First of all I'm a 4th year student at the Orlando campus so I can give you my perspective as far as distance sites goes.
1. I love the program and feel that it prepared me well for rotations. I've also been on rotations with students from other programs and they said that they feel like we're better prepared clinically for rotations. Also, since UF is well established, we have a big selection of electives when it comes to rotations. (this is especially helpful if you're planning on doing a residency)
2. I've not felt like a number at the distance site, we're a smaller group (~50students per class)and are a close-knit bunch. Also we get a really good opportunity to learn from practicing pharmacists (they are facilitators in some courses- this may be different in Gainesville).
3. I thought the professors were great, many are experts in their field and are well-established. Also I think it's important that some of the same professors have been teaching at UF for a while, I think this says alot about the quality of the faculty (versus a school that may have new professors each year).
4. As far as housing goes I would try and find something quiet, this is actually one of the reasons I'm very happy that I wasn't in Gainesville. I personally am not a big fan of the college town kind of atmosphere anymore as I lived that in undergrad. You'll need to study a lot and if you're going to be watching lectures from home I'd say that you're going to want someplace quiet, although you can always go the library. Hopefully someone else can offer some good advice on places to live in Gainesville.
