University of Florida vs. University of North Florida

College Search & Selection
1

Hi! I’m a rising senior in Jacksonville and right now, my two main choices for my undergrad are UF and UNF. Here’s some of my stats:
GPA: 3.87/4.44 (unweighted vs. weighted)
SAT: 1380/1600 (I’m going to retake it and hopefully get it above 1400 at the least)
EC: Hospital volunteer, national honor society, and varsity academic team.

I’m pretty confident that I could get into either school. I want to double major in criminology and sociology with a minor in gender studies, and then I’m hoping to go to either UF or FSU for my graduate degree. I would like to get my MS and JD through a joint degree program and then my PhD in Sociology. So basically, here are my pros and cons for UF and UNF:

UNF
Pros: better cost (I’ve heard financial aid is better), I could most likely get into the honors program, it’s in Jacksonville, so I wouldn’t be nearly as homesick, it’s a smaller school, so I’d have a chance of standing out
cons: it doesn’t have nearly the same amount of prestige, I don’t know if it would hurt my chances of getting into UF’s graduate program,

UF
Pros: the prestige, the better chances of getting into the graduate program, being around people who are academically oriented
Cons: really big school, too sporty (I am not a sports person), party school, more expensive, I fear I wouldn’t stand out among my professors.

So really, my main concern with where I go for my undergrad is whether it will affect my chances of getting into UF’s graduate program. Any thoughts?? Thank you!

2

Have you considered FSU?

3

UF is a match, but with holistic admissions it can seem random at times. Don’t think of UF as a safety. You should also think about applying to FSU, as they also have a strong program in criminology and sociology.

I don’t really understand your plan (a JD and a PhD in Sociology?), but you’ll find UNF can also prepare you for grad school. It can also save you some money (though you do have to live on campus and buy the meal plan for at least your first year).

Here’s a link to UNF’s automatic freshman scholarships:

https://www.unf.edu/admissions/scholarships/Freshman_Automatic_Scholarships.aspx

Keep in mind that those SAT scores may be based on the old SAT, and could change. Otherwise, I would guess you would get at least the $4K a year award, and maybe the $6K a year award.

You’re not likely to get a merit awards from UF.

If you improve your test scores a bit, you may qualify for FSU’s “University Freshman Scholarship”.A $9,600 scholarship distributed over four years. Recipients are selected from the best freshman students admitted to the University based upon high school grades and test scores.

4

I’ve pretty much ruled out FSU for my undergrad. I just wouldn’t be happy there. I want to get my PhD for sure, but having my JD in addition to that would be beneficial as well, just in case I don’t stay on the academia career track.