Which is a better fit for me: USF or UF?

College Search & Selection
1

I’ve been accepted to USF’s Honors college already. I am probably able to be accepted to UF’s Honors program. I didn’t get accepted or rejected from UF yet but I will probably be accepted since my stats are above the school’s average. My stats: 4.3 GPA (recalculated), 1410 SAT, and I have taken 14 AP classes and passed all of my AP exams. I will be majoring in Computer Science.

So here are my priorities:

  1. Financial Aid I have already recieved a $4,000 admissions scholarship from USF and I will probably recieve Bright Futures's highest scholarship. Is USF or UF better for scholarships?
  2. Research I want to be a neuroscientist. I already have a connection with a USF neuroscience professor and he has offered opportunities for me. UF has more prestigious neuroscience professors though, I think.
  3. Opportunities in general It is very important to me to go to the school with the best opportunities for me to become a competitive applicant for a Neuroscience PhD program in the future. Example: volunteering, shadowing, research, internships, lab assistant jobs, etc.

What knowledge do you have on the topic? Which college seems to be a better fit for me?

2

You might or might not be admitted into UF Honors and UF probably will not provide much merit.

So first decision would you rather be in an honors college or not?

If $10-15,000 important to you and your family?

3
  1. Financial Aid USF is far better with merit based aid (vs need based aid, where UF is better). You're not likely to be offered any merit based aid at UF (you'll find out in February). Of course, you'll get Bright futures at any Florida school.
  2. Research UF has more research opportunities, but USF also excels in this area. If you've already made a connection at USF, then UF may not have a "better" opportunity. It often comes down to the individual professor that you'll work with, and not so much the level of "prestige" of the university. If USF has a professor that you know and like, you should give that a lot of weight in your decision.
  3. Opportunities in General UF has more, but USF also offers a lot. UF is ranked in the top 25 for R&D funding, but USF is ranked in the top 50. For example, USF is ranked higher than the University of Georgia, Miami, Virginia, Indiana, Chicago, NC state, Boston College etc.

Your stats may not be enough to get you into UF’s honor’s college. It’s very competitive, and a lot of weight is given to the honor college application essay.

Bottom line, you can and will succeed at either school.

Good Luck!