UT is a good, small, private school, with a reputation for a really good business program. No sports to speak of, so you miss that part of your college experience. One thing they do not have is a reputation for trouble.

Interestingly, the University is housed in one of the first Grand Old Florida Hotels, built by Henry Plant, one of the two railroad barons that colonized Florida. It's as close to a historic place as we have around here.

All that aside, CJ, I would look at around a little more. I know UT has a great reputation, but it certainly isn't the environment I would have wanted to go to college in. A couple of things that you cna't escape:
- Tampa is a boring town
- it's always hot and alwats flat

That all said, I grew up here, went away to school, and came back to raise a family. As soon as they are off to college, though, I'm getting the heck out of here, at least for summer.

If you do it, however, give me yell, and I'll take you fishing.

If I had it all to do over again, I would go to Georgia Tech. Small school, rich in tradition, in the middle of one of the most dynamic cities around, mountains are two hours away, and they will be the Division I football champions in your freshman year. Believe it or not, they have a great business school as well.

Oh wait, I did go to Georgia Tech. Back then, though, nickel beer nights were still legal, so I'm a little hazy on the details.

My mom doesn't want me going to school in Atlanta... She thinks it's unsafe.

Not so. It is unsafe if you want it to be unsafe. However, I grew up in a sleepy beach town, and I made it through. I was as naive as you could expect before I went up there.

It is a big city, no doubt. You can find trouble if you want to, but you learn pretty quickly the places to avoid and the places to hang out.

The campus itself is as safe as you can get. There is also a huge urban renaissance taking place around the campus. It is hardly recognizable from even just 2-3 years ago. There are apartments, houses, outdoor cafes, the whole thing. It is a lot different than it was when I was there.

All that said, there's trouble where you look for it. I'll tell you, no lie, honest truth - I would take the Georgia Tech location safety-wise over the UT location in Tampa.

Atlanta is fine. You'd be fine.

I'll look at it. Thanks, ylwjacket!