I want to pursue a business major as an international. I had initially selected Florida, but for it I will have to make the Coalition application as well. Minnesota is an equally good university (better locationwise). Should I go for Minnesota, or Florida is worth the hardwork of doing the entire coalition application?
I take it you’ve never been to MN in January.
Can you afford these schools? Why these two schools?
The Coalition Profile can be completed in under 2 hours. UF considers the Essay very important, more important than test scores. If you do not want to put in the extra effort to complete the Coalition app do you intend to put the extra work into the essay?
Based on your other posts it appears you are picking schools based on chance me threads and you are not getting good advice. Your 1280 SAT puts in in the bottom 25% of students admitted to UF for 2017 and admission to the Business program is quite competitive. Applying to UF is probably not worth the “hardwork.”
Dunboyne, based on my profile and preferences, my guide and me created a short list. Minnesota was the next option on the list. I won’t be needing any aid. Yes, I know it’s damn cold in January in Minnesota, but that doesn’t matter to me that much.
Cauc Asian dad, all of us go for a reach university or two. I’m applying to lesser universities like Arizona state, SJSU, csulb as well. So that won’t be a problem. You hopped off topic. Which one is actually the better option in your opinion?
For Accounting or Finance, UF by far. Other areas of business, probably Minnesota twin cities, based on rankings and being located in an urban area.
The two schools are vary comparable. They are both highly regarded public universities with strong business programs. Nothing jumps out and says one school is significantly better than the other. it all comes down to cost and your personal preferences.
You should think about applying to both. The criteria for admissions are different at the two schools. You may get into one and not the other.
UF uses holistic admissions, and as CaucAsianDad pointed out, the essay is important. About 50% of admissions will be based on GPA/course rigor (most important), Test scores (not as important) and the essay (important). The other 50% is based on ECs, work history, volunteering, leadership, etc.
UM-Twin Cities will put much more consideration into GPA, course rigor and test scores.
UF freshman will tend to have higher GPA’s (72% are in the top 10% of their graduating class vs. 48.7%, at UM-TC) but UF freshman will have, on average lower test scores.
A lower test score may hurt you less at UF, while having weak EC’s will hurt you less at UM-TC.
Good Luck!
Cauc Asian dad, I will either go for general business management or information systems.
What does your entire list look like?
Ohio state, Purdue, Minnesota/Florida, Penn state, Arizona state, Arizona, Cincinnati, csulb, SJSU.
deleted as I see you are an international.
You have had some good responses.
The other consideration is traveling to/from the prospective university.
Gainesville, Florida has grown on me and our son loves UF. That being said, my husband travels frequently for work and Gainesville is not the easiest place to quickly get somewhere. We have a small airport and generally have to go through Atlanta (ugh). We recently moved from south Florida where we had 2 major airports (Lauderdale and Miami, and even West Palm to a certain extent) and got spoiled by that.
So . . . travel is a consideration, and it’s under-rated sometimes. For us it was a moot point because UF was a great option for our son, and H and I don’t intend to stay here that long or full time (hoping to go back by the coast).
Personally we would never consider Minnesota because of the weather. Our son grew up in Florida and we all detest the cold. That doesn’t sound like an issue for you.
If I was going to pay OOS for any state schools, I’d also be looking at privates.
Privates seem to be too expensive! I just want an insight into which university has the better program, student life and reputation out of the two.
^^sorry I had the impression that money was no object (LOL). I have an aversion (personally) to paying full OOS tuition for a state school, with the exception of 3-4 schools within the US. But people do it, often for good reasons.
As far as reputation, I would have to say UF with the full disclosure that I am a UF parent as mentioned above. 
For the business program?
^^yes. My son is in the college of engineering but I’ve heard UF business is very good.
Have you thought of checking LinkedIn to see where UF and UMN business grads tend to work? While it’s not dispositive it certainly is interesting.
You have a good shot at Arizona so maybe axe one of CSULB/SJSU and one of ASU/Cincy. One of Florida/OSU. Your SAT is mediocre for a lot of these schools but you can afford more risk being full-pay, so consider two of Minn/Wisc/UIUC and perhaps throw in BU for a private. Might as well go for it; chances are one of these schools will need your money.
SJSU, Arizona, Cincinnati, PSU, Purdue, OSU, Wisconsin, UIUC, Boston U.
Do you think I have got any chance at UIUC?
It`s a reach. I’m giving you a wildcard chance because you’re full pay. Anyway, it’s not significantly more reachy than Minn/Wisc/BU. I think you’ll be admitted to 2+ of SJSU, Arizona, Cincinnati, PSU, and Purdue, so it comes down to how comfortable you are with attending one of those schools. Use your other apps to roll the dice. Not every application needs to be a 50-50 shot. Stranger things have happened; maybe you can write a winning essay.
UIUC’s business college has an SAT range of 1320-1460, so you are below the range. However, UIUC loves full-pay NRA’s, so you never know.