<p>shut up. USF admits everyone and UCF is the best football team in Florida now. I go to UCF but am going to be a UF transfer in fall so no real bias. USF is really dirty and the surrounding city is just awful a big decision maker in me not attending USF. Academics are the same as UCF, social life is just a whole lot better at UCF.</p>
<p>When I was a senior in high school I wasn’t like my peers who wore Gator and 'Nole shirts since the beginning of time. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon I did my homework. As a proud Bull today, I cannot argue that perhaps several years ago USF was considered a “safety-school,” but today that certainly is NOT the case.</p>
<p>Today, USF stands shoulder to shoulder with FSU and UF as a part of Florida’s Three Flagship research universities in Florida. USF being at most half the age of its older counterparts makes this a remarkable accomplishment. </p>
<p>With the evidence of several college ranking sites many people claim USF to be the lesser of the three universities, however, I too have seen several ranking sites that have in actually placed USF over FSU, with the gap widening. In fact, FSU admitted more freshmen into their school than did USF in recent years. USF is now the second hardest university in Florida to get into (if not by much, however). </p>
<p>In US patents for innovations, USF was ranked 9th worldwide, among prestigious institutions like MIT in which neither FSU, UF, or UCF was listed. USF was also listed as one of the nation’s top valued graduate schools to attend. </p>
<p>Academically, USF is just as competitive as its older counterparts. The only main reason why people think UF and FSU are the only “real” schools to attend in Florida is because of their reputable athletic prowess which has been years in the making (It’s often said that Football is the best form of advertisement). Should I remind, however, that little ole’ USF was able to defeat both FSU and UM and achieve #2 spot (although short lived) in the few years it has existed. While we have no national championships, we are definitely the fastest growing program in the Nation, having accomplished more, faster, than any other school, and we will not be waiting several decades for a national championship like the others. </p>
<p>Nevertheless, when it comes down to it students (at least smart ones) ultimately choose schools that can give them a fighting chance in the job market after they graduate. Each school has its strengths and weaknesses, and USF is definitely no exception. In fact, I was originally accepted into UF, but I denied them to attend USF and have not nor will I ever regret that decision.</p>
<p>As for UCF, I will not deny that they are a great school, however, it amazes me how much bashing they seem to dish out to USF. In any case, when I contemplated which school to attend I honestly didn’t even consider UCF. While they maintain to be the 2nd largest school in the nation in terms of undergrads, biggest certainly doesn’t mean the better. I have in fact seen few, if any, resources that have pointed out anything academically significant in regards to UCF besides placings in “top upcoming schools” and “top party schools” rankings. If I were a college junkie then perhaps I would consider these as priorities, but as a midshipman I often don’t have that luxury. I need a solid and reputable degree that will take me places with the confidence of a competent education.</p>
<p>@johnnycan7- I like UCF but I don’t know if you can say it has the best football team in FL. UCF had the best record in 2011 which is way, way different considering it is in the worst conference by a wide margin. There’s no comparing the strength of the SEC (Florida), ACC (FSU, Miami) and Big East (USF) to Conference USA.</p>
<p>“USF is now the second hardest university in Florida to get into (if not by much, however).”</p>
<p>Sorry JoshBull, but if you check the US DOE’s NCES Web site you will find the following for 2010 admissions:</p>
<ol>
<li> University of Miami 39% Admission rate</li>
<li> University of Florida 43% Admission rate</li>
<li> University of South Florida 45% Admission rate</li>
<li> University of Central Florida 46% Admission rate</li>
</ol>
<p>3rd place and by a negligible 1% (OK, you do have Florida Safety University beat by 15%…But FAU and FIU are also below FSU’s 60%)</p>