UCF Provost Scholar Award vs. UF Honors

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Central Florida
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<p>Hello! I know UF decisions aren't until until Feb. and UF Honors apps aren't out yet but I'd like your thoughts because it may come down to this or UF reg vs UCF provost/honors.</p>

<p>UCF offered me their Provost Scholar Award, total of $24,000 and guaranteed admission into the 4 yr Burnett Honors College. It also has it's perks of research opportunities even in your first year. But this was just mentioned in passing in an article. This is vague to me. </p>

<p>I really thought I was going to UF for the better part of my high school years, felt right at home with the tour, etc. but UCF has grown on me a bit and it's hard to turn down $24,000.</p>

<p>I'm considering double majoring in computer engineering and accounting. I know that seems ridiculous but I plan to try or at least start out engineering w/ accounting minor and then see if I can get the second major( is this a better idea?).</p>

<p>So which do you think is the better opportunity for me? or the pros and cons?</p>

<p>The main arguments that I have seen is UF has a great reputation, it's large alumni base really helps in jobs and prestige also gives an edge. UF generally has better programs overall (though UCF dominates in Comp Sci, I believe UF's CS program isn't accredited). UF is also a more selective school while the people may be more similar to me.. it's more competitive for opportunities. UCF has great jobs location... offers money.. honors program.</p>

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<p>I cannot for the life of me understand why you would be possessed to double major in accounting and comp eng. Seriously…can you explain?</p>

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<p>Haha.
For the same reason, I’m taking a bajillion APs even though I probably would have nice high scores in a few- because I’m crazy! xD</p>

<p>JK… or maybe not. xD</p>

<p>Well… I can’t choose and I rather push myself to maximum potential. xD What possesses me to even do this? … I guess I’m ambitious. I believe that if there’s a will there’s a way. And if I fail? Well, experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. :smiley: I mean, there’s no harm in trying? I could drop accounting to a minor? But I am seriously considering starting off with a minor in accounting… For me… choosing b/w comp engin and accounting is like UF and UCF in my case. </p>

<p>Btw it was definitely not my parents wanting me to double major. Haha they didn’t even approve me taking many APs my senior year anyway. </p>

<p>Now :smiley: I would love to hear your input on UF hon vs UCF provost.</p>

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<p>My input would be why be a number when you can be a name to your professors.</p>

<p>Also even if you wish to be “pushed to the limits” I see no reason to take accounting and computer science…they are pretty much completely unrelated. Not seeing the logic there haha.</p>

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<p>sifanatic> Thank you for your input! :D</p>

<p>Can’t I still be a name to my professors? Especially if I take honors classes?</p>

<p>Well accounting is the language of business… I’m hoping to use my computer engineering background and maybe combine the two? Haha, I have a wide spectrum of interests. xD I think unrelated double majoring is more common in schools like Carnegie Mellon. </p>

<p>But I recently found out that there are university online classes that you can enroll in for free and no credit! But so far it’s limited and it’s the first time they’re being offered. But if they start opening it up and offer accounting classes or something. I’ll definitely eliminate the double major and just do a minor in accounting instead. </p>

<p>I think I’m going to start off as an computer engineer but I’m really interested in the business side of things too. This may be a lofty dream but I’d like to start up my business someday… Haha I don’t blame you if you don’t see the logic. xD</p>

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<p>haha I mean it’s somehat applicable but not directly related is how I’d phrase it. As for honors courses they’re offered at every school…UCF has honors in the major for burnett rejects like I’ll be.</p>

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<p>Oh I think I misunderstood you again. xD </p>

<p>“My input would be why be a number when you can be a name to your professors.”
Which university are you talking bout respectively? </p>

<p>Haha what’s wrong with double majoring in indirectly applicable subjects?</p>

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<p>burnett honors is like 20 people to a class for honors courses. My cousins UF honors were quite a bit larger. I honestly believe moreso it’s what you learn and do than where you go. To each his own</p>

<p>As for the dm-ing I personally would double major in something that accents my eduation. Sorta kinda building off the same bases. Accounting majors take completely different courses. Like I personally am going with a micro/molec bio major with a biomedical engineering or biochem minor. Again, to each his own.</p>

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<p>Ah… did not know that! Thank you for telling me and clarifying! :D</p>

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<p>Accounting and computer engineering do go hand in hand. My dad is an accountant, and due to his avid computer programming skills, he as able to customize programs on Excel and other programs that work specifically for the company that he works for. I think double majoring in that would be a good idea</p>

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<p>I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, just not common. My friend is an accounting major and all of his classed are economic and math related. </p>

<p>However on a funny side note, I was all bummed because EXCEL wasn’t emailing me back…until I realized I emailed the wrong address haha</p>

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<p>:D Uncommon is fine with me! </p>

<p>Haha! xD At least you figured that out!</p>

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<p>I hope so… on their site it says <a href=“mailto:excel@ucf.edu”>excel@ucf.edu</a> but on the brochure its <a href=“mailto:excel@mail.ucf.edu”>excel@mail.ucf.edu</a></p>

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<p>I used the first email you listed and got a response, so I know that’s a functioning email for excel</p>

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<p>Really? Neither one has gotten back to me.</p>

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<p>That’s odd, I sent the message after their working hours and got a response the next day at around 1pm ish.</p>

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<p>I’m a CS major who is also in the Honors College, so I’ll tell you this…</p>

<p>I’ll begin by saying that most Floridian kids grow up to believe that UF is some Ivy-League caliber school; it’s not. It’s another state school, albiet the one with the state’s better sports programs. However, UCF, FSU, USF, and company will bestow upon you an equally good education depending on what you want to major in. </p>

<p>Now, keep in mind you’re attending university as an undergrad. Contrary to popular belief, no one cares a damn where you attended university for your undergraduate degree (unless it’s little known or a community college, and even then…). The WHERE becomes important when you’re getting your graduate degree. When you start racking in internships, you’ll understand; you’ll be given the same work at the same pay scale as the guy from MIT, FIU, VT, GTech, Harvard, etc. At this point in the game, your professional experience and your network is what gets you anywhere in life after college.</p>

<p>With that being said, UCF is the heartland of Florida’s High Tech Corridor (look it up), and it was built to be Florida’s engineering breeding grounds for NASA and other engineering companies in Central Florida. Thus, UCF has a very good engineering program - especially Computer Engineering and Computer Science (arguably the best in Florida).</p>

<p>So ask yourself this: are you willing to turn down $24000 for nothing?
(considering the Honors program at both schools to be somewhat akin)</p>

<p>Oh, and for yoursake, do not double major in CmpE and Accounting, or Engineering and anything else, period. Unless it’s MechE and AeroE (which only require a handful more classes) or if you plan on getting your undergrad degree in 7 years (or less, if you want to shorten your lifespan). An engineering degree is hard enough, so just minor in accounting… as an engineer you’d already possess the analytical and problem solving skills anyone would look for in an accountant.</p>

<p>Hope this helped a bit.</p>

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<p>Bonafide> Thanks that helps a lot! :smiley: Do you think CmpE and Minors Accounting and Entrepreneurship would be killer? I’m seriously considering not doing LEADS, free up time fulfilling activity and leadership class reqs.</p>

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<p>I agree that Florida kids are raised to believe that UF is a public Ivy. It is not! In other parts of the country it is not highly regarded. </p>

<p>Yes- you can do undergrad at UF, FSU, UCF, or USF and go to a highly regarded graduate program, med school, etc. However, I won’t lie- UCF and USF are lesser college experiences if you are looking for the “School spirit- Hey everyone’s going to the football game” type of situation. Clearly, UF and FSU will provide the spirit and being part of a community. If that is not important to you- then by all means go for the $$ and go to UCF, because in the end, a UCF/FSU/UF undergrad degree will mean the same thing.</p>

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<p>anonymoushorse7,</p>

<p>I wrote out a lengthy response, but CC decided to log me out as I hit submit. So… here’s the short reply.</p>

<p>Stay in LEAD. Even though I believe that leadership can’t be taught, LEAD makes fruitful contributions to the community and this is what is important. LEAD will, for the most part, give you an experience that will prove to your employers that you can 1) work with people and 2) make beneficial contributions.</p>

<p>Regarding the minors. This is my advice, don’t underestimate an engineering degree. It’s not for the week or undisciplined; expect long hours, frustration, and less of a social life then your peers. However, you won’t turn into some lifeless engineering zombie (most of the time). In turn, don’t declare a minor your first year, there’s no rush. This way, you’ll see if you want stick in engineering or can handle the additional burden of a minor on top of your engineering classes and LEAD. The transition to college life is burdensome enough. After the first year and you’re up to it, feel free to declare a minor, but only one (2 is excessive, and a minor does often prove to be unnecessary).</p>

<p>Lastly, involvedmonFL is right. The spirit here is lacking compared to UF and FSU. I blame that on two things: there’s not much happenin’ in Gville or Talla and they have the two best football teams in the state but we’re catching up (even though this season was pretty poor).</p>