[rarunge]

Me and my friend are looking around for somewhere to go to college down in Florida. I know of the major universitys down there but we are looking for somewhere nice to go, as in great school, great location (near a beach) Anyone have and suggestions of schools and what towns they are located in?

[grapico]

UM... it is private... not much else though near the beach unless by near u mean over an hour.

FSU and UF are the 2 best public schools, they differ on what is better depending on what program.
UF is probably better for undergrad, FSU is better in a lot of things for Graduate Level. They are getting more even though with new policies, mostly this was FSU catching up in undergrad.

They are both in similar size college towns and a little over an hour to a good beach for both.

Those are the only 3 tier 1 schools in the state though.

FIU (Miami) is good for international business/affairs/mba/law ...

UCF (Orlando) is good for computer science and a few other things...

USF (Tampa)... not really sure if they are good for anything.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by grapico

UM... it is private... not much else though near the beach unless by near u mean over an hour.

FSU and UF are the 2 best public schools, they differ on what is better depending on what program.
UF is probably better for undergrad, FSU is better in a lot of things for Graduate Level. They are getting more even though with new policies, mostly this was FSU catching up in undergrad.

They are both in similar size college towns and a little over an hour to a good beach for both.

Those are the only 3 tier 1 schools in the state though.

FIU (Miami) is good for international business/affairs/mba/law ...

UCF (Orlando) is good for computer science and a few other things...

USF (Tampa)... not really sure if they are good for anything.

From Education Portal article:

University of South Florida in Tampa, FL -- Education-Portal.com (http://education-portal.com/articles/University_of_South_Florida_in_Tampa,_FL.html - broken link)

University of South Florida in Tampa, FL

The University of South Florida (USF) is situated along the Gulf of Mexico in Tampa, Florida, an area famous for its beautiful beaches, theme parks, and other cultural attractions. USF is considered one of the nation's top research facilities and offers 217 degree programs at undergraduate, graduate, specialty and doctoral levels.

The University of South Florida (USF), founded in 1956, consists of four regional campuses which grant both undergraduate and graduate degrees. USF, which had a 2004/05 enrollment of 44,038 students, prides itself on its dual commitment to expanding its medical, scientific, and engineering research activities and also to excelling in community outreach programs. It is one of only ten universities that were designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching) as both 'very high research' and 'community engaged.' USF is also a member of the Big East Conference and maintains a full roster of sports teams.

[spanko75]

That depends all in what you're looking to get out of your education. If you're looking for Engineering or Aviation, Embry-Riddle or Florida Tech. The most important thing is finding a school that suits your needs for what you are wanting to do. Sounds as if you're looking for a party and if thats the case, any major city has a school of some sort.

[annerk]

Um, do you want an education or a party?

Choosing a college due to it being near a beach seems absurd. When the German's invaded Pearl Harbor and all that.

What about looking for the best school that has the major you want that you can get into and afford? Seems like that should be your priority, not "headed to the beach, dude!"

[EscAlaMike]

Why don't you save money and go to the big state school in your state?

P.S. - are you implying that the major universities in Florida aren't nice?

[yamahastar]

Embry Riddle in Daytona is an option. Flagler College in St. Augustine is very unique. The town is quaint, safe, but has great places to eat and party and wonderful beaches. Its close enough to Jacksonville that you can fly out easily. Look up the college on the internet and you may just fall in love with the wonderful old buildings. Stetson University is in Deland. Deland is beautiful, small and very safe and close enough to Daytona. Florida School of the Arts is in Palatka. Palatka is not real great, but close to St. Augustine and may be good if you are interested in the Arts. FSU has a clown college! They actually perform in the circus.
Santa Fe community college in Gainesville has its own zoo and a zoological program, very unusual for a community college. They are larger than most schools of their kind. Gainesville is an hour or two from the beach.
Have fun!

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by grapico

UM... it is private... not much else though near the beach unless by near u mean over an hour.

FSU and UF are the 2 best public schools, they differ on what is better depending on what program.
UF is probably better for undergrad, FSU is better in a lot of things for Graduate Level. They are getting more even though with new policies, mostly this was FSU catching up in undergrad.

They are both in similar size college towns and a little over an hour to a good beach for both.

Those are the only 3 tier 1 schools in the state though.

FIU (Miami) is good for international business/affairs/mba/law ...

UCF (Orlando) is good for computer science and a few other things...

USF (Tampa)... not really sure if they are good for anything.

FSU is better in graduate programs? FSU isn't close to UF overall in Undergrad or Graduate programs. You can find a handful of FSU programs that are better. Like the circus.

Fsu is ranked 100 something while UF is 50, it's not really close.

[EscAlaMike]

Our so-called "clown college" is not what you think. The students involved in the circus do it as an extra-curricular activity. They don't receive any credit towards a degree.

Don't listen to the jorters, I mean Gators. To say that FSU and UF are vastly different in terms of quality is ridiculous. They are both just flagship state universities, and for some reason, UFers think that they are the Harvard of the South. A degree from FSU will get you anywhere you want to go. Same goes for a degree from UF.

UF is superior to FSU in one thing though, and that is self-promotion and a condescending attitude.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by FSUMike

Our so-called "clown college" is not what you think. The students involved in the circus do it as an extra-curricular activity. They don't receive any credit towards a degree.

Don't listen to the jorters, I mean Gators. To say that FSU and UF are vastly different in terms of quality is ridiculous. They are both just flagship state universities, and for some reason, UFers think that they are the Harvard of the South. A degree from FSU will get you anywhere you want to go. Same goes for a degree from UF.

UF is superior to FSU in one thing though, and that is self-promotion and a condescending attitude.

haha, of course. I got into both and then went to FSU after visiting the campuses. They are both just "another big state school" nothing special either one. Not like UC Berkeley and UCLA... both actual GREAT state schools. Neither are in the top 40 in the country. And you are gonna pay 40% more for both.