Why would anyone be willing to pay the hefty out-of-state tuition cost just to come to UCF?
The fact is that out of the almost 60,000 students at the university, only a small percentage comes from places other than Florida. Students like these have personal goals and desires that make UCF a one-of-a-kind home and a first pick for education.
“I really wanted to explore a new state,” said Kristen Nguyen, a student from Virginia.
For Nguyen, the National Merit Scholarship provided the resources that she needed to leave her hometown for schooling. The UCF/USF accelerated med school program is what drew her in to UCF specifically. The program allows honors students to complete their BS/MD in only seven years.
The accelerated med school program isn’t the only academic aspect that draws people from across the world to UCF. Najeeb Albulushi and David Dabrow, from Oman and Maryland, respectively, find that UCF’s proximity to major engineering firms like Lockheed Martin and Siemens make it a top pick for those in the field of study.
“Other schools in Florida don’t compare to UCF in regards to the opportunities that are offered by the surrounding companies,” Dabrow said.
Dabrow was also able to win a scholarship that allowed him to make the jump to an out-of-state school.
Aside from academia, there are much simpler reasons that students come to UCF.
“It seemed like a real, Florida school, like with all the palm trees. At the other universities, like FSU, everything was made of brick, and that’s more of a northern style- like what I was already used to,” said Katelyn Miller, a student from Pennsylvania.
Miller says that she’s always wanted to move to Florida, and that UCF appeals to her because of its modern aspects. She likes that the buildings and curriculum are new and that the university strives to move forward in society.
“Like when they implemented the non-smoking campaign to promote good health,” said Miller.
All of these students, no matter what major or background, did share one common reason for choosing UCF- the amazing weather.
“I love the warm weather and sun in Florida, and the school is so pretty,” said Erikah Bailey from Delaware.
Regardless of the desires, culture, background and needs of the person, UCF has much to offer its students in terms of academic and corporate opportunity, modern campus atmosphere and warm, sunny climate.
