A+ to UCF

Introduction
Apply early, that way you can keep your options open. Then visit the school, it's the best way to get a feel for it and know if it is the right place for you...it should feel like "home" right away. That is the very reason I chose UCF. Immediately upon arriving, I felt a welcoming environment; it is a place where I could see myself living, learning, and connecting with all kinds of new people. If you are uncomfortable with the large campus and amount of people, though, UCF may not be the place for you.

Campus Life and Social Life
For me, campus life is the best part of UCF. I love living on campus because it is an amazing way to meet people and feel like you are really a part of the school. The social aspect of college is very important because you will make connections unlike any other in your lifetime. I highly recommend living on campus with random roommates so you will get a feel for new environments and others' lifestyles--this is a huge part of going to college. It does take you out of your "comfort zone," which makes some leery, but you do not have to compromise your personal values and ways of life just because you live with or are around different people. It is important to remember that you must make your own choices without the help of parents, like partying vs. studying. You should choose to hang out with a variety of people, but ultimately make friends with the type of people who you find common interests with, depending on whether you like to "party", play sports, etc. Weekends at UCF are surprisingly quiet for the most part. I have found that many people go home or out of town, or go off-campus for the day. The surrounding Orlando area is jam-packed with fun and interesting places, so the weekends are great for exploring with friends. But if you have a big test coming up the next week, it is not very hard to study with the commotion basically eliminated from on-campus Academics
UCF has great academics, from engineering to business to education to hospitality management. Overall, all of the colleges at UCF aim for excellence with knowledgeable professors. TAs are available in larger classes and are generally very apt to aid students. In smaller classrooms, professors hold their own office hours without the help of TAs, which works well in all cases I have encountered. The workload for a typical 12-15 credit-hour semester is very manageable, but it does require dedication and studying. Many classes now are offered online or reduced-time (less time in classroom but with more online work), and these generally have a greater workload that is less structured--great for more disciplined or studious students.

Student Body
I don't think that there is any one kind of "typical" student at UCF. There is such variety, making it a great place to learn and grow. Most students that I see and have met are serious about their classes and academics, but they know how to and love to have fun in their extra time. UCF students have a lot of school spirit and love to show it off by supporting sports teams and participating in the abundant school-sponsored events that are always a good time.

In Closing...
UCF has become my home, and I could not imagine having gone anywhere else for college. I hope this review helps and makes you want to at least check out UCF!