<p>So, with my grades and ACT scores, all of my counselors have nearly promised me that I'll get into UF, FSU, and USF. All of them have chemical engineering, and good pre-med programs (which are what interest me). Financially, USF makes the most sense. I know a lot of people who have gone to FSU and UF, but none to USF. Is it a good school? What sets is apart from other Florida state colleges? I'm really not a party sort of person, and I look more at academics and costs more than anything else. All insight is appreciated, thanks in advance.</p>
<p>All three schools are good. One thing I like about USF is that it seems you are less of a number or cog in a machine than some large universities. USF’s freshman class will have about half the number of students as the other two schools. Too, even though USF is over 50 years old now, it still seems like a new, maturing and developing college with a focus on today and the future. The other two schools are much older with the past seeming to influence the "feel’ of the schools. I like being in on the action and being part of the development, and continual maturing at USF; it seems to me students at USF have a bigger say in the day to day activities and development of USF and are still in on the ground floor making USF an even better university.</p>
<p>All three schools have about the same costs to attend. How do you figure USF makes the most sense financially for you? Are you figuring on saving money by living at home and commuting, or are you maybe anticipating receiving more scholarship money at USF?</p>
<p>My friend has extremely high grades (top 0.25% of class) and high SAT’s and he is going to USF for their medical program. USF has a 7 year MD program and a 5 year masters program. UF has the same, but they only get a very small amount (I heard it was around 14 when I asked a year ago) into the program. USF’s accelerated programs are much easier to get into. At UF, your chances of getting a scholarship are probably just a tad above the curvature of the universe. My friend with his extreme grades certainly didn’t. Don’t forget that cost of 1 year of school plus one year of salary from the early head start is money as well. </p>
<p>Though if you don’t go to USF…I would say UF, not FSU. If you’re going to not worry about money at all, at least go for the school with the relative prestige. (Though let me remind you that employers outside of Florida have told me repeatedly that they can’t tell USF from UF, all they know is that it’s a school in Florida)</p>
<p>If USF is giving you a lot of money, go there. If the financial difference is small, go to UF/FSU. Like it or not, those are the better known schools. For getting into medical school, it’s all about your test scores and GPA, so if USF gives you a good deal, don’t worry about the school’s rankings.</p>
<p>I second the comment that people outside of Florida cannot distinguish between Florida schools, although I this applies more to UF and FSU. USF is more likely to be confused with UCF. I myself once thought that the Tampa school was actually UWF due to Tampa being lcated on the west coast of the state.</p>
<p>I disagree with the cog in the machine comment. USF has a relatively high instructor to student ratio compared to UF and FSU. If anything, you feel more like a number at USF. But, if you are a good student, you’ll be able to take care of yourself without too much hand holding.</p>
<p>All three schools have relatively high published student to fulltime faculty ratios of 20 something students for every 1 fulltime faculty member. All three schools, in addition to fulltime faculty, use adjunct instructors and graduate student teaching assistant instructors. For most general education required courses, most students at all three schools will find themselves in lecture classes with several hundred students. I’m just saying that UF and FSU admit close to maybe 6500-7000 new freshmen students each fall and USF admits about 3500…seems less crowded for freshmen to me.</p>
<p>What about the atmosphere? I’m not really into the whole college-town-life’s-a-party lifestyle. I know that UF is very much that way, and FSU not so much. What about USF?</p>
<p>I haven’t been at USF, but I’ve definitely heard it’s nowhere near the party school that UF is.</p>
<p>My first semester at USF was Spring 2012. I am early into Summer 2012 as we speak. So far USF has impressed me on a consistent basis. I initially came to USF over FSU because Tampa is a better city for younger people, I think. But while being at USF I realized that USF is one of the best places I have ever been in my life. USF is a great school and if you come here to learn you will walk away with a revelation. If you are an academic achiever then you should apply for honors. Honors school is perfect for people that are into books because you can associate with other like minded people. The teachers at USF are great and even the bad ones are better then most of the other teachers I have had in my life. </p>
<p>The campus is really beautiful. Wow, I never saw so many beautiful girls in one place either! They are all friendly also! I am very out going and I speak to multiple random people every time I am on campus. I have never ran into someone that was rude or anything other than really nice. One of my roomates was having a lot of trouble with some issues in his life this semester. Eventually the school found out and I was really impressed. They helped him through some tough times. The school is a good school from the faculty to the students. </p>
<p>Good teachers:
Mr. Brown, Business law
Amelia Kirkland, criminal justice
Sean Cheatham, (Req film classes)
Don Dixon, Social Science (Required classes + others)
Jon Collins, law</p>
<p>Dont stay on campus in the dorms whatever you do! Way over priced! The dorms are the only thing I have disliked so far at USF. I got an apartment at The Province for Summer 2012. I have been here about 7 weeks now and I paid $650 last month for rent that included all utilities. The apartment is very nice and all the people here are also nice. </p>
<p>If you can get your pick of places off campus The Province is the best. Second best is Campus Club. If you dont have a ride you can get to both of these, and about 15 other off campus housing places fast, free, and easy on the USF Bull Runner. I rode city buses in many cities and the USF bus system is amazing. </p>
<p>Its rare to find a USF student thats not happy about choosing USF. I have only spoke with 1 person that didnt like USF, they left now!</p>
<p>My roomate right now is an X UF student. I went to my first party on the UF campus years before I ever started at any college. I went to my first USF years after that first party at UF. After years of expierances I was just in awe. It is as if the party gods are all right here having a party at USF. Tampa is a party city and I feel like that rubs off on alot of students.</p>
<p>USF students can flunk out after only one year of partying at USF as easily as students partying too much at other colleges can. There are more than plenty of fun things to do at USF, including partying, but if you want to do well in school and graduate you need to keep your focus on your studies and not partying. There’s certainly a time for partying, but when you have to choose between partying and studying the night before an exam you need to say no to partying and yes for studying.</p>
<p>I originally fell in love with FSU after doing a campus tour but found that USF has the degree programs I’m most interested in; public health and microbiology. </p>
<p>I’m also completing my pre-medical requirements and it seems as though USF has more program options that allow me to do that while completing my degree.</p>
<p>To the original topic, one thing that appeals to me about USF over FSU and UF is the focus and emphasis on research. </p>
<p>Every indication points to USF as being a great school to get some of the necessary research experience for medical school; the Carnegie Foundation classifies USF as a “Research University with Very High Research Activity” , and USF is ranked #50 nationwide (UF is #21, FSU #84) in research spending.</p>
<p>For me as a science-geek and future medical school applicant USF just makes sense. Tampa General, the primary affiliate hospital for Morsani CoM, is ranked in the top 50 best hospitals in the nation which is awesome. The fact that USF has clinical research opportunities in infectious disease and biodefense is also a huge plus for me.</p>
<p>So… in my mind those things set USF apart from other schools for me. I am a big 'Noles fan but my education is more important to me than being a 'Nole or attaching UF to my degree.</p>
<p>Great choice. I’ll see you there :)</p>