<p>OK, it’s important to note that UCF is VERY well regarded in engineering in our state, especially the Central Florida area. Anyone who would tell you otherwise is an idiot. My father is deep in the game, as are some other people I know and they love UCF engineering graduates. University of Florida engineering is good, obviously, but for getting a good job UCF will do the trick as well.</p>
<p>lemme get that spot at UF.</p>
<p>Even if she does decide on UCF, it’s not like there’s a huge degree of separation between UF and UCF. They’re both good schools. She’ll still be offered plenty of opportunities at UCF, will likely excel, and can always attend another school for grad school. </p>
<p>If she’s not really feeling UF, it may not be the best option for her. Just make sure she’s not choosing it over UF because of a questionable reason (all her friends are going, she’s going because she likes a guy who attends/will be attending there, etc.).</p>
<p>I live about 10 minutes away from UCF, so i’m kinda familiar with the school and it’s students. It’s a decent college and engineering is definitely it’s strongest program (lots of ppl working at lockheed and NASA came from there), but I don’t think it would get much recognition outside of the area, so it really depends what she wants to do later in life. If she wants to go to graduate school at a place like MIT then she would probably have a better chance coming out of UF because it has a reputation as a better school (the students at UCF aren’t stupid, but they’re average statistics are much lower then those at UF). But if you care about money, UF is only going to give her 500 a semester for being a national merit finalist, whereas UCF is going tho throw money at her. I’m also a national merit finalist with a 2250 SAT and I’m 1st unweighted and 3rd weighted out of a class of 1000. UCF is basically offering to pay for everything: housing, tuition, books, and a laptop, as well as some extra money that doesn’t even seem to be necessary, lol. So if she really wants to go to UCF, it might not turn out to be all that bad once that’s considered. I’m still going to UF though (unless i get into harvard, but that’s not going to happen), cause i want to do medicine. I would personally say UF is better, but I’m not in that engineering position and i do know a few kids who chose UCF over UF since they were going into an engineering major</p>
<p>^Actually UF is giving me $2000 a semester for National Merit if I go there.</p>
<p>Sports and team spirit are HUGE at UF. We all love our Gators. It’s kind of expected that you get out there on game-day and support the team, but as long as she’s social and friendly, I think she’d be fine at UF. Everyone finds their niche at UF. With 50,000+ students, it’s hard NOT to make friends, unless you make an effort to separate yourself from others.</p>
<p>antsofthesky - Are you out of state or have some special circumstance? I only ask as we too have been told $500 a semester along with a few of her friends that are NM for UF. Seems like it would be the same for all. Thanks for letting me know.
We went to UCF yesterday for a visit and she came home and said she could not go to UCF - to her it felt too much like a commuter school + thought it looked like a business park. They also do not have her current first choice major…so for now it’s UF - at least until we recieve the Vandy letter 
- thanks everyone!</p>
<p>If she does ultimately pick Vandy…that’s great, but I hope it is for reasons of personal fit, because UF’s engineering programs are better.</p>
<p>Personally, if I was accepted to both schools, UF would be my choice. However, the honors college at UCF completely changes the equation, even if you’re already accepted to the one at UF. (Their programs are structured entirely differently. UCF’s is more comprehensive and liberal-artsy. You graduate with honors on your diploma at the end there too.) </p>
<p>There are plenty of people in the honors college that turned down UF as well. My roommate is even a national merit scholar who chose UCF in the end because of the honors college.</p>
<p>UCF has a sports following as well, but the culture doesn’t have “mandatory” participation like at UF. If she comes, she will have plenty of friends who feel the same way about sports.</p>
<p>Again, my preferences:</p>
<p>UF vs. UCF- Pick UF, unless you don’t like sports culture
UF vs. UCF Honors- Pick UCF</p>
<p>Man, dvm258, you have made it SO simple. It’s as if any other factor that could play into the equation has been tossed out and abbreviated into that simple formula of yours. I’ll go by your preference.</p>
<p>I know. I kinda oversimplified it there. :P</p>
<p>There are plenty of other factors that could, and should be considered. I just tried to sum up what I said in the simplest way possible. Maybe too much.</p>
<p>There is absolutely NO comparison between the engineering programs of UF and UCF. UF’s engineering is by FAR better in terms of national recognition/reputation, national rankings, funding, etc… UF’s engineering program easily rankings in the top 15 of most corporation’s recruiting list.</p>
<p>Don’t let UCF people come in here and tell you that UCF’s engineering program is as good as UF’s without backing it up.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of anyone “mocking” honors students here at UF. In fact, most everyone I’ve met here are excellent and serious students. Your daughter will meet many students of her caliber. I think if she gave UF a chance (especially studying engineering) she’d love it. But if the Gator Nation thing is not for her and she has a choice between Vanderbilt and UCF…it’s definitely a “no brainer”…Vanderbilt!!</p>
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<p>It is clear from your postings that your daughter NEVER really cared much about UF and its environment . For someone who wanted to go to MIT, UF could not be more different. She probably felt pushed towards UF all long because of her “family situation”. If now she wants to go to UCF, she is really not thinking academic quality but “fit” and feels she will be happier there. </p>
<p>I say lay off and let her make up her mind on her own. You already went to college. Enough drama already. Give the kid a break for Christ’s sake.</p>
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<p>Relax, you tool. As the mother, she should care about where her daughter will be spending the next four years. If she doesn’t agree with her daughter’s opinion, she should be able to voice her opinion.</p>
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<p>And the OP should just foot the bill regardless of whether she agrees with her daughter’s decision? If mom and dad are paying, they should have a say in where their daughter goes.</p>
<p>Ok guys - don’t fight - I appreciated everyone’s opinion on this.
There was never any drama in our home - just discussion. All is well and she has options, including Vandy. UF is HER decision, not mine and yes we are gladly paying for her education. She’s a super daughter who, I am sure, will have a happy successful college experience.</p>
<p>It’s April 1, so what did she decide?</p>
<p>great choice</p>
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<p>As an April Fool’s joke she decided on FSU! hahahaha ;)</p>