<p>Please help me & our son in making a case either for U Miami or U Florida.</p>
<ul>
<li>In state student</li>
<li>Got in UF and also in UM Business School without any Scholarship.</li>
<li>Have 100% Fl Bright Futures</li>
<li>Have Fl Prepaid covering 4 yrs of Fl state school Tuition & 1 yr Dorm.</li>
<li>Keen Sports enthusiast, do not any loyalties to Hurricanes or Gators at this Point.</li>
<li>Middle to High class family financially. Have 529 saved up for a Private 4yrs College.</li>
<li>Want to eventually do Law, but not sure yet</li>
</ul>
<p>So some facts & some gathered assumptions are-</p>
<ul>
<li>University of Miami</li>
</ul>
<p>$ 50k a year x 4 = $ 200k
Smaller classes & some personal attention
Geographically diverse & multilingual student body
He will have to take loans for Law school as by then all saved up money will be spent.
He is not sure but the hearsay is "Some are rich & stuck up kids & "Nothing but Designer Clothes ".
I am not sure about this also, but it seems like the peers will be a tad less academically prepared than UF as some of my school friends got into Miami but not into UF.
A good percentage of the pre professional students go to Professional Schools.
I know this year's higher US News ranking than UF.
Hurricane Games at times are not sold out, school spirit ?</p>
<p>--- University of Florida -</p>
<p>Already paid up 4yrs tuition & 1 yr Dorm & I understand all left over Fl Bright Futures money will be deposited in student's bank.
Keep the saved up money for Law School & come out a debt free attorney.
Like many large state schools - Large classes, some are taking online classes, teach yourself with the help of Teaching Assistants while in lower classes.
The peers are 90% from Fl, mostly 4.0 GPA, economically diverse and down to earth.
Every Gator game is sold out.
Till last year had the leading US news rank in Florida schools.</p>
<p>We will appreciate any & all opinions
Disneydoc is online now</p>
<p>My own son may have the same decision if he decides not to go out of state next year. I would like to know the same answer without the financial concerns. If money were not the issue at all, which of the two schools would provide the best academic and social experience?</p>
<p>Patsmom, I think socially is a cr@pshoot in most cases, but especially when comparing two large schools in same geographic area. There are plenty of clubs and social organizations at UF, and the kid should be able to find a niche thee.</p>
<p>The getting into Miami and not UF has to do with public vs. private I’m sure. As with all large state schools, not everyone is going to be down to earth. And the misconception that you “teach yourself” in lower classes is very wrong.</p>
<p>“I know this year’s higher US News ranking than UF.”</p>
<p>er, #47 vs # 53?</p>
<p>I think this is the classic case where its NOT worth worrying about the difference in USNWR ranking.</p>
<p>In fact, I would say the main learning from USNWR, if you value it at all, is that these two schools are NOT significantly different in selectivity/rigor/prestige.</p>
<p>Though I highly recommend UM (son will be graduating form there this year), I think both schools are comparable in terms of education. There will be pros and cons to every school and each students experience. </p>
<p>My own feeling…You make due with the situation you have… ie- large classes? TA’s? Full stadiums? None of these are necessarily bad or good. Most students have not been to both UF AND UM so don’t go by them and their supposed rivalry. </p>
<p>My own son applied to UM as a safety school and ended up with a full merit scholarship and wonderful perks to go along with it. He has been academically challenged and works at his level in many courses. He has not been shut out of any classes and was able to take 500 level courses freshman year. All good for him. He is certainly happy there and would likely have been happy at UF (didn’t apply) or any of the other schools he applied to. I believe this will be the same for your son.</p>
<p>That said… I think you should chose UF. You both seem to like both schools so $ should play a part. If for some reason he hates it (unlikely) then I’d tell him he can transfer after sophomore year (enough time to adapt). Save the $ for law school (we did and are happy about that.)</p>
<p>UM-no brainer. at UM your child will get personal attention. Will get help, if needed. Teachers actually care about the students, actually know the students. At UF many classes
are online-no choice on this. Little or no career guidance. Little or no recruiting. do you want your child to get an education or just party?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If child is dead set on grad/prof school, he/she does not need career guidance so much, certainly not recruiting. For the diff in money, kid can do unpaid internships.</p></li>
<li><p>I think online courses are fine for the motivated student (which looks like what we have here), and is good training for business, where people dont want to spoonfeed all the time.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you every body for chiming in, this conversation has certainly helped me & my son. This is much better than making a decision in a vacuum at home. Every perspective is bringing something & is appreciated.</p>
<p>He certainly seems to be liking the idea of going to UF & saving the money for his future graduate studies.</p>