So I didn’t grow up around my mom and uncle’s alma mater like you might think.
Yes, my extended family did tend to choose the University of Central Florida, but it gave me a sense of pride to attend the same college. It wasn’t because of any person’s plan (side note: I didn’t have a significant other and most of my friends were going to the University of Florida or Valencia Community College) and to be completely honest, those shouldn’t be the deciding factor in finding your place.
UCF is a beautiful campus, no doubt about that. I had never set foot on UCF turf until I went to an open house event. And Orlando was my home- I didn’t have to go far out of my comfort zone in terms of the city. Those things were icing on the cake though.
What really sold me on UCF was the atmosphere. Everyone had that school spirit and I felt lucky to find someplace where people cared about the work they were doing and they made the community special.
UCF is slightly competitive- especially for scholarships. I was fortunate enough to go through four years of college with no debt. But choosing a college because it’s exclusive is going to wear off the first year that you attend. Name brand and dreams shouldn’t be the only thing you’re thinking about.
For me, I was dreaming about going to UCF in my senior year of high school, but only after I had taken a hard look at the program I was interested in, the location, and the cost.
Oh yeah- having a great program in the field you want to major in is a big deal. For me, it was the difference between going in-state versus out of state. George Washington University compared to suburban UCF. I realized that UCF had an excellent foot in the door of communications, mass media, and journalism, which is what I had wanted since I was in middle school news crew. Not to mention having connections to the nearby news stations. Make sure that there’s other options at your college too! I almost changed my major once or twice. Where would I be now?
In the end, do your research, talk to guidance counselors or teachers, and visit campuses if you can. I know that you will make the best possible choice for you and your future. Best of luck!
-Brittany
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