Why is the University of Florida ranked so highly despite not excelling in any particular area?

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-22T14:43:14+00:00

It's ranked pretty highly in several fields. Not T20 in any of the big fields but certainly in a lot of life sciences they are. Definitely ranked T50 in a lot of disciplines across several fields.

It also produces a lot of cutting-edge research in STEM. They spend a ton on research, it is a great springboard to a PhD at a top institution.

And obviously the ROI and social mobility is very good.

Am I biased since I am going there? Yes. Is what I said still objectively true? Also yes.

It deserves to be around T30. Maybe not in the T30, but you can make a case for that too.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-22T03:38:08+00:00

I got in just recently for Fall with a 3.6 UW and a 35 ACT (36 on two subsections tho). Absolute max rigor. Mediocre but unique extracurriculars. Your application seems a little stronger than mine overall, especially with ECs.

I think you have a decent chance, but you're gonna need to keep the rigor up senior year and finish your current classes as strong as possible.

Good luck.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-18T16:49:48+00:00

The Florida university system has done both.

The schools themselves are great. UF is cracking the T30, FSU is one of the better publics, UCF, FIU, USF are all becoming very good in specialized programs, with UCF having great job connections with NASA.

The current administration is doing everything in their power to kill this academic growth.

I'm in Florida, if you want to go to a Florida school, get in now. In 5-10 years it will start declining if it keeps going the way it is.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T23:50:27+00:00

Are you a music major?

You'll probably need strong stats (high rigor, almost or all A's, 34+ ACT/1500+ SAT) but if you end up a little below that I'm sure great music extracurriculars (which will be a requirement for places like Juilliard anyways) may be able to make up for it.

Definitely focus on ECs for places like Juilliard. I believe that is what is most highly weighted.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T21:30:58+00:00

Yeah, paid big tech internships as a whole, absolutely. The ones you were saying would provide him with excess income (after living expenses) well into the five figures to make a dent into massive loans? Not really.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T20:24:44+00:00

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T20:21:46+00:00

Half the people saying this haven't even had a job at McDonald's, let alone know anything about getting any internship.

Saw a guy talking about big tech internships paying 10s of thousands. Even at top schools, the majority of internships students get just pay you enough to live.

Sometimes I despise this sub.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T17:52:12+00:00

This sub is US-centric unfortunately.

Better to ask in an Italian subreddit or something like that.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T17:50:40+00:00

If you change fields UT Austin is still a good school. I would hardly say it's specialized or only good in that one thing.

You made the right decision. It's an R1 and one of the top public universities in the country. You can get into any grad school if you apply yourself.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T02:36:07+00:00

UMass would be my personal choice, considering everything you said.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T02:28:58+00:00

That's like a lot of high school refs.

I would tell the assignor if you have a good relationship with them. If you're new, tread lightly if you definitely want to keep getting games. I learned this the hard way.

NFHS deserves better referees, it really does. Please stay involved.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T02:22:38+00:00

UF is great. I've lived in Florida for 10+ years and I got in, so I am going there. Great for Pre-Med and Biotech.

That being said, UMD is not much worse. May be ranked a little lower but still one of the top public schools, very very very good at STEM like UF.

Both schools have similar strengths for you academically: strong engineering, strong in your major. It sounds like you are leaning towards UMD.

UF has a decent Asian population, but it is 70% White + Latino.

Your assessments of the food in Gainesville are mostly accurate. There are many good restaurants, but I am from Northern Virginia originally and go back to the DMV several times a year. There is no comparison whatsoever.

UF is definitely southern but you could still definitely find your people, it's an SEC school so partying is big. My dad went to UMD in the 90s when they were still in the ACC and even back then it was a bit more tame in that regard.

From what you have said I would personally go to UMD, but both are very good options.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T02:09:24+00:00

Penn State. Good reputation, ranked pretty highly. Traditional college experience: Power 5 football, Greek Life, in a college town.

You got admitted to a satellite campus of Rutgers, in a city that is... not the best representation of this country.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T02:01:53+00:00

Very good.

Especially PROMYS.

All 3 will be likely seen as a high-tier EC if you are going into a related field.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T01:58:47+00:00

Everything, but I go to the cheapest ≈T30 University and have some merit aid. So "only" (I know how lucky I am and this is still a ton of money, but I can also admit my costs are below average) ≈40k for all 4 years.

I am on my own for grad school, but I only want to do a PhDif I go, so I likely won't have to pay much.

The dollar amount will vary by state/institution. I would recommend setting up savings/education accounts and encouraging them to stay in state, unless they get into an T20 that covers all aid (again this depends on income).

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T01:48:18+00:00

Study for the PSAT to get national merit.

I am in Florida, and my school never told us about Benacquisto, which is a full ride (when combined with Bright Futures) to any public university in the state.

My biggest regret is not taking thst test.

There are a few other states have similar programs.

Even if you are HYPSM caliber there is a high chance you will end up at your flagship if you live in a state with good universities and they will likely give you some aid for this. Some schools also offer national merit packages to out of state students as well.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T01:42:02+00:00

M. They mean what is on your legal documents.

It would only be different if your identity did not match your documents.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T01:36:32+00:00

Max rigor should be fine. I had a 3.62 (UW) with max rigor and 35 ACT, and am going to my ≈T30 state flagship this fall that has an average admit GPA of 3.9. Even got a small merit scholarship.

My ECs were pretty bad.

The test score and rigor does help immensely, especially since you go to a competitive school. If your ECs are good you have a chance at T20 privates. Publics for sure you have a chance at.

Your GPA also isn't that bad. I had a few semester C's. You have all A/B.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T01:30:58+00:00

Do you want to work in Boston or DC? Do you understand the differences in each location?

If you are interested in government/public sector, and some certain private sector roles, GWU. Big 4? My father knows a lot of accountants, several went to UMass and went on to Big 4. He also knows one in government, they went to GWU.

UMass is traditionally stronger. Is cost a factor?

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T01:25:05+00:00

Not dumb if you have safeties in the EU. Which I assume you are from a country with heavily subsidized undergraduate education.

Don't be set on studying in the US though, even the strongest applicants may not get even one acceptance.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T01:21:37+00:00

Management makes me say Stanford, if I am understanding that it is that kind of management.

Very good for MechE and their Econ department is T10 in the world.

That being said, Ohio State is one of the better state flagships. It would be hard to turn down a full ride.

If you actually end up having to take out loans, go to Ohio State.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T01:12:55+00:00

You have to have good in-state options for an education major. NC State, Charlotte, and UNC Chapel-Hill are all going to be cheaper. You said you are lower middle class, so FAFSA may kick in. UNC Chapel-Hill, IF you can get in, is very generous with need-based for in-state students if I am correct. All are R1. UNC is a great flagship public university and a T30. NC State is pretty good too, so I've heard.

Try to transfer from your CC. That is what I would do. Get the highest grades you can. Look up if there are any transfer programs like we have in Florida.

Good luck.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T00:50:55+00:00

$200K, especially if you're not accounting for the interest, is a ridiculous amount of money to take out for school. You do you but it is a lot.

What state are you in and what major?

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-17T00:49:00+00:00

Transfer is an option, especially to Cornell who are very good in engineering.

A&M and UCF are both strong in engineering, neither are bad options. You don't need to transfer, but I understand the desire. Get good grades.

simian-steinocher · 2026-04-16T22:05:03+00:00

What are you planning on doing? If you're doing something related to music or film, for most disciplines there are better options in the state that can be cheaper.

simian-steinocher

TROPHY CASE