<p>I was wondering whether anyone had any opinions on University of South Florida. I just got in but am not sure whether I want to go there.</p>
<p>I don't know much about the whole college thing (I mainly hang around in the Prep Schools Admission forum!), but I live in SoFla, and I NEVER hear anything about that school.
It's weird, I didn't even know it existed up until recently.
That doesn't mean anything, though.
By looking on Princeton Review, it looks look a pretty nice, large, state school.
Congratulations on getting in!
(And might I add that Tampa is NOT in South Florida, it's a little west of Orlando.)</p>
<p>I have a few friends that go there and they absolutely love it. The campus is beautiful and it's about 5 minutes away from Busch Gardens which is nice/convenient. I don't have any first-hand experience with the university, however, so I'll post a few excerpts from students commenting about USF on another website.</p>
<p>Positive:</p>
<p>"There is much to do around campus: movies on the lawn, intramurals, clubs, on campus jobs, even non-affiliated websites ... The library was amazing, in my opinion. It was undergoing aesthetic improvements around the time I graduated, so I can imagine it's even better now ... Now I am sure USF is nowhere near a Harvard, but I feel as though it teaches students what collges are supposed to teach: academics, responsibility, self-discipline and growth, resourcing, etc."</p>
<p>"I love this school. After doing a couple "test" semesters at a couple other Florida schools, I have found my home. This school offers challenging classes, an awesome social life (check out the school funded clubs), and nice surrounding area. Channelside, Ybor City, Clearwater beaches, Hyde Park, Busch Gardens, Tampa Sea Aquarium, all kinds of great stuff to check out. I have had a few sour apples as teachers, but nothing impossible and so far my GPA is a 3.4. I had to choose between USF, FSU, UCF and a few more and I feel I made the right choice. GO BULLS!"</p>
<p>"I love USF, i think that there are many things for all types of different students. There are many orginizations that can make all the different sudents here feel accepted. I could not imagine going to school any where else. It isnt a big party school if u are looking for that, not to say that their arent parties. We know how to have fun, it mostly depends on who you hang out with. I think that no matter what race you are, there is a place for you. No activity is geared to any certain race, mostly just popular culture here in florida. We have alot of school pride here at USF, especially this year... We stick with our teams, no matter how many games they lose =] The faculty are really easy to get in touch with from my experience, and they are very friendly. Everyone at USF is pretty friendly, I have yet to meet someone who refuses to point me in the right direction. I would advise that you pick your dorm wisely, talk to other people you know that go to USF, and live on campus. I would suggest living on campus at least for your freshman year, just to become rooted in the community and get to know everyone well. When choosing housing you should also look on the housing website and look at every single dorm type. If you know anyone who goes to USF stay with them and try to get a feel for the school. The tours are ok, but when i took mine i couldnt see myself here, now i cant see myself anywhere else. The campus has a really "homey" feel, you really feel like you are apart of a big community as cheesy as that sounds. No matter what your intrests are, there is a place for you. I love it here...."</p>
<p>Negative: </p>
<p>"I would seriously discourage anyone from living on campus because theres no college experience at usf. Almost all of those who live on campus are from within a two hour radius of campus. So most kids who live on campus leave thursday afternoon and come back late sunday night. Basically they are only on campus half the week. Not to mention when they are on campus they have all their high school friends to hang out with. If you know no one at usf you will have a very tough time making friends, if any. Just the fact that most of the kids leave tampa half the week should tell you that theres nothing to do most of the time."</p>
<p>"Campus safety is horrible. Cars are broken into everyday and buildings are broken into regularly. Physical and sexual assaults have taken place on campus, but don't take my word for it students can access the weekly campus police report which is always several pages long. The surrounding area is located right in the middle of cracktown with numerous bums, criminals, and drug addicts. The campus itself has virtually no aesthetic value whatsoever with the exception of the new psychology and chemistry buildings."</p>
<p>"I encourage you to think twice about USF if your not from Florida. I would say at least 99.5% of the students at usf are from florida. USF is a school where all the students already have a group of friends from high school. As a result, they are not that outgoing and sociable. This is because they obviously already have their group laid out for them. Im not saying all are like this, but definetly the vast majority are. Living on campus is also a joke at usf as well. Every thursday at least 90% of the students living on campus leave for the weekend to go back to their hometown along with their friends. If your from out of state that obviously is not an option. Security is also an issue at usf, there was an on campus murder at one of the dorms last year. </p>
<p>Basically, usf is not bad for the floridian whose hometown is not far away. However, if your from out of state, usf will be your worst nightmare. The last two years at usf have been the worst of my life."</p>
<p>Neutral:</p>
<p>"Racial Diversity - Black Student Government and the Caribbean Clubs are the most enthusiastic and outgoing clubs on campus.</p>
<p>Surrounding Town - There are both good and bad parts of the surrounding area. Specifically, everything is either urban/suburban sprawl and condo's (i.e. Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Fowler Ave) or kinda run down (Everything between University Mall and Fletcher Ave). There is nothing to do immediately around campus besides getting drunk at The Greenery Pub on 42nd or Peabody's @ The Shoppes of Amberly. You will die of boredom without a car.</p>
<p>Commuter School - USF definitely fits this label. As many out-of-staters like myself have already said, it feels like the majority of students leave Tampa to escape to the 'burbs with their High School friends. While that does make it harder to make lasting friendships on campus, you just have to try harder. Clubs can remedy this issue, but the school supplied contact info is always vague and out-of-date, and the clubs don't advertise very well.</p>
<p>Academics - I'm fortunate being a Geography major, because I experience first hand how much better the Natural Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, and Nursing schools have it. The Liberal Arts definitely get shafted in financial support and it shows. The only exception I've seen to this is the School of Education, which I've heard good things about. Also, I've never had a Graduate student or TA teach any of my courses. My Profs. have been great and are the best part of my college experience. </p>
<p>Overall - If you are looking for the stereotypical college experience that TV has shoved down your throat throughout your life, USF is definitely not the place to go. I think this school is best for local students who already have an established base of friends and support within driving distance. The school is attempting to get rid of the commuter label, and while commendable, the surrounding area and lack of community prevents it from being anything else. Come here for a good education, but don't expect much else."</p>
<p>My impression is that USF is quite underrated. As others indicate, it's especially strong in the sciences. Students interested in pursuing pre-med and other health related fields will find a lot of resources, faculty support, and research opportunities. </p>
<p>There are a number of major medical facilities present that are virtually indistinguishable from being part of the college, including Moffit Cancer Center, and two major hospitals. They also just recently completed a new Alzheimer's Medical Research Facility. Virtually all of the doctors I've met since coming to FL are USF undergraduate and medical school grads. </p>
<p>The Education School is state of the art, and from what I understand, graduates are automatically certified in FL and 39 other states upon completion of the program. </p>
<p>Currently, USF is building what I am told will be the largest student center on any college campus in the Southeast, and among the largest anywhere in the country. It is supposed to be completed sometime over the Summer. </p>
<p>Although the Business School is not ranked among the top 50, USFs Accounting majors have the highest first time pass rate on the CPA exam of any school in the country.</p>