Help please!

<p>I've been accepted into both UCF and UF but I think I'm leaning towards UCF due to money and a few other reasons. I live in South Florida and would have to pay for dorms but UCF is offering me the Pegasus Gold while UF isn't giving me anything. How highly would you recommend UCF? From what I have read it's a great school but I just don't want to have regret for turning down UF. </p>

<p>Also, I just recently submitted my application to the Burnett Honors College. If anyone got in already or has a S or D in it, can you please tell me how my stats measure up? Also I would like to know about the experience of the Honors College and if the students enjoy it. My Stats are 5.162 weighted GPA (4.93 on the transcript UCF received)/ 4.0 unweighted, and 1420 SAT. Thank you to anyone who takes time to answer my questions!</p>

<p>Why didn't you get an honors invite to UF? Your GPA obviously qualifies and your SAT Reading/Math score meets their requirement. Maybe try giving them a call.</p>

<p>thanks Invictus, but i looked online and unlike UCF, UF apparently has minimums for the SAT and ACT in order to be invited to the Honors College. You need at least a 2070 SAT and a 33 ACT. While I scored a 1420 out of 1600, I scored 2050 out of 2400, just barely missing the cutoff for the UF honors college :/ I'm hoping UCF isn't so strict about the scores and accepts me for the honors college.</p>

<p>What are these Pegasus scholarships and how do you get them? Are they just automatically offered if you meet certain criteria, and if so, what is the criteria?</p>

<p>The Pegasus scholarships are offered by UCF and students are considered simply through the admissions application. I'm not sure what the criteria for each one is but I know that UCF offers three different levels: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. With my grades I received the Gold but I don't no the cut off for the Gold or any of the other ones. UCF will probably continue to offer them until they run out off funds. I recommend speaking with someone in the financial aid office because they might be able to tell you exact criteria, very little information is actually available on the university's website.</p>

<p>Marlins,
I have a son at UCF. He's a second year student, although he's technically a jr because of all his AP credit. He's part of the Burnett Honors College, getting a BA in Economics with a politcal science minor. He's lived two years in The Towers (first year in Tower 3, honors), and he'll be moving off-campus this coming year. The honors college has been a wonderful experience for him. He's not "particularly" a joiner -- so he doesn't partake of all that he could, in terms of the Honors Congress, etc -- however, he's found the advising and classes to be stellar. So far he's completed all the lower level honors requirements, and he's started the upper level requirements this semester. In fact, his honors class is one of his favorites. Our D is in your situation; she was also accepted at UF and UCF. Frankly, her decision to attend UF was much more difficult than we expected it to be a couple of years ago. Hands down the honors college at UCF beat the honors program at UF. I'm sure someone will quantify a reason why it shouldn't, but for us ... with this experience and in our attending honors Friday at UF, etc., we were more impressed with the UCF honors college. However, UCF does not have a chemical engineering dept, which is what she wants to major in, and there are some intrinsic pluses for her going away to school (we live local to UCF) that make UF her decision. She just turned down her Pegasus Gold scholarship, as well as an honors scholarship ... and we did find that difficult when UF's offered nothing in terms of money. And, let's face it ... in this economic climate, that was difficult to do. Thankfull, she'll probably have a corporate NM scholarship that'll go towards UF, so that'll help. </p>

<p>As far as your stats: totally understand about not making UF's honors program. DD was in the same situation you are with her SAT. She had a 1440/1600, which in previoius years would have been sufficient, but when they added writing she was 20 points short. Luckily, for her, she has a 35 ACT, so that solved her problem. As far as UCF's honors program, your stats definitely make you a viable candidate. Hopefully, you hear something soon. If you haven't been invited to join, I'd request an application. UCF's honors college is worth it. </p>

<p>So, you've got a decision to make ... one which none of us can really help you make other than suggest that you look at all kinds of things in your pro/con list .... (how gilmore girls, I know :)) Anyway, look at everything: academics, distance to home, ease of transporation, money, campus visits and feelings for you ... I'm sure you'll make the best decision for you. Then ... don't look back! Enjoy it. :)</p>

<p>zebes</p>

<p>We're there. We have a son at UCF (Honors) and a son at UF, and son 3 is now choosing. 3.9 UF GPA means no UF Honors.</p>

<p>Son is deciding....</p>

<p>We're going to the 2/28 scholars day at UCF. Just sent in the UCF request for Towers 3, and also son is filling out housing contract for UF.</p>

<p>Argh.</p>

<p>thank you for your response zebes! all of that information was really helpful. I can see why you would favor UCF since it is closer to home. I live in South Florida so UCF would also be closer to home than UF for me. After some thinking I believe I've made my choice and will go to UCF. I can't really explain what I like exactly but I just get a good feeling about the school, especially after reading so many positive comments people left on this forum. The scholarship also helps, seeing as how I don't think UF was going to give me anything that would help pay for my housing. I look forward to attending UCF. I've been hearing great things about its Engineering College, which is good news for me seeing as how I want to major in Industrial Engineering. All that's left for me now is to wait for word from the Honors College.</p>

<p>mom2three, I hear you loud and clear, this was deffinately a tough decision. :/ Both are great schools and have a lot to offer. Ultimately though I guess your son needs to just weigh the pro's and con's and see what's best for him. Attending scholars day might help your son decide. Good luck with his selection though! Hope he picks the school that will make him happiest and give him a great college experience!</p>