Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to decide between Florida State (ranked 53) v. University of Central Florida (ranked 125). Florida State is offering more money, but University of Central Florida offers better opportunities for the program my kid is interested in. Other things are that the dorms at UCF are better than FSU - but you are more likely to get on-campus housing beyond freshman year than at UCF.

I would go where there are better opportunities for the program your kid is interested in. I grew up in FL and went to UF. Both FSU and UCF have a good reputation in FL. Tallahassee is far from everything else in Florida. The state government is there, but not much else. It’s a decent college town (and I remember it had a good college radio station). Kids are more likely to take weekend trips to New Orleans and places like that than elsewhere in FL. Orlando is a sprawling city where there are probably more internship opportunities depending on what your kid wants to do. Given its position in the middle of the state, and being on I-4 and the Florida turnpike, it’s easy to get to Tampa and South Florida. I don’t think I’d worry much about dorms past freshman year. Unless things have drastically changed, people usually live off campus in apartments after the first year at all of these schools, which I assume is because they are large schools + Florida sprawl.

FSU is really good for people who want to go into pre-law, criminology and film. They have a good animation program - but only accept 10-15 students from the incoming class (and only 1-3 students a year if you apply as a sophomore). I have also heard that business classes are pretty good.

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Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain the out-of-state tuition waiver? When I looked it up, it just looked like it was for people who lived in Florida for a little while. Are those waivers being offered to true out of state students to entice them to enroll?

Yes - we got one. You need to have at least a 1420 and a 4.0 with no Cs (though the stats can change from year to year depending on the pool). I don't know if everyone who meets these stats get the OOS Tuition waiver. But you need to hit the minimum stats to be considered. The OOS Tuition waiver will essentially give you the cost of in-state. We are in Virginia. With the OOS waiver, our cost would be under $25k all in (which is cheaper or the same as many in-state schools in VA).

The Waiver is not related to having any ties with Florida. They have some else called a grandparent waiver that you need to apply for - you need to have a grandparent living in Florida and the # of waivers that are given are VERY limited from what I understand. If you get the grandparent waiver - it will give you in-state tuition just the OOS tuition waiver scholarship mentioned above.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain the out-of-state tuition waiver? When I looked it up, it just looked like it was for people who lived in Florida for a little while. Are those waivers being offered to true out of state students to entice them to enroll?

Yes - we got one. You need to have at least a 1420 and a 4.0 with no Cs (though the stats can change from year to year depending on the pool). I don't know if everyone who meets these stats get the OOS Tuition waiver. But you need to hit the minimum stats to be considered. The OOS Tuition waiver will essentially give you the cost of in-state. We are in Virginia. With the OOS waiver, our cost would be under $25k all in (which is cheaper or the same as many in-state schools in VA).

We got one from VA. No one in my family had ever lived in Florida.

Can someone explain the out-of-state tuition waiver? When I looked it up, it just looked like it was for people who lived in Florida for a little while. Are those waivers being offered to true out of state students to entice them to enroll?

Regarding the party culture - while I hear there is a significant one (in part because there isn't much to do in Tallahassee), a lot of students who aren't into partying still have had an amazing time at FSU - there is really something for everyone (hundreds of clubs).

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Anonymous wrote:I’m a Floridian, plenty of friends and family went to UF, FSU, and UCF - and that’s the order I’d put them in preference wise. UF has the best reputation and imo is the best college town, followed by FSU. UCF was a commuter school for forever and is in a weird pocket east of Orlando. The school is huge now so I’m sure the area is built up, but it used to feel like the middle of nowhere. Re clubs, I think the challenge of getting into some clubs exists at most large schools these days.

What is the reputation of UCF today? It seems very popular in Florida these days?

I think it’s fine, within Florida. When I was in high school more people preferred USF in Tampa, but UCF is now bigger than USF and doesn’t have the same commuter school reputation. I’d be very curious to see how the campus has improved. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship keeps so many more strong students in-state and they can’t all get into UF or FSU.

I have actually heard people choosing UCF over FSU and/UF. I don't think this was at all common in the past - but it is happening more frequently in recent years in part b/c UCF gives a lot more money than UF and FSU (though lately - some are saying that they are getting more from FSU than UCF) and because UCF has a stronger reputation in certain programs (aerospace engineering, hospitality, comp sci, animation & another major that I can't remember). Also, a lot of people have said that UCF (and FSU) tend to have more collaborative environments over UF. I do agree with you about Bright Futures keeping a lot of stellar students in Florida. Honestly, unless you got into an Ivy - it is almost a no brainer to stay in Florida if you have Bright Futures because you would be going for free - just spend any college funds for grad school.

That’s not surprising. I was going to mention it, but didn’t feel like looking it up to be certain. I know Lockheed Martin used to be in the area (assuming it still is) so aerospace engineering was one of the programs I was wondering about.

Yes - aerospace engineering is supposed to be awesome, as is the animation program. I have also heard many good things about the UCF Honor's College.

Anonymous wrote:She has no concern about Florida’s current politics (censorship of everyone from professors to public health officials)?

None. She feel like the quality of education coupled with the low costs outweighs any political matters. But she is not staunchly liberal or anything like that. She is more of a true moderate and can see things from multiple perspectives.

She has no concern about Florida’s current politics (censorship of everyone from professors to public health officials)?

Anonymous wrote:FSU is where the folks who could not get into UF go. However, I wouldn’t let any of my children go to any FL school until DeSantis is kicked out of office.

That’ll show ‘em. Now get back to preparing your spare bedroom for a migrant family.

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Anonymous wrote:I’m a Floridian, plenty of friends and family went to UF, FSU, and UCF - and that’s the order I’d put them in preference wise. UF has the best reputation and imo is the best college town, followed by FSU. UCF was a commuter school for forever and is in a weird pocket east of Orlando. The school is huge now so I’m sure the area is built up, but it used to feel like the middle of nowhere. Re clubs, I think the challenge of getting into some clubs exists at most large schools these days.

What is the reputation of UCF today? It seems very popular in Florida these days?

I think it’s fine, within Florida. When I was in high school more people preferred USF in Tampa, but UCF is now bigger than USF and doesn’t have the same commuter school reputation. I’d be very curious to see how the campus has improved. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship keeps so many more strong students in-state and they can’t all get into UF or FSU.

I have actually heard people choosing UCF over FSU and/UF. I don't think this was at all common in the past - but it is happening more frequently in recent years in part b/c UCF gives a lot more money than UF and FSU (though lately - some are saying that they are getting more from FSU than UCF) and because UCF has a stronger reputation in certain programs (aerospace engineering, hospitality, comp sci, animation & another major that I can't remember). Also, a lot of people have said that UCF (and FSU) tend to have more collaborative environments over UF. I do agree with you about Bright Futures keeping a lot of stellar students in Florida. Honestly, unless you got into an Ivy - it is almost a no brainer to stay in Florida if you have Bright Futures because you would be going for free - just spend any college funds for grad school.

That’s not surprising. I was going to mention it, but didn’t feel like looking it up to be certain. I know Lockheed Martin used to be in the area (assuming it still is) so aerospace engineering was one of the programs I was wondering about.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Floridian, plenty of friends and family went to UF, FSU, and UCF - and that’s the order I’d put them in preference wise. UF has the best reputation and imo is the best college town, followed by FSU. UCF was a commuter school for forever and is in a weird pocket east of Orlando. The school is huge now so I’m sure the area is built up, but it used to feel like the middle of nowhere. Re clubs, I think the challenge of getting into some clubs exists at most large schools these days.

What is the reputation of UCF today? It seems very popular in Florida these days?

I think it’s fine, within Florida. When I was in high school more people preferred USF in Tampa, but UCF is now bigger than USF and doesn’t have the same commuter school reputation. I’d be very curious to see how the campus has improved. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship keeps so many more strong students in-state and they can’t all get into UF or FSU.

I have actually heard people choosing UCF over FSU and/UF. I don't think this was at all common in the past - but it is happening more frequently in recent years in part b/c UCF gives a lot more money than UF and FSU (though lately - some are saying that they are getting more from FSU than UCF) and because UCF has a stronger reputation in certain programs (aerospace engineering, hospitality, comp sci, animation & another major that I can't remember). Also, a lot of people have said that UCF (and FSU) tend to have more collaborative environments over UF. I do agree with you about Bright Futures keeping a lot of stellar students in Florida. Honestly, unless you got into an Ivy - it is almost a no brainer to stay in Florida if you have Bright Futures because you would be going for free - just spend any college funds for grad school.

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Anonymous wrote:There is a direct flight on AA from DCA leaves around 8:00 pm. The direct back to DCA leaves around 7:00 am. The tally airport is small, so no need to get there early.

How expensive are these flights? It's great that there are direct flights, but i heard that they can be expensive.

I usually pay $7-800 at busy times like thanksgiving even planning far in advance. If you’re in the dorms they don’t open until the day before and you’re stuck. If you’re in an apartment you have a little more flexibility and can come back the Saturday before.

Anonymous wrote:There is a direct flight on AA from DCA leaves around 8:00 pm. The direct back to DCA leaves around 7:00 am. The tally airport is small, so no need to get there early.

How expensive are these flights? It's great that there are direct flights, but i heard that they can be expensive.