<p>Alright folks listen to my dilemma:
My parents are excessively strict with me and I wish to escape from this dreadlock. I live perhaps an hour away from UM and over 10 hours from UF. I am not sure an hour's drive is enough separation from my parents. In addition each school has its specific benefits.
UM
1. Smaller school
2. Greater access to teachers and advisers, and thus greater research opportunities
3. Better biology and chemistry programs???
4. Rich and safe area</p>
<p>UF
1. Huge school, people are numbers
2. Much lower access to teachers and advisers
3. Best*** Big distance from my parents</p>
<p>Please don't go on about tuition costs as that is not what concerns me in this situation; tuition is not part of the question here: Please remember!
I wish to major in biochemistry, and I believe UM is better in this case but not sure due to conflicting claims by my UF-attending brother.
One of my real major concerns is the distance from my parents. Say what you will, but I cannot tolerate the vice grip they have around my personality. I wish to let go of my inner self (not go crazy and party all the time; my brother already did that) and I think that would be easier if I had a nine mile drive separating me from them.
So guys, my question to you is; which school do you think would be preferable in my case given the benefits of each. I am a hardworking student, no brawny brains, but I still wish to get some research opportunities but at the same time make some lasting relationships.</p>
<p>Hi Torngenes - welcome to CC! What is UM - Memphis? Ole Miss? Mizzou? I assume not Minnesota or Michigan since it’d need to be smaller than Florida.</p>
<p>I attended UM for a semester and hated it… I was thinking about applying to UF (which I believe is a better school), but decided I didn’t really like the prospect of living in Gainesville… Then again, Miami wasn’t all that exciting. Coral Gables was a bunch of snooty rich kids.</p>
<p>I DON’T think Miami will offer you a better education in Chemistry. That was probably the worst department I dealt with in my time there, although the Biology was quite good (especially Marine). Don’t let the glam of Miami cloud your judgment; it’s a sub-par private school that no one North of Palm Beach County (with the exception of Marine Science majors) would even know about if it weren’t for the football program.</p>
<p>I know you don’t want to make a decision based on money, but when it comes down to it, UF gives you more bang for less buck, if you will.</p>
<p>are you talking about University of Miami vs University of Florida? If so, each of those forums (here at CC) have multiple threads comparing the two. One of those forums would be a good place to post this question.</p>
<p>Florida is considered the better school. Just the fact that the UF grad program in Chemistry is much higher ranked than UM (36th vs 94th) should mean something. In Biological Sciences - 46th vs 82nd. Yes your first year classes would be larger (but with smaller recitation sections), but in the end, Florida is a better choice. Access to research opportunities would also abound but you have to take the initiative.</p>
<p>The availability of research opportunities has nothing to do with access to teachers and advisors. Many professors are wonderful researchers (and research advisors) but poor teachers. Miami is basically nonexistent on a national (much less international) scale in terms of research.</p>
<p>@torngenes I think, academically, both schools are equal. I was in the same dilemma you are in and I chose UF. Primarily, I chose UF because I lived in Miami the majority of my life and I needed a change.</p>
<p>Pros/Cons UM
UM is small compared to UF and it reduces your chances to meet other people and form bonds with future business leaders, lawyers, doctors etc. Also, the majority of the students at UF are stuck up. However, the Miami environment is exciting. There is more to do. I have to disagree with the Rich and Safe comment because both of my parents were murdered in Miami and I lived in a nice neighborhood. UM will allow you to access resources more efficiently rather than UF. At UM, you would have less chances of conflict since the student body is small.</p>
<p>Pros/Cons UF
UF has a larger alumni association (Gator Nation) and it has stronger business/medical ties in corporate America. However, Gainesville is a small area and it can be very boring. I think that UF will give you the full college experience because Gainesville caters to college students. Since UF has a large student population, there will be very little chance to communicate with professors but the student body is so large that someone would be able to help you.</p>
<p>I hope my opinions help you make the best decision. My UF opinion is sort of biased because that is the school I will be attending this fall. On another note, going to college is not just getting a degree from a high-ranking institution. Its about networking, expanding your horizons, and creating your brand (which is you) and marketing it.</p>
<p>I am sorry to hear about your parents; there are certainly sections of Miami that I’d fear to be in alone, but they are mostly far removed from campus, to the North and West of Miami.</p>
<p>UM is located in Coral Gables, which is 30 minutes south of Downtown (with Miami traffic), and I’d feel comfortable letting a 16 year old wander around alone at night. Maybe it’s just being brought up and living my entire life in NJ that makes me feel this way… but not once did I ever question the safety of Coral Gables.</p>
<p>This is especially true if you live on-campus; there is a gated-community feel.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the comments guys. And jerome, that was one serious concern I had about Miami and even Gainesville. My older brother saw many criminals in Gainesville as he tells us, and, at the same time, I know the areas surrounding Coral Gables are dangerous. This is also one of the dilemmas I was worried about. I feel I am sort of being pulled toward UF, but most of the kids from my own school are going there and I wanted to create a “new me” per say. This is going to be a tough decision, and I have to make it within the next few days.</p>
^</p>
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