[Rcsligar]

I thought it would be beneficial for me to share my opinion on UF, mainly due to the fact that I live in southwest Florida and have observed potential UF candidates for the past few years. I have also been up to Gainesville and Talahasse, so I am not simply shooting the breeze when I talk about the area. Anyway, I'd like to outline some particular aspects of the culture that I do not think are ideal and have most likely caused many Northeasterners to have a skewed perception of FL.
I remember sitting in class in 9th grade wondering what all the buzz was about surrounding UF. A wide array of people always sported the attire, as if they were trying to flaunt the fact that they had been admitted or would potentially be admitted. There were a few odd ducks like myself that said it wasn't their scene, but the majority of people at the high school I attended at the time (Fort Myers High) couldn't refrain from raving about their excitement.
I observed the caliber of people who were so greatly enthused about the school for the rest of the year. I found that a common theme that presented itself among UF candidates was unconditional love for football, hunting/fishing, four wheeling, greek life, and camouflage. This was concerning for me because there seemed to be minimal orgininality in the stylistic choices of these students. For those that were not particularly interested in redneck activities, they would soon become tainted by the image due to conformity and a strong desire for acceptance. In other words, the minute the football quarterback sported a UF "Swamp Life" shirt, there would be a domino effect of sorts causing the "lower rank" students to attempt to mimic what they deemed as an ideal image. Students promptly became blind sheep and succumbed to joining the UF bandwagon.
I do not find the scene at UF to be anything particularly intriguing. The campus is about as isolated as can be, literally located in a swamp town that is a decent trek from beaches and other cities/towns. I truly cannot understand the appeal of this location unless you are really that into redneck activities, which I guess proves my point.
Anyway, I don't think UF portrays Florida in a positive light, because it gives people from out of state the impression that we are not particularly sophisticated and lack a fair amount of class. The town of Gainesville itself is not especially cultured compared to the locations of other state schools. This is obviously subjective opinion, and I know that not everyone at UF fits a generic stereotype, as that would be an ignorant claim. I understand that there is a decent pre-med program, which I'm sure decent students attend. My point is that I don't believe students choose UF for individualistic reasons most of the time and that certain social norms that are present there do not do justice for Florida's status as an intellectual state. I think I'll end this thread with some not-so-vibrant pictures of UF enthusiasts.

Hate Week - A Guide to Florida Fans | Georgia Bulldog News | The Blawg House

You get the point.

[Not_liking_FL]

Originally Posted by Rcsligar

I thought it would be beneficial for me to share my opinion on UF, mainly due to the fact that I live in southwest Florida and have observed potential UF candidates for the past few years. I have also been up to Gainesville and Talahasse, so I am not simply shooting the breeze when I talk about the area. Anyway, I'd like to outline some particular aspects of the culture that I do not think are ideal and have most likely caused many Northeasterners to have a skewed perception of FL.
I remember sitting in class in 9th grade wondering what all the buzz was about surrounding UF. A wide array of people always sported the attire, as if they were trying to flaunt the fact that they had been admitted or would potentially be admitted. There were a few odd ducks like myself that said it wasn't their scene, but the majority of people at the high school I attended at the time (Fort Myers High) couldn't refrain from raving about their excitement.
I observed the caliber of people who were so greatly enthused about the school for the rest of the year. I found that a common theme that presented itself among UF candidates was unconditional love for football, hunting/fishing, four wheeling, greek life, and camouflage. This was concerning for me because there seemed to be minimal orgininality in the stylistic choices of these students. For those that were not particularly interested in redneck activities, they would soon become tainted by the image due to conformity and a strong desire for acceptance. In other words, the minute the football quarterback sported a UF "Swamp Life" shirt, there would be a domino effect of sorts causing the "lower rank" students to attempt to mimic what they deemed as an ideal image. Students promptly became blind sheep and succumbed to joining the UF bandwagon.
I do not find the scene at UF to be anything particularly intriguing. The campus is about as isolated as can be, literally located in a swamp town that is a decent trek from beaches and other cities/towns. I truly cannot understand the appeal of this location unless you are really that into redneck activities, which I guess proves my point.
Anyway, I don't think UF portrays Florida in a positive light, because it gives people from out of state the impression that we are not particularly sophisticated and lack a fair amount of class. The town of Gainesville itself is not especially cultured compared to the locations of other state schools. This is obviously subjective opinion, and I know that not everyone at UF fits a generic stereotype, as that would be an ignorant claim. I understand that there is a decent pre-med program, which I'm sure decent students attend. My point is that I don't believe students choose UF for individualistic reasons most of the time and that certain social norms that are present there do not do justice for Florida's status as an intellectual state. I think I'll end this thread with some not-so-vibrant pictures of UF enthusiasts.

Hate Week - A Guide to Florida Fans | Georgia Bulldog News | The Blawg House

You get the point.

When did this status come about? lol

[chopchop0]

Yawn. Ever been to Tallahassee?



Luckily, there's a lot more out there than your opinion on what is the obvious premier higher-ed institution in the state of Florida. It has also been considered a "public Ivy" for quite some time.

UF ranked as a Public Ivy institution according to college guide - The Independent Florida Alligator: Campus

Entry stats for the 2012 class: University of Florida - Admissions

Facts and Rankings » University of Florida

UF received more than $644 million in research awards in 2011-12.
Gatorade®, the world’s most popular sports drink, is just one of hundreds of commercial products resulting from UF research.
UF ranked 10th in the number of U.S. patents issued in 2011.
UF ranked eighth in the number of start-up companies created in 2011.
UF was tied for 13th in the number of invention disclosures in 2011.

[Rcsligar]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

When did this status come about? lol

That's what I mean

[Rcsligar]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

Yawn. Ever been to Tallahassee?



Luckily, there's a lot more out there than your opinion on what is the obvious premier higher-ed institution in the state of Florida. It has also been considered a "public Ivy" for quite some time.

UF ranked as a Public Ivy institution according to college guide - The Independent Florida Alligator: Campus

Entry stats for the 2012 class: University of Florida - Admissions

Facts and Rankings » University of Florida

You make a good point but I hope you understand I am talking more about cultural implications of the UF image, not specifically the education quality.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by Rcsligar

You make a good point but I hope you understand I am talking more about cultural implications of the UF image, not specifically the education quality.

Most people I know of view UF as the premeir higher-ed institution. The entering student stats speak volumes to that. Sure, it's surrounded by rural territory, but the UF core is very solid and most people know that.

Also, check out these "top" lists.....

10 U.S. Cities Top List of Where to Retire Like a King on Less Than $100 a Day - ABC News

Gainesville graduates to best city - USATODAY.com

100 best places to live and launch - 47. Gainesville (47) - FORTUNE Small Business

[StreetSmarts]

Are you talking specifically about UF or the town of Gainesville? There are many areas of FL that you can find the "redneck, 4 wheelin" culture. The "lights and glamour" of parts of South FL is not the real FL. So I'm confused.

[StreetSmarts]

PS- UF is a very good school. When I tried to transfer, I needed like a minimum of a 3.3 or 3.4 gpa. (and this was like 8 years ago).

[Rcsligar]

Originally Posted by ComSense

Are you talking specifically about UF or the town of Gainesville? There are many areas of FL that you can find the "redneck, 4 wheelin" culture. The "lights and glamour" of parts of South FL is not the real FL. So I'm confused.

I'm talking about how UF portrays Florida, and Gainesville is pertinent to that.

[Rabflmom]

OP I am curious. Where did you graduate from college?

I really think it is funny that you added a link from the Georgia Bulldogs when you are trying to cut down UF. In your eyes UF and the area it is in may not appeal to you, but you have to wonder why students from so many other states choose to apply and come to UF every year. And once they do they remain loyal supporters of their alma mater.