<p>I think its a significant point for students and may not be immediately apparent. UCF bills itself as one of the largest schools in the US, but does not clearly say they have many campuses.</p>
<p>As a primarily nonresidential university, UCF has a main campus and regional campuses. Students enrolled at a regional campus are not guaranteed every major. Apparently even the main campus has limitations.</p>
<p>UF (and FSU, since that was mentioned) is primarily a residential university. Virtually all majors may be found in one spot.</p>
<p>All that being said, the original poster may need to take advantage of one of those UCF regional campuses if funds become too tight.</p>
<p>I went to UCF for my undergraduate work and am starting UF in the fall for grad school. I wasn't in Honors at UCF, but two of my roommates were. Yes you get to register on the first day, but so did I. One pro is definitely the size of the main campus, you can walk everywhere. However, since you'll be commuting you need to know parking is absolutely horrible at UCF. I had professors who showed up late to class because they couldn't find a parking spot. Working at Disney can take up more time than you may think. Many of my friends in the Entertainment department averaged 10 hr days. When I worked in Merchandising, they would only give me 8 hours between shifts, so if I got off at 1 a.m., I'd have to be back at 9 a.m., and I lived by UCF, which was an hour away from Disney. Being in honors, you would have smaller classes. I had a good overall experience at UCF, but your parents may limit that. Even though we are in two completely different fields, I got into UF for grad school with an average GPA and a not so stellar GRE score, I think the key to getting in was good recommendations and a good letter of intent. However if I knew I was going to change my major, back in high school, I would have applied to UF. I think you need to decide whether or not you want to live with your parents, you can still get a sense of the college experience if they're not that strict.</p>
<p>Around Orlando, where my son is a senior in high school, the senior kids would prefer admission into UF over UCF any day of the week simply based on prestige value and the fact that Gainesville is a true blue college town. It was a tough year to get into UF. But, I don't know of a single kid who has been admitted to UF that would choose UCF instead. That being said, John Hitt is doing a fantastic job of running UCF. The grads do perfectly well in the local job market. And, I know of one local IB kid going into UCF's Honors Program who is very excited about the Honors Dorm, which is supposed to be incredibly plush.</p>
<p>this is very ridiculous. Most of the people here don’t know specifics on what they are talking about. i was accepted into UF, UCF Honors, and FSU Honors and I’m choosing to attend UCF Honors. like it or not, UCF is climbing the charts and is gaining momentum as a school to watch. It is a lie you need a car (unless you are in the Rosen College of Hospitality). Overall, I know many people who are choosing UCF instead of UF because of many reasons-- yes, Gainesville is a “true blue college town” but Orlando provides opportunities that Gainesvilles pales in comparison to. FSU and UCF are on the same level academically right now, and just because UCF is more modern and newer, it is on the rise----watch. Sure, FSU has the hundreds of years of traditions, but it is more exciting to be part of new traditions for me . GOOD LUCK.</p>
<p>One thing that UCF has going for it is that at least Hitt is respected in academic circles. I don’t think the same can be said of Wetherells who is product of the legislature and more of a political creature. Right or wrong, I think it hurts FSU’s credibility among top peer institutions.</p>
<p>And you are weighing all your options and the pros and cons - all good.</p>
<p>Have you visited both schools? Hope so.</p>
<p>Made your choice yet?</p>
<p>My son had the exact same decision to make. Didn’t have the financial concerns but in the end chose UF (and thus we are on the UF board as so many point out)</p>
<p>Lost in the crowd at UF? No, doesn’t feel that at all. No matter the size, you find your groups, interests, etc.</p>
<p>Large class sizes. Yes, some. But has found study groups and ins and outs. </p>
<p>For him, being a Gator is priceless - especially for a kid who had NO interest in sports prior to college.</p>
<p>Go for where you feel you will “fit” best and then make the rest work!</p>
<p>Just a whole quick reality check on the UCF FSU thing:</p>
<p>Right now, FSU’s stats are indeed significantly higher than UCF. However, this only happened after FSU decided to make a large cut in Freshman enrollment in 2008. Before the cut, FSU and UCF were equal statistically. In that sense, FSU is the “better” school in a pretty undeserving way. In fact, UCF should be commended for not cutting it’s class size, and by far having the smallest differential tuition (I think 2% this year?) in the state out of the universities allowed to charge it. UCF and President Hitt know how to manage a budget.</p>
<p>Only a 2% increase tells me that UCF doesn’t think students are willing to pay more for a degree from there. Market value will dictate the level of differential tuition by each university.</p>