The University of South Florida tends to get a bad rap because of its football team's less-than-stellar track record. But there's so much more to any university than the points it accrues on a scoreboard. I'll admit, when I first committed to USF, "thrilled" definitely wasn't the word I would use to describe how I felt. But USF has made so many incredible strides in the past few years, and as I enter my fourth year as a student, I couldn't be prouder to call myself a USF Bull. Here are five reasons that I'm proud to be a part of this up-and-coming university.
1. Research
USF was recently named one of the nation's top 50 research universities. At the Spring 2015 Undergraduate Research Colloquium, more than 400 students presented their research projects in a variety of fields ranging from biomedical sciences to sociology, history, music and more. As a student who has participated in undergraduate research and presented at the Colloquium, I can attest to the value of conducting research at the undergraduate level as well as to the effort that USF faculty puts into supporting students throughout the process and ensuring that their research is progressive and thorough.
2. Campus
With greenery abound, USF has (in my not so humble opinion) easily the prettiest college campus in Florida. In addition to gorgeous gardens, memorials, and tree-lined walkways like those found in the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, Botanical Gardens, and Student Memorial, the campus boasts modern facilities like the newly renovated Marshall Student Center and Library. In fact, NBC's Today Show called USF's renovated Recreation Center, "one in the highest tech fitness centers in the nation." Most recently, President Genshaft announced the demolition of USF's oldest residence community, Andros Hall. In its place, she states that a new residence hall would be constructed featuring a, "recreation facility, shops and swimming pool.” While walking around campus, it's impossible not to notice the colorful foliage that sets this university apart from every other Floridian university, as well as the many developments in progress to modernize the campus' look and feel.
3. Location
Nestled in Tampa Bay, there's always something going on in the USF area. Tampa boasts beautiful beaches, six professional sports teams, and popular tourist destinations like St. Petersburg, Clearwater, multiple entertainment stadiums and arenas, as well as a gorgeous downtown area. On top of all that, students at USF can explore theme parks like Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, and visit Riverfront Park or the MOSI Museum of Discovery and Science, each less than five miles away from campus. Some of my favorite memories from my time at USF include attending local concerts, exploring downtown, and impromptu beach trips with friends.
4. University Feel
My favorite thing about USF is the familial sense felt throughout campus, despite the university's size and increasing prestige. USF has more than 40,000 enrolled students and more than 3,000 international students from hundreds of countries worldwide, but the student-to-faculty ratio has held steady at an impressive 24:1. USF has also become significantly more selective in the past few years, and now has a lower acceptance rate (45%) than many other public Florida universities including The University of Florida (47%), The University of Central Florida (49%), and Florida State University (57%). Regardless of its growing status, USF still retains it's small-university feel. I have developed a sense of camaraderie with many of my professors, who I have gotten to know personally. Despite its increasing size and competitiveness, students at USF can be confident that they are more than just a number.
5. Competitive Programs and Unique Opportunities
With more than 80 undergraduate programs offered in all, it's no wonder that USF is known for its multitude of competitive and unique programs across many fields. Just a few of these acclaimed programs include a Biology program that ranks 2nd in the state, the USF School of Accountancy, ranking 1st in the nation for accounting information systems, and the College of Nursing which ranks 1st in Florida and 24th among nursing schools nationwide. In addition to distinguished degrees, USF boasts many opportunities through unique programs like USF Provost Scholars, a seven-year Medical Program, and multiple five-year Masters Programs in a variety of different fields of study.
Over the course of the past four years, USF has certainly been putting forth the effort to make a name for itself as one of the most ambitious and enterprising public universities in the state. I have watched my university grow from what could have been called a fallback school to a nationally-recognized premier institution. Stats and such aside, this university has given me a sense of family, and I couldn't be prouder to call USF my home.
MLK Plaza. Photo by Leslie Cannon, a USF Financial Aid Advisor
