At USF you will be able to get a VERY GOOD education…if you are a good student. Of course, if you are a bad student, you can’t get a good education even if you went to Princeton.

The biggest drawback in my years at USF was the PARKING. There are times (especially during the first week or so of class) that if I did not arrive very early, I might have to park, it seemed, about a 1/2 mile from class. That’s OK in the fall and winter, but in the summer it’s a bear.

But you may be able to overcome this if you are living on campus or can otherwise arrive early enough to get a good parking spot. Now, don’t take me wrong, it’s not like that every day (at least then–parking may have improved), but I seldom had a GREAT parking space, even if I could find an OK one.

They are an up-and-coming school on the national college football scene. It’s an exciting time to be there.

Tampa Bay has a WEALTH of diversity! You’ll fall in love with it’s museums, performing arts, Ybor city, Spanish/Cuban food, fishing, beaches, sports, and so forth. There’s just about anything you can think of…except mountains.

That being said, another drawback to Tampa is TRAFFIC. Depending on where you will be living, it can take a while to get to work or class. But careful planning can help you out in this regard.

I would not hesitate to return to USF. Now, if I had to opportunity to go to Florida or Florida State instead, yeah, I’d go with those since they are in smaller cities. But that being said, perhaps you are the type that enjoys all the richness that big city can bring. I urge you to make sure that every weekend you are exploring something new in Tampa–you will not exhaust your options, and will be the better for having seen it all–from the rural northern part of Hillsborough County to the metropolitan offerings of the city proper.

Lastly, one drawback to ANY PLACE in Florida is the summer heat. Being a big guy, heat can get to me. But you may be one of those types that have little problem with it.

On the other hand, in the winter, you MAY have a total of 10-14 days of really cold weather…the rest is shirt sleeve weather. Can’t beat that. (I lived in Tampa over 20 years.)

Best wishes!