Overall, UCF is a wonderful school. There are so many opportunities I've been given and I am so glad I chose this school. I'm proud to call myself a knight.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
You don't have to pay for scantrons! You can get one free everyday in the union with your student ID. DO NOT CRAM THE NIGHT BEFORE AN EXAM, YOU WILL FAIL. I made this mistake thinking it would be like high school, so don't make this mistake! And get involved, go to events, join a club! It's very hard to make friends and meet people in your classes, so the best way to meet others is to join an organization or even just go to the many free events
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Definitely study study study! In high school I was a good student and didn't have to study very hard to do well on tests, so I figured college wouldn't be much different. I was wrong, I failed my first college test I ever took. So always study a little every night leading up to an exam, DO NOT try and cram. I would suggest trying to only take four classes your first semester, so you can get a feel for how college is and see what you can handle. There is a lot of work outside of class. For example, some math classes require you to spend three hours a week in a math lab, doing homework.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Make sure you and your room mate are compatible or can at least compromise. You may end up with someone that's hard to live with, and it could ruin your whole year. So if you can, room with someone you know, but if not and you don't get along, you can always request to change rooms. A lot of dorms will give you a special treat on your birthday too! And there are little gatherings and things that each building will have and it is a wonderful way to get to know your neighbors.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
There are a lot of food options on campus and close to campus. They are mostly chains, so there's no uncertainty. These include places like Burger King, Kyoto, Subway, Dominos, Asian Chao, Sbarro, as well as several convenient stores with snacks and even sushi. There are also places that you can purchase meal plans for, Knightro's and Marketplace, that offer many different choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There are many activities both on and off campus. Some Friday nights there are events called Late Knights. There is a different theme each time, and corresponding activities to go along with it. A few of the themes last year included 80's with a roller rink, and a carnival theme with a few rides and games where you could win prizes. Admission to these things are free and freshman can earn Link Loot with their student ID and turn in their points at the end of the year for prizes. There are also different excursions you can pay to go on through the Recreation and Wellness Center (gym), which includes things like paddle boarding and surfing. The first week of school there is an event called Pegasus Palooza, which features a free concert. Homecoming week features a free concert, comedian, the legendary Spirit Splash, as well as free shirts and lots of fun!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
On Wednesdays in front of the Union, there are tents set up where you can get free cups, t-shirts, pens, and other things. BUT DO NOT buy your books from the campus bookstore. There are other options near campus that are MUCH cheaper, such as Grey's or CB&S. I try to rent as much as possible as that is the cheapest option. You do get a lot of free things payed for by your tuition. These include but are not limited to free shuttle services, free doctors visits, free counseling services, free shirts and other knick-knacks, free scantrons, and free concerts and other special events. As well as access to the gym, gym classes, and recreation equipment at Lake Claire, free with student ID. You can also get a lot of discounts with your student ID. You can get discounted theme park tickets and other attractions as well as 15% off your purchase at Micheal's at Waterford Lakes. You also get into sporting events FREE with your student ID.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Spirit Splash is the Friday of Homecoming week. All week there are different events every night where you can also get free things. On Friday everyone gathers around the sacred reflection pond and runs in and just parties. Make sure you get there early to get a free shirt and a lot of other cool free things! Sometimes on the top floor of the library, a little museum will be set up. A few months ago there were old journals on display from tourists of the 1800's in Florida, describing a shark attack.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Definitely the best place for Hospitality majors. UCF has the Rosen School of Hospitality Management. It is a wonderful school for anyone, with so many majors and classes to choose from. But be careful if your major is a smaller, less popular one. Sometimes UCF will remove a major before you've completed it, hence the joke U Can't Finish.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are so many clubs and activities on campus. You can definitely find one you'll love. And if not, you can even create your own club! Every Wednesday, some clubs will have tents set up outside of the Student Union, giving you the opportunity to learn more about them.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are many sororities and fraternities to choose from at UCF. During rush week you have the opportunity to see them all and see which is the best fit for you. You get out what you put in. There are even business and other types of fraternities as well as Christian fraternities and sororities.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
UCF is pretty safe. There are the UCF police constantly driving around, with the station just at the back of campus. There are also emergency call buttons, which glow blue at night, spaced throughout campus. I feel safer on campus, especially at night, than I do anywhere else in the city. However, I still would not recommend walking around alone at night. Better safe than sorry. Be careful at night and in the parking garages. On weekends there is a service called S.E.P.S. The number is on the back of your student ID. If you call them, they will give you a ride in a golf cart to wherever you need to go so that you're not walking alone at night across campus.
Overall, UCF is a wonderful school. There are so many opportunities I've been given and I am so glad I chose this school. I'm proud to call myself a knight.
You don't have to pay for scantrons! You can get one free everyday in the union with your student ID. DO NOT CRAM THE NIGHT BEFORE AN EXAM, YOU WILL FAIL. I made this mistake thinking it would be like high school, so don't make this mistake! And get involved, go to events, join a club! It's very hard to make friends and meet people in your classes, so the best way to meet others is to join an organization or even just go to the many free events
Definitely study study study! In high school I was a good student and didn't have to study very hard to do well on tests, so I figured college wouldn't be much different. I was wrong, I failed my first college test I ever took. So always study a little every night leading up to an exam, DO NOT try and cram. I would suggest trying to only take four classes your first semester, so you can get a feel for how college is and see what you can handle. There is a lot of work outside of class. For example, some math classes require you to spend three hours a week in a math lab, doing homework.
Make sure you and your room mate are compatible or can at least compromise. You may end up with someone that's hard to live with, and it could ruin your whole year. So if you can, room with someone you know, but if not and you don't get along, you can always request to change rooms. A lot of dorms will give you a special treat on your birthday too! And there are little gatherings and things that each building will have and it is a wonderful way to get to know your neighbors.
There are a lot of food options on campus and close to campus. They are mostly chains, so there's no uncertainty. These include places like Burger King, Kyoto, Subway, Dominos, Asian Chao, Sbarro, as well as several convenient stores with snacks and even sushi. There are also places that you can purchase meal plans for, Knightro's and Marketplace, that offer many different choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There are many activities both on and off campus. Some Friday nights there are events called Late Knights. There is a different theme each time, and corresponding activities to go along with it. A few of the themes last year included 80's with a roller rink, and a carnival theme with a few rides and games where you could win prizes. Admission to these things are free and freshman can earn Link Loot with their student ID and turn in their points at the end of the year for prizes. There are also different excursions you can pay to go on through the Recreation and Wellness Center (gym), which includes things like paddle boarding and surfing. The first week of school there is an event called Pegasus Palooza, which features a free concert. Homecoming week features a free concert, comedian, the legendary Spirit Splash, as well as free shirts and lots of fun!
On Wednesdays in front of the Union, there are tents set up where you can get free cups, t-shirts, pens, and other things. BUT DO NOT buy your books from the campus bookstore. There are other options near campus that are MUCH cheaper, such as Grey's or CB&S. I try to rent as much as possible as that is the cheapest option. You do get a lot of free things payed for by your tuition. These include but are not limited to free shuttle services, free doctors visits, free counseling services, free shirts and other knick-knacks, free scantrons, and free concerts and other special events. As well as access to the gym, gym classes, and recreation equipment at Lake Claire, free with student ID. You can also get a lot of discounts with your student ID. You can get discounted theme park tickets and other attractions as well as 15% off your purchase at Micheal's at Waterford Lakes. You also get into sporting events FREE with your student ID.
Spirit Splash is the Friday of Homecoming week. All week there are different events every night where you can also get free things. On Friday everyone gathers around the sacred reflection pond and runs in and just parties. Make sure you get there early to get a free shirt and a lot of other cool free things! Sometimes on the top floor of the library, a little museum will be set up. A few months ago there were old journals on display from tourists of the 1800's in Florida, describing a shark attack.
Definitely the best place for Hospitality majors. UCF has the Rosen School of Hospitality Management. It is a wonderful school for anyone, with so many majors and classes to choose from. But be careful if your major is a smaller, less popular one. Sometimes UCF will remove a major before you've completed it, hence the joke U Can't Finish.
There are so many clubs and activities on campus. You can definitely find one you'll love. And if not, you can even create your own club! Every Wednesday, some clubs will have tents set up outside of the Student Union, giving you the opportunity to learn more about them.
There are many sororities and fraternities to choose from at UCF. During rush week you have the opportunity to see them all and see which is the best fit for you. You get out what you put in. There are even business and other types of fraternities as well as Christian fraternities and sororities.
UCF is pretty safe. There are the UCF police constantly driving around, with the station just at the back of campus. There are also emergency call buttons, which glow blue at night, spaced throughout campus. I feel safer on campus, especially at night, than I do anywhere else in the city. However, I still would not recommend walking around alone at night. Better safe than sorry. Be careful at night and in the parking garages. On weekends there is a service called S.E.P.S. The number is on the back of your student ID. If you call them, they will give you a ride in a golf cart to wherever you need to go so that you're not walking alone at night across campus.