I had the pleasure of interviewing upcoming freshman Patrick and upcoming sophomore Robert about UF. I highly recommend reading their responses for further insight on student life at UF! Thank you Patrick and Robert again!
PATRICK
What makes this school so special to you? Was it your first choice and your dream school?
"Initially, the University of Florida was not exactly my first choice, quite honestly it wasn't my second either. That being said, I was drawn to UF because of its school spirit, extracurriculars, and their incredible alumni network."
What is your major and why did you choose this major?
"History and sociology were the majors that I chose to pursue. I have always had a passion for history, and sociology would help compliment my study of history. I plan to go to law school in the future and I feel that history and sociology will give me a good leap going forward."
Were you awarded financial aid? If yes, how would you rate the financial aid package given? Was it able to remove some financial pressure?
"I was lucky to have been given a very generous financial aid package. It was honestly such a relief that I wouldn't have to pay a single cent to attend from my own pocket. I am very lucky that I will walk out of UF debt-free."
Does UF reflect on your major to your desire?
What kind of classes would you highly recommend students to take in high school before going off to college?
"UF isn't exactly known for its History Department, but as I had researched and talked to some mentors I have discovered that it is an excellent program and definitely one of the best in the country."
"Personally, I highly recommend students to take the hardest classes in every academic category. Not all at once of course, but throughout their four years, so that they could have some exposure to rigorous coursework so that they can come to college prepared for it. Not to mention, so that they can figure out what their passion and what their major will be."
Robert
What makes this school so special to you? Was it your first choice and your dream school?
"Being a predominantly white institution, UF can be a big change from living in culturally diverse cities such as Miami. But even at UF, hispanics and African Americans can find a sense of community through organizations at UF such as the Multicultural and Diversity Affairs. The sense of acceptance to different cultures and ideas that these types of organizations create is what makes UF so special to me. Being my dream school, I was very pleased to see that UF was doing its best to promote diversity and acceptance."
What is your major and why did you choose this major?
"My passion for helping others and my fascination for human anatomy lead me to choosing a major in Microbiology on the premed track. While this major does not require a capstone project and is based more on independent studies, students are always encouraged to participate in research happening around campus. At the University of Florida, some many professors are engaging in ground breaking research and the students always have the opportunity to get involved in research in one way or another."
Were you awarded financial aid? If yes, how would you rate the financial aid package given? Was it able to remove some financial pressure?
"Yes, I was awarded financial aid through programs such as brights futures and other grants that the University of Florida provided. I would say that the financial aid that the University of Florida gives is highly helpful for individuals who would otherwise not be able to afford their tuition. The Financial aid I reached took a lot of financial pressure from my family and I. For these reasons, I would rate the University of Florida's financial aid awards very highly."
How would you describe the workload?
"My workload at UF tends to always stay at a manageable level. This is, in part, due to the fact that I always plan out my days in ways that help me stay focused and organized. Because of this planning, I get to spend most of my weekends relaxing and doing fun activities with friends. That being said, when midterms and finals come along I do have to study a lot and spend most of the day studying in the library, but in the end it is all worth it. Workload, however, will vary from student to student."
What kind of classes would you highly recommend students to take in high school before going off to college?
"My recommendation for high school students is try and take at least some AP and/or AICE courses throughout their high school experience. By doing this they will become better prepared to handle the courses offered at different Universities. On top of that, I would encourage students to always try their best in classes they're taking in high school. Putting that extra effort in will show the universities admission staff that you are a dedicated student who is willing to learn new things."