GerryC

My daughter is contemplating her college choices and wants to attend a very large school (eldest graduated Penn State so she doesn't want to go there). She plans on studying business (marketing) and was accepted into Ohio State honors program. She was also accepted into UF, but she did not apply for honors there. She received $16,500/yr in out of state merit scholarships at Ohio and we are waiting to see what merit awards UF will provide. Cost aside, I'm looking to hear from graduates of either place or parents of kids who are attending or graduated from these places to get some input. I've seen all the rankings, etc., but they seem pretty equal to me. We have visited both, but we visited UF before COVID so we are likely going back again.

Any input from those with experience would be appreciated.

Thanks!

lobsdiver1

I don’t see how you can go wrong with either choice.

I think you’re daughter will know after visiting both campuses while recruiting. The feeling and atmosphere will likely weigh in.

My daughter graduated UF with an engineering degree and had a great experience. My company hired engineering graduates from both schools and all were top notch.

UF definitely has that sprawling campus and great feel. I never visited OSU. Good luck.

OldPete

IMHO, UF is a better school. Family that went to UF and I'm impressed. I only know one person that went to Ohio. Not impressed.

autobaun70

Not sure about everywhere, but every osu grad in sc I have met is a giant douche bag. So not there

saltygator11

UF Alumni (C/O 2011) so very biased. Gainesville is built around the campus, education was great and so was the social aspects on and off campus. Whatever her interests are she will find a crowd with similar interest. I am not sure what COVID has done to Greek life but it does have a big presence if she wants to go that route. Saturdays in the fall are something special, hopefully the programs continues in the right direction.

Lemonbayboating

OSU has a sprawling campus and is no question a great school. Gerry I believe your in NY and would be closer but still a flight or drive to visit. I grew up in Ohio and worked just north of Columbus I had a lot of friends back in the day that went to OSU and i have been on campus many times. I can not speak for the program your talking about but in most search's UF out ranks OSU in that program.

UF of coarse is in warm Florida which is always good and i know a lady that's kid goes there now and they love it.

Tough call no doubt and your Daughter ultimately has to determine where she feels right

seascritch

^^^^^^this

Ellie's Navi Gator

UF grad myself and my daughter, senior in HS, was just accepted into UF. So, I'm biased.

I know some OSU grads. Good, smart people that like the school. I haven't looked at recent rating for the business college, but I think UF will rate higher

t84a

Stay in state. Any “big name“ college will do, particularly with what she plans to study.

slickster

Gators!

clt_capt

Not a gator fan, but Ohio gets cold in the winter...

CUTiger2011

Concur.

I will add, where does she want to live and work after graduation? That's something I never really considered much and nobody suggested that I consider, and I really should have. Not that I regret my decision at all. But had I stayed in state and went to UF instead, I highly doubt I'd be living and working where I currently am.

mikefloyd

Correction its The Ohio State University.

k9medic

<---- UF Honors grad myself so a little bias. Great curriculums at both locations and both universities have a solid reputation.

UF may not offer any out of state awards as admission is pretty stringent to begin with.

2020 admission rate for UF is 36.6%. Ohio is 82.1% and Ohio State is 53.7%

autobaun70

Those yahoos are responsible for the creation of my second child.

On the Half Shell

One is in Florida and the other is in Ohio. Unless it's an Ivy (and it's not), if I was your daughter that's all I need to know. Both are State schools so where does she want to be after college? There can be a difference in reputation regionally speaking. Neither are going to matter more than the other outside their local region.

GerryC

Well, we are in NY but eager to get the hell out. Eldest is in Atlanta and it looks as if both schools have recruiting from all areas of US, so I’m not sure it would make a huge difference to her. That may be something to ask and spend more time evaluating what companies recruit and for what locations. She has a lot of private school responses outstanding and has been accepted to a few others, but even with 25 and 30k merit awards they are still much more expensive than either of these - and she wants a giant school anyway.

WolpackVO

Ohio is a shit hole, easy decision

t84a

Just keep in mind you'll be paying top dollar for a generally worthless marketing degree.

gdicairano

the real question is....where do you want to visit your daughter?? LOL. I'm sure either choice is solid -- it'll be up to her to make the most of it no matter the choice, in the end it's just a name on a piece of paper. so, no wrong answers. I too am biased as I live in Gainesville and a graduate of UF as is my daughter -- but they key item is your daughter and her commitment to make the most of it. (..and the fishing is much better down here!)

Gary