Should I transfer from Univ of Miami to the Univ of Florida?

[Trevelyan]

Hi guys, I'm really struggling with this issue so I would appreciate some serious replies...

I'm a freshman at the university of miami (miami.edu) and basically here are my thoughts on it:

1) I got a good scholarship, but I still fork over around $8000/year for room, board, and fees.
2) The housing is pretty crappy. Bad elevators, crappy rooms... just ugly in general.
3) Food is terrible, and is REQUIRED if you live on campus... its around $8/meal.
4) The buildings seem run down and shoddy (mainly engineering ones)


I really came here because I heard they have a good program for Biomedical Engineering, which seems to be true, but my main feeling is that I'm paying a lot more than if I went to UF, and I don't feel like its worth it.

UF would cost me about $5000/year for room, board, and fees... plus I would probably have better housing, and the crappy meal plan wouldn't be required.

So, I'm considering transferring there after my freshman year... anyone have any advice for me? Any thoughts on either school?

I'm really struggling, so I would REALLY appreciate any advice you could offer.

 

[Chaotic42]

I don't know much about either school, but given what you've posted, I would transfer. You've got to be happy or your education will suffer.

 

[fs5]

transfer to FU! that way when someone asks you where do you go you can say "F U!"

 

[Trevelyan]

lol thanks for the advice fivespeed5...

And chaotic42, I just don't know... I was really happy earlier this year, but when I went to FSU and visited their campus, I saw how nice it was, and how much better their housing was in comparison...

just like natalie imbruglia, nothing is fine, and I am torn...

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I don't know much about either school, but given what you've posted, I would transfer. You've got to be happy or your education will suffer.

Exactly.

 

[Trevelyan]

anyone else have some input?

What about getting a job? I can't help but think that with UF I'd be competing with a lot more people when it came time to graduate and get a job...

 

[conjur]

At least go to Fla. St. (a LOT closer to the beach and Tallahassee is at least a city compared to Gainesville )

 

[woodie1]

yes

 

[Stealth1024]

If you transferred would you know anyone or be able to make friends quickly at your new school? If its like my school everyone makes friends easily the first year and then goes their own way.

 

[theNEOone]

well i think i might be the one to answer your question. i grew up in high school and half my friends went to UM and the other half went to UF. i can ask them for you if you want. so, to get this straight your main concerns are:

1) quality of the biomedical engineering program at UF vs. UM
2) quality of housing and food
3) cost of attendance

??

well right off the bat i can tell you that the food is terrible at UF. i went to visit my g/f one summer when she was enrolled there, and it sucked. but i only tried two dining halls, so my opinion might be limited. housing was fairly decent though, but depends on where you live. during the summer she had a huge spacious room with air conditioning. the hall was a co-op though, so she was required to do some "house cleaning." another semester she was staying in a tiny room w/ no AC. the AC problem isn't a issue most of the year, but for about 3 months you're going to be sweating your ass off. have you considered living off campus?


=|

 

[snooker]

go 'canes!!

I would do whatever I felt was in my best interest. With that said, you should stay put if you can afford the extra cash needed, if the cash is the main issue here, then transfer. You say you are on a good scholarship, will it allow you to transfer?



edit for typo

 

[yellowperil]

The housing and food at UF ain't so great either. But most people move off-campus after their first or second year. I'd say UF has better facilities overall (although I've only been to UM once and didn't see their biology area), and probably a better value (academics/research is on par or better than UM).

Not much to do in Gainesville though compared to Miami.

 

[Trevelyan]

IN RESPONSE:

I do know a decent amount of people at UF, so I think I would be able to make friends quickly... a lot of my friends from high school who I am still in contact with go there.

I have the bright futures scholarship, which will transfer and take care of full tuition at UF... so all I will be paying for is room and board and other misc fees.

And yellowperil, in reponse to what you said, I can't help but feel that I'm paying more just to have "miami" in my school's name... I do like the beaches and the weather here, but I do think that the facilities available to me would be better at UF.. I just hope it isn't overwhelming to the point that my education suffers.


And theNEOone, I really appreciate your response... and YES, DEFINATELY if you could ask your friends those questions that would really be fantastic... I would be in your debt. you can PM me if you want... just whenever you get the chance that would be great.

 

[aphex]

Well if this is any help, i recently graduated from UF and i had an awesome time in Gainesville... I really do miss being there...

Ironically enough, i might be down at UM next fall for law school

BTW, i lived off campus all 4 years...

 

[Trevelyan]

Originally posted by: aphex
Well if this is any help, i recently graduated from UF and i had an awesome time in Gainesville... I really do miss being there...

Ironically enough, i might be down at UM next fall for law school

BTW, i lived off campus all 4 years...

What did you major in? Did you get enough personal attention from your profs and faculty?

 

[Gibson486]

I dont know if it is Florida University or University of Florida (they might even be the same school??), but I have seen that they are ranked pretty high in engineering. I am talking in top 15 or even 10 in nation. Pretty surprising for a badly reputated state when it comes to schooling.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Trevelyan

Originally posted by: aphex
Well if this is any help, i recently graduated from UF and i had an awesome time in Gainesville... I really do miss being there...

Ironically enough, i might be down at UM next fall for law school

BTW, i lived off campus all 4 years...

What did you major in? Did you get enough personal attention from your profs and faculty?

Business Administration / Global Business with a minor in Economics.

As for attention, most of the time no. Nearly all my classes were either taught on tv, or in a classroom of 300-400 people. However, as i reached my upper division work i finally got down to the smaller class sizes (30-50).

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
I dont know if it is Florida University or University of Florida (they might even be the same school??), but I have seen that they are ranked pretty high in engineering. I am talking in top 15 or even 10 in nation. Pretty surprising for a badly reputated state when it comes to schooling.

Yea, thats the University of Florida (there is no Florida University).

Not only is our engineering program ranked very high but our Business School, Law School and Medical School are among the top in the nation as well.

 

[Justin218]

I'm going to FIU right now if you want to stay in the area. I haven't taken classes at the main campus yet so I can't really offer you much info about living and food though. They might be willing to give you a nice scholarship themselves... you wouldn't have to pay for much at all.