So I’m currently a freshman at UF: this fall is my first semester here. I decided to go to UF because of its architecture program (I was also accepting to Tulane, but that was way too expensive, and to USF, but their architecture program isn’t as good from what I’ve read). UF didn’t offer any merit scholarships or need based scholarships, but I decided to go here since I have Florida prepaid (which covers tuition) and bright futures (merit scholarship from the state). However, after 1 semester in the architecture program here, I can clearly see it is not for me so while I was looking at other major options, I began considering transferring to UCF.
Pros of transferring to UCF:
-financial reasons (this is my main reason for considering transferring. they offer some scholarships for transfer students, which I like to think I have a decent chance at qualifying for since I have a high gpa and will have my AA from UF. Also, finances are really important to me (I am trying to avoid loans as much as possible) especially since my parents will be divorcing within the next couple of years and probably will force me to take care of myself financially, which I was not expecting.)
-location (I will be 2 hours away from home, which is half the distance from UF. I like knowing I can go home more easily, especially if I need to support/help my parents with the whole divorce thing)
-my boyfriend goes there (now before you go crazy about this one, allow me to give a few details. We’ve been dating for 1+yr, and we’re both very, very serious about our relationship. We wouldn’t have any doubts about our ability to stay together if we both wouldn’t have to get jobs, but we do. He could not survive a ldr if we didn’t visit as often as we do (couple times monthly), and jobs will not allow us to take off the time we take to visit each other. He’s also my best friend, and none of my friends from high school go to UF so I’ve been a bit lonely (I’m shy so not the best at making new friends, although I’ve been really pushing myself to). I would enjoy having someone to go to events with me & feel like I would be more willing to try new things (which I feel is a big part of college) if I had someone to go with me)
-job opportunities (if I am offered a scholarship at UCF I could take a lower paying, but better experience job, whereas at UF I’d likely have to take any job that would pay the most)
Cons of transferring to UCF:
-prestige (UF is more prestigious, but I’m not really sure that I care? I mean, I’m proud to go here and all but I won’t feel awful going to UCF)
-sports (doesn’t matter to me)
-loss of any friendships I’ve made here (I haven’t really exactly made any good friends so)
Is there anything else I should consider? Does it sound like I’m sold on UCF? I fear I will disappoint my family (my mother says i’ve worked hard to get where i am). I just feel that in this time in my life, some security (financial, relationship, etc) would be nice.
I would appreciate any thoughts or advice! Sorry I know that was super detailed but I feel those details are necessary for you to understand my situation.
It kind of sounds like the pros outweigh the cons. In the end you still technically have a degree from UF(AA?) so the prestige is there and if you’ll enjoy UCF more I think you should look into it.
Thanks so much. That’s what I was thinking as well. My only other question I meant to add in was “should I still consider transferring to UCF if they don’t offer a scholarship?”
UCF’s total cost of attendance is slightly more than UF, so you’ll be depending on a rare transfer scholarship to make it affordable. Contact UCF and make sure you’ll eligible, since these may be limited to CC grads.
Financial reasons overrule pretty much all other reasons, so I can completely understand if you transfer to UCF for the scholarship. However, if the scholarship is relatively small ($1K a year or so) you will not be saving as much as you thought.
UF is also a much better funded University, and spends about 3X the funding per student. This shows up in lots of ways, better labs, better student to faculty ratios, better funded clubs, and so on. See the following link for details.
Which leads me to my next question, what major are you interested in? UF does have much more “prestige”, but the impact of prestige varies by major. Also, some majors may not be available at UCF, or not nearly as well funded (See above). On the other hand, some majors are well supported at UCF (engineering for example), and are less impacted by “prestige”.
Well currently I’m looking into business administration, but I’m also interested in UCF’s hospitality program if business doesn’t work out. And yes, I’ve done a lot of research and calling around to ensure I’m eligible for the scholarships.
The scholarships aren’t huge by any means, but it’s still that much less I’d have to come up with at UF. My parents have a little bit of money saved up for my college expenses and with a scholarship + that money, I think I can graduate without any loans. At UF, with no scholarships, I would have a few thousand dollars more to account for, which may cause not only a loan to be taken out but also may lead to a strain in both my relationships with my parents (who’s taking out the loan, etc, since they’ll likely be divorced at that point), and my boyfriend (since I’d have to be working an awful lot trying to minimize the amount of the loan, we wouldn’t be able to visit each other).
No one has brought up the school funding thing yet, so that’s interesting for me to read. I have no doubt that UF is the better school in academic terms, and is more funded. I’m just not sure that at this point those are things that should keep me here. I could understand if I was looking to do something health related, since UF’s program is pretty good from what I hear. But since I’m just planning to do business, I understand that it’s more about your experience than where you got the degree.
Warrington’s College of Business at UF is very highly ranked nationally . I would stick there–I think it would get you further. UCF does not come close.
Get out your calculator before you make a jump based on what you think you may save by switching schools.
Yes, I’m aware that academically, UF is better than UCF. I have added up the figures and as long as I receive a scholarship, it would be cheaper to attend UCF.