<p>Hi guys, I know decisions aren't until until Feb. and 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.</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?</p>
<p>Go to UF. It’s still free/cheap I don’t think its very likely you’d do that much better at UCF. But if you struggle adapting and don’t finish too high you’d be a lot better off in the 30th percentile at UF vs. the 50th percentile at UCF. The difference might even be smaller than that because engineering vs liberal arts is a bigger difference than UF vs. UCF so you’ll be competing with smart kids in both places.</p>
<p>Also UCF has a much higher percentage of commuters/part time students and people who are going to do the minimum just to get a degree. It is also not an SEC school. I’m sure you can still have fun at UCF but the atmosphere is definitely different.</p>
<p>UF is definitely not free/cheap, and the costs are rising. I have full BF and I’m still paying more than anticipated. (My family’s not that wealthy, tbf).</p>
<p>$24000 really is a lot, and the economy is not gonna get better in these next 4 years, so take the into account heavily. </p>
<p>I like it here at UF a lot but honestly if I was in your situation it depends on how much your parents can pay. The gulf in class between FL public schools is closing too, although UF is still clearly the best.</p>
<p>My family can pay, esp. with bright futures and all… but it sucks cause I’m also a twin.
But they can afford both of us going to UF with Bright futures. Just paying housing sucks too. </p>
<p>bobbo> I’m gonna play a bit of devil’s advocate…</p>
<p>“But if you struggle adapting and don’t finish too high you’d be a lot better off in the 30th percentile at UF vs. the 50th percentile at UCF. The difference might even be smaller than that because engineering vs liberal arts is a bigger difference than UF vs. UCF so you’ll be competing with smart kids in both places.”</p>
<p>But UCF Honor’s has great perks! Most of the honors kids get the schedules they want. But I didn’t realize the 30 vs. 50. What convinced you about this? Does prestige really matter? I love the UF student population… I feel they are more like minded but it is more competitive for opportunities there than at UCF. Possibly more opportunities for experience, would you say that experience trumps prestige?</p>
<p>"Also UCF has a much higher percentage of commuters/part time students and people who are going to do the minimum just to get a degree. It is also not an SEC school. I’m sure you can still have fun at UCF but the atmosphere is definitely different. "</p>
<p>Well it’s definitely reducing that percentage. More and more live on campus and it’s getting more selective. There are many kids this year accepted to FSU, but deferred by UCF. But yes I do feel that many are there to cruise by to get their degree but this may be biased. But won’t I find my niche in whatever college I go?</p>
<p>Strikeb4ck> I appreciate your honesty and input! :D</p>
<p>What do you guys think of UCF’s honors program? xD</p>
<p>ahorse7-- Sounds like you are a strong student. With your AP credits you
will likely begin as a soph at either UF or UCF. Just a strategic thought but
you will probably want to move immediately beyond the BA/BS/BSE to graduate
education. If you fund a UCF bachelors with largely BF dollars and pocket the
$24K could you use those dollars for an MBA or MSEngineering at UF? If UCF
actually puts the 24K in an account that you can leave with upon graduation, I’d
certainly consider the above. This model gets you thru graduate education with
little to no debt.</p>
<p>I have a son who is a freshman at UF and he turned down an almost full ride at another state university to go to UF. I think that he now seriously regrets that decision. He does not find the academic work challenging enough and he has to take out student loans, in addition to what I am able to pay. When he was in high school, he could not fully appreciate money or the concept of paying back a loan so I don’t think he put enough thought into his decision. He got swept up in the “everyone has to go to UF” mania in high school.</p>
<p>Yes UF is a good school. Is it worth giving up 24K towards your education? No. Absolutely not.</p>
<p>Thank you guys I really appreciate the input!
daviddj> haha thanks for the compliment!
bn12gg>The only thing is that, while I take a bajillion AP’s I pass bare minimum with 3’s. I’m also taking a lot of AP’s this year… but I feel more confident about those. xD</p>
<p>And move immediately? Hmm. I was hoping to try outta state graduate school… perhaps if my employer pays for me to get my masters. Not sure if I should go direct to graduate or work first… </p>
<p>He’s currently engineering but probably switching to a pre-med track like Biology, Chemistry or Microbiology. He got A’s in all of his classes for the fall semester.</p>
<p>UF is the best college in Florida for most degree programs. Also, our career center is amazing. I love the school. However, my brother goes to UCF and also loves it. </p>
<p>We both received big scholarships and honors program admission at UCF. I still chose UF because I like the old time feel and tradition/reputation of UF. My brother chose UCF because he is studying computer science and also loves the school’s modern vibe.</p>
<p>Although UF is arguably better at academics, really just choose the school you feel most comfortable at. It’s only comparable if you talk about UCF Honors. Regular UCF is not worth it in my opion.</p>
<p>He’s smart and he loves school. He is really good at math and science. I could not believe my ears when he told me that he does not have to study and did not find the work difficult. I’m hoping that he is a little more challenged next semester. He will have Biology 2, Calc 2 and Chem 2 at the same time plus a diversity class that is required.</p>
<p>Engineerjw> Thanks for your input! I agree with you bout UCF hon more worth it than UCF reg. Harder to decide now which I feel is more comfortable. Physically and mentally. xD Amenites vs. atmosphere vs. tolerance. </p>
<p>JenaS62> That is awesome! I love school too and I work hard but I don’t have an aptitude at all for physics and calc… xD or tinkering for that matter. I joined my schools Rocket and Robotics team to help with that but I really have to put in the time.</p>
<p>I have the exact same decision to make- I, too was offered the Provost award and I have always been set on attending UF. I’m just going to wait until February comes around so I can tour both colleges again and really weigh the pros and cons. I want to major in biomedical engineering and I honestly think UF’s program is better, We;ll have to see.</p>
<p>Are you on the UCF Class of 2016 FB group? There are people on there that can help you answer questions and stuff! lol had a mini debate on UF vs. UCF… of course there’s bias but there were some good things too consider. </p>
<p>To the person earlier planning on majoring in biomed engineering, uf absolutely has a more prestigious program however the application process is also very rigorous. During your junior year (credit wise) you apply to the department and about 20 people get it. They are increase the acceptance for the future untill it is just like any other major however currently, it’s competitive.</p>
<p>And for the op, if money isn’t an issue I would go for UF admittance withstanding (with absolutely no trace of bias, haha). It is a toss-up with nearly any major other than Engineering (perhaps Pre-Med tracks also). If you’d like I can write a more intricate post but I couldn’t tell if you still needed advice or if you had your mind made up.</p>
<p>GO TO UCF. In my case, UF offered my 20K but that is NOT the norm. I would seriously consider going with UCF. My friend (majoring in Computer Engineering) received the saem schoalrship to UCF and he is happier than ever.</p>
thanks for the compliment!
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