The University of Florida (UF) is a major, public, comprehensive, land-grant, research university. The state̠s oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation̠s most academically diverse public universities.UF students are among the best in the nation. Approximately 90 percent of all entering freshmen score above the national average on standardized college entrance exams taken by college-bound students. UF ranks second among public institutions in the U.S. (fifth among all) for the number of National Merit Scholars enrolled. Also, UF ranks first among public institutions in attracting National Achievement Scholars during 2002.UF̠s freshmen retention rate of 92 percent speaks to the outstanding quality of the university̠s entire academic experience, from counseling to online programs to aid self-tracking of academic progress and class registration.In addition to being academically motivated, students lead a rich social and extracurricular life. They belong to more than 500 student organizations on campus, attend more than 2,000 campus concerts, art exhibits and theatrical productions, guest lectures, sports contests, and other events a year.