<p>So, I've applied to three colleges in FL. I got into all 3 (UCF,UF,USF). I plan to pursue a degree in computer engineering or computer science (I declared CE but I'm having second thoughts). USF has offered to more than half of everything per year. While I would have to pay almost everything at UF and UCF. Because UCF is less than an hour away, I may commute daily to save money, but I would be missing a grand part of the college experience. From what I have heard UF has the best mechanical engineering program hands down. Though their computer engineering program is just about the same as UCF. USF is a close third. What would you do? Suggestions.?!</p>
<p>University of Florida is much better than most of the colleges in Florida except University of Miami…I would never turn it down.</p>
<p>MUCH is relative. For research yes, but for an engineering school to get you a job after you graduate…not so much. </p>
<p>The way to go about it is compare the degree roadmaps and compare the classes. I have done the comparison myself when I was thinking of coming back to Florida (I attended USF my freshman year) and UCF has better digital offerings. If you want to do medical device stuff, than UF or USF. </p>
<p>1/2 off is a nice chunk of change. I would go to USF at a discount if you want to stay in Florida. If you want to try to get a job at one of the major companies nationally, then UF. UCF is highly ranked in computer engineering too (I think they are #50 or so) but don’t commute. I did that and it’s a mistake I regret. better to just live on campus. At least for your first year. </p>
<p>So ask yourself 2 questions. What do you want to do with your degree and where would you like to work (Florida or Major National Corporation).</p>
<p>Why do you say USF for medical device stuff? My son will get his BS in Mechanical Engineering next year, but his goal is to design medical equipment/devices.</p>
<p>He’ll be looking at grad schools soon, and while he’d like to get a masters in BME, I’m wondering if he should look at a grad program in ME that specializes in medical devices/equipment.</p>
<p>Also, what about on campus recruiting at these schools: UF, UCF, USF? At his current school, there is little on campus recruiting and son has had a hard time finding internships despite lots of research experience and excellent GPA. He wants to make sure the grad school he chooses has a strong presence for job recruitment.</p>
<p>USF has a medical school and there is a lot of research there for medical stuff. USF is like #6 in the country for patent applications. </p>
<p>The problem is that Florida is not a top place for those companies. There are few in Tampa, some in Sarasota (from what I remember). Best thing to do would be to find out WHERE the companies are- the largest concentrations are Boston, SF, San Diego,Research Triangle, and Atlanta and send out resumes. Don’t just rely on companies that come on campus. I have no idea what the medical market is in Florida. </p>
<p>i reasoned going to USF for biomed stuff because of the faculty, research and generous scholarship. </p>
<p>Which also correlates to my other post. If you want to work in Florida, choose the cheapest degree. Employers know the schools generally. If you want to work outside of Florida it would be an easier time to get a good job with UF on your degree. </p>
<p>Always do a job search first. If there are tons of job openings for what you want to do in your area, go to a cheaper school. If not, look at out of state opportunities and try to get<br>
into the best school that you can that will get you towards your final destination. </p>
<p>@Montegut
Where does your son attend now?</p>
<p>@Lookin4ward I want to work at a big company such as Google or Microsoft. That is my ultimate career goal. Can I do this by doing undergrad at usf then transferring to uf for masters.?!</p>
<p>Sent from my HTC One X using CC</p>
<p>Shoot for something bigger than UF for your masters.</p>
<p>Like Stanford.? What are 3 great schools for cs where I could do my masters.?</p>
<p>Sent from my HTC One X using CC</p>
<p>DCruz95,</p>
<p>Depending on what you want to do and your experience-level at the time, U-Florida can be a choice also.</p>
<p>Example: You may wait until you have 6, 7 or 8 years of experience before staring a M.S./M.Eng program. U-Florida has a distance/online program for working engineers. When it comes to higher-level/senior engineering positions at most companies, the M.S./M.Eng degree is just a “check the box” thing. Since you would already have proven experience, your school name matters less and just HAVING A M.S./M.Eng is good.</p>
<p>Now if your interests lie with research, etc…well, ignore all of the above because you would need an on-campus M.S. program.</p>
<p>Having said all of that, USF gets the most research money in Florida.</p>
<p>Oh and one more thing…</p>
<p>THE ARE MORE BIG COMPANIES THAN GOOGLE, MICROSOFT AND APPLE.</p>
<p>Okay. Thanks GLOBALTRAVELER. By the way, I’m majoring in computer science at USF but my career goal is in software engineering. </p>
<p>Sent from my HTC One X using CC</p>
<p>I’m not too sure about the computer science curriculum. But for half price you can’t go wrong. It’s not so much what school you went too…it’s your coding ability that will get you good jobs.</p>
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<p>And there are lots of non-big companies as well.</p>
<p>I’ve gone through their curriculum and they offer many software electives for students and programming classes ( offer java, C and C++). I have no experience in any programming/coding. Recently I’ve been trying to learn python and I’ve read some general info about java, but that’s it. I’m also trying to develop better problem solving skills.</p>
<p>Sent from my HTC One X using CC</p>
<p>GlobalT…why do you say USF has the highest research expenditures?</p>
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<p>Let me ask the UF and USF grads at my job about that. Online says UF is above USF (although USF is in Top-50 public schools). Even the UF grad agreed with USF but the research rankings say otherwise.</p>
<p>Yeah, I don’t think it is really even that close a call. UF is about 8th nationally in terms of public NRUs in terms of research expenditures, while USF is about 40th.</p>
<p><a href=“http://mup.asu.edu/research2011.pdf[/url]”>http://mup.asu.edu/research2011.pdf</a></p>
<p>The older NSF NCESE data from 2007 shows a similar ranking.</p>
<p>Yea no way USF spends more on research than UF as an entire school. </p>
<p>USF creates more patents though. I thought that was a pretty cool metric. </p>
<p>[USF</a> Among Leaders in Patents - University of South Florida](<a href=“http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?z=0&a=4536]USF”>http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?z=0&a=4536)</p>
<p>That is a great accomplishment for USF. In fairness, though, USF, UF and UCF all have done well on patent score-cards in the last 10-15 years, and the entire state has benefitted as a result. Scoring systems do vary, though…here is one that has UF in 11th place internationally for 2011…</p>
<p>[International</a> Patent Filings Set New Record in 2011](<a href=“http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2012/article_0001.html]International”>International Patent Filings Set New Record in 2011)</p>