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University of Florida Visit Report by seiclan
Visit to University of Florida in January 2006 by seiclan (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2006)
(Member since August 17 2005 with 1750 posts)
13 of 15 people found this visit report helpful
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview: No - No interviews...too large a school.
Information Session: Yes - Cute and funny admissions film made by students was very entertaining. The Q and A was informative.
Campus Tour: Yes - Two tourguides were animated and bright. They answered all questions...even some sensitive ones. Tour was mostly outside the buildings...would have liked to go into the library and one of the lecture halls.
Campus:
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Campus Visit Notes for University of Florida
Visit Description:
Campus was very easy to find, just 5 minutes off the highway (I-75). The place was clean and well maintained. Nice buildings...some having gorgeous old architecture (arched entrances, towers, gargoyles) and some circa 1950/1960 ish brick buildings. A very large campus but warm and inviting....although we were there during a cold snap and the temp. during our 1 1/2 hour campus tour was about 46 degrees and windy. The information session consisted of an adorable and funny short movie and a Q and A with an admissions rep.
Our tour did not take us through a dorm but my daughter has a friend on campus who took us into her room in Broward Hall and into a friend's room in Murphee. Big difference. Although I do believe that Broward is better for meeting people and social life in general, the rooms (though large, bright and spacious) seemed decrepit to me compared to other schools that we had visited. I felt that the place was in dire need of some fresh paint and furniture. Murphee is one of those old, beautiful building with cool archway entrances and odd shaped rooms. There are different wings in Murphee that are home to about 6 rooms (about 10 kids) so it is not social at all (a complaint of the girl who's room we viewed). All but two dorms have air conditioning and those two are popular because of their location, cool architecture and price (much less money). Everyone on campus was extraordinarily friendly and the student union and bookstore were really nice. The student union has food court with a subway, wendy's, a noodle place and Italian food place and ....something else. There is an Einsteins bagel place and a few Burger Kings on campus too. There is a free bus service available to UF kids that runs east/west or north/south on campus and shuttle buses that take kids into "town" or to the Mall (which is very nice and has all the major stores). I was very, very impressed by all that I saw and heard (with the exception of the physical attributes of the dorms). Everyone there seemed very, very happy. My D stayed on campus with her friend Saturday night and went "clubbing" which she enjoyed. BTW the honors dorm (Hume ) is absolutely gorgeous and the honors perks are amazing.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
Hilton UF. Only "upscale" hotel in the area. Located at the edge of UF's campus. Many cheaper and adequate motels within 5 min of campus (Holiday Inn, Cabot Lodge, Courtyard Marriott etc) though.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
We love the restaurants in "Old Gainesville" as opposed to all the chain restaurants (Carrabas, Fridays, Bonefish Grill, Moes, etc)on the main road (Archer) between I-75 and the campus.
Mark's US Prime - the best steak I ever had. Similar
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Bus service is amazing and free to UF students (both on and off campus). Lot of kids have bikes (racks are everywhere ) and vespas/motorbikes are in abundance. Parking on campus is a nightmare. No assigned parking spaces, just assigned lots based on credi