Hello, sorry but this about to be a long post and I’m tired so excuse the grammatical errors. I think the best way to explain what I am trying to say is just by telling the whole story. Sit back, relax, and bear with me:
So I am a senior now(Seniors Rule!). In November of my sophomore year I went to my first college football game at WVU and had a lot of fun at the game. I knew then that I wanted to go to a big school, mainly one that had a lot of school spirit. It was also around this time that I decided a career in medicine was my goal, but that is besides the point. I have since been accepted to WVU, but I have never had the burning desire or passion to go that school. I know if i had to go thereI would happily go but it has never been a top choice. Well about a few weeks later (Still in sophomore year), I went to a football game at UF. (I live in PA but also have florida residency. Please don’t ask, we have it all figured out). While at UF, i liked the campus and was amazed at all there was to do there. At this point, I was not dying to go to the school but I started to imagine myself there. I thought things like office hours were so cool but I did not know that was something everywhere. We went to a game and it was fun but they were playing a no name team so it wasn’t all that exciting and it was raining. Well anyway, we leave the school and as we head back to Tampa for our flight, we stop to check out USF. I think the campus is nice but UF was nicer. I go home, and for the next six months, I am in love with UF and dying to go there. I still cannot pinpoint exactly why it is so special to me, but for some reason it is. Well now it is the summer going into my junior year and I have become obsessed with colleges (researching, touring etc.) So far UF is my top choice but I avoid telling my parents that because my dad is overly obsessed with the school even though he has no reason to be and it is so extremely annoying. Till this day is he is still pushing for it so hard and that is a huge reason I kind of don’t want to go there, but i digress.So during that summer, I tour Penn State and fall in love with that school too but still have some “connection” to UF. I have since knocked PSU off my list just because of finances and knowing I will not go there. I also fall in love with William and Mary that summer but know it wont work out because the out of state tuition is crazy. So junior year starts and i have plans to visit Ohio State (This is where it gets even bumpier). I knew going into OSU that I would like it because i wanted a campus feel near a city. Anyway, I get there and really like it and could see myself going there, but I still don’t get the same connection I felt with UF. Crap, i totally forgot to say above that during my junior year, before the OSU visit, I visited UF again with my family and a friends family. While there, i didnt think UF was that special or anything. When we left, I for some reason got so “excited” about it again and can very much see myself on that campus. That is where i think i would be happy, but i can find reasons that I dont like it. Well now i’m here, senior, applying to 11 schools with no idea. I am going to visit Alabama soon because they give great merit and I am taking ACT one more time to try and get the 32 for full tuition (only need one point). Essentially, I am asking what do you think is most important? I am looking for advice. Anything is appreciated and I am sorry this post is such a mess, but it is 1 a.m. It is hard because UF is cheap but I do really like PHIO state and I think OSU is a better fit for me but UF had that connection. also, uf was the first campus i had seen(besides pitt) so i dont know if that has something to do with it. I think there is something with florida schools because they all hit home in some way and i am applying to uf, fsu, um, and usf(accepted with big scholarship). I know this post is trash but i just need general advice on which school to choose!
*also, my chances of getting into uf are slightly low but decent so if I don’t get in, that makes the decision easier but I am still going to try.
^^^Wall of text, you got to use more paragraphs! 
PSU-College Park In-state tuition = $17,514 a year
UF (or FSU/USF, etc.) In-state Tuition: $6,500 a year
I can see why your Dad my have a preference.
All of these are great schools, apply, review the $$$ and then make a choice.
While the financials are important, as well as “fit”, you may want to consider other factors. What would be your major (other than “pre-med”)? How’s the travel? How about ECs? Most of these schools are large compressive research universities, which gives you lots of choices.
In general, UF=PSU=tOSU, they are all very comparable.
If you do get your ACT up to 32, then by all means consider UA. Check out the UA forum for insight into the honors program(s), housing, etc. In fact, all of these schools have active forums, so please check them out.
Good Luck and Go Gators!
I actually enjoyed the honesty and emotion in your post. What I especially loved is how you could see yourself at several different schools and continued to fall in love with different schools that you visited. To me that says you are flexible, somewhat easy going and willing to see the positives in just about anything. I think the good news to remember in your many college visits, is that most likely you will be happy wherever you go. Your admissions journey will take you to the right school. I’m sure once you get your acceptance letters and weigh everything out you will know what to do and you will be happy. Enjoy your senior year!
Relax, apply, see where you get in, see how the finances/bottom line works out, then decide. There’s no “perfect” place. It is great that you have so many places that you like. Good luck!
I echo the comments that there is no point in worrying about it until you have acceptances and all your options in hand.
However, I don’t think it is wise to base your final decision on football games or an adverse reaction to your dad loving it.
Make sure your college essays are a lot tighter than this post. 
Hahah thank you everyone I really appreciate the comments. @Gator88NE Trust me I completely understand the financial aspect. The thing is, USf would be way cheaper with the scholarship. Osu is definitely the easiest to get to and my favorite location. I really like colleges in a cities that have a campus but for some reason college towns feel “homier.” Again, thanks everyone.
@doschicos As far as football games go, I definitely wouldn’t pick a school based on their team. However, I just mean the school spirit and excitement surrounding games made me really happy. There is also another side to this that I didn’t add about not being able to decide between big and small schools.
Nothing wrong with enjoying the school spirit you’ll find at schools like PSU, UF and tOSU.
It’s all part of finding the right “fit”.
If you are serious about medicine, a lot of folks would recommend going with the least expensive option as you’d need the money for med school.
@doschicos yeah trust me I am extremely aware of that but I am fortunate enough to get a certain amount each year from my parents and most of my options fall into that range. My parents are making my brother and I take out the 5,000 a year though no matter we go unless I get a full ride somehow. They say that is how you get the “full college experience.”
Are your parents going to pay for your med school, too?
How do you have residency in both FL and PA? I thought it was based on where you go to HS. Anyway, you seem like the kind of person who could be happy at any of the schools. See where you get in, see which is affordable and then follow your gut
@doschicos it hasnt been that much of a disscussion. All my schools are within a few thousand of each other and my dad told me which ones are affordable and which ones I have to take out loans for. I’m smart enough to know that 65 grand a year for Miami is not worth it but the differences aren’t huge between the schools I’m serious about.
@citymama9 honestly I have no idea. My dad is a Florida citizen with all registration down there. I already got into USf with instate Tuition so who knows what’s going to happen. We know a friend at uf who is there on instate Tuition with the exact same situation.
@MurphyBrown what schools publish that data?
Penn State is not sufficiently more reputed than Florida to merit paying extra. But “fit” is very subjective.
My suggested formula:
- Go to UF if you can get in
- Retake the ACT and try to get a 32. If so, apply to Alabama and go if you can achieve the prestigious Presidential Scholarship. Also apply to other schools of Alabama's caliber and see if you qualify for merit. Perhaps OSU, Clemson, or somewhere else would give you a scholarship.
- If all else fails, attend a Florida CC and try to get into UF as a transfer. The other Florida schools are not of UF caliber. Not even close.
@frontpage I took the act again after I received a 31 and got a 29 so I’m trying one last time. Also, saying the other Florida schools are “not even close” to UF in caliber is a lie, especially since I’ll be pre med and Goinf to uf over fsu or USf will not be a big difference.
@soyunchico
Fair enough. FSU is a good school. USF less so, but it’s not bad.
@frontpage I think it depends on major in general, uf is better but for like acting or Poli sci I think fsu is better.
You may have gotten instate tuition at USF, because they want you and that’s merit. Make sure that you are considered a Florida resident. Im not sure how that works , but if you haven’t gone to HS is FL i doubt you’re considered a resident. I could be wrong. Check it out for UF just to make sure