<p>Is anybody else faced with making this choice? I am undecided on a major, but see many pros for choosing UCF and I am 99% sure that is where I am going to go. I do, however, get a lot of "are you kidding me?" when I tell people I am leaning toward UCF over UF.</p>
<p>I had the same decision to make.</p>
<p>I can't tell you exactly why I chose UCF over UF. If you're pretty level with the academics, consider what kind of atmosphere you want and figure out which school works best that way.</p>
<p>My daughter didn't end up applying to UF because, after 2 visits, she just didn't feel it was the place for her. She felt completely comfortable, and "at home" at UCF. The idea of being in the Honors College (a smaller college within a large university) definitely appealed to her. She will begin in the Fall. You need to make your decision based on what you feel is best for YOU. Just remember, the majority of the people giving you the "are you kidding me?" comment really know nothing about UCF and the progress that is being made there. I have an older daughter there who has had a wonderful college experience and is doing very well academically, and yes, contrary to some rumors, she, as a UCF student, DOES study! (I read a comment somewhere that UCF students never study - I guess those are the ones who are barely squeaking by - just as would be true at any state university). Best of luck to you in your decision!</p>
<p>Don't worry about the "are you kidding me?" folks. There are lots of people who think they know what's best for everyone but only you know what's best for you. I know several people who have chosen UCF over UF and they are all happy with their decision.</p>
<p>My D is 100 % certain she wants to attend UCF Honors over University of Miami or Tulane, which are two of her current options. </p>
<p>Like others, she just feels comfortable at UCF. The campus seems very impressive. My D also says that students at her school who were accepted into UF are choosing UCF over it.</p>
<p>You should also look at your major and which college is stronger in your area of interest.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Florida Mom,</p>
<p>Our daughters seem to have made the same choice with the same options! Says quite a bit about how important the campus visit is--especially since Miami was my ds first choice until she went to UCF.</p>
<p>Tigersdad,</p>
<p>For my daughter, being in a smaller Honors College was a better fit for her, yet still have the large campus benefits appealed to her. UCF also had the program she wanted and has lots of internship opportunities which was important to her. But, again, it's whatever fits YOU. Everyone will always have an opinion about your life, you need to do what's best for you.</p>
<p>Zoot,</p>
<p>Good advice. Another bonus was the very nice merit scholarship offered by UCF. I guess we'll be seeing each other at the Honor's Orientation.</p>
<p>Florida Mom</p>
<p>Thank you all for your input. You affirmed what I had been thinking/feeling. I sent my deposit to UCF and feel great about my decision.</p>
<p>Congrats, tigersdad. See you at Burnett next year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice in this topic. I might be facing the same dilema in a few months, if I get into UF (unlikely, but possible) and UCF Honors (quite possible since I have good sat scores/ok grades). I hope thats not pretentious of me. </p>
<p>The college application process is so much more complicated then I originally thought. I applied to six colleges, but now I wonder why I bothered since it just confuses me more to keep up with 6 different applications and all the possible scenarios of where I’ll end up going.</p>
<p>This past Friday night my daughter, husband and I attended a reception at UCF for NMSF. We learned that the honors program limits admission to no more than 500 freshmen a year and it only takes freshmen so they have “classes” of honors students. I also learned that during the massive budget cuts that universities all over the country have faced, UCF has maintained the same funding for its honors college as it did before; absolutely no cuts were made in this area. In addition, the honors college has a 90% retention rate of freshmen to sophomore students and all honors classes are capped at 20 students. To say the least, I was impressed.</p>
<p>Oldest son just graduated from UF. Second son is in Honors at UCF. Youngest son chose UCF Honors over UF non-honors. UCF courted him, treated him like an individual, and we felt there’s a huge commitment to undergrad success at UCF. The vibe at UF was there were plenty more where he came from (IMO). We’ve been to orientations, scholars days, etc., at both schools, plus have had students at both schools. Son is now a freshman having a wonderful experience in the Honors College at UCF. Visit both campuses for formal and informal visits, talk to students, etc. Then make your decision.</p>
<p>My s has been in the honors college for 3 years at UCF. He’ll be taking one more honors course spring semester. Then he has two remaining prior to graduation in 2011. I cannot speak highly enough of Burnett. From the time the director, advisor and two students spent almost 2 hours with us when we were the only two to show up on one very rainy friday with honors afternoon his senior year of high school to the advising he’s gotten and the help slugging through red tape when the math department screwed up some of his standardized test stuff … burnett’s been great. Because my s works 30-40 hrs/wk besides going to school full time he doesn’t have a lot of extra time to devote to the honors congress or some of the other more extra-curricular activities. But he’s been very pleased with the academic end of it. His sister is at UF in their honors program. She’s a chemical engineering major, which is a major UCF does not have. She probably would have still gone to UF, however, as that’s always been her first choice and getting away from “home” is good for her. She’s doing fantastic at UF. So each one found their place. Mom and Dad are happy. :)</p>
<p>zebes</p>
<p>I’m a current UCF Honors student (and I could have gotten accepted in UF Honors as well, but I already knew I wanted to go to UCF!), and the experience is quite more rewarding than what UF honors students seem to go through. In terms of housing, UF’s honors program gives access to housing comparable to some of the worst housing at UCF. But comparing UCF Honors to UF regular makes no match, as the Honors college here wins in every point. Every honors class is capped at 20 (15 for English comp), and the classes I have taken have all felt like family. The Honors Symposium, which gets a lot of hate from some Honors students, is actually something I feel really happy about having the opportunity to experience. The benefits of being honors pay off (literally, they give out scholarships!) with free printing at the honors computer lab (really useful in college!), multiple term/early enrollment (sign up for classes before everyone else does), and a great, close-knit group of people that are make great friends and advisors. It really has that feel of a small college (in terms of people) in a big university. I love UCF every day and don’t regret my choice at all (lost a girlfriend over it, and I’m still happy!), and don’t worry about the people scoffing at UCF now, because when you end up their boss in ~7 years, you’ll have the last laugh.</p>
<p>^ Seems unlikely - UF has the best Career Resource Center in the USA (according to Princeton Review).</p>
<p>Easy to see why: Just have a look at UF’s amazing alumni-base</p>
<p>[List</a> of University of Florida people - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_University_of_Florida_people]List”>List of University of Florida alumni - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Once again SSobick, why are you so threatened by students actually choosing UCF or UF or FSU?? Why does it bother you so much???</p>
<p>Isn’t there a UF forum for those that wants to brag about the school? Sheesh.</p>