Admission to UF came out, and I was selected as a PaCE student. Basically, I’d have to do 60 credits (30ish for me) online before I could advance to the main campus. Is this a good thing? I know Florida is the best school in the state, and I’d get a regular degree, but I don’t know how I feel about this option. Opinions needed.
Same here. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do since UF was my first choice.
Same here. I didn’t even know this was an option, and it’s a complicated feeling at that.
Same!! Had a good cry and now i’m just confused. It feels good to know there are others like me who understand the feeling.
ditto. All i know is that if you want to be in the health profession you shouldn’t do this and it’s like being a guaranteed transfer studemt
All of these acceptances are so depressing 
Hi everyone. I am Associate Director of UF Online. PaCE is a new program and it can be confusing. I would encourage everyone to gather as much info as possible and to talk to us. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Q&A on this new program:
http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/ugrad/pacefaq.html
We have a thread going in the UF forums where UFOnline is answering questions.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-florida/1741763-pace-program.html#latest
Once you hit 60 credits (including AP/DE/IB/AICE credits) and complete 2 semesters, you could transition to campus as early as Fall 2016. It’s worth looking into and taking a few days to think about.
I would feel like a non-existance UF student if I accepted this program. ID cards will be different. Fraternities/Sororities will learn to ask if we are a PACE student. I am not sure if this is a great way to be considered a Gator. I would like to know what the pros are to accepting this program if you are not receiving any benefits as a UF student. The only thing that is guaranteed is an automatic acceptance after the 60 hours. Why wouldn’t someone want to go to SFCC and get involved with other students and transfer in. I realize it is not guaranteed. However, it sounds like a much better life. No one asks where did you go to school for 4 years. They only want to know where you received your degree.
HI @JEFF2015 The program will not be for everyone and you will have to decide what is best for you. On the money side, you will receive a 25% discount on tuition (and overall, a ~40% discount compared to what residential students are paying) while in the PaCE program. You can be on campus as soon as summer 2016. The guarantee for campus enrollment is ONLY for PaCE students, as you note. There is no guarantee if you go to SFCC (which is an excellent College) that you will be accepted to UF. You would have to go through the regular transfer process if you were at SFCC (or any place else besides UF). ALL your courses while you are in UF PaCE will count towards your degree. You would not have to worry about if a class you were taking would count during the transfer process. You also have a huge amount of opportunities at UF, even as a PaCE student (world-class faculty - yes, they teach the online courses), research opportunities, and study abroad to name a few (in addition to full access to our libraries). I am way biased but I would put our courses and a UF education up against any residential program in the country.
But, at the end of the day, it is a decision only you can make for yourself. Hope this was helpful.
As you stated, UF professors teach the online courses. However, if there are questions to be asked regarding the class or lecture, is there any chance of discussing the questions face to face? Or only online? Also, to be clear, we will actually view a professor, not just take a correspondence class. Correct? I don’t think the 25% discount is a big enough discount. The only World-class facility we get to view is the library. If a PaCE student wants to live in G-Ville to Try and capture some UF life they can not join a recreational sport to get to know fellow students. Correct? Can I study abroad for the first 60 hours.
@UFOnline I’m trying to decide right now whether to go with this program or attend Auburn University (got into the Honors college there). I just want to know, is it more difficult (or even possible) to transfer from an out-of-state school to UF, than another Florida school (I’m not sure if those credits can transfer)? UF has always been the dream school and I still really want to make it a reality.
@MDugg9 It is possible to transfer from anywhere but unlike PaCE there is no guarantee. In PaCE you will never have an issue of transferring credits or even having to apply to transfer. It is guaranteed as long as you have the grades and the tracking courses for the major you are interested in. Congrats on getting into the Honors College at Auburn but of course we hope you come to UF!!!
@JEFF2015 UF Professors teach online courses and they have office hours where online/residential students can stop by. Hours depend on the course/Professor. NO UF ONLINE COURSE IS A “CORRESPONDENCE” COURSE!!! The UF Online course are amazing (ok, I am biased). To be completely frank 95%+ of the online courses you would be taking in UF Online will ALSO have residential online students in the EXACT same course (the instructors don’t even usually know who is “Online” and who is “residential Online”). It turns out that in most courses if there is an online section and a residential section, the online section fills up first (online sections of most courses are more popular than residential sections). I would also suggest that you check out the UF Online UTube channel (here is a link to one of the cool ways we are using new ideas in online education at UF https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmitanU7wmE). Study abroad is open to all PaCE students (your advisor will help you with setting up Study Abroad).
As far as the 25% discount. That is on tuition. As PaCE students you will not be paying the fees for the rec center (among other fees) which is why you will not be allowed to use that facility (the overall discount is >40% for PaCE students when fees are taken into consideration).
The >40% discount makes more sense.
If," the online section fills up" do the PaCE students get first priority over residential students.
“the online section fills up first (online sections of most courses are more popular than residential sections”
Being a new program, what are the chances a PaCE student could have one residential class on campus while not
living on campus. I realize “Online” is the future. However, it would be nice to have an option
of taking one residential class to feel apart of the university. I also have been accepted to two out of state SEC schools and two other FL public universities. However, I am a huge Gator fan. This is a very difficult decision. One my parents and I are not taking lightly. I encourage more questions from potential PaCE students.
@JEFF2015 There are different sections for PaCE and residential online students within a course. There is no competition for seats. Once the residential online seats are taken no more residential students can take the course (PaCE students can continue to enroll).
PaCE students will not be able to take any classes on campus (residential classes) until they have transitioned to campus.
I am glad you are asking such great questions and please let me know anything else you need to know to help with your decision.
What is the ideal PaCE student in UF’s mind?
If I accept this Pace Program, can I pay a fee to be involved in the UF recreational activities?
SFCC has UF advisors to let me know what class will be accepted for UF’s standards. If, this is the case, can I take the minimum 15 hours online and enroll at SFCC at the same time?
@JEFF2015 We do not have an “ideal” PaCE student in mind. My personal goal (as part of UF Online) is to find a way for outstanding students to obtain a degree from UF. I wish we could have offered even more PaCE spots b/c there are still a large number of students that we were not able to accept who I believe would thrive at UF (even with the PaCE program).
At this time, PaCE students will not be allowed to pay an optional fee to participate in UF rec, or other, activities (we are having ongoing discussions regarding this issue).
15 hours are required in UF Online as a PaCE student prior to transiting to campus. Please note that taking a large number of non-UF courses can have consequences on your aid package and potentially your status as a UF student. In addition, if you decide to take courses outside of UF while a UF student, I would highly suggest that you contact your UF advisor prior to enrolling in an non-Uf course.
I appreciate all your time in answering these very important life changing questions.
One more for now. How are the online classes scheduled? Is there a set time to watch the class?
Must be watched within two or three days? Just wondering.
Can we reapply for spring?