UF - Plenty of Work, Plenty of Play

My college has an amazing Health Science program, and from here it is possible to move into the University of Florida Medical School without changing towns again! Gainesville is also less metropolitan than most other Florida universities do which was appealing to me.

The courses here offer a rigorous curriculum, but they strive to encourage students to be prepared for a career after college. Chemistry courses, in particular, have been grueling at the University of Florida.

ACT - cumulative 31, SAT - 1430. I have taken many core courses with passing final exam grades, but no university-level placement tests.

While I have not yet had time to hold a job in college, the Career Connection Center offers many programs to students that ensure there are plenty of job opportunities. We also have an online database of UF related positions that students can fill.

Game Day! Homecoming. When our Florida Gators are set to play, the entire university celebrates. Streets are closed several hours before the game begins. The streets become covered with our famous orange and blue. Game Day is certainly a spectacle, UF would not be the same without it. Also related to football is our Homecoming week. Throughout the week, events and parties are frequent. We have an incredible homecoming parade on Saturday before the game. UF Student Government also hosts a concert for student students called GatorGrowl. This event is a great opportunity for students to attend a concert and see well-known artists at an affordable price.

At the beginning of the semester, tuition charges appear in your account and students typically have several weeks to pay after classes have begun. The only other charges I have incurred are for laser printing from our on-campus printing labs.

I am a recipient of Florida Bright Futures after the initial application was completed I have had to maintain my college GPA. When financial aid is released, my bright futures payment posts in my account with the UF Bursar and I no longer have outstanding charges. Within a few days, any excess aid is directly deposited to the bank account I have linked.

Most science and math courses have assembly exams in the evening. Some exams run until 10 PM! This exam structure is often stressful and leaves students walking home in the dark which can be dangerous.

The majority of the faculty strives to encourage students and help them find their way throughout college. This is a time where many people are unsure of where they want to go with their future and the staff is usually there to help us figure it out.

I live off-campus in an apartment complex. I live alone in my apartment, but know many friends living off-campus with roommates. UF has over 50,000 students and nowhere near that much housing so the majority of students live off-campus within walking distance.