Watch out for alligators. Seriously. Gainesville airport is small. Campus is sporty and lots of partying. Some strong professors. I’d say if the cost is about the same, other than travel expenses, and your kid is excited, let him go there. What’s his major?

I attended and usually drove back and forth. It wasn't bad. Some of the roads to reach I-95 love to ticket drivers, especially Stark, Florida. The tickets form a big part of their revenue so don't speed.

Gainesville has a small airport with two gates or one can drive to Orlando.

I suggest eating at El Indio. You walk up to a window and order and eat outside at a picnic table. The food has been good for more than twenty years.

For more places to eat, I suggest visiting Yelp to get the latest.

Other places to see:
Devil's Millhopper
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/devils-millhopper-geological-state-park

Payne's Prairie to walk amongst the alligators
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/paynes-prairie-preserve-state-park

Anonymous wrote:Gainesville is kind of small. You’ll need to fly through Atlanta or Charlotte to get anywhere. Safe enough and good weather. UF is kind of a cult. Big on Greek Life and sports, but you can find your niche at the honors college if you’re nerdy.

Fly to Orlando and just drive 1.5 hrs. There is no traffic at all

Anonymous wrote:OP here, this is a legit thread. Also, how competitive are the students with each other? I've heard mixed things.

Yeah sorry, just seems like there are a few posters here that have agendas with Florida. I’ve heard it is very competitive but in a very supportive environment.

Definitely a lot of threads on UF. I know some people fly in and out of Jacksonville or Orlando. Gainesville has an airport as well but more expensive and requires advanced planning. Either way it’s a plane ride and about an hour and half drive. If visiting, finding parking can be an issue during the academic year.

Anonymous wrote:Gainesville is kind of small. You’ll need to fly through Atlanta or Charlotte to get anywhere. Safe enough and good weather. UF is kind of a cult. Big on Greek Life and sports, but you can find your niche at the honors college if you’re nerdy.

Unfortunately, my kid did not apply for Honors. But he doesn't seem to care too much about it. As a parent, I'm trying to figure out the logistics of travel.

Gainesville is kind of small. You’ll need to fly through Atlanta or Charlotte to get anywhere. Safe enough and good weather. UF is kind of a cult. Big on Greek Life and sports, but you can find your niche at the honors college if you’re nerdy.

Florida man is what I think. Sorry.

OP here, this is a legit thread. Also, how competitive are the students with each other? I've heard mixed things.

Anonymous wrote:NP - we are visiting over spring break. Any tips as to where to stay or good places to eat?

There is no shortage of food or shelter in Florida. That is the last thing you have to worry. Just look for a hotel in Gainesville....it is a small university town. Just get temp parking permit from school

NP - we are visiting over spring break. Any tips as to where to stay or good places to eat?

Anonymous wrote:My kid got in and really wants to attend, but I'm trying to push him to attend in-state (so surprisingly the OOS cost isn't too much higher than going in-state). Anyone with personal experience? What are the pros and cons? Is it easy to get back and forth for breaks? I've heard that the dorms kind of suck (i.e. communal showers) - but that its sort of like a "right of passage."

Univ of Florida - Gators is a great school to attend. I did my Masters few years ago. Great campus, quality education, lot of companies coming for campus interviews, was and will be a great football team again (Go Gators), very reasonable OOS tuition, great weather. If you want to work in Florida there may not be that many jobs other than Miami / Ft Lauderdale area but Florida is always great. Also you are not too far from the Trumps

There are like multiple threads on UF. Just search. The out of state tuition is phenomenal for a public ivie. If OP is real, congrats on acceptance!

lol who is starting these threads. Why UF so personal to you? Sorry if you experienced a rejection but stop gaslighting please

My kid got in and really wants to attend, but I'm trying to push him to attend in-state (so surprisingly the OOS cost isn't too much higher than going in-state). Anyone with personal experience? What are the pros and cons? Is it easy to get back and forth for breaks? I've heard that the dorms kind of suck (i.e. communal showers) - but that its sort of like a "right of passage."