UCF or FSU? (Engineering)

<p>Hello I'm a Miami Dade College (CC) student who is planning to transfer for the fall 2010 semester. I've been accepted to the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Florida State University (FSU). My major is engineering, mechanical or aerospace. I've worked for the last three years as an Aircraft mechanic. I really love the aviation industry and would like to expand my job opportunities by becoming and engineer. I'm in a tear between FSU (nationally ranked) and UCF (Better engineering programs). FSU only has a mechanical engineering program (relevant to me) and also has more prestige, relative to UCF. On the other side of the coin UCF has an aerospace engineering program (even more-so relevant to my desired career) but is not nationally rank (tier 3). As far as location, Tallahassee is a "town" 9 hrs away from home and Orlando is a "city" 4hrs away from home.</p>

<p>The dilemma is will a degree from FSU look better on my resume although its engineering division is inferior to UCF's. </p>

<p>What would you do? </p>

<p>any advise is welcomed thanks in advance. By the way I'm considering the "fun" factor.(I know is better immature. but who doesn't want to enjoy themselves away at college).</p>

<p>That’s a tough decision. Sure FSU is more “prestigous” and well known in comparison to UCF but I wouldn’t let that deter you from choosing the major you want and the better program. I honestly don’t think employers are going to care if you went to UCF, FSU, or any other college really, just as long as you have a degree relating to the job. If you want to do aerospace then obviously, UCF is going to be the better choice. UCF was originally a tech school so I’m sure it’s engineering (particularly aerospace) program is a little more developed. It is also very close to NASA and I want to say UCF has affiliations with them (don’t take my word on that…I’m not 100% positive).
I don’t know about the fun factor as I won’t be going to UCF until the fall but UCF is in Orlando which is much bigger than Tallahassee. There is tons to do in a big city like Orlando so I’m sure no matter what, you’ll find something fun to do.
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s the right decision for you and your future career! Good luck :)</p>

<p>@SingAnnaSing Thanks for the reply. I think your right, I should based my decision on which school will better prepare me towards my desired career rather than the “prestige” of the school. The more I think about it the more obvious the decision seems. Thanks again, hope to see you in the fall.(if i decide ucf)</p>

<p>I’m biased since I go to UCF but I’ll give you the facts as best I can though. UCF is younger than FSU, hence why its not as nationally known. However, UCF has had an engineering program for about twice as long as FSU has. Age isnt everything but thats just to point out that UCF Engineering is more well established. SingAnnaSing is right about UCF’s ties with NASA. I remember reading that UCF is the only school with its own launching pad at NASA, which of course would be relevant to you since you are interested in areospace engineering. Also, its pretty nice being not too far from the Space Coast should you be interested in an internship with NASA.</p>

<p>My father’s company bases new grad pay on which college they attended.</p>

<p>Among Florida schools, the University of Florida and UCF both start at the highest rate of pay. They are considered equals when it comes to producing engineers.</p>

<p>Florida State and USF are one notch below.</p>

<p>wow some great responses, i really appreciate it guys. I’ve decided and I’ve chosen UCF i’ll be attending in the fall. Now just need to get housing together. Thinking about Northgate Lakes, any comments? Thanks a bunch.</p>

<p>Unless you go to an Ivy League school or a Duke/Northeastern/Other top 25 school, it really doesn’t matter where you go. Unless you have a good amount of experience through an internship or part-time job, you wont know how to do anything on the job anyways, and thus are worthless. I went to UCF and so did my best friend/co-worker. Our other co-workers went to Clemson, FSU, and UF. We are hands down the best and most valuable members of the department. We are also the most analytical and brightest of the bunch. A lot of individuals go to these harder to get into schools because they can recall book material and do well on standardized tests, but they lack communication and articulation skills, which are more important that technical abilities. Not saying they are more technically sound, because they simply are not, but they also do not function well in the workplace. By the way, I loved UCF. Best time/experience of my life.</p>

<p>The “prestige” game is pointless when it comes to schools other than Ivy Leagues, particularly when it comes to public schools in-state. FSU only has slightly more name recognition than UCF outside of Florida–but UCF’s engineering program, in the field, certainly does have the “national renown” you may be looking for. It has, quite simply, one of the best public engineering schools in the country, rankings and tiers be damned. Besides, it doesn’t matter where your degree comes from, but it <em>can</em> matter what you’ve done during your time in school.</p>

<p>Don’t think of it in terms of “prestige,” but opportunity at the school. Tallahassee has the Capitol there–which is great of PoliSci majors, not so much an engineering major. UCF has partnerships with Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and a host of other companies in the area that are linked to the engineering program.</p>

<p>If you go to UCF, you will have internship and study opportunities with all of those companies. (UCF is fantastic with hooking its students up with interships.) Now, you tell me which will look better: An engineering degree from FSU, or an engineering degree from UCF with internship and work experience already in the field? In today’s job market, the answer is undoubtedly the latter. Furthermore, if you do enough in your internships that UCF provides, you may very well end up with a job in one of those companies right after graduation.</p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>