University of Central Florida Visit Report by seiclan

Visit Activities:

Information Session: Yes - There was a short information session consisting of a slide show/power point presentation followed by a Q and A.

Campus Tour: Yes - Lasted about an hour. We also took a separate on-campus housing (dorm) tour that is available daily.

---

Campus:

---

There were a lot of kids on campus since once of the summer sessions (very popular in Florida) was going on and also we were there during one of the Freshman orientation dates.

---

Everyone was so relaxed and friendly.

---

Absolutely gorgeous compact modern campus.

---

Beautiful modern architecture. Each building was a work of art. The buildings and grounds were very clean.

---

Nicest dorms I have ever seen! Big contrast to other state U's. Even oldest dorms (circa 1968?) were nice. Dorms were either suites (two double rooms sharing a bathroom)or apt.(4 bed/2bath or 4/4

---

Standard blue lights everywhere. Felt safe.

---

Daughter fell in love with this school during our visit. The school is new for a college (mid '60s opened) and is not for everyone. No rolling hills in Orlando. Kids that we met seemed happy.

---

Off-Campus:

---

Huge research parks. Easy to navigate. College students everywhere. Shuttle buses take kids from the neighboring apt complexes to campus. Free "party buses" btwn campus and local nitespots.

---

Orlando has so much to offer. Lot of employment and recreational opportunities. Major airport is 20 min away from campus. Universal Studios even has a UCF night (open only to students).

Campus Visit Notes for University of Central Florida

Visit Description:

We did not expect to this school to be so nice. We had heard some negatives about it before our visit. It is a 180 from the other (much older) schools that we had seen. No ivy-covered historic buildings but instead, each modern building in itself seemed to be a work of art. The campus is organized beautifully into a large circle with a lot of green grass and even a small mangrove preserve with nature trails through it. There is a large working fountain near the center (the kids are only allowed to go into this fountain once a year on some spirit day). The student union is gorgeous, multileveled and contains the usual fast food eating places and a small but good sport bar/grill. The Rec. Center/wellness center (Amazing) has a large rock climbing wall, indoor track, tons of free weights and rows machines (all the usual ones...treadmills, stairclimbers, elipticals) in front of 12 high mounted tv's. There is a subway inside the rec center. Outside, the rec. center there is a resort style free form swimming pool (as nice any south Florida hotel). Bookstore on campus is a Barnes and Noble and has a Starbucks in it. The housing is very nice, even the older dorms impressed my DD. The rooms, all suite style, were a good size for two kids(15x 13 in the older dorms, smaller in the newest dorms in academic village) The newest dorms are apartment style and are positively luxurious for college students (and open to Freshman!). The newest dorm (apt. style, opening for Fall 2007) is for honors students.
This school is huge (I think that there are about 38,000 undergrads)! But, each college within the school is a smaller unit. The school's academics have been steadily rising in the past 3 years as has its admissions selectivity. The Engineering and Business schools (our tour took us through them) are very impressive. UCF is starting a College of Medicine in 2009...another impressive move forward.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

We stayed at the Homewood Suites on Alfaya. It's fairly new suite hotel (great for traveling with a teen...own sofabed with TV/remote in the LR). Free full breakfast/nice buffet.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

We went to Chili's near the school. The place was packed with college students. Wackadoos in the student union has really good burgers.

Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):

Orlando has really grown up in the past ten years! Awful traffic during rush hour on major roads surrounding the city (but does not directly impact campus).