UI vs UF vs FSU

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Iowa
1

<p>Hey Guys,</p>

<p>I am a high school junior ( class of 2012 ) and I got started on my college research a few weeks ago. I Live in Florida and It would be more convinient to stay in state but after researching florida universities I do not feel like staying here. Simply is not "home" for me. Ive been researching University of Iowa a lot and I have slowly fell in love with the school. I have not visited yet but I am pretty excited to do so. Money is a factor for me but i feel like college should be your second home and i do not want to spend my four years somewhere i dont belong. I am also a little bit over the average Iowa student profile which makes it easier for me. My mom is a single mom. I can write some killer essays and appeal to peoples feelings easily. Also I want to get into UI Honors. My question is. Which school do you think is better in its science/medical departments. UI or UF OR FSU? Florida Universities are extremely crowded whereas Iowa's undergraduate is half UFs. How can I get into Iowa honors? any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in Advance.</p>

2

<p>Classygirl - I’ve been on this forum for about two years and frankly have never seen a word about Iowa vs. any Florida schools. Not saying you won’t get responses, I just wouldn’t hold my breath. </p>

<p>Iowa does have a good rep for medical and medical-related sciences. The Carver School of Medicine is well-respected and the hospital is one of the largest teaching hospitals in the country. Med school faculty frequently teach in other, related programs such as biomedical engineering. Is it better than the FL schools? No idea.</p>

<p>Honors - here are details on admissions to the program. I’ve written a fair amount about it on this forum in other threads. I really like it. My son is a first year at Iowa.</p>

<p>[About</a> Admissions Honors - Honors - University of Iowa](<a href=“http://honors.uiowa.edu/about/honors.shtml]About”>http://honors.uiowa.edu/about/honors.shtml)</p>

3

<p>If you go on the University of Iowa facebook page, there is a video of winter scenes from the Iowa campus. Have a look at it – that’s what it looked like up until the warm spell of the past couple days. A lot different from Florida! That being said, my son loves being at Iowa and if you can handle the weather, you’d probably love it too.</p>

4

<p>I am transferring to University of Iowa from an Iowa community college his semester. Like beastman, I can’t speak on behalf of the Florida universities… however, I do know that Iowa has one of the most well respected medical research and teaching hospitals in the nation. There are opportunities for clinical work either within the university hospital or the nearby Mercy hospital as well, which is located just off campus.</p>

<p>I live only an hour away and have visited the campus many times… if youre looking for a “homey” feel, you really can’t beat it. As a first year student, you would probably be staying in the dorms. I dont know much about the dorms because I’ve never looked at them, but the classes are within 10 minutes walking distance of the furthest away housing units. Personally, I will be living off campus and there are a myriad of off campus housing options. Theres information on the university website to aid students in finding both on and off campus housing options.</p>

<p>I was accepted in to the honors program with a 3.5 transfer GPA, but I know the requirements are different for first-year students.</p>

<p>[Honors</a> Requirements for First-Year Students - Honors Opportunities - Undergraduate Admissions - The University of Iowa](<a href=“http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/honors-opps/frst-yr-reqs.htm]Honors”>http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/honors-opps/frst-yr-reqs.htm)</p>

<p>If youre relying on your essay to be admitted to honors, it asks for a letter “describing how you would take advantage of the honors program.” I would suggest mentioning the closer interaction with faculty and thriving in a smaller classroom setting that is offered to honors students. I would also mention taking advantage of honors research opportunities. All of these in addition to why you are qualified to be admitted, of course.</p>

5

<p>Wow, Classygirl! I was looking through these threads because my son was accepted to Iowa (we live in the Midwest). I graduated from UF and I’m from Tallahassee.</p>

<p>My son was accepted to FSU, waiting on UF. I would have to ask around in Florida about the medical programs - I was an accounting major, but a little bit of research shows that the teaching hospital at Iowa is outstanding. FSU’s med school is newer, and connected to FAMU I believe. There is no teaching hospital. UF has Shands.</p>

<p>OK, but I’m wondering why with Bright Futures you are leaving the state? It’s my understanding that for instate if you have a certain GPA and ACT/SAT, you qualify for greatly reduced tuition. However, this has made both schools much more selective on admission. If you want to go to a Florida school, work on your ACT and grades - maybe you can go for free or very close to that. I think USF has a medical school as well.</p>

<p>University of Iowa is beautiful - very cool campus. UF is much bigger. I’m a Gator, but I will say that our visit to FSU was very positive. I do believe overall that Iowa is a stronger school than FSU, but not UF. However, that may not be the case with the medical schools. I can find out more about the medical program at FSU and message you - my family is connected to the medical community in Tallahassee.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

6

<p>There is no connection between FSU Med and FAMU (an HBCU in Tallahassee). </p>

<p>My D1 is a second year med student at FSU Med, and we have an FSU Med faculty member post in the FSU section of CC. If you have questions about FSU Med please post in the FSU section here: [Florida</a> State University - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/florida-state-university/]Florida”>Florida State University - College Confidential Forums)</p>

<p>FSU Med uses a distributed medical campus concept wherein the 3rd and 4th year med students are assigned to faculty at regional hospitals.
Darrel Kirch, the CEO of the AAMC spoke on campus about FSU Med recently, as shown here: <a href=“http://med.fsu.edu/?fuseaction=newsPubs.readNewsPub&fromHome=1&id=459[/url]”>http://med.fsu.edu/?fuseaction=newsPubs.readNewsPub&fromHome=1&id=459&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>An article about the Sarasota med campus and students is here: <a href=“http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100913/ARTICLE/9131051[/url]”>http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100913/ARTICLE/9131051&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>The most significant difference between Florida State and U Florida is engineering and farming. UF is an “ag” school, where FSU is more liberal arts oriented. Of course, as an FSU grad I think FSU is stronger academically than UF, excepting engineering and farming subjects.</p>

7

<p>Don’t want to turn this thread into a FSU/UF argument, but FSU is not academically stronger than UF - according to any ranking anywhere. UF Business is very strong as is the law school. UF is certainly not just an “ag school”.</p>

<p>FSU was a women’s college to start and UF was a men’s college. The medical school at FSU is newer, and there is no teaching hospital there. I don’t believe there is a dental school, and there is no veterinary school. The engineering school was started in the 1980’s I believe and absolutely is connected to FAMU. </p>

<p>FSU excels at dance, theatre, and education.</p>

8

<p>The correct facts are: </p>

<p>FSU was a seminary for men to start, which goes back to the early 1850s. It was not converted to the state college for women until 1905, which lasted about 42 years to 1947. See: [About</a> Florida State University](<a href=“http://www.fsu.edu/about/history.html]About”>History | Florida State University) Some nice period graphics here: [Florida</a> State University - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State_University]Florida”>Florida State University - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>FSU has program rankings which indeed exceed those at UF. See: [FSU</a> Highlights](<a href=“http://www.fsu.edu/highlights/rankings.html]FSU”>Rankings | Florida State University)</p>

<p>No academic ranking at FSU exceeds UF anywhere? Sure about that claim?</p>

<p>Ever wonder why FSU houses the only [National</a> Laboratory in Florida](<a href=“http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/]National”>http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/) and UF gets a lesser role? The sciences at Florida State are excellent, especially physics. UF gets a US News bump due to some inflated ratings, especially a per-student expenditure distortion, which rewards UF for having [IFAS[/url</a>], the state agricultural extension service and the ploy by UF President Machen to underrate all other competing state universities.
See: [url=&lt;a href="http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article1011155.ece]Machen’s"&gt;http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article1011155.ece]Machen’s</a> rankings ploy is just rank - St. Petersburg Times](<a href=“Solutions for Your Life - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS”>Solutions for Your Life - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS)</p>

<p>UF is THE state ag school, except they share land grant status with FAMU. They have the only state Vet school.</p>

9

<p>US News and World Report 2011 rankings:</p>

<p>Medical School: research: University of Iowa 27th
University of Florida 42nd
University of South Florida 66th
FSU no ranking</p>

<p>Medical School: primary care: University of Iowa 10th
University of Florida 68th
FSU 79th</p>

<p>Overall undergrad rankings: UF: 53
Iowa 72
FSU 104</p>

<p>Undergrad business: UF: 28 (also 13th marketing, 15th finance, 15th operations mgmt, 24th management, 16th accounting)
Iowa: 34
FSU 67</p>

<p>Undergraduate engineering: UF: 32 (also 8th materials eng)
Iowa: 56
FSU/FAMU 127</p>

<p>Good luck classygirl! A little research indicates that Iowa’s medical school is outstanding. With Brightfutures, you would save alot of money to stay instate for undergrad. UF is the highest ranked school in the state. Good luck!!</p>

10

<p>The US News rankings are notoriously unreliable. Caveat Emptor.</p>

<p>When researching universities you need to dig a lot deeper than US News rankings. Universities game such rankings to gain a competitive edge.</p>

<p>See: </p>

<p>[Did</a> Clemson game the US News rankings? - Boston Globe 6/3/2009](<a href=“http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/2009/06/did_clemson_gam.html]Did”>http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/2009/06/did_clemson_gam.html)</p>

<p>[In</a> Clemson Rankings Controversy, Most College Officials Assume Everyone Games the System](<a href=“http://chronicle.com/article/In-Clemson-Rankings-Controv/47707/]In”>http://chronicle.com/article/In-Clemson-Rankings-Controv/47707/)</p>

<p>[Morse</a> Code - Inside the College Rankings By Bob Morse](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/blogs/college-rankings-blog/2009/06/04/clemson-and-the-college-rankings/comments/]Morse”>http://www.usnews.com/blogs/college-rankings-blog/2009/06/04/clemson-and-the-college-rankings/comments/)</p>

<p>[Talking</a> tough in UF’s hot seat](<a href=“http://www.sptimes.com/2004/08/30/State/Talking_tough_in_UF_s.shtml]Talking”>http://www.sptimes.com/2004/08/30/State/Talking_tough_in_UF_s.shtml)

</p>

<p>[On</a> survey, Machen rates UF with Harvard, other Fla. schools low](<a href=“http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090617/ARTICLES/906171007]On”>http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090617/ARTICLES/906171007)</p>

<p>FSU, on the rankings page I listed earlier, says this about university rankings:

</p>

<p>To Classygirl - I think you should really visit each university and speak with the faculty of the departments that interest you. My D1 did this and rejected UF, but for her own reasons. She is now a second-year med student, having received a B.S. in biochemistry from FSU and being elected to Phi Beta Kappa. You may find UI is for you, or likewise FSU or UF. I posted some of her experiences here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/florida-state-university/686848-sneak-peek-inside-fsu-college-medicine-1st-year-student.html?highlight=sneak+peek+fsu+med[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/florida-state-university/686848-sneak-peek-inside-fsu-college-medicine-1st-year-student.html?highlight=sneak+peek+fsu+med&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Good luck! </p>

<p>Further, UMiami is the highest ranked school per US News in Florida, not UF.</p>

<p>See: [Miami</a> beats out UF as top state school](<a href=“http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100817/articles/8171011]Miami”>http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100817/articles/8171011)</p>

11

<p>Classygirl, my experience growing up was that FSU had a fixation on UF - somewhat of a “chip on the shoulder”, if you will. I think it’s worth noting that sadly, that attitude persists. </p>

<p>Others can debate the US News rankings all they want, but for some additional information, you might want to check out Wall Street Journal, September, 2010, top recruiter picks which listed UF at No. 9. Neither FSU nor Miami were listed: </p>

<p>[Best</a> Colleges & Universities - Ranked by Job Recruiters - WSJ.com](<a href=“Best Colleges & Universities - Ranked by Job Recruiters - WSJ”>Best Colleges & Universities - Ranked by Job Recruiters - WSJ)</p>

<p>As you can see, FSU vs. UF is a fierce rivalry. </p>

<p>Maybe some of the Hawkeyes can shed some light on their biggest rivals - Iowa State? Or other Big 10 schools?</p>

12

<p>As an FSU graduate, my family also has graduates from UF. My father received a graduate degree from UF and I have visited the UF campus many times. We have a rivalry, and it is alive and well and usually fun. I encouraged both my daughters to visit UF in their search for an education. Had they elected to attend UF it would have been fine. Go through the actual sources and come to your own conclusion - don’t look for wood chips, just dig through the facts and make up your own mind. :wink: </p>

<p>My point is that I maintain FSU provided a superior education to my kids than they would have received at UF. I have read all the surveys I can find and I dig through the history and the numbers that are glossed over in things like US News ratings. I have posted a few of those ratings and have shown you that even President Machen of UF calls the US News ratings a “rip”. This is the same fellow who then “gamed” the US News ratings to make UF look better and FSU and U Miami look worse in these same ratings. Obviously, Machen does not take them seriously. If he doesn’t, why should you or anyone else? Machen is a professional academic, he knows what he is talking about…and what UF is paying him to talk about.

</p>

<p>The truth is that FSU and UF compete for students and resources. Publicity and reputation matter, though no one can measure it, everyone knows what the benefits are, especially competitive national universities. Things like sports victories greatly influence this “buzz” for lack of a better word, and this sports effect has been named - [The</a> Flutie Effect](<a href=“http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2007/01/flutie_effect]The”>Flutie effect). You should note that UF has enjoyed a significant “Flutie Effect” since 2000, when they won several championships. </p>

<p>However, this bubble aside, FSU is VERY competitive academically with UF. FSU is the older of the universities and has the most storied history. See the Wikipedia references about both universities and follow the references. </p>

<p>Perhaps the best known national indicator of academic quality in the arts and sciences recognized by all reputable academics is membership in the national academic honor society [Phi</a> Beta Kappa](<a href=“http://www.phibetakappa.org/home/index.aspx]Phi”>http://www.phibetakappa.org/home/index.aspx), founded in 1776. Universities apply for a chapter of PBK and are measured carefully by PBK not only once, but every few years to ensure quality is maintained. Only about 10% of all the universities in the U.S. have chapters of PBK, and only about 10% of all university students in schools with PBK get elected to membership.</p>

<p>Membership by universities is not easy - the University of South Florida has tried at least SEVEN times to win a chapter of PBK and has been rejected: [USF</a> falls short again in bid for Phi Beta Kappa chapter - St. Petersburg Times](<a href=“http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/usf-falls-short-again-in-bid-for-phi-beta-kappa-chapter/1110840]USF”>http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/usf-falls-short-again-in-bid-for-phi-beta-kappa-chapter/1110840)</p>

<p>FSU has the first chapter of PBK in Florida (1935), UF the second(1938). FSU historically has been the stronger academic school, while UF has credibly done its job as the state land-grant agriculture school. See: </p>

<p><a href=“St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search”>St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search;

<p>So why should this matter? Because you are interested in medicine, and generally but not always prospective med students major in the sciences. Thus PBK excellence counts much more so than other references. Further, PBK is not driven by a profit motive as is the US News company, which makes money off the controversy the ratings they publish generate.</p>

<p>FSU is also rated as the 4th Best Value public university in 2010 [by</a> sources like USA Today:](<a href=“http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/best-value-colleges.htm]by”>http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/best-value-colleges.htm)</p>

<p>PUBLIC</p>

<ol>
<li>University of Virginia (Charlottesville)</li>
<li>City University of New York - Hunter College (New York, N.Y.)</li>
<li>New College of Florida (Sarasota)</li>
<li>Florida State University (Tallahassee)</li>
<li>University of Colorado-Boulder</li>
<li>State University of New York-Binghamton</li>
<li>University of Georgia (Athens)</li>
<li>Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg)</li>
<li>Texas A&M University (College Station)</li>
<li>University of Oklahoma (Norman)</li>
</ol>

<p>And as a “Budget Ivy” university by Edward Fiske, a formal education writer at the New York Times: <a href=“Searching the Bargain Bin for a Premier Public Education - The New York Times”>Searching the Bargain Bin for a Premier Public Education - The New York Times;

13

<p>guys sorry for posting so late,</p>

<p>well i really appreciate all your opinions/ advices. however i dont want to turn this thread into an FSU vs UF rivalry. i am well informed of all florida schools rankings, best programs etc however i feel like Iowa has something " interesting " that i would like to discover. I havent been there yet but ive done lots of research. My top choice in florida is FSU. UF is stronger academically as for me but the opportunities in gainesville are limited. no internships ( competitive to get one), few restaurants, town economy mainly depends on UF). However FSU is more open to a variety of opportunities. ( so is UF).</p>

<p>Although i havent applied to college yet i am in the middle 50% of all schools listed which is why i am researching starting now because i dont want to procrastinate and get crazy next year. Because seems like no one knows of both schools throughly I WOULD LIKE THOSE FSU FANS/ALUMNI WHY YOU LOVE FSU AND WHATS IT LIKE? ( DORMS, CAMPUS AT NIGHT ) AND IOWA FANS/ALUMNI THE SAME. i truly apprciate for taking your valuable time.</p>

14

<p>If you want to learn about Florida State…go to the FSU section.</p>

<p>We have those threads posted frequently. Here’s one: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/florida-state-university/1072312-please-help-ideas-fsu-visit.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/florida-state-university/1072312-please-help-ideas-fsu-visit.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;