<p>I've made the choice of going to UCF this fall since I got into their Honors program, but my parents are still convinced that "since I am still a kid I don't know how to make the right choices." I was accepted by UCF, UF, and USF. They think that UF is the best college and I am stupid for not going there instead of UCF. My dad likes to say all the time that I still don't know right now, in two years I can transfer to a better school, blah blah. I feel like I could have applied to many out of state schools if I wasn't concerned for finance, especially since I do plan on attending a prestigious Graduate school. They really base this off of rankings(like the Newsweek one), and what other people have said. They themselves don't even know what college is like really, at least to my knowledge, because they didn't go to college. I feel like when I tell people I am going to UCF, it's almost like a shameful thing, because it's as if UCF is a second-rate college. They also think USF is better than UCF. But I can bet this is only because we live in Tampa, so we are basically right in the middle of USF, and so we hear more things about it. What can I do about this? I am tired of being like, "Oh I go to uhh...UCF...." to people, instead of being proud of it.</p>
<p>I know of someone who is currently at UF’s Dental School after having done his undergrad at UCF. His mom told me that in his dental school class there are 10 UCF graduates and only 2 from UF undergrad… Interesting. </p>
<p>I have kids at both UF and UCF and am very happy with both schools. It is all about what the right fit is for you.</p>
<p>Thanks seiclan! </p>
<p>Bump. Any advice is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>The best way is to list the current achievements of the school, which you can easily find if you browse UCF’s website and the boards here. </p>
<p>The most recent achievement being it’s status as a [patent</a> powerhouse.](<a href=“http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=002400417c223ec20125ae9931fd04a17]patent”>http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=002400417c223ec20125ae9931fd04a17)</p>
<p>Go where you think you would be the happiest. I was accepted to UF, FSU and UCF/Honors College. I am from South FL and at the time, UF/FSU seemed too small town for me. I went to UCF and have no regrets. The honors college is great, and the small class size and priority registration are a huge plus (versus going somewhere non-honors and taking a general education class with 200+ students; I never had to do that). The required seminar/lecture classes are very interesting and provide a unique learning opportunity which non-honors students are not offered. </p>
<p>If your parents think your future is limited by going to UCF, I do not agree. If you work hard and get good grades, you will do well wherever you go. From UCF, I was able to continue on straight to law school and am now a practicing attorney at a mid-size firm. I am proud to be a UCF grad and if you go, I am sure you will not be disappointed with your choice. UCF is great and Orlando as a city, in my opinion, has more post-grad opportunities than Gainesville.</p>
<p>Tell your parents three things:</p>
<p>1) Rankings, particularly from USNWR, are bs, and what school you go to should be based off more than rankings.</p>
<p>2) UF is just a name. Just because UCF doesn’t have a “big name” doesn’t mean it isn’t a phenomenal school that is poised to surpass UF in terms of academic quality.</p>
<p>3) Honors at any school is better than non-honors at any school when it comes to applying to grad school; especially UCF vs. UF.</p>
<p>I was accepted to UF, too. Honors. </p>
<p>I chose UCF because, unlike UF, which only cares about its football team and its rankings, UCF cares about its students. Throughout the college application process, UF treated me like a number. When I’d ask for help, I felt like UF was saying, “We’re UF, and we don’t need to deal with the likes of you.” In contrast, UCF, despite being the largest undergraduate school in the country, has offered me endless amounts of personal assistance. When I had a problem with housing, financial aid, <em>anything,</em> it was resolved to my satisfaction within a day at most. UF wouldn’t even give me the time of day. I’m sure that kind of attention continues throughout a student’s time in school–UF treats its kids like numbers that boost its ranking, UCF treats its kids like people.</p>
<p>UCF is a good school <em>because</em> it isn’t high in the rankings. Because it doesn’t have to focus on some nebulous “national” reputation like UF, UCF can spend its resources making sure its students get a quality education.</p>
<p>I love UCF for what they’re doing for me and dislike UF for what they weren’t willing to do for me. UF is a NAME. Just because it is a NAME does not make it a good school, USNWR be damned.</p>
<p>PS–Carrie, were you at Honors Orientation? We may have classes or symposium together, haha.</p>