Hi, I am a student in the midwest hoping to be named a National Merit Finalist. Because of the full cost scholarships that both UCF and USF offer for National Merit Finalists who designate them their first choice school, I am very interested in selecting one of them. However, I have some questions regarding how the two schools and their National Merit Scholarships compare.
For reference, I am interested in pursuing a chemistry/science degree and then going to med or grad school. I would really like to be involved with research as early as possible during my undergrad (very important to me) and have mentors/advisors that truly care about helping me be successful. The ability to study abroad is also important to me. From what I can tell, USF and UCF both offer all of this and more for their National Merit Scholars. But I feel like I’m missing something. UCF had about 80 National Merit Finalists enter this past year, while USF had about 15.
My first question is why does UCF have so many more National Merit Finalists attending their school than USF does? From what I can tell, the scholarship package is nearly identical at both schools. UCF is obviously a larger school, but that alone does not explain such a large discrepancy.
Is full ride different than full cost of attendance? The latter is what USF offers, former is what UCF offers.
I guess what I’m really asking is… what is different about the two scholarship programs, and how can I know which one would be a better fit for me personally?
I would love to hear the answers too as my daughter is OOS and is also looking into both of these schools for the same reasons! I might be wrong, but I am thinking USF did not offer the full ride to NMFs before this year? I am thinking that the scholarship in FL that now has allowed many of the schools to include the OOS NMFs for full rides is what USF is offering and they are definitely making it well known now (as UCF always has). We are planning to go to both of the schools in November. From my research so far, I know that the housing option at UCF seems phenomenal and is ruining all of the other housing we look at!
The scholarship is the same at both schools. It is called the Benaquisto and it is funded by the state. It is available at any Florida college that sponsors a NMF scholarship. It covers full cost of attendance.
I know that you are far away, but a visit to each campus could help you make up your mind. USF has lots of medical facilities nearby - great for shadowing opportunities. UCF’s medical school/hospital is a bus ride away. Haven’t clocked it but I would estimate 20 minutes to a half an hour away.
My only first hand experience with USF was when my 2nd attended a summer scholars program there. The campus is more spread out than UCF and the housing was pretty traditional. We were looking at computer science, and preferred the program at UCF.
I have 2 currently attending UCF. Their housing is superior. They have many really nice apartment style offerings. However, after freshman year, housing is a lottery and some students end up in off campus housing. Last year, the NMFs were guaranteed housing all 4 years. You still have to register for the lottery, but you are guaranteed a room as long as you dot your I’s and cross your T’s. This may have changed, so check that information.
UCF has many programs of interest to a student such as yourself, such a LEAD Scholars. They recruit their NMFs heavily and offer a free laptop as a perk. They have more clubs than you can imagine and offer research opportunities to undergraduates if that interests you.
You can’t go wrong at either school, but a tour, if feasible, would help you to decide. BTW, the Benaquisto is also available at UF and FSU.
Good luck and congratulations on your potential National Merit Semifinalist standing!