CHLOE O. FOLSOM

MY MAJOR

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Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)

WHY USF

In the possible event my family and I make a change of residency to Florida, the University of South Florida is my second college choice for three reasons.  First, it is in the Tampa Bay - St. Petersburg area where my family would be living.  Second, USF offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering through its College of Engineering.  Third, I would have financial benefits attending as a Florida resident.

LOCATION

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North East Tampa is home to the University of South Florida (Main Campus).  Located on the West Coast of Florida, Tampa is the third most populated city in the state.

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Outdoors, Tampa offers scenic urban sidewalks such as the Bayshore Boulevard.  Not everything is urban, however.  Nature trails such as Upper Tampa Bay Park and the Hillsborough River State Park (lying just beyond the city) allow visitors to experience Florida’s natural life. 

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The subtropical Tampa Bay Area is home to a variety of marine life and water birds.  Common aquatic attractions include the Bay itself and the Alafia, Hillsborough and Little Manatee rivers.  Across the Bay, the neighboring city of St. Petersburg is home to several beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches including the preserved offshore keys which comprise Fort De Soto Park.

USF gives back to the community and state through its research and various partnerships.  USF has impacted approximately 3,000 jobs in the Hillsborough, Pinellas, DeSoto and Hernando Counties and $395 million at the Federal, state and local level according to the Washington Economics Group.

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USF’s engineering buildings are located on Central Campus.  They include many research labs (vibrations and dynamics, materials and mechanics, and nanotechnology).  The Center for Assistive, Rehabilitation & Robotics Technologies (CARRT) offers four rehabilitation robotics labs, which produce and test biomechanical designs such as prosthetics.

HOUSING

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USF’s housing options include four apartment style and nine suite style buildings, seven traditional residence halls, and Greek Village (fraternities and sororities).  Since I would only go to USF if my family is living in the Tampa - St. Pete area, I would most likely live at home while attending the university.  However, if on-campus living is necessary, I would choose one of the suite or apartment options on the North Campus since they are closest to the engineering buildings.

ACADEMIC and STUDENT SERVICES

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USF has academic advising, the Academic Success Center, Innovative Education, Testing Services, and the USF Scholar Commons.  At the Academic Success Center, students can find writing help, tutoring, academic coaching, and workshops to aid their learning.  Innovative Education provides programs and services tailored for every type of learner (distance learning, continuing education, degree completion, certificate, workforce development, lifelong learning and pre-college programs).  The USF Tampa Library offers USF Scholar Commons as a service displaying the academic body’s research and creative works.

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STUDENT LIFE

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Student life opportunities at USF include over 600 student organizations, leadership and civic engagement, sports (intramural, club, and NCAA Division I), outdoor recreation, and arts.  I would be interested in exploring student organizations (which cannot be viewed without a USF ID) and civic service through USF’s Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement.

COSTS

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Average Net Annual Cost for…

• All Undergrad Students: $16,970

• In-State On/Off Campus without Financial Aid: $21,410

• In-State Living at Home without Financial Aid: $11,710

• In-State On/Off Campus with Financial Aid: $13,385

• In-State Living at Home with Financial Aid: $3,685

On-Campus Housing – Per Semester: $2,954 – 5,350

Meal Plans Per Semester: $559 – 1,929