Hi, I’m currently a freshman at the University of Florida. However, recently I have been thinking a lot about transferring to UCF. I would like some insight as to whether or not this would be a good or bad idea.
First, let me give a little background information. Like I said earlier, I am a freshman (class of 2018). I am a health science major on the pre-med track. I currently have a 3.8 GPA. I am active in the UF college Republicans club, and also a volunteer in the Cardiac Center or Shands Hospital.
The reasons that I am considering transferring are as follows:
I find Gainesville to be boring. I do not party, or care about any of the athletic teams. What else is there to do?
I do not see the value in staying at UF when I could attend UCF for much less.
The opportunities in Gainesville do not seem to be as abundant as those in the Orlando area.
I also have one major question about a possible consequence that could arise if I were to transfer.
When applying to med school, would it make a difference if I attended UF or UCF? Assuming all other factors are the same.
Also would I have any trouble being accepted to a transfer to UCF? My stats are as follows…
HS GPA: 3.7 UW/ 4.1 W
ACT: 30
College GPA: 3.8
I admit I did rush into my decision to go to UF, and much of my decision was based on the “prestige” of the University of Florida.
So if anyone could please provide me with some insight about whether or not I should make this change I would really appreciate. Try to provide adequate support for whatever reasons you prevent. Not just “Stay at UF cuz it’s better”. Thanks.
Well, first, why is UCF cheaper? Would you be able to live at home? Otherwise, without a merit scholarships, UCF is slightly more expensive.
UF has more resources than UCF, lower faculty to student ratios, better facilities, etc. The only reason to transfer would be that Orlando is more fun? Unless you really love the parks, you’ll likely not have much more fun in Orlando vs. Gainesville (as a 18-20 year old). I recommend you join a few of the “fun” outdoor activity clubs. The college Republicans club is fine, but outside of election years it can be a bit boring.
You can do fine at UCF, lots of EC’s and such. For medical school the prestige will not matter nearly as much as your MCAT score, GPA and ECs.
Seriously? lol. If all you see on UF's campus is drunkards and Greek life, that is on you. You need to surround yourself with likeminded people. The best way to do that is joining 2-3 clubs and one of those should be major related. You'll find people who like to stay in and watch Netflix, go to Harn, SFC's Zoo or grab a bite and just talk up a storm. If I can do it, so can you! Also, UCF is just as much of a party school as UF.
How is UCF cheaper (commuting is the only way)? When I was transferring from a CC to a 4-year university it was the most expensive option. They gave me the least amount of loans and the living expenses were much higher. I would of had to commute to UCF for me to afford it. Not to mention the fact only a little more than a 1/3 of their students graduate on time. A lot of that has to do with not being able to get in to the classes you need or finding one that wasn't online.
UF has consistently been ranked in the top 10 for its career resources for students by many publications. You're in a town with one of the best med schools in the south. You have a top notch hospital less than a mile from campus. If I was looking for medical opportunities it wouldn't be in Orlando. USF and UF are know to be the best public schools in the state for many forms of practicing medicine.
I know this might sound harsh, but transferring schools isn’t going to automatically grant you happiness. I understand if you want to be closer to home and friends, but UCF is just as big and bad as UF is. Don’t worry about undergrad ranking for Med Schools. GPA, EC’s and MCAT are the biggest factors.
@gator88NE @surrency1992
UCF would be cheaper because I would be able to live at home. Which would cut my cost of attendance by $4500 (the price of my current housing and meal plan at UF). Additionally, in Orlando I have a job working for an upscale valet parking company which pays $20/hr (I made $1,000 working part-time in 2 weeks over winter break). Based on my current Pell Grant, Top tier Bright futures scholarship, and state grant, I would have enough to cover my cost of attendance at UCF + a refund of about $2000 each semester. This is compared to the $2500 I have to take out each semester to cover my cost of attendance at UF. Additionally, with the stats I listed above I’m sure I would qualify for some sort of merit scholarship from UCF. So yes, UCF WOULD be cheaper.
@surrency1992
“USF and UF are know to be the best public schools in the state for many forms of practicing medicine.”
In case you didn’t gather this information from my initial post, I am an undergraduate. I will not be practicing medicine anytime soon. Also, what exactly makes USF and UF the best? I hear people all the time say that UF is “the best” for pre-med, which was a primary factor that lured me in, but in my time here I have not experienced anything to prove itself to be anything more than mediocre. Why wouldn’t you look for medical opportunities in Orlando? Orlando has more hospitals, more clinics, and more practicing physicians than Gainesville.
I am not “hating” on UF, I am just simply trying to weight the cost vs. benefits. At this point I cannot justify the value in graduating with $20,000 of debt for a degree from UF compared to graduating debt free with a degree from UCF. I am just looking for legitimate reasons that UF is worth the price tag.
I’m not trying to sound as if I am attacking you, but I am just looking for some substance to support the otherwise hollow reasons you gave.
From everything you’ve said I see no reason to stay at UF. If you can save that much money, and you are pursuing an advanced degree after graduation, then go for it. All the reasons you listed were all known when you chose UF, it’s a college town, a major university, with lots of opportunities. But it’s sounds like you’re having buyers remorse and missing the benefits of home. One thing though, and I don’t know the answer, do colleges give merit aid once you’ve started college? You’re not a high school new grad anymore, you tuned all that down already. Good luck with whatever you choose.
@gtownbound How were my points hollow? I am giving you the points I feel show UF to be better than UCF, but that is my opinion. It seems to me like you’re already out the door and what anyone else says isn’t going to sway you.
I could have assumed you’re from Orlando or close by, but we all know what happens when you assume. You should have clarified that you’re originally from Orlando. UCF is more expensive overall than UF for the average student, but your circumstances are different. I hope they aren’t as stingy to you as they were to me (if you even need loan based FinAid). I don’t think they’re know to give much merit aid to transfers, but I could be wrong. I know UF only offers it to 12 and they rarely give it to 4-year university transfers.
UF hands down has some of the strongest job placement & alumni connection out there. The Career Resource Center at UF is ranked 6th in the nation. Internships don’t have to be local. I have friends who interned in NYC, Austin, and Silicon Valley while at UF (even Orlando!). If you’re talking about “opportunities” as in theme parks and stuff … okay.
If debt free is the highest on your list, transfer to UCF.
I’d stay at UF, even if it costs an extra few thousand per year – and this is coming from an FSU guy.
It’s true that undergraduate school ranking does not really matter much for medical school admissions, but a lot of aspiring pre-med students switch majors long before they graduate, or they simply are unable to get into a US medical school (which are all extremely difficult to get into).
There is a good chance that you will transfer to UCF and then end up switching majors anyway. And things are not necessarily going to be any more pleasant at UCF, which is notoriously overcrowded and understaffed.
Unless you have a high degree of certainty that you will never waver in your journey to medical school, I’d just stay where you are.
Do you WANT to live at home? Personal choice but not one I would go for. I do understand saving money. If this your MAIN concern…okay. But don’t expect any money as a transfer student that may have been offered as a freshman.
Orlando is big and boring in my eyes. Theme parks ain’t all it nor a valet parking job–unless that’s where your heart lies. You can wait tables all over Orlando too–don’t stop at parking cars. Just don’t get stuck there. I know kids who end there. And let’s talk traffic.
If you can’t find a group/club/activity at UF to gain your interest–you haven’t tried hard enough. Really? Do you spend all your time in the dorm with the door closed? I’m not being mean–I had a roommate like that eons ago–super smart but just never got out of her room. Thought life was supposed to knock on her door rather than her knocking on life’s door. Finding your group can be a challenge but it should be a fun challenge–keep an open mind. UF has something for everybody.
If you do not apply to med school, change majors, whatever–UF will provide you more opportunities than UCF which is still (and you are about to prove the point) is still a “commuter” school despite all the new protestations that it is not.
Don’t underestimate that “Gator Nation” of networking. It works. Yes–Orlando has many internship opportunities–and UF has a very ready pipeline to fill them and many other locations. It’s all part of the process.