<p>@ Jman and parent2noles, UF is way better in most academic classes than FSU, how can i prove this? because the people that go to UF on these fields are usually more succesful than those in FSU. Example: When it comes to medicine UF puts more students in Med schools than FSU, etc for all the other academics.</p>
<p>Im a student in florida, top 10%, bla bla bla (you know the rest). And these are my choices, UF, FSU, FIU, and maybe UCF. In reality i like both UF and FSU, but if i ever choose FSU over UF it is because of the social life. Not that FSU is not a good school, its just that in South Florida people really get impressed when they see UF, but im really thinking into FSU because they are really good at Political science, which i want to be my Undergrad major (but i want to got to med school.)</p>
<p>But you can’t say that they are more successful because of their education at UF. UF admits a lot of very talented students who would be successful no matter where they go. lol</p>
<p>I want to be a school psychologist. I am not going to have fewer job opportunities because I opted for FSU rather than UF. It matters how well I do in college, not what college I go to. FSU has APA and NASP approved programs. I am going to get the job if I am more qualified than a UF grad. End of story.</p>
<p>@ Jman, i agree with you but since the students that go to UF are generally better it gives UF a sort of prestige, dont get me wrong though im really looking at FSU.</p>
<p>This whole UF/FSU/USF whatever is so totally ridiculous as not to be believed. I don’t hang around the California system, or the NY system boards, but I would bet that they are not as frivolous or petty as the posters on the FL boards. I actually took a peak just now, and it’s not the same, at all. As a South Florida business owner, I can tell you that your first employer will not care ONE WHIT whether you graduated from FSU or UF. And I have heard, many a time, that an Ivy League diploma only matters for your first job. As a matter of fact, if you have an Ivy diploma, you are in danger of underperforming your first job if you don’t wow their socks off. That said, GRAD schools DO care where you went undergrad - if you attended the right program for your grad school aspirations. That means knowing yourself, going to the stronger program (wherever that is), working hard, testing well on the entrance exam. Strong programs are sprinklered throughout the state school system. FIND YOUR FIT - what makes you happy so you’ll do your best.</p>
<p>The inane one upsmanship, especially between FSU and UF shows an immaturity and a shallowness that highlights Florida society as a whole. I know that that is a blanket statement, but I believe it to be essentially true. It’s like two young guys bragging about their pimped out cars, or two young ladies comparing their knock-off bags.</p>
<p>It ain’t about the schools - it’s all about the student. Stephen Covey, in the book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” stated that our society is saturated with an obsession, the Cult of Personality. That’s the image, or appearance side of things. We should be developing our Character. That’s the inner, core being. Let’s all grow up.</p>
<p>Another observation (guess I’m in rant mode): I think the sports rivalry between the teams has morphed into the academic arena, demonstrating, yet again, the primacy of football at these two programs. The tails are wagging the dogs here!</p>
<p>I remember looking for scholarships for my D a couple of years ago, at a scholarship information clearinghouse, seeing PAGES & PAGES & PAGES of UF sport scholarships and basically next to nothing for academic achievement. There you have it.</p>
<p>Excellent post, IS. I completely agree. The problem comes in when such inane remarks lead to perceptions that actually help create a culture where students (and their parents!) start thinking this nonsense is true. </p>
<p>Combine this with simplified nonsense that the ratings services have become and you have a real mess.</p>
<p>Neither does my S, who is considering FSU. He went to UF last fall, and the two things he didn’t care for was Gainesville and the “rah rah” Gator Nation thing. I wonder what he’ll have to say about 'Nole chop. We visit on Sunday/Monday, then it’s decision time!</p>
<p>investorscooter, you’re completely right. As a partial observer of this pettiness, some things stand out. First off, it seems like the UF people look down at all the others schools in the state. The whole “Gator Nation” “rah-rah” “we’re better than you” act can become a little tiresome and annoying. In turn, schools like FSU, UCF, UM, etc… feel pressured to engage in the same silly pettiness. </p>
<p>Again, from my neutral stance it seems like the FSU, UCF, UM supporters are less boisterous and obnoxious about their respective universities. It’s great to have school spirit, but there’s a fine line between pride and hollow arrogance. It almost seems like people who engage in this silliness are trying to compensate for something. Not a single school in Florida can claim to be the Harvard of the South, even if a certain school seems to think so.</p>
<p>investorscooter
Shame the traffic will be slow (w/ the legislature still in session) and the skys threatening showers for you and S’s visit to Tally. I hope in your brief visit you look outside the boundries of the FSU campus for a glimpse of the essence of Tallahassee.</p>
<p>Many people of the community support FSU in ways beyond the scope of the infamous Seminole “chop” at sporting events. Quite a number of us open our homes and/or businesses to students of the FSU film school for shooting locations is but one example.</p>
<p>I’m hoping to study music, and I’ve found that FSU is a much better place to do so. While UF has enormously credible math, science, and journalism programs, their arts programs are extremely lackluster. FSU’s School of Music is ranked at number 3 in the nation currently, and their Film School is ranked around 8 (correct me if I’m wrong).</p>
<p>I do believe that the performing arts, including film/media seems to be better represented at FSU. Now that we’ve visited both campuses, they seem more similar than different, my son’s verdict being that he liked Tallahassee much better than Gainesville. Don’t be a slave to rankings, make sure you feel comfortable in the environment (physical plant and student body) and that the programs have what you want or require.</p>