? PaCE has a limited selection of majors, and may not even offer the one you want.
Only pick PaCE if you’re confident in the choice. Otherwise it’s safer to pick a standard college experience.
Which city does your family want to move to? I would think this matters a lot, as these are two very different cities/towns.
Since you’re living at home (at FSU or in PaCE) it’s important that you get involved in campus. Join clubs, Greek life, sports, volunteering, undergraduate research, work, anything, but be active. That’s how you’re going to make friends, and that has a huge impact on your college experience.
Good Luck!
Yes, what major are you considering? That might help make the decision easier. Personally I’d be inclined to go with FSU instead of PACE, but what you ultimately major in does make a difference.
I was in this situation last year and I am currently attending FSU. The program I am in is excellent, and while the university isn’t necessarily the best fit for me personally, I am extremely glad that I chose it over PACE. PACE is, no offense, generally seen as a sub par program, and you would be better off attending a community college like Santa Fe where you could at least take classes in person, meet people, and participate in student activities.
If you are concerned that you already won’t be able to have a typical college experience, you definitely want to avoid PACE. Most people are becoming more aware that PACE means you did not get into UF, and this will seem harsh, but attending UF PACE does not make you seem smart to most Floridians, particularly to UF admitted students.
I know how it feels to be rejected by them, and I am personally familiar with the fact that as a high school student in Florida there is stigma that says you have to attend UF to be seen as smart/successful. This is changing, however, as they’ve become more selective. I know a guy at Duke who didn’t get into UF at all.
I applied with a 4.5 GPA and 1400 SAT, and while only being admitted for PACE did have a serious impact on my self worth, I’ve had opportunities to prove myself and excel as an FSU student. There are all kinds of people here, and you’ll find groups where you can fit in. It’s not UF, but there are plenty of capable and intelligent students, and you will have excellent professors.
You should, however, consider the cities, if your family does plan to move with you. Gainesville and Tallahassee are very different. I will note that it is very easy for students who live off campus to become highly involved at FSU. Several of my friends live off campus and they are just as active in student activities and still feel as though they are getting the traditional college experience. If you are set on Gainesville, however, I would HIGHLY encourage you to consider foregoing PACE and at least considering community college as an option.
Good luck!