UF vs. UVA

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

<p>So here's the deal...</p>

<p>I've been accepted for both UF's Honors Program and UVA's Echol's Scholars Program. Both have the obvious advantages of honors programs, e.g. priority scheduling, academic advising, housing, etc. UVA's Echol's might even be slightly better due to the fact that you don't have to take freshman required classes.
UVA is probably considered to be overall academically superior and, from what I hear, has an amazing campus and the "work hard play hard" mentality which I like. UF obviously is significantly bigger, and has every opportunity you could basically want, and as they say it's what YOU make of it.
Financial considerations are definitely there too, with UF being basically free and UVA (without financial aid) about 40 grand a year out of state.</p>

<p>When I tell people I'm considering UVA, the response always seems to be a "that place is AMAZING" type of response, yet on the other hand, every UF student/grad that I've talked to vouches for UF 100%.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Is it UVA worth it? Or is UF where it's at? Thanks.</p>

2

<p>I would only consider UVA if your parents are filthy rich. Otherwise I don't think it's worth the massive debt.</p>

3

<p>Though I'm not sure that UF Honors students get priority scheduling (it certainly would make me happy, though), it's a solid program.</p>

<p>I think UF has the "work hard, play hard mentality", while still being a competitive enough school overall to get you into a solid graduate school, if you make the most of your experience. It's easy to get lost or be just a number, but if you're dedicated enough UF could be a great experience.</p>

<p>IMHO, incurring significant debt is not worth it for an undergraduate degree.</p>

4

<p>^^^^Honors students get to register at least one day early (if that's what you mean by priority scheduling).</p>

5

<p>Without a doubt--UVA over UF, but don't go if it will put you in financial debt. If the bottom line cost between the two is close, go with UVA.</p>

6

<p>I'm pretty sure honor students get early scheduling times. </p>

<p>
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IMHO, incurring significant debt is not worth it for an undergraduate degree.

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<p>Totally, agree. The only school I might consider is Harvard and even Harvard will give you free tuition if your parents make under a certain amount.</p>

7

<p>Honors students have early registration times for their honors courses only...and only during their first few semesters. </p>

<p>National Merit and National Achievement scholars, on the other hand, do have early registration times.</p>

8

<p>UVa is a wonderful school...just back from a visit a month ago. But you might want to consider what program you are specifically looking at...UF as some programs that are better than UVa's (like engineering) or at least closely ranked....and factor that into the decision process rather than just considering the schools "in general". IMO, for any pre-professional program, I wouldn't pay much (or any) extra for UVa.</p>

9

<p>If cost isn't a consideration then UVA for sure. UF is always a decent choice if money is factored in. </p>

<p>My GF is in Honors and she said that there's no priority registration -- only for Nat'l Merit kids.</p>