UF or UCF?

State Forums
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<p>I’m currently looking forward to apply to either University of Florida or University of Central Florida. Both colleges are on top of my priority list because of the fact that both colleges have substantially strong academic aspect and are also affordable compared to private colleges. But the thing is I have to choose only one because I’m planning to apply to 7 colleges and only one spot is left and that will be for either UF or UCF. So the real question is, which college has better overall atmosphere in aspects of academic, environment (on campus and out of campus), recreation near college, merit scholarships offer, diversity and more if you’d like to make comment. I’ve heard that UF is a great public college that’s been ranked around 49th nationally whereas UCF is around 170th. I know that there are a huge gap between UF and UCF and it seems like UF is much better off than UCF by looking at the ranks. But I don’t really let the ranks to judge my college decision and I personally think UCF is also a great college. And it’s second largest college in the U.S. too. I can’t make up my mind whether I should apply to UF or UCF. Which one is better looking to you?? </p>

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<p>First, here is a admission matrix for the Florida state public schools (like UF, UCF, USF, FSU, etc.):</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.flbog.edu/about/_doc/cod/asa/admission_2013/2013-Matrix.pdf”>http://www.flbog.edu/about/_doc/cod/asa/admission_2013/2013-Matrix.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Note that both schools “super score” the SAT. They will take your section highest score from each test (that you’ve taken) and combine the score. So, if you scored a 600/600/600 (M/CR/W) on your first test, and then a 650/550/610, they will super score your SAT as a 650/600/610 or 1860. Neither school uses SAT 2 test scores or AP test scores for admissions (they do for class placement and AP credits). </p>

<p>UF is the better established university,with stronger overall programs. However, UCF also is strong (though not as strong) in a several areas, such as engineering. Determine what majors you may be interested in, and then compare those at each school.</p>

<p>Both schools have an honors program, with UCF’s having slightly easier admission requirements.</p>

<p>In-state cost is the same at both schools, while out of state student cost are lower (about $7K a year) at UCF</p>

<p>It’s far easier to earn merit scholarships (In-state and OOS) at UCF than UF.</p>

<p>Orlando (UCF) is a major city in Florida, while Gainesville (UF) is a college town.</p>

<p>Both schools have active forums on CC, so I would recommend you check both out. You may want to apply to both schools, as the application fee is only $30 per school (plus the cost of sending your test scores and transcripts).</p>

<p>Good Luck! </p>

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<p>I really appreciate your thoughts it really gave me an insight of both schools and now I think I should apply to both schools as you recommanded. I never knew about the “super score” rule until you brought it up, so thank you for letting me know! and do you know the difference between the regular class and honors program? do they have different admission process when applying? I also want to know although both UF and UCF don’t require SAT 2 or AP, will I be given any possible advantage for submitting one? I want to major in international studies/relations and do you know which school has more prestigious internationals major program? </p>

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<p>No "admissions: advantage for submitting your scores.</p>

<p>You have to apply to both honor programs, after being admitted to the college.</p>

<p>UF’s International studies program is fairly new (2011).</p>

<p><a href=“International Studies Major - Bob Graham Center for Public Service”>International Studies Major - Bob Graham Center for Public Service;

<p><a href=“International Studies < University of Florida”>https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/liberalarts/majors/international-studies.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_f95c889c-dcf7-11e0-8393-001cc4c03286.html”>http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_f95c889c-dcf7-11e0-8393-001cc4c03286.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>International relations is a subfield of political science, which is a strong program at UF. </p>

<p><a href=“International Relations Certificate < University of Florida”>https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/liberalarts/certificates/international-relations.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If you are interested in going political sciences/International relations, you may want to think about the combined degree program at UF (BA in Political sciences, MA in international relations) all in 5 years (4+1)</p>

<p><a href=“Political Science < University of Florida”>https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/liberalarts/majors/political-science.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>UCF also has a program:</p>

<p><a href=“http://catalog.ucf.edu/content/documents/programs/International_and_Global_Studies_BA.pdf”>http://catalog.ucf.edu/content/documents/programs/International_and_Global_Studies_BA.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The strongest International relations program, in the state, may be at FSU. You should do some research on FSU’s program.</p>

<p><a href=“http://coss.fsu.edu/inaprog/”>http://coss.fsu.edu/inaprog/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;