FSU vs UCF (Undergrad)

[Ayettuhanda]

Hello SDNers,

I am a high school senior and I have recently been accepted to FSU and UCF for my undergrad. I'm torn between the two schools, and could really use some more insight into the quality of education I would receive at both schools as well as keeping the overall college experience in consideration.

Currently, I am undecided between Mechanical Engineering and Biology Pre-Med. I was previously mindset on being an engineering major, but after two years of AP Physics classes (Physics B and Physics C: Newtonian Mechanics), I am starting to doubt my patience and desire to do similar work for a career.

I was thinking pick the school that offers good programs for both ME and Biology, so that I can at least have a fall-back option in case one does not work out, but I'd like to hear the opinions of people who have possibly already gone through this and are willing to share their experiences.

I have a brother who attends FSU as a senior, and my girlfriend is starting in the fall as a music major. My parents want me to stay local (Orlando) so they are trying to urge me towards UCF, but I'd prefer the opinions of people who have been through the system.

Which school would you recommend and why?

Thank you!

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[feli_owl]

I'm at a different Florida university, so take my recommendation with a grain of salt--but I'd recommend FSU. I have a few pre-med friends at FSU, and they really like it there. My friends at UCF are more technology- and engineering-focused. FSU's medical school is a lot older than UCF's, so that may also help in some way. Ultimately, you should tour both schools and see which one you feel comfortable at. On your tours, ask to speak to a pre-med student. Ask him/her how the university prepares him/her for the application process or MCAT. Wherever you choose, both schools are good and you'll be happy!

 

[Ayettuhanda]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that your undergrad school plays a very minimal role in your acceptance into medical school? I thought 90% of the decision is composed of your GPA and MCAT scores?

 

[deleted480308]

It doesn't matter


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[BestDoctorEver]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that your undergrad school plays a very minimal role in your acceptance into medical school? I thought 90% of the decision is composed of your GPA and MCAT scores?

You are NOT wrong... GPA(30%)... MCAT(50%)... ECs(15%)... and intangible such as prestige of undergrad etc...(5%).

 

[Ayettuhanda]

You are NOT wrong... GPA(30%)... MCAT(50%)... ECs(15%)... and intangible such as prestige of undergrad etc...(5%).

Okay, neat 🙂

Does anybody have any other recommendations that might help me make this decision? Would be much appreciated!

 

[BarryZuckerkorn]

 

[Boolean]

I'm at UCF right now for UG, and I can speak quite a bit about it, if you'd like.

 

[Ayettuhanda]

I'm at UCF right now for UG, and I can speak quite a bit about it, if you'd like.

I would really appreciate that. I'm getting ready to leave for Naples for the weekend, so I'll send you a PM as soon as I have some time open.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Cheers!

 

[Boolean]

I would really appreciate that. I'm getting ready to leave for Naples for the weekend, so I'll send you a PM as soon as I have some time open.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Cheers!

Alright. I should be able to give a pretty in-depth analysis (and trust me when I say I have an unbiased perspective on both schools, you'll see)

 

[kmp0410]

Just depends on what you want. I wouldn't stress too much about what each is known for etc. Your education will be what you make it. Wouldn't worry about the med school aspect.

This decision should be about which place you think you would enjoy more. Do you want to stay local? Then go to UCF. But if not, then go somewhere else. That's a pretty major decision that you will have to choose.

Personally, I loved my time at FSU. I highly valued going away for college as did everyone I know. Its not like your far regardless. I was 3 hours from home. You will be 4. I'm not familiar with UCF, people I know who went there liked it. They each will have their pros and cons. FSU is a little more of your traditional college experience where UCF is only now getting to that point. Just imo though.

 

[Ayettuhanda]

Personally, I loved my time at FSU.

How would you say FSU's reputation of being a party school lived up to your expectations? Did the party scene often clash with your studies?
Did you pledge?

 

[kmp0410]

How would you say FSU's reputation of being a party school lived up to your expectations? Did the party scene often clash with your studies?
Did you pledge?

No

Every school is going to have a "party scene." Particularly if you are living somewhere with a lot of other students. There's always one of the libraries if something is really bothering you. I did not pledge. That's obviously a big scene there so idk how you feel about that. I didn't really care one way or the other.

Go where you feel you will enjoy yourself the most. I'm sure your a diligent student. College is your first time on your own and a big growing experience. You will change a lot there in things that have nothing to do with school. I'm sure you HS students are stressed about the college workload. When you get finished you'll realize it wasn't that difficult. Just stay consistent, on top of things, and go to class and that's plenty for all but the toughest classes. In the tough ones, you'll adjust and you'll learn how to study.

Also, I've never been to these forums before so I don't know if this piece of advice had been handed out yet. But something every eager young college student tries to do...

Don't try to impress anybody with your crazy class workloads. Don't take 18 hours of all hard classes. Med schools don't care. Especially if you make any grades that are less than you should have, they won't give you a break cause it was a tough semester. They don't break down every class you took like that. Take a normal load and try to space things out as best you can. Don't try to hurry through. Which brings me to my last point, keep your grades up (as in A's!) if you want to go to med school. Don't stress about ECs and other stuff. You can catch up on that stuff in a short amt of time. It's much harder (and impossible once your far in) to raise a gpa significantly.

 

[Back 5]

UCF is a fantastic school. UG is tough, especially in pre-med as well as having a good engineering college. Course work and gpa won't be an issue applying to medical schools.

 

[QofQuimica]

Assuming your family can afford having you live away from home, I suggest going away for college. The experience you get when you live at home and commute is very different than the one you get when you go away and are expected to manage your own time and life like an adult without your parents there to help you on a day-to-day basis. At the same time, the college campus is a safe environment for you to try out being an adult. It's not a good thing when your first taste of adult life happens while you're a medical student.

That being said, if finances are an issue, especially now that your parents have two of you in college, going away may not be a feasible option. Considering how expensive med school is, it may be worth saving the money by living at home and going to the local college. Talk to your parents if you haven't already about this, because obviously none of us knows about your family's financial situation.

As far as the quality of the education goes, which of these two schools you attend doesn't matter except insofar as it influences your ability to perform well in school. If money stresses will affect you at FSU, that's a good reason to stay at UCF. Conversely, having a support system (your brother and girlfriend) at FSU may be something that will help you do your best if you're there versus if you're in Orlando alone.

One more thing: while it's not necessary to stress about ECs, it's also unwise to wait until your senior year to start them, especially clinical activities such as shadowing or volunteering. I recommend that you start getting clinical experience even as a freshman if you can. From the perspective of an adcom, a few hours per week of volunteering throughout your time in college is preferable to trying to cram it all into the summer that you apply.