<p>I am a high school senior and I have narrowed my choices down to either University of Florida or University of Central Florida. I have already been accepted to the latter but I'm still awaiting a decision from the former school. I have visited and toured both campuses and both seem like excellent choices. But UCF is just so much...nicer. The dorms are newer and cleaner. There are more things to do for fun at UCF (it even has a rock wall in the student center, you can't find that anywhere else). Plus there are more opportunities for internships and job experience in Orlando than in Gainesville. But I can't ignore UF's prestigious reputation. And I'm planning to study chemical engineering or biomedical engineering, something that Florida specializes in.</p>
<p>My question is this: should I consider campus aesthetics and amenities over a school's national reputation, which could affect my ability to get a job after I graduate? Or would I be selling myself short?</p>
<p>It is December 30th…you will get your decision from UF within 6 weeks. I would not waste time or effort thinking about this until after you are admitted to UF. It may not be your decision to make. </p>
<p>I have kids at both schools (UF and UCF). They really are very different in many aspects. If and when you get into UF, bump up this post and we’ll talk.</p>
<p>Seiclan is correct – after all is said and done, this may be a non-issue. But, you’re a teenager and you want to ponder it for awhile, so I’ll answer.</p>
<p>My gut instinct is “no” – you should not choose campus aesthetics over a school’s national reputation – especially if the school you reject has a national reputation in something that you want to study. I know nothing about the fields you mention, so i don’t know how close the programs are in reputation and quality, but I truly believe that if UF exceeds UCF by more than a marginal amount (and I don’t know that it does) then you should choose the “better” school. Campus aesthetics should only be a tie-breaker, so make sure that the schools are actually “tied” before considering the rock climbing wall.</p>
<p>Again, only my opinion (worth no more than you paid for it).</p>