Urgent: UF or FSU for Master's?

[GradDreamz87]

UF= Master of Science in Management

FSU= Integrated Marketing Communications, Mater’s.

Hey guys,

I got into the University of Florida and Florida State University. UF’s program is a one year program awhile FSU’s is a 2 year program. FSU will pay for half of the program costs but it seems that I would be paying the same since I would graduate a year earlier from UF and make a year’s income while also saving on 1 years’ worth of student living expenses. I have never been given so much funding as FSU have given me from a school. That is why I am so flattered and would feel almost foolish for passing it up.

However, UF will most likely not give me the small scholarships they have available from the program, that of course is what I like least about attending UF. Yet, UF’s program is very well ranked and so is the school overall. I feel like graduating from UF would help me more career wise because of higher name recognition and the ranking of the program. Plus, the program is only a year long as I mentioned before. It’s a difficult choice for me to make. Can someone who has been in a similar situation tell me what they did? What would you do in my case?

Note: I like both of these programs a lot and I feel that both would help me start a marketing related career. I have until May 10th to decide.

[rose1]

UF is a better school and you could do in one year what it would take 2 to do at FSU for the same price. Go to UF!

[aberrant]

"UF is a better school" is a subjective statement. Because the quality of the education you will receive in the U.S. is about the same, and therefore your so-called "recognition" may not reflect what the employers are truly looking for within a pool of job applicants. (I'd like to think an employer evaluates applicants based on their ability, not where they got their degrees from.)

You're logic on "UF’s program is a one year program... I would graduate a year earlier from UF and make a year’s income while also saving on 1 years’ worth of student living expenses" is only valid under the following assumptions:

1. you must complete your program at UF in a year. you cannot postpone / retake courses for whatever reasons while you are fulfilling the requirement for your degree and program.

2. you will get a job and hired immediately after the completion of your program at UF.

3. the annual, starting wage of the job is more than what you'll be paying for a year at FSU (including both tuition and living expenditure)

What I would say is forget about the ranking and reputation that your perceived about any of these two programs, and evaluate them based on the curriculum/structure of the program, the quality of the faculty members, the quality of live (both in the school and the city), and how will you benefit from one of these programs, which may (positively/have a little/significantly/greatly) impact your future "marketing related career".

Edited May 3, 2012 by aberrant

[busybee3]

I agree with the sentiment that UF has a stronger reputation. However, the beauty of a 2-year program is that you have the summer to obtain internships, exhibit the skills you've learned in your program, and set yourself up for future full-time employment. Assess the placement record from both and let that determine which is the better launching pad for your intended career. Good luck!

[ranjan82]

University of Florida probably has a little higher acceptance standards. It has a prestigious architect school, law school, and medical school, among some other highly prized colleges. UofF is more "big city" than FSU - which tends to be a little more southern. 

 

However, I'd agree with what the others have said. What do you think you want to major in? Once you answer that question, if you are choosing strictly based on your education then you will have answered your own question.

[manduke]

I went to fsu (different program) and had a good experience.

[MJA87]

 

University of Florida probably has a little higher acceptance standards. It has a prestigious architect school, law school, and medical school, among some other highly prized colleges. UofF is more "big city" than FSU - which tends to be a little more southern. 

 

However, I'd agree with what the others have said. What do you think you want to major in? Once you answer that question, if you are choosing strictly based on your education then you will have answered your own question.

 

 

As someone who has spent a lot of time in both Tallahassee and Gainesville (and who currently lives in Tallahassee), I've got to disagree with the bolded part of your statement.

 

Tallahassee is the state capital and has a population which is roughly 1/3 more than Gainesville, why would you consider UF more "big city" than FSU? Neither are in anything close to what might be considered a big city, but I would argue that Tallahassee comes closer. UF is in the smaller town (population wise) and has a ton of open land used for agricultural and veterinary research, FSU is ~1 mile from the state capitol building, supreme court, state history museum, ect...

Edited January 21, 2014 by MJA87