[DeathsMercy]

The University of Florida is an incredible school that offers both an all around university experience and great academic programs. It is simply the best in the state of Florida, and worthy of the name "Public Ivy". UF has a holistic approach to accepting students, which should be obvious with the recent trend of capable applicants that are being denied. UF does not only consider grades, test scores, and other factors such as Honors, AP, and dual-enrollment, it also looks for school involvement, community service, and extracurricular activities. In other words, they are searching for a well-rounded individual.
A friend of mine applied for UF and had a powerful application. He was 11th in his class and had an ACT score of 28; however, UF didn't accept him. Schools are searching for a well-rounded individual to bring in a crop of diverse students that are versatile in what they do and how they learn.

Also, I don't believe that the university system in Florida should be judged by the high schools in Florida. The university system is rather different from the high school system, for it has professors and teachers of credit that come around the globe to come teach at the institution. It isn't like high school, where they accept anyone with a Bachelor's degree. Remember, Florida has a shortage of teachers and with no supply to meet the demand, they have to take whomever is willing. Also, although there are some schools with low grades, it does not make all of it's students "stupid" or "under par". I come from Glades County, one of the poorest counties in Florida, and I am attending Moore Haven Jr.--Sr. High School, a D school. Although our school is both poor and academically impaired, I have found ways to meet the university standards and prepare myself for the university level.

The state of Florida offers an amazing service known as Florida Virtual School. This Virtual School has a planned curriculum from some of the most skilled teachers and meet the all state standards, something that I know all high schools don't always meet. Along with Florida Virtual School, dual-enrollment is a power asset that is offered to all kids with a 3.5 GPA Junior Year, or 3.0 GPA Senior year. Through this program, kids can prepare themselves for high level classes and high level thinking, a level which public high schools don't provide. Thus, this brings the point that it's not the students, it's not the system, it's the teachers and the low supply that the state has that is not preparing these children for the university level.Students come in all shapes and sizes, all are capable, all can learn, it's up to the professors to do their jobs well help them progress.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

Who ever said Florida universities were any good???? University of Florida in Gainesville spends a fortune on football ( one of the top 3 spenders each year along with the University of Texas - Ohio State ) so their football team is usually good, but there is nothing special about their academics. FSU is good in criminal justice but nothing special in anything else. U of Miami average at best.

People hear the name because of sports teams and think "well I've heard of them -they must be good"

I remember an article in the LA Times with a quote by the U of Oregon coach saying that Cal-Berkeley had the best blend of academics and athletics in the US. I found that odd because Oregon is a rival and the LA area home of UCLA and USC are also rivals.

I sort of like Indiana's bball team this year. They had a great tradition of good kids -high graduation rates and no probation till the Sampson garbage and now they are playing the way college bball ought to be played. Walkons - kids who give their all but are 5 inches shorter man to man then their opponents etc etc - Of course they aren't too good but next year ...

Anyway Florida is a nice place for Orange Juice and a good place to party but not where you go for academics.

UF and Miami are top 50 schools. UF is top 20 for public. You should do some research.

[ocean2026]

According to who ? some anonymous poster who is so totally unbiased that his entire identity is "GATORNATION" ? GIVE ME A BREAK!

[Doctor Octagon]

UF's Accounting program was ranked (a few yrs ago) #7 I believe and Finance program was ranked #11 in the nation among public schools.

[verobeach]

My son who graduated from a Massachusetts private H.S. in 1993 was heavily courted by a number of Florida colleges. Now my 16 y/o niece, a Jr. in a NH private H.S. is also being wooed.

[TANaples]

Totally different when you kid plays sports. My daughter played ice hockey. She got calls from a lot of recruits all over, but not one single one was in Florida.

When I graduated from a NY CC college in 1996 with a 3.9% GPA and Phil Theta Kappa (among others), I got offers from around the country. Everywhere from American University (eligibility for White House Internship they said), Penn State, University of Texas at Austin (full scholarship/room and board), Colorado, California, etc., etc. I don't even remember most of them, public or private. I could have wallpapered my entire house (was 56 years old) with all these college recruitment letters, but not a SINGLE ONE from any school in Florida. I played no sports and was a SENIOR CITIZEN to top it all off. Apparently, they didn't care.

[On-da-Beach]

This is how hockey should be played!



Roughing and instigating penalties take on a whole new meaning!

[ocean2026]

Florida's priority is football and they are the top spender. Let's not link this to education. By the way, it is relevant if Florida high schools are poor- that's where the majority of U of F's students come from.

[Doctor Octagon]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

Florida's priority is football and they are the top spender. Let's not link this to education. By the way, it is relevant if Florida high schools are poor- that's where the majority of U of F's students come from.

Yes, but only the top students get in.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

According to who ? some anonymous poster who is so totally unbiased that his entire identity is "GATORNATION" ? GIVE ME A BREAK!

By every ranking you'll find. You really should do research before speaking on topics you have no idea about.

Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report

You mention three schools about football and they are all in the top 20 for academics. Man you really know your stuff!