Day four- University of South Florida.
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| The USF Bulls |
University of South Florida (USF) is located in Tampa,
Florida on the same exit as Busch Gardens.
USF is a relatively young university which opened its doors in
1956. Since that time, it has grown into
a behemoth with 46,000 students. To
accommodate this many students, USF has amassed a sprawling campus, seemingly
the largest in land mass of the schools visited to date. Being closely linked to Tampa, many
activities both on and off of the campus are available for students. Pictured in this blog entry is the recreation
center where students have access to one of the finest workout facilities that
they will probable ever have access to as an adult. Much of this university’s offerings are quite
similar to the others I have written about this week, so I will refrain from
talking about those things. Instead, it
is of better use to look at the things that USF seems to do very well.
Study abroad programs are more than just a trip when taken
through USF. Offering faculty-led and
individual options around the world, students are channeled into making the study abroad experience a learning and networking event. When doing a study abroad program, students
pay tuition and travel expenses. By
completing a study abroad program, students will earn college credits which
will apply towards the ultimate degreehe or she is working. The bad news is that students will pay both
tuition and travel expenses; the good news is that out-of-state students are
afforded in-state tuition rates for the study abroad trip. Additionally, students are offered numerous
funding grants for these experiences.
When the trip ends, the learning does not. USF hosts reentry events for students to make
meaning of the incredible experience that they just had. Additionally, students are placed into an
ambassador program where they will use the experiences gained abroad to work on
solutions to world problems. USF’s tag
phrase encourages students to “live a story worth sharing.” Study abroad can be that experience which can
completely blow out the border walls of a kid’s life and makes him or her grow as a
person.
An important consideration that I have failed to mention with other schools is the meal plan. Food services on every college visit should be a part of the consideration. Meal plans can range from camp food all the way to three star on a four star scale. Dining halls can offer wide variety of choices in a walk-up buffet plan to point systems where students can redeem points for meals at widely recognized national chain restaurants. USF has taken into consideration students with food allergies and has constructed a self contained food prep station that does not use 7 of the most common food allergens. Cross-contamination is eliminated because only "allergen-free" cooking takes place there.
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| so many dining options |
An important consideration that I have failed to mention with other schools is the meal plan. Food services on every college visit should be a part of the consideration. Meal plans can range from camp food all the way to three star on a four star scale. Dining halls can offer wide variety of choices in a walk-up buffet plan to point systems where students can redeem points for meals at widely recognized national chain restaurants. USF has taken into consideration students with food allergies and has constructed a self contained food prep station that does not use 7 of the most common food allergens. Cross-contamination is eliminated because only "allergen-free" cooking takes place there.
University of South Florida Profile
GPA 3.9-4.4
SAT 1220-1350
ACT 27-30
Total cost for out of state: $29,322 per year
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student center |
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| fitness center |
