University of Central Florida vs Florida State

[Anonymous]

Child is looking to go OOS and am looking up Florida schools. Don’t think he would get into UF but is interested in UCF and FSU. FSU is a few thousand dollars cheaper than UCF but is a bit harder to get in. Am a bit concerned about the hardcore partying at FSU, I know it happens everywhere but at FSU it seems especially rampant. UCF appeals more to child but heard it’s more of a commuter school. Although 80 percent of freshman live on campus, I feel that a lot may go home on weekends since 93 percent live in state. Anyone with experience with either schools? I would really appreciate it especially since we won’t get to visit until acceptances come this late fall and winter. Doesn’t have a preferred career interest yet so can’t compare program of study between the schools just yet.

[Anonymous]

Why on earth would you want to pay out of state tuition for UCF and FSU? What a waste of money in both cases. Stay in state, you can do as well if not better and save a lot of money, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth would you want to pay out of state tuition for UCF and FSU? What a waste of money in both cases. Stay in state, you can do as well if not better and save a lot of money, too.

If OP’s in a state where instate tuition is expensive (like PA) or is in DC, I could see it. Also there’s the Benacquisto.

[Anonymous]

Orlando has a lot more to offer than Tallahassee does. Also easier to fly into/out of.

[Anonymous]

I'm from Central Florida and had friends who went to UCF and thr joke is "UCF" stands for "You Can't Finish". Not one person I knew who went there finished on time because they couldn't get into the classes they needed.

[Anonymous]

Why would you want to go to a school with 80,000 students? Talk about being just a number and part of the herd.

[Anonymous]

My friends don’t went to FSU and did 2 years in Spain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Central Florida and had friends who went to UCF and thr joke is "UCF" stands for "You Can't Finish". Not one person I knew who went there finished on time because they couldn't get into the classes they needed.

It has a 40% 4-year grad rate. It has cheap instate tuition so spending an extra year or semester may not matter.

[Anonymous]

FL is not known for its education. I know kids (and parents) don’t like the stigma of community college but it is the best place for many kids to start. It doesn’t have to be where they get their degree. It’s fabulous for those Gen Ed requirements…that’s what they specialize in. It also buys time for the student to mature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Central Florida and had friends who went to UCF and thr joke is "UCF" stands for "You Can't Finish". Not one person I knew who went there finished on time because they couldn't get into the classes they needed.

It has a 40% 4-year grad rate. It has cheap instate tuition so spending an extra year or semester may not matter.

My best friend was incredibly frustrated when she couldn't finish on time. She definitely wanted to. She begged and pleaded and went to professors to try to get into the two classes she needed and no dice.

I don't know FSU but UCF is like 20 minutes east of Orlando surrounded by suburban neighborhoods. There's really not a lot out there.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Ft. Myers. The only two schools worth attending are UF and U. of Miami (private). Miami was popular with pre-med kids because of its combined BA/MD program. FSU is considered a distant second to UF unless you are studying politics or music. UCF, USF, etc, are all considered lower tier than FSU.

Remember that many in-state Florida students are attending for free or for 25% tuition due to Bright Futures scholarships, which are relatively easy to qualify for. When I was applying for college (admittedly 20 years ago), students needed a 3.5 GPA and 1250 SAT to qualify for a full scholarship and a 3.0 and 1150 to qualify for a 75% scholarship, as I recall. Most students stay in state, which is why there are so few spots for OOS students. If you’re going to pay OOS tuition, look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Central Florida and had friends who went to UCF and thr joke is "UCF" stands for "You Can't Finish". Not one person I knew who went there finished on time because they couldn't get into the classes they needed.

To counter, I have relatives at both schools who just graduated in 3 years, hired immediately after.

[Anonymous]

Daniel Tosh always mentions how he went to UCF while all his writers went to Harvard. On the other hand, paying out of state for a commuter school doesn't usually go well.

[Anonymous]

UCF used to be an engineering school so if that is a major fits not bad if you lots of merit aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Ft. Myers. The only two schools worth attending are UF and U. of Miami (private). Miami was popular with pre-med kids because of its combined BA/MD program. FSU is considered a distant second to UF unless you are studying politics or music. UCF, USF, etc, are all considered lower tier than FSU.

Remember that many in-state Florida students are attending for free or for 25% tuition due to Bright Futures scholarships, which are relatively easy to qualify for. When I was applying for college (admittedly 20 years ago), students needed a 3.5 GPA and 1250 SAT to qualify for a full scholarship and a 3.0 and 1150 to qualify for a 75% scholarship, as I recall. Most students stay in state, which is why there are so few spots for OOS students. If you’re going to pay OOS tuition, look elsewhere.

This is very relevant. UCF has come a long way in 20 years. It’s not the commuter school it used to be. Florida is definitely the “flagship,” but I think the choice between FSU and UCF would depend on what your DC wants to major in and the relative strengths of the programs at those schools.