CO2016YEAH wrote:EG12 wrote:pgiboney wrote:Accepted. FSU or UF. This is going to be tough.
Have you visited the schools? I visited both and spoke with 30+ students at each, on my own. The choice was very easy after that. I would say UF hands down, but it's all in what fits you best.
Of your conversations and visits, what stood out as the deciding factors?
I can walk you through my decision making process if it will help. I went to a completely neutral undergraduate university so I had no real bias about either school before I came to visit.
First are foremost, UF was a cheaper option. The tuition is very similar but I was able to get a two bedroom apartment for LESS than a one bedroom in Tallahassee. I only looked at the row of apartments right next to the school at FSU, and they were all more expensive and smaller. I believe that some of them didn't even have central air. Those places were closer to the school than where I live, but the amount I have saved, coupled with having my own office (no roommate), has been pretty awesome. I also prefer Gainesville in general much more than Tallahassee.
Like EG12 said, the fact that UF has more students doesn't make the school feel crowded. The administration places all of the sections on completely different schedules for the most part. It sort of gives the illusion that I know everyone because when I'm walking around in between classes, it's mostly people from my section hanging out around the facilities, along with 2Ls and 3Ls.
While most would say the facilities at FSU are better, I tend to disagree in a few respects. The student lounge/cafeteria at FSU is indisputably nicer and was probably the coolest part of the FSU law school. However, the facilities in general seem much older. The plantation style building at FSU just looks worn down, especially on the outside. Even though UF has been around longer, it seems to be more updated and modern but FSU sort of has a "southern charm" feel to it. The library hours at FSU were better but I don't think the library closing at 11:30pm is really going to have any demonstrable effect on your studies.
As far as the faculty goes, I can't really compare to FSU because I visited on my own time, not at admitted students week. However, I would say that every teacher I've had has been easily accessible after class. I'm not an office-hour rat or anything but every time I have reached out for help, the professor has been happy to offer assistance. I've had a wide variety of teachers in my first year but they all seemed generally concerned as to whether we were understanding the material.
There were some other personal factors to my decision like being closer to home, being at an SEC school, friends in Gainesville, that will be different for everyone.
I can answer any specific questions via PM if you would like.
I'll probably be visiting in early April (provided my letter on the way is an admit, of course).
