The University of Florida

Imagine being plunked down in a giant back water city of 50,000 people with little cultural appeal, a never ending twilight zone of pure agony and anonymity. No longer standing out as an individual, you are forced to blend in as a miniscule pixel of the greater Gator Nation picture. Many days are spent here hoping to merely eke out an existence. Blissful moments here are far and in between, so be prepared to cherish them when they occur. If you enjoy reliving the high school days, a shallow Greek system filled with seedy and immature people, attending a school that stems from its mediocre football team, and referring to yourself as an ID number at the top of your scantron, then you will fit in perfectly here. If you are hoping to be recognized as a human being, to have a name put to your face, and to grow intellectually and emotionally and look back fondly upon your college experience, then I advise you look elsewhere. This place has not been, and will never be a home away from home for me, and I mark the red X's on my calendar until I can be released into the real world outside of central Florida where vibrant culture and new intellectual perspectives exist. The suburbs of Gainesville are bleak and there is little future here unless you plan on returning to your home town to become another part of the gator legacy, which I do not plan on doing. If there is one piece of useful advice I could give anyone considering here, it is do not be duped by a label. You really do receive what you pay for and sometimes it truly is worth the splurge to attend somewhere that you truly feel you belong. It takes a strong mental will to survive and make a name for yourself here and I commend anyone who can. However, I will not be one of those sticking around another year to find out. I have wasted enough of my time here and life is too short to spend in misery. I have realized every minute I spent here in angst is a minute of happiness I will never acquire back. I have nothing to say except, "Later gator," and I hope that you as a discerning prospective student will heed to my warning and do the same.

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Collaboration/Competitive: B, Campus Aesthetics: D+

I thought at first this would be the best college for me, since there was a lot of hype about the school. I have all my classes and book paid for in addition to free boarding. I was disappointed that I didn't get the attention I needed and support that I'm entitled too. I was assured that being African American that I would be given additional resources to succeed in this school. I don't like the fact that I'm in classes full of students and there is no professor. I am just sitting there watching a recorded video from last year. I wanted a degree in political science from a prestigious college so that one day I can be a senator. However I haven't learned anything that I can't get for free from a library. This college is a joke and I think they need to recruit more Asian women too. At least I would have something to do.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2012

Social Life: A, Faculty Accessibility: F