<p>Which college is better: University of Florida or Penn State University Park? If you were offered the option to go to either of these two schools which would you choose and why?</p>
<p>Florida</p>
<p>Better Environment, More Selective.</p>
<p>Honestly, they are essentially the same, except that UF is harder to get into, and that ones up north, and ones in the South.</p>
<p>I would go based on the best financial aid offer. They are equals.</p>
<p>I’m from Florida and trust me UF is not that selective. Come on there has to be some distinguishing factors between these to schools besides the climate/environment…</p>
<p>well the only reason UF is tough to get into is that their football and basketball teams have gotten a lot of national publicity and now everyone wants to be a gator…if it wasn’t for sports, UF wouldn’t be very selective.</p>
<p>I say UF for 2 specific reasons:</p>
<p>1 - For 2008: UF had 27,865 applicants, 10,289 accepted, and % admitted rate of only 36.92%.</p>
<p>2 - UF has a stronger alumni base. [List</a> of University of Florida people - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_University_of_Florida_alumni]List”>List of University of Florida alumni - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>I got into Penn State, too. I would pick Penn State - University Park over UF. University Park is pretty selective – many people are deferred to satellite campuses. University Park is a really pretty, and I love the Nittany Lions. The people who go to Penn State are generally friendly, spirited, and fun; I’ve never met anyone horrible. The people I know who go there tell me that they very much feel like part of a family at the school. All of this is secondhand information, but I’m sure it has truth to it. Penn State is often labeled as a party school, but I’m sure that you would be able to find alternative sources of entertainment if that isn’t exactly your scene. </p>
<p>University of Florida does have better weather, but I think I’d miss the snow! At Penn State, you get all four seasons. Since you’re from Florida, I would definitely recommend Penn State over UF to get out of your comfort zone, but I’m sure that the education levels are similar at both schools. </p>
<p>You should definitely look at specific programs, though, before making your decision. Good luck :)</p>
<p>Well…</p>
<p>They’re both regarded as big time party schools.</p>
<p>They’re both in classical college towns.</p>
<p>They’re both big into sports.</p>
<p>They’re both pretty selective, UF a little more so. </p>
<p>They’re both similarly ranked.</p>
<p>It should probably come down to two main factors. Number one, what do you want to major in, and which University offers the better program and prospects? And, which one do you feel is a better “fit” for you? Personally, I’d probably go with Penn State. The reason being it would get me out of the Southeast, which I despise (I live in Pensacola). I haven’t been to that area of Pennsylvania, but to me, Gainesville seems kind of… bleh. </p>
<p>They’re both good schools, and I wish you the best of luck in your decision!</p>
<p>PENN STATE! I cannot imagine a college experience without fall, winter, spring…</p>
<p>They’re equals - go where it’s cheaper or where you’re happier.</p>
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</p>
<p>Agreed. But, just like everywhere else, each has strengths. What school/major are you thinking about?</p>
<p>Both are rough academic equals. You are capable of deciding about weather yourself. But the students at UF are stronger. For the most recent 2008 freshman class, here are the approximate number of 700+ scorers at each campus. Despite having a smaller freshman class at UF (6300) vesus Penn State (7200), UF has significantly more high-scorers:</p>
<p>Freshman with > 700 SAT</p>
<pre><code> Verbal Math
</code></pre>
<p>UF 1085 1595
PS 488 1066</p>
<p>Just something to consider. But in the end, your choice should come down to fit.</p>
<p>UF is about an hour away from the beach, and is close to Jacksonville and Orlando.</p>
<p>rogracier:</p>
<p>What is the source of the stats you posted?</p>
<p>They come from the Common Data Set published by the schools themselves. It is based on the percent of students that score > 700 documented in the CDS. For verbal, UF has 17% +700 scorers, while PS has 6.7%. For math, UF has 25% +700 scorers while PS has 17%. The only assumption made is that the subset of SAT-takers applies to the entire freshman class population…but this assumption is the same for both schools, so the comparison is fair.</p>
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<p>LOL. Actually, it is sort of in the middle of nowhere Florida. Nothing much going on there. Gainesville has a pop of about 120 000. The UF campus is disconnected and everywhere (2000 acres and about 875 buildings)</p>
<p>As far as beaches, the town is about 40 miles from the west coast of Florida (swampy and underdeveloped around there) and the closest "decent " beach would be about 1 and half hours - east coast and it would be St Augustine. In fact, UF is as far from any beach as you can get in Florida!</p>
<p>sorry to revive an old thread…but people kept saying that the school you choose depends on your major.</p>
<p>If I plan on majoring in political science, economics, or history (or a mixture of those 3), which school would be better?</p>
<p>I visited and loved them both.</p>
<p>‘They come from the Common Data Set published by the schools themselves. It is based on the percent of students that score > 700 documented in the CDS. For verbal, UF has 17% +700 scorers, while PS has 6.7%. For math, UF has 25% +700 scorers while PS has 17%. The only assumption made is that the subset of SAT-takers applies to the entire freshman class population…but this assumption is the same for both schools, so the comparison is fair.’</p>
<p>^^2 variables which could influence the above are percent of students submitting SAT versus ACT, (more SAT takers in northeast) and the fact that these are enrolled not admitted students. High score students in the northeast geographically have a lot of schools to pick from. </p>
<p>Regardless, they are both great schools, and no one can really determine which would feel right for any given person. IDK, if I really liked both, I know I would probably be tempted by the Florida weather. The weather at Penn State really sucks most of the time. The gloominess tends to get trapped in the valley sometimes it seems.</p>
<p>Also, on the alumni base, I think I might have to give PSU the edge. They have the largest Alumni Association of any school.</p>
<p>Another 'pick ‘em’ set of schools. Have met and been impressed with hires from both schools.</p>
<p>Funny, UF’s Common Data Set reporting doesn’t jive with what was reported to the U.S. Government’s National Center for Education Statistics regarding admission: [College</a> Navigator - University of Florida](<a href=“College Navigator - Search Results”>College Navigator - University of Florida)</p>
<p>UF:
UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS FALL 2008
TOTAL MALE FEMALE
Number of applicants 26,326 11,550 14,776
Percent admitted 41% 38% 44%</p>
<p>Care to comment on the disparity 'bick?</p>