Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The peer group one year behind DD is applying for college now. Between DD’s year and this year, there are several kids I know from moderately liberal families who are attending or are applying to SEC/Southern ACC schools for sun and fun, sports and Greek, good academics, reasonable cost. Alabama and UGA seem very popular, plus GT, NC State and Clemson engineering and CS. (UNC also, but it’s an almost impossible admit). App State in NC is fun without the sun and also popular. Red states (or purple for NC) per se aren’t scaring them away.

But, these families are steering clear of FL state colleges (and would normally have considered U of FL/ Miami a few years ago) because of concerns over what DeSantis did at New College and because he is acively directing policy, eliminating tenure, limiting what can be taught Etc. And faculty are starting to leave U of FL over DeSantis’s policies.

But, the big concern is not only what things look like in 2024, but where U if FL will be 3-5 years from now if DeSantis keeps interfering with the FL State college system or if Matt Gaetz runs for governor. And what the ROI will look like in 5-10 years if he continues to make social and academic policy at U FL and Miami.

These are parents who are pretty savvy about college admissions.

My kids looked at smaller schools. But FL state schools would concern me. My personal opinion is that governors should be more hands off with state colleges and let the Board of Governors do their jobs. State colleges should have stability and make decisions are free from politics and the culture wars as possible. It isn’t good for a college to have big policy changes every 4 years as administrations come and go. Not a Youngkin fan, but I’m very glad he hasn’t pulled a DeSantis with VA state colleges. VA has excellent state colleges and I will begrudgingly give him credit for not fixing what isn’t broken. DeSantis is actively breaking things. Maybe you like the direction he’s going. But if DeSantis can make huge changes on things like majors and classes feared and tenure, so can the next Governor.

Maybe PP and I know the same people, but this describes exactly what I'm seeing among our DMV friends. Southern schools, yes, but not in Florida.

Also hearing of reluctance by girls to apply to schools in states with draconian abortion policies.

What high school girls take abortion policy into account when they’re applying to college? If it’s that much in the fore front of their mind, teach them about birth control. Further, these out of staters would just come home if they needed an abortion. So, it’s mostly just political. People in this area look down upon Florida and these are the people who come up with these silly reasons why not to go to college in Florida - as if they were even considering it in the first place.

You know that birth control is not foolproof, right? For me, I would not want to give my money to a state that doesn't care about my DD's health.

I also look down on FL because the weather is awful, IMO. The humidity and mosquitos. Awful. And it's not just in the summer.

-dp

Anonymous wrote:And our less people applying to the Elite schools with all the backlash of anti-semitism, reverse racism and ultra-wokeness?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The peer group one year behind DD is applying for college now. Between DD’s year and this year, there are several kids I know from moderately liberal families who are attending or are applying to SEC/Southern ACC schools for sun and fun, sports and Greek, good academics, reasonable cost. Alabama and UGA seem very popular, plus GT, NC State and Clemson engineering and CS. (UNC also, but it’s an almost impossible admit). App State in NC is fun without the sun and also popular. Red states (or purple for NC) per se aren’t scaring them away.

But, these families are steering clear of FL state colleges (and would normally have considered U of FL/ Miami a few years ago) because of concerns over what DeSantis did at New College and because he is acively directing policy, eliminating tenure, limiting what can be taught Etc. And faculty are starting to leave U of FL over DeSantis’s policies.

But, the big concern is not only what things look like in 2024, but where U if FL will be 3-5 years from now if DeSantis keeps interfering with the FL State college system or if Matt Gaetz runs for governor. And what the ROI will look like in 5-10 years if he continues to make social and academic policy at U FL and Miami.

These are parents who are pretty savvy about college admissions.

My kids looked at smaller schools. But FL state schools would concern me. My personal opinion is that governors should be more hands off with state colleges and let the Board of Governors do their jobs. State colleges should have stability and make decisions are free from politics and the culture wars as possible. It isn’t good for a college to have big policy changes every 4 years as administrations come and go. Not a Youngkin fan, but I’m very glad he hasn’t pulled a DeSantis with VA state colleges. VA has excellent state colleges and I will begrudgingly give him credit for not fixing what isn’t broken. DeSantis is actively breaking things. Maybe you like the direction he’s going. But if DeSantis can make huge changes on things like majors and classes feared and tenure, so can the next Governor.

Maybe PP and I know the same people, but this describes exactly what I'm seeing among our DMV friends. Southern schools, yes, but not in Florida.

Also hearing of reluctance by girls to apply to schools in states with draconian abortion policies.

What high school girls take abortion policy into account when they’re applying to college? If it’s that much in the fore front of their mind, teach them about birth control. Further, these out of staters would just come home if they needed an abortion. So, it’s mostly just political. People in this area look down upon Florida and these are the people who come up with these silly reasons why not to go to college in Florida - as if they were even considering it in the first place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The peer group one year behind DD is applying for college now. Between DD’s year and this year, there are several kids I know from moderately liberal families who are attending or are applying to SEC/Southern ACC schools for sun and fun, sports and Greek, good academics, reasonable cost. Alabama and UGA seem very popular, plus GT, NC State and Clemson engineering and CS. (UNC also, but it’s an almost impossible admit). App State in NC is fun without the sun and also popular. Red states (or purple for NC) per se aren’t scaring them away.

But, these families are steering clear of FL state colleges (and would normally have considered U of FL/ Miami a few years ago) because of concerns over what DeSantis did at New College and because he is acively directing policy, eliminating tenure, limiting what can be taught Etc. And faculty are starting to leave U of FL over DeSantis’s policies.

But, the big concern is not only what things look like in 2024, but where U if FL will be 3-5 years from now if DeSantis keeps interfering with the FL State college system or if Matt Gaetz runs for governor. And what the ROI will look like in 5-10 years if he continues to make social and academic policy at U FL and Miami.

These are parents who are pretty savvy about college admissions.

My kids looked at smaller schools. But FL state schools would concern me. My personal opinion is that governors should be more hands off with state colleges and let the Board of Governors do their jobs. State colleges should have stability and make decisions are free from politics and the culture wars as possible. It isn’t good for a college to have big policy changes every 4 years as administrations come and go. Not a Youngkin fan, but I’m very glad he hasn’t pulled a DeSantis with VA state colleges. VA has excellent state colleges and I will begrudgingly give him credit for not fixing what isn’t broken. DeSantis is actively breaking things. Maybe you like the direction he’s going. But if DeSantis can make huge changes on things like majors and classes feared and tenure, so can the next Governor.

Maybe PP and I know the same people, but this describes exactly what I'm seeing among our DMV friends. Southern schools, yes, but not in Florida.

Also hearing of reluctance by girls to apply to schools in states with draconian abortion policies.

Anonymous wrote:The peer group one year behind DD is applying for college now. Between DD’s year and this year, there are several kids I know from moderately liberal families who are attending or are applying to SEC/Southern ACC schools for sun and fun, sports and Greek, good academics, reasonable cost. Alabama and UGA seem very popular, plus GT, NC State and Clemson engineering and CS. (UNC also, but it’s an almost impossible admit). App State in NC is fun without the sun and also popular. Red states (or purple for NC) per se aren’t scaring them away.

But, these families are steering clear of FL state colleges (and would normally have considered U of FL/ Miami a few years ago) because of concerns over what DeSantis did at New College and because he is acively directing policy, eliminating tenure, limiting what can be taught Etc. And faculty are starting to leave U of FL over DeSantis’s policies.

But, the big concern is not only what things look like in 2024, but where U if FL will be 3-5 years from now if DeSantis keeps interfering with the FL State college system or if Matt Gaetz runs for governor. And what the ROI will look like in 5-10 years if he continues to make social and academic policy at U FL and Miami.

These are parents who are pretty savvy about college admissions.

My kids looked at smaller schools. But FL state schools would concern me. My personal opinion is that governors should be more hands off with state colleges and let the Board of Governors do their jobs. State colleges should have stability and make decisions are free from politics and the culture wars as possible. It isn’t good for a college to have big policy changes every 4 years as administrations come and go. Not a Youngkin fan, but I’m very glad he hasn’t pulled a DeSantis with VA state colleges. VA has excellent state colleges and I will begrudgingly give him credit for not fixing what isn’t broken. DeSantis is actively breaking things. Maybe you like the direction he’s going. But if DeSantis can make huge changes on things like majors and classes feared and tenure, so can the next Governor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The people who say they will boycott colleges in Florida, Texas, NC, whatever,
are the same who threatened to leave the country if Trump (or fill in the name of whichever Republican was running in various years) won the election. Well, surprise, surprise, surprise—they are all still here.

Not so. Our child was very excited Florida state schools! DeSantis changed this in a span of a year. A shame because it tarnished some great options. Professors and professionals leaving is a marker for long term devaluing of the area and its institutions. Unlike private schools, state schools are bound by these mandates and they do require curriculum overhauls to adhere to conservative agenda. Scary times.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you realize that half the country is not liberal? Trump might even be re-elected and is ahead of Biden in the polls. Far from everyone is obsessed with the liberal cause du jour when it comes to college choices. Some of you people live in such a bubble.

Exactly!

And you two geniuses realize this is DCUM, where if it follows the voting patterns of the immediate environs means two-thirds or so vote Democratic. So don’t be surprised that you are in the minority here, just like I would be if I lived in Kentucky, which thank goodness I don’t.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never a hard admit. Now easier. Most intelligent kids prefer to go to schools in states where alternative facts are shunned and true science and reason reign.

I know someone who is very impressed with herself. Too bad nobody else is impressed.

I’m not impressed. But, compared to top VA Colleges and UMD College Park, FL is, in fact, not a hard admit.

You do realize that Florida is a top 10 school unlike UMD. Florida is running in the ranks of Michigan and UNC. UMD could never. Florida is also higher ranked than any other college in Virginia other than UVA. Where do you people get this stuff? You just spew lies and try to get everyone to believe it when the facts are very clear to anyone who does any research. Wishful babbling, I guess.

No. I have never seen Florida listed as T10.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public

It was discussed in this board ad nauseam.

NP. That's not T10. When you just throw out "T10," the indication is overall. I see what you did there. Pretty sneaky, Sis.

If you follow the discussion, the pp is “not impressed” and then gives out UMD and Virginia schools that are better. This is insane!

Anonymous wrote:The people who say they will boycott colleges in Florida, Texas, NC, whatever,
are the same who threatened to leave the country if Trump (or fill in the name of whichever Republican was running in various years) won the election. Well, surprise, surprise, surprise—they are all still here.

Anonymous wrote:People here VASTLY overestimate the effect local politics has on a college’s applicants. Have Texas and Rice suffered? Most DCUMers would donate a kidney to get into Rice. They’ve been conservative forever. When Michigan and Pennsylvania went for Trump, did that negatively impact apps to UMichigan or Penn or CMU or Swarthmore? People flood Duke and UNCCH and Davidson. Why do you think Florida is somehow the one place people would avoid going because of its politic?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure there are some students that won't go south of the Mason Dixon line.

But is that really affecting anything at Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice, UNC, Texas, UVA, Georgia Tech, and Florida?

Don't think so.

Harvard apps were down 19 percent this year. Pretty sure Florida is not having the same issue.

Wrong

We are no longer hiring from
Florida schools. Good luck with your kid getting a job.

What loving parent sends their kid to a school that stopped science in academics

Don’t apply to med school or grad school for engineering anywhere else your degree is now worthless

You founded the biggest gift-giving family to UF and also don’t hire from Florida schools in your apparently multiple companies? Quite an eminence we have here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never a hard admit. Now easier. Most intelligent kids prefer to go to schools in states where alternative facts are shunned and true science and reason reign.

I know someone who is very impressed with herself. Too bad nobody else is impressed.

I’m not impressed. But, compared to top VA Colleges and UMD College Park, FL is, in fact, not a hard admit.

You do realize that Florida is a top 10 school unlike UMD. Florida is running in the ranks of Michigan and UNC. UMD could never. Florida is also higher ranked than any other college in Virginia other than UVA. Where do you people get this stuff? You just spew lies and try to get everyone to believe it when the facts are very clear to anyone who does any research. Wishful babbling, I guess.

No. I have never seen Florida listed as T10.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public

It was discussed in this board ad nauseam.

NP. That's not T10. When you just throw out "T10," the indication is overall. I see what you did there. Pretty sneaky, Sis.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Florida college admissions are less competitive as no out-of-state, high stats kids are interested. Why pay for a lackluster, third tier education? Should make it somewhat easier for in-state applicants.

'

While I don't have data for the last two years, in 2021, the University of Florida was the #1 destination in the country for National Merit Scholars, with 382, a hundred more than second place University of Alabama, and the number of NMS had been increasing for years. (Note that NMS is not the same as NMF. NMF is a more reliable guide to smart students, but NMS is a good enough proxy when comparing against institutions similar to U of F that turn all their NMF applications into NMS). NMS applicants were trending up at every other major Florida college besides New College Florida, which has faced declining numbers since 2010.

Institution,2021,2020,2019,2018,2017
University of Florida,382,342,270,231,202
University of Central Florida,107,83,91,83,89
Florida State University,60,42,20,21,25
University of South Florida,57,34,35,23,15
Florida Atlantic University,25,19,24,9,0
Florida International University,5,5,0,0,1
New College of Florida,1,2,2,5,3
Florida Institute of Technology,0,1,0,0,0
University of North Florida,0,1,0,0,0
Florida A&M University,0,0,0,0,0
Florida SouthWestern State College,0,0,0,0,0
University of West Florida,0,0,1,0,0
Florida Gulf Coast University,0,1,,

Anyway, sometimes it's good to check how you feel things ought to be against how things are.

A LOT has changed for Florida State colleges in the last two years.

Like what specifically?
I’ve had kids at two different Florida campuses for the last three years. Very little has changed IMO but I’m open to hearing about it. From people who actually know and not from what they “hear”.
I honestly can’t think of one thing with regards to their day to day living that has changed, or the requirements for their majors or university policies.
I’m no fan of Florida politics but there are a lot of posters who are unreasonably dramatic (including the OP with this post).

Like this:

https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/05/15/desantis-new-college-higher-education-sb266-christopher-rufo-critical-race-theory-gender-major-changes-legislation-indoctrination/

If your kid really is in a FL State college, you should pay more attention to the fact that grown ass adults are not allowed to discuss certain topics in a college classroom. Elimination of tenure and firing of professors who allow said discussions. The STOP WOKE Act, etc. agree or disagree, this is a huge scaling back of traditional academic freedom at the college level. How can you send a kid to a school and not be aware of such massive policy shifts being enacted into law?