UCF or UM?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Central Florida
1

<p>I'm down to these two schools, I was really close to choosing Miami last week but financially it puts a huge drain on my family and I'd have to pay for grad school myself. So basically, help me choose. Here's a little bit about me:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Born and raised in NYC, spent the last few years in Miami and I really like it. I'm a big city guy, will I like Orlando?</p></li>
<li><p>I like to party, but not too much. I'm fine with drinking, I just don't wanna get plastered every single weekend. I'm more of a chill party type of person, like house parties. I don't really like raves or clubs, they're too loud. Would I enjoy UCF?</p></li>
<li><p>I got a 1290 on the SAT, had a 3.9 GPA junior year and a 4.4 GPA first semester senior year at a very competitive high school, I didn't do too well at the beginning of my high school career because of family problems. I want to be challenged and be interested, but still be able to do really well (as in 3.7+) so I can get into an elite grad school or transfer if I choose to. I sort of fear going to UCF and not being challenged, will this be the case?</p></li>
<li><p>I want to study something in business, I'm leaning towards marketing but I'm not 100% sure. I know Miami has a really good business school, does UCF?</p></li>
<li><p>A big part of college to me is meeting interesting people. Will this happen at UCF? What is the general crowd like?</p></li>
<li><p>How hard is it to get the classes you want? I'm worried that at a school with 56,000 students it'd be nearly impossible, whereas at Miami I'd have an easier time getting the classes I want. </p></li>
<li><p>I want to live on campus freshman year at least, and I've heard housing is limited at UCF. I'm still a few days away from my final decision, will I be able to live in campus?</p></li>
<li><p>I want to go to grad school. I'm unsure of what kind yet, but I know to be a competitive job applicant nowadays having a graduate degree is very important. If I go to UM, I'd be paying for it myself, which would put in a ton of debt. If I go to UCF I'd finish grad school without debt. How big of a factor should this be in my decision?</p></li>
<li><p>Overall, I'm looking for a chill atmosphere, somewhere that I can have fun but not party 24/7, somewhere I can do well and be challenged, and most importantly enjoy myself. Is UCF right for me?</p></li>
</ul>

2

<p>bump, I’d sort of like some responses.</p>

3

<p>I went to UM.</p>

<p>I go to UCF (just about finished with my BS).</p>

<p>I have a 10 year gap in between each school.</p>

<p>I honestly can give you more info on the social scene of Miami then I can about the social scene at UCF.</p>

<p>Yes, UM has lots of parties. When I was there the social scene looked like this:</p>

<p>Thursday nights: Everyone goes to the Grove. Tons of “college” bars (if you’d call it that). Much more of a chill atmosphere. Fun place.</p>

<p>Friday nights: Frat parties and/or Off campus parties.</p>

<p>Saturday nights: If there aren’t frat parties, then many people venture to South Beach for the clubs.</p>

<p>I found Miami to be a big time party atmosphere, but that was probably a product of the people I socialized with (large fraternity).</p>

<p>I can’t say as much about UCF, socially. I’m older and don’t hang out anymore!</p>

4

<p>I’ll also add, the UM undergrad business school is probably better than UCF. </p>

<p>UCF is better in several fields, including engineering, computer science, many sciences, etc.</p>

5

<p>I would recommend UCF for several reasons…</p>

<p>1) UCF’s business programs may not be as highly regarded as UM’s but they’re pretty good.
2) UCF is a party school because of Orlando being a big city. Orlando has many clubs so people tend to
party BUT it’s so big that you’re bound to find people who like to party the way you do.
3) UCF is underrated in the sense that people feel they won’t be challenged. UCF courses are pretty moderate, not too hard but not always easy either.
4) UCF housing may be full at this point but classes are never hard to sign up for if you sign up on time.
5) UCF’s atmosphere is chill. Everyone finds a group of people they fit in with. That’s the awesome part of UCF.</p>

6

<p>Orlando and Miami are totally different types of cities. Without going into the entire point by point breakdown, I’d say in YOUR case Miami is the choice for you. JMO.</p>

<p>HOWEVER, money being a big obstacle, if you can swing UCF without going into the huge debt and loans that you would picking Miami, then that sort of overrides the rest. Whatever you choose, once you make your decision don’t second guess yourself. Take part in the experience and enjoy. Let us know your decision. Good Luck!</p>