<p>Help! Need advice for undergrad choices. Son wants to major prevet/ biology/ animal science. Ultimate goal to get accepted to vet school (at UF hopefully but will go oos)
Was accepted to UCF honors, USF honors, FSU honors and UF. UF is ranked highly but feel like they think they are doing you a favor to accept you to their school. UF does have the only vet school in state but I have heard undergraduate does not really matter as long as you do well and handle a rigorous curriculum.
He can apply to UF honors (right on the cusp but dont think it is worth the effort as the advantages are not the same as the other honors colleges)
FSU honors has a good rep/<br>
some pros, USF only second to UF in research in the state. UCF and USF have med shools now and access to more research opportunities. (Important for vet school admissions)
Honors students have priority reg for all classes which is a huge advantage! smaller classes mean easier access to professors. (need letters of rec for vet school)<br>
honors students have accessible academic advisors.<br>
A common thread of student reviews at UF is that it is tough to get hold of your advisor if you need help.
Appreciate any advice</p>
<p>This is a no brainer. My son had the same choices as yours last year. First of all, honors at uf means nothing except that you can live in a very nice over priced dorm. What you should strive for is honors in your major.</p>
<p>The research opportunities available at uf are incredible. My son, who is a freshman, already is doing research at Shands and just applied for a research grant. Advising has been very helpful and so have the professors.Yes, the school is large but uf has double the amount of dollars when it comes to research funding. Your son can probably apply do do research at the vet school his freshman year, why wouldn’t you chose that.</p>
<p>Good luck and don’t get caught up in the whole honors thing.</p>
<p>I think alot of importance should be placed on visiting the schools and see how they feel to you as well. Just saying, this is where you (or if you are a parent, your child) will be living. I transferred to UF from a SUNY University in the early 80’s and I did not like UF at all. ( putting it mildly) When my daughter was choosing colleges I tried to stay unbiased but I was very relieved she chose FSU over UF. She loves it there!! She has many friends who go to UF and they kinda seem lukewarm. They come home most weekends. Just saying you can crunch the facts and figures all you want, but there are other variables to consider. Good luck!!!</p>
<p>I agree with maybanole. All of our children got into UF and FSU and made different choices based on personal preferences. All were very happy with their undergrad experiences, and one even went to FSU for her bachelor’s and UF for grad school. Make some more visits now that you have those acceptances in hand and see where your son feels most comfortable. He can work hard and get a great education at either school!</p>
<p>I can only give our experience with FSU honors with a daughter that is a freshman biology major on the pre-med track. One thing we have been very impressed with at FSU is the F.I.G. (freshman interest group) program where students can select a grouping of classes for their major and be placed in with the same kids for at least 2 core classes plus a FIG colloquium for their fall semester. FSU offered a pre-med honors FIG and my daughter chose to register for that group of classes. It was the best decision ever for her. She has developed a group of close friends who are experiencing the same trials/victories in their first year of a challenging major as she is…they plan study sessions together, interact closely on projects and develop closer relationships with their professors. They also get exposed to so much information about their career path through the 1 hour/wk colloquium…advising support, research opportunities, study abroad opportunities, clubs, etc. I think the freshman experience can really set the tone for the rest of your college education and the FIG program has been instrumental in that for my daughter. UF and the other schools may offer something similar. I would encourage you to check all of those options out. I will also say that Landis Hall is beautiful and in the best spot on campus…the scholarship definitely helps…and class registration the same time as seniors is a perk that can’t be beat.</p>
<p>I do not think so…you are only wishing that!</p>