University of Central Florida Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Willi

Choose what you fell comfortable with don't go somewhere just because of your friends or a girlfriend, do what you want. Make sure you start out right don't be like some people that go off to a nice university and then do bad their first two semesters and end up back home living with mom and dad going to community college. It's okay if you want to start this way but don't do this, your friends will think less they won't say it but they do.

Michelle

The right college for any person would provide options for paying tuition. It would also try to accomodate people who arent able to afford many first year school requirements. The right school for anyone will be perceived as inviting the moment you set foot on its campus. by walking around the campus on your first tour, you should know by looking at the students and the surroundings whether you feel comfortable at the school.

Victoria

To find a college with a good program in the student's major.

Molly

Without a doubt visit the campus and the surrounding area. Ask students that you see on or around campus any questions that you may have. I have been asked a lot of questions by potential students and their families and I have been nothing but honest. Local restaurants usually have students working there and that's where I have been asked the most questions. It's important to really figure out what you are looking for from a school and then decide if the school is the rigt option for you. Sometimes the best ranked school or the school with the best football team is not the best school for you. Though you may be undecided try to figure out your top three career choices and make sure there is a good program in each of those!

Thaysa

Try to find something you like, choose a school that has that major and try to choose a place depending on whether you like big cities, large school with lots of people, or totally the opposite. try to join groups and organization that have the same interests that you do, whether it is social, sports, or even academic.

Kimberly

I suggest visiting the college, researching it online, and talking to actual students.

Danielle

Think not only of extracurriculars, but diversity of programs offered, chances are the student will change his major at least once. Also, make your decision and stick by it. No need to flounder, worst case scenario you can always transfer.

William

Look for a school that would best suit you. Explore all the possibilities before deciding. Get involved in your school somehow, be it fraternity, going to games, clubs, intramural sports or whatever you want. Don't be a sheep. Find a way to maintain an equilibrium between school life and social life. Learn about the oppotunities for new students, so that you're comfortable in the university setting. Enjoy this time, and do the best that you can.

Richard

Everyone is going to sit here and tell you about your study habits and making the grades. Granted, school is all about the academics, but it's also about making friends and living life. You need to use school as a place in exceling to the next level and also a place to grow up in. Take it day by day, but I mean life when I say that. Know what your trying to do and have fun. If you don't have fun your going to hate school and dread getting up for those morning classes. You know yourself better then anyone else and that's going to tell you a lot about what school your going to want to go to. College is just like high school just on a bigger scale. Don't try to tale on too much, because it'll be over before you know it. Make college an experience that you will always remember as a good thing. Be ab;e to tell srories, because before you know itm it's too late. Use college not only as an educational tool, but also a place where you can find who you really are.

Emma

Just go where your heart tells you is right. You will make the right decision.

Brent

For the parents, allow your kids to visit different campuses. To students, find a school you think looks comfortable, safe, and that you would be proud to attend and graduate from. Check to make sure they offer a major that fits your career goals, and offers different activities with which you can become involved. Also, make sure it is affordable, and check for any scholarship opportunities you can find.

John

The only practical advice I can offer is work hard. I've never worked harder in my entire life and I'm going to make it out of UCF possibly with magna cum laude in a biology degree, and I've been accepted to one of the top law schools in the nation in Washington DC. So things can work out really well for you if you set goals and work towards them. The other tidbit of information I can provide is if you are a science major, talk to your professors and do research its rewarding, and gives you an entirely new perspective on thinking. Working hard is the only guarantee for success.

Nicole

The best advice I could give about finding the right college would be to visit potential schools, spending time on the campuses, taking tours, asking questions, etc. The only way one will know if one is choosing the right school is by exploring it and being able to imagine oneself on that campus. It is also important to make the decision based on one's own desires, not whether or not one's best friends will be attending the same university. To make the most out of the college experience, one should strongly consider getting involved in extra-curricular activities that interest one. The most satisfied college students seem to be involved in university programs. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, and it also provides positive information to put on a resume.

Sidhi

Parents and students should do their research first and definitely visit the schools that interest the student. Look into housing options, financial aid, academic resources and amenities available to the student on and off-campus. They should also look into opportunities for the student to get involved on-campus. Whether it is a fraternity or sorority or on-campus clubs/organizations, getting involved in these organizations as freshmen they will give themselves a chance to be an active leader later when they are senior members of these groups. By actively involving the student on-campus this will directly improve his/her quality of life. They will forge life-long friendships, build character, network, find activities they enjoy, and this will make them more marketable to the career industry. So basically, by making sure your student has the resources for success and is actively using them, you will guarantee them success as a student and a person.

Kristina

Visit every college. Do not pick your college solely on a brochure that is not no where near how the school really is. Take the time out travel make it a fun time and search all schools possible.

Brittany

Sit in on a class or two becuase if you are unhappy with the professor then it is going to be harder to get through school.

Matt

Do not pick a school based on where your friends are going. Pick the school that is the best for your program. If you do not know what you want to do, you can leave after two years, so pick the school that looks like you will have all the resources you need and the most fun.

Lindsay

Make you you think about what you want to study first then do your research to see what schools have that major. Then you can weed out the schools that are you certain specifications.

Joseph

Look for the college campus that best fits you. Some people like being around a lot of other people, so they should go to school on a large campus. Others like small groups of people and small classes, so they should go to a school with a smaller campus and less undergraduate students. Let your kids get involved and get into campus activities like fraternities and sororities and clubs. Have fun, and if you think you might regret not doing something, do it, instead of regretting not doing it for the rest of your life.

Sean

Trust God, don't worry about the things outside of your control. Don't hesitate to find a group or organization to get plugged into and make an impact within. Really consider the pros and cons of a large university and a small university. Ask friends who attend the colleges you or your children are considering attending whether or not they would recommend the school. Also, research the specialization of the schools you are interested in, for example, whether they specialize in engineering, science, or liberal arts. Figure out whether or not the college's specialization suits your interests. Choosing a college or university can be a very stressful experience. Although there are a lot of things a prospective student can do to add to their college application and improve their chances of being accepted into a college, a lot of factors still lie outside of their control. I realized this fact, and let the Lord handle it, and He's put me directly where I need to be. Although I don't think the University of Central Florida is perfect, I know I am there for a purpose.

Christine

Visit all your prospective colleges and visit the building dedicated to your course of study.

Rachel

BE SURE to go on a tour of the college as well as spend time with someone you already know who goes there. Let them show you around so you get to see everything as a student does. Always apply to a backup college, even if you think you wont go there. The only reason I applied to my college was because I knew one person that was going there that was a possible roommate. The school wasn't even an option for me at first and now I love it and can't imagine myself anywhere else! To make the most of your experience live on campus as long as possible, at least try it for your first year. Join at least one club and although they might seem corny, try going to some of the activities on campus, they're actually pretty fun. Don't hesitate when meeting new people. People on college campuses are very friendly and mostly likely have interests similar to yours. School pride is the most important. Go to EVERY home football game and any other sport you're interested in. Enjoy the experience because it will be the best time of your life!

John

I think students that are fairly certain about what they want to do with their life before entering college are few and far between, and that's one of the great things about UCF. You might think you know what you want before applying, but when you're here, you can change your major to anything, and we'll still have a challenging and respectful program for it. Parents should know that it might seem expensive, but what college isn't? It's actually cheaper than a lot of colleges and definitely worth it. If you live anywhere in Florida, or are looking to come to Florida from out of state, then UCF should be your number one choice. Also, for the students trying to make the most out of their college experience, UCF has plenty of clubs and intramural sports to choose from. As with any college town, there are plenty of bars around campus to choose from, but we also have a culturally rich downtown area, with art displays, classic shops, music hubs, and anything else you can think of. People on campus are friendly, so don't be shy, go out there and make some new friends!

Breeana

Parents need to let their children make the decision to pick what college they would like to attend. I come from experience to say that parents should guide their children to the right school and not just choose for their child like my mother did. Even though there may be circumstances where the parent has the last say because of financial status (similar to my situation), the child must figure for him/herself how much the school they want to attend costs and how they can get the money to finance that decision. Dealing with the college experience, I say to let the child attend a summer term at their first through third choice schools to see which would benefit them more and give them a better understanding of what college life is all about.

terrence

Make sure it's a place where you can be happy. Make sure you can be proud to be a student there in a challenging degree program.

Tiovanni

DO NOT BASE YOUR CHOICE ON WHERE MOST OF YOUR FRIENDS ARE GOING . TAKE SOME TIME AND FIGURE WHATS BEST FOR YOU. WRUTE A LIST OF PROS AND CONS. THINGS RANGING FROM LOCATION , TO CREDIBILITY, AFFORDABILITY, LAID BACK CAMPUS LIFE, UPBEAT HIGH ENERGY CAMPUS. ALL THESE THINGS NEED TO BE PUT INTO CONSIDERATION

Katie

Remember not to settle for a school simply because it's conveniently located or because your friends will also be attending. Choose the school that meets your future academic and professional goals, and of course, financial constraints.

Samantha

Take the time to do the research and find the situation that is best for you and offers you the things important to you. Take the time out to research scholarships and other financial aid award opportunities.

Ariel

Everything happens for a reason! Don't lose hope if you don't get into your first choice.

Angel

The first step to finding the right college is knowing what you want to study. After finding the colleges that offer the planned course of study I would suggest going on a tour of the campus and talking to some current students. I found that after the tour of UCF I wanted more than ever to go to college there. If you don't like the campus you won't do well because your surroundings do not interest you. I toured other school's campus' in Florida and none of them gave me the same feeling as UCF. In order to make the most of your college experience you must do what you have to do before you do what you want to do. Time management is key. Think of it this way, if you get done what needs to be done, then you have the rest of the day or week to do what you want to do. Once you start college, it is your full-time job that will lead you to your future.

Donquavia

I doubted myself quite a bit on which colleges I thought I would be able to get into - so much in fact that I didn't apply to schools that I really wanted to attend. Being at UCF my first semester, a school I never seriously considered, was devastating. That being said the advice I would give would be to go for it! The worst that can happen is a rejection letter and even if you don't make it into your first choice school it's not the end of the world. Get out and get involved on campus and in things outside of the campus. You won't believe the different types of people you will meet and the experiences you will have. Doors will open that you had never imagine possible to paths you may not have considered. Though I'm not at my first choice school I made some wonderful friends, I'm involved with an amazing guy and I have a major/minor that I love. Give everything and everyone a chance and enjoy yourself! You never know what might happen.

Jessica

My advice to students about finding the right college is to do what feels right. College is a life experience and if you are not comfortable with the college you pick or the area that you will be going to school then that is not the place for you. The right college makes you feel like you are right at home. I found that at UCF and have never regretted my decision to attend.

Brittany

To find the right college visit the college, talk to students who are currently going there. Do reasearch on the area around the school get to know the area. Get invovled the day you get to the school you choose, meet people, go out, talk ot people in your classes.

Sarah

Don't just look instate, it might not be the best choice. Also talk to students who are attending the program and have graduated the program. Ask were graduates are in the proffesional carrers and asked them how they got there. A lot of schools talk a lot about sucsesfull their graduates are, when really they had no part in getting them where they are and that student had to get there on their own. An last but not least if you are unhappy with where you are going switch as soon as possible.

Robert

Start early when searching for a college. Take tours and ask lots of questions. It helps to have an idea of what major or career path you wish to follow. In my case, out of the 3 colleges I considered, the University of Central Florida appealed to me because of its emphasis on Engineering and Computer Science, especially in the area of internships and job opportunities. For me, the best part about my freshman year in college was living on-campus. Living on-campus immerses you in the day-to-day life of the university, and helped me to get the most out of that year. I would reccommend this to anyone attending their first year of college. Living off-campus, you just don't get the same level of connection that living on-campus gives you. Another excellent experience is to join at least 1 club, hopefully more. Being around people with the same interests and beliefs as you is very comforting. When I arrived at college, I felt lonely and disconnected until I found the Campus Crusade for Christ. Now I feel like I am part of another family at UCF that I can worship and fellowship with.

Eva

It's important to really research the schools you want to go to. Naturally, the first thing you want to look into is the academics but the location and environment is very important. People don't realize but the decision goes beyond the educational support and into the personal aspect of the students life. You will be living in this environment for your schooling and subjected to the types of people who go to the school. In order to get the most out of the college, it's important you are comfortable and feel like you can be yourself at the school and in classes. Walk the streets of the campus and off-campus life. Make sure you are able to make that "home-like" connection. Another very important thing to do when chosing schools is to talk to students. Find out what they like and dislike about their school. You will get the most honest opinions from them. To make the most of your college experience, do everything! Get involved with everything you can and meet as many people as you can. You will leave with amazing memories and great friends!

Michelle

In order to find the right college for any individual, the number one suggestion would be to go an visit the school. By visiting the school you not only getting a feeling for the campus, but the surrounding area as well. Also, I would suggest talking to alumni of the school to see what they really enjoyed, and what they disliked about the school. By talking to someone that has graduated from the school you may come across information that an advisor may not mention.

Stephanie

The best way to pick the college to go to is how you feel when you step on campus. The first time I visited UCF I knew that I would love it here. The best thing to do to make the most of your college life is to get involved. It doesnt have to be school sponsered things, just get out there and meet people. I met a girl who was from the same town as me my first year at UCF and she invited me to join a group that plays ultimate frisbee two nights a week, at midnight, on campus. I didnt know anyone here, so I decided to try it. Now everyone there are all my best friends, and I met the most amazing guy, who is now my boyfriend, from playing frisbee. I thoroughly enjoy the time that I spend on campus and off campus with my friends. Also, sporting events are a lot of fun. There are so many spirited people that make it fun. You get to scream and cheer for your team and feel like you are part of the school. Best thing to do in college, get involved and make new friends.

Catherine

The best advice I could give parents and/or students is one, apply to more than one college. Always have a back up ready just in case the student doesnt get accepted or changes their mind. I would strongly recommend going on a trip and visting the schools of interest. A school may look good but there is more to having a successful college career than what one may think when applying. If the student doest like the area, or the school isnt how they thought it would be when applying they might not be as successful as they would be in an enviroment they are happy in. Also I would recommend getting involved on campus. Everyone says that but thats because its true. Getting involved in a group or organization helps the student feel more at home in a new enviroment and also personalizes the university. It makes the campus seem smaller when you are involved. Lastly dont be afraid to put yourself out there and be open to meeting new people and new ideas. I have had an amazing experience so far just by meeting people within my major as interested and excited about the same things.

Candice

There are a lot of colleges to choose from. I would start by choosing the colleges that have the best program for the field that one would be interested in. I would also start by choosing whether one wants to stay in their home state or chose an out of state college. Narrow your choices down by choosing the colleges that are located in the cities that capture your interest the most. Consider things such as public transportation and available shopping centers. Once the list is narrowed down to a few, apply and cross your fingers! See where you have been accepted and make your final decision. Now it?s your first day of school. There are many people and you don?t know which direction is up or down. Do as many social events that you can possibly do to meet new people and to soak up the campus life. Go to your student union and pick up papers and read signs about the many events that are happening on campus. Don?t be afraid to use the library. Check out books and find your very own special study spot. Your college years are your best years. Enjoy!

John

Be sure to gauge every important factor before choosing where to go. Know what your finances will allow you to do in terms of time spent at college, living arrangements, etc. Most importantly, get a good understanding of how far you want to extend your college career. The more time you wish to spend, the more dedicated you'll need to be to your work. There are big transitions between your first college experience and graduate school; do everything you can to support those transitions. Of course, don't forget about your social life. Work is important, but it's certainly not everything; having a strong circle of friends will really help you out when your work load becomes too intense.

Porsche

As far as finding the right college, I would say visit the college before you go. Then apply to the college that best fits your lifestyle and will help you achieve your goals. To make the most out of your college experience, you should utilize your resources, network, study hard, and have fun.

Michele

The advice I would give to any student or parent starting the perfect-college-for-me search is the same advice I received from my most inspiring teacher. She told me to visit many colleges, all of them in the state if necessary. Visit all of these colleges and interact with the current students. Do not go visit colleges on a weekend or during a holiday break; you will not get a sense of how big or crowded the university actually is. Sit in on a freshman level math class; most of these general education classes contain 400+ students. If the new aspiring student is content with these learning environments then continue looking at large universities. If not, start looking at the smaller ones. It?s a huge mistake to overlook the smaller universities. Make a list of pros and cons regarding not only their social life, but also their learning environment. Upon visits, make sure more of the pros are being checked off than the cons. There is no secret to finding the ?right? university, but once you have found the sense of home, belongingness, and respect you deserve, you know you have found the right university for you.

Nicholas

The advice that I would give parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to talk with students who already attend the respective colleges. Students give great advice and know much about the college that they attend, as well as the clubs and organizations that are a part of the campus life at that college. When I was looking around at colleges throughout Florida, I really came to feel at home at UCF because some of the students at UCF were open to talking about their college experience and about what life is like there. This gave me a chance to learn more about UCF and to find some direction toward my future. UCF spoke to me as an opportunity to find where I belong and where I'm meant to go with my life. Thankfully, to God, my family, and the great student atmosphere at UCF, that is exactly what happened.

Brian

let your students go to the college they feel the most comfortable with, because that will put them in the enivorment they need to succeed.

Christopher

While bugeting, research, and preparation are all important factors, the most important aspect to consider is the post-graduate lifestyle potential students will enter. Whatever school one decides upon, their employment opportunities will most likely be limited to the surrounding area. Therefore, someone shouldn't attend school in Chicago with hopes of working in Los Angeles. While I'm not saying it's impossible to do so, the majority of a school's connections, internships, and ability to help students is based on their connections to the area. As for parents, I understand that many of them lacked the ability to adequately prepare their children for college and I sympathize with that. My mother and I were and still are in that same situation. However, it's important to pay close attention to all of the loans availible and understand just what exactly they or their child will have to pay back over several years. Many companies are somewhat fair in their dealings, but many are not. Also, it's important to try and maintain fair credit to qualify for these loans, otherwise, it's important to have a strong system of friends and family with good credit.

Ashley

Finding the right college will help anyone in the long run. College is where most people begin their life long careers and obtain life long friendships. It is important to attend a college you are comfortable with and that is efficient enough for you. Financially, the best options aren't always the costly ones. Think about what school best suits you. Once in college, make the most of it! Achieve everything you came to college to do and be proud of what you have accomplished. This privilege isn't available for everyone, so utilize it to its full potential. I'm proud of my achievements, are you? You should be!

Christine

Make sure you go and visit colleges and talk to not only the advisors, but also the students that attend the college. Those students will give you a lot of insight into the school that is usually not as biased as that of the advisors. Spend time on campus and in the surrounding areas around town. Most of all, pick the college that you will be the happiest at, both academically and socially (but more academically of course). Don't just choose a college based on hearing that it's a good school or its mainstream reputation, check the schools and the area out before deciding.

Stephanie

I have two pieces of advice: Consider community colleges and visit your choice schools before applying. Community college was a great transition between high school and college and it helped me get my plans and goals in order for when I transferred to my future university. I met many great people, all of whom I keep in touch with. The personal touch you get at a community college is lost at a large university (like mine). It's also important to evaluate all of your options and ask plenty of questions regarding your university. I chose mine because a friend was going there and the program that became my major was "close" to what I was looking for. I only visited campus during orientation, so there wasn't much time to ask any serious questions about my program! While I wound up loving my major, I still have some gripes about it that would've been brought up had I asked. Don't discount other schools because your friends aren't going there or their programs aren't what you're looking for. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Tyler

Find a college that tailors to exactly what you are looking for in a job, career. Don't pick a school that you like simply because of the location, money (if you can't afford it, that is understandable), or parties and sports. Pick a school based on it's academics and research the classes offered by your degree program for your catalogue year. I was dissapointed when I couldn't take some classes simply because I was not in that exact major, even though I was very close to it and found them interesting. Look and see if the school offers programs to help students achieve their post-graduation goals such as career counseling and advising. Finally, research the ratings of the school online and average student GPAs.