<p>Wow! What an outpour of responses and insights!!! Thank you! </p>
<p>I feel a lot more comfortable with UM now, after this latest round of info, but I’m still concerned with the expenses. </p>
<p>I’m glad to hear about the students who are there only because of the scholarships, because otherwise UM would not be a choice. </p>
<p>Regarding UM, I’m glad to hear more about the diversity. There seems to be some disagreement in these posts regarding how diverse the campus is. It is surprising to hear from bananas that the dorm only had 4 students out of 40 who might be considered “diverse”. But that is the kind of insight from students that really helps get a better (more complete) picture. </p>
<p>I like the research potential at UF, it has amazing facilities for just about every science. I am not familiar with what the undergraduate options are to do their own research at UM. Is anyone familiar with the opportunities at UM to do your own undergrad research? Is there funding available for undergrad research at UM? </p>
<p>There seems to be agreement in many posts that UF’s class sizes are too large. I’m wondering, is that at the upper level too? Are UF class sizes still larger than 25 students in the upper level classes (junior and senior year)? I had the impression that through UF honors you pretty much took your honors classes for the first two years, and thereby avoided classes larger than 25 students. Can students actually take all honors classes those first two years at UF? </p>
<p>Professors: </p>
<p>At UM, are students receiving the personal attention from professors one hopes for at private colleges? </p>
<p>Are there plenty of professors to choose from in each department? </p>
<p>I noticed there are part-time professors at UM. Generally, I don’t see that as a good sign. Any comments on the quality and consistency of the part-time professors, and are they teaching the upper level classes? </p>
<p>True Cost:
What is the true cost of going to UM and or UF? Estimates of personal expenses, clothing, transportation, computer are $3400 higher at UM. Oddly, books are also estimated at $300 higher at UM, accounting for a $3,700 a year difference just on the basis of expenses that are not related to tuition, room or board. </p>
<p>Are the UF estimates of expenses low? Are the UM estimates of expenses high? Are they both accurate? Are there a lot of expenses that are being left out? I noticed, for example, that the cost of medical insurance on campus was not included in the UM list of optional fees. I noticed that the usual student “Fees” are not listed in the UF list of expenses. What other “optional” fees are not listed? </p>
<p>(Breakdown of expenses and fees: clothing and personal, $1800 higher at UM, computer $400 higher at UM, Local transportation $870 higher at UM, Books $290 higher at UM) (Books and supplies: UF$960 vs UM$1250, Fees UF$0? vs UM$648, Computer UF$1100 vs UM$1500, Local Transportation UF$480 vs UM$1350, Gen Exp & Clothing UF$620 vs UM$2456, Optional Health Insurance UF$1640 vs UM$1438, Tuition UF$3,790 vs UM$35,540).</p>
<p>UNKNOWN EXPENSE: Summer Travel not covered by tuition scholarships …</p>
<p>How much did that summer study abroad program cost through UM? And through UF? </p>
<p>Can students do their overseas study with a State University rather than UM and transfer the credit hours in? I suppose that might be awkward if your friends are going to study abroad with UM… and your UM professors are promoting their study abroad summer trips … and your class mates are going on that UM trip… </p>
<p>I wonder if it is too late for her to have an overnight stay at UM? At UF? </p>
<p>Thanks everyone for all your input.</p>