2017-18 UCF Family Guide

UN IVERSITY

OF

BECOMING A UCF PARENT 2 0 1 7 – 1 8 | F A M I LY G U I D E

CENTRAL

FLORIDA

U C F AT A G L A N C E

64,300 STUDENTS

STUDEN TS COM E F R OM

67 FLORIDA COUNTIES 50 STATES 152 COUNTRIES 1,415-acre campus with modern facilities Competes in the American Athletic Conference

COLLEGES

Arts and Humanities Burnett Honors Business Administration Education and Human Performance Engineering and Computer Science Graduate Studies Health and Public Affairs Medicine Nursing Optics and Photonics Rosen College of Hospitality Management Sciences Undergraduate Studies D E G RE E P RO GR AMS

95 BACHELOR’S 86 MASTER’S 31 DOCTORAL 3 SPECIALIST 1 PROFESSIONAL

289 NATIONAL MERIT SC HOL A R S

HELLO PARENTS We are delighted that your daughter or son is seriously considering UCF. Our students find many ways to grow academically and personally as they pursue their dreams and prepare for a promising future.

UCF is a major metropolitan research university with more than 210 degree programs. We are known internationally for excellence in fields such as engineering, simulation and training, medicine, hospitality management, education, optics and lasers, and video game development. In more than 600 clubs and organizations, students develop interests, make friends and learn leadership skills that benefit them for a lifetime.

UCF is also a special place where students can receive an outstanding education, enjoy the advantages of a large and vibrant university, and still experience the personal touches of a smaller campus environment. Major employers that provide internship and other work experiences and often hire our graduates include Google, NASA, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Siemens, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Verizon and Walt Disney World.

It’s great to be a Knight, and we encourage your family to join us in writing the next exciting chapters of UCF. Cordially yours,

John C. Hitt, President

U N I V E R S I T Y of C E N T R A L F L O R I D A

UCF PARENTS ARE KNIGHTS, TOO Being at UCF puts your student in the midst of a modern, energetic and diverse environment, where they can explore their passions. At UCF, your son or daughter will be introduced to caring faculty, experience cuttingedge research opportunities and enjoy our student-centered approach to learning.

The Princeton Review and Kiplinger’s named UCF a best-value university. U.S. News & World Report named UCF a “Top Tier National University.” And we’ve been given high research rankings by national agencies because of our dedicated faculty and researchers who make groundbreaking discoveries.

Orlando is a great place to live — our warm and sunny location, internship opportunities, attractions and activities will keep your student entertained and involved. All of this makes UCF a first-choice destination.

U CF

TIPS

PA R E N T

G U I D E

201 6/ 1 7

FROM UCF STUDENTS FOR PARENTS

1 Teach us how to budget our money before we start college.

If we’re low on funds, you might help us by suggesting ideas for part-time jobs.

2 Start treating us like adults — we need to learn before we leave college and start our careers.

3 Talk to us about the social pressures of college, whether it is about alcohol or instilling in us a “homework before fun” ethic.

4 Teach us practical skills before we go to college — don’t assume we know how to cook, do laundry, clean, etc.

5 Encourage us to ask for help when we need it, whether it’s reaching out to our advisors, friends and professors — or to you.

M A K I N G A S M O OT H T R A N S I T I O N College is a huge transition for students and parents.

UCF offers an array of services to ensure your Knight’s success. There will be a lot of opportunities for students to meet people, make friends and participate in student activities. They can join one of more than 600 student organizations, cheer on the Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium or participate in intramural sports.

In addition, we have numerous academic resources

But it isn’t just about what’s available

to help along the way. The University Writing Center,

to students. Some resources for parents

Math Lab or one of our specialized offices can offer

include:

leadership, guidance and support. We’re committed to connecting students to whatever academic support they need to be successful, and we have opportunities for hands-on learning, research, volunteering and paid internships.

• Pegasus Parent program • Seminars to help you guide your student to success • Programs designed for parents of students with special needs

TIPS FROM CURRENT UCF PARENTS

1 Understand that you can’t protect them from or prepare them for everything — they have to also learn from experience.

2 Encourage them to use UCF’s resources. There are so many available to them. Know for

LIFE IN ORLANDO Orlando has a mild climate (72 degrees annual average), some of the world’s most exciting theme parks and attractions, and is one of the most popular locations for family entertainment. But another benefit of Orlando is our competitive job market for graduates.

More than 125,000 of our alumni have chosen to stay right here in Central Florida.

yourself that these resources help support, protect and care for your child.

3 Stay positive and build them ORLANDO OFFERS:

up — tell them you love them

• Career and internship opportunities with industry leaders such as Siemens, Lockheed Martin, Harris, Boeing, Walt Disney World and Marriott International

and are proud of them. Care

• Numerous theme parks and attractions — Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and more • Beautiful beaches within driving distance • Lakes, springs and other recreational opportunities

packages help with this message and provide extra support.

4 Be financially prepared for their school year and communicate to them their resource limitations.

5 Set boundaries and talk to them about balance. It’s not all about books — it’s about the complete experience.

6 Ask questions instead of guessing. If you don’t know what UCF can offer, find out.

7 Encourage your student to register for 30 credit hours per year. Students who complete 30 hours or more their first year of college are more likely to graduate than those who don’t.

LIVE THE UCF EXPERIENCE It’s well established that living on campus is convenient, safe and helps students make lifelong friends. But did you know living on campus can help your student get a career head start? By living here for two years, your student’s chances of graduating on time increase by 20 percent.

First-year students can live in any of our on-campus housing communities and choose between suite-style residence halls with double occupancy or apartments. Living on campus provides your student easy access to the Student Union, the library and a variety of student services. They’ll never be far from one of our recreation facilities or a place to grab a bite to eat. Many students find that living on campus is the most rewarding experience of their college lives.

For more information on living the UCF experience, visit housing.ucf.edu.

SAFETY AND SECURITY Keeping our campus secure for students is our top priority. The faculty, staff and administration work closely with the UCF Police Department to keep the campus community secure. From programs like Safe Escort Patrol Service (SEPS) to self-defense courses and property registration, resources are available to keep your Knight secure on campus 24 hours a day. To learn more about campus safety, access the UCF Annual Security & Fire Safety Guide at police.ucf.edu.

Students can sign up for UCF Alert notifications via text or email to get timely and accurate information about emergency situations at my.ucf.edu.

TOP 10 1 Academic success 2 Safety and security 3 The full UCF experience 4 Living Learning Communities 5 24/7 staff support

R E AS O N S TO L I V E ON CAMPUS

6 Furnished rooms and apartments 7 Clean and well-maintained facilities 8 Utilities included 9 Lifelong friendships 1 0 Happy parents

O N - C A M P U S AC T I V I T I E S Some examples of things happening on campus include: • Movies and concerts • Comedy and variety shows • Speakers and lecture series • Cultural and fine arts shows and exhibits • Academic clubs • Men’s and women’s NCAA Division I sports • Intramural sports clubs • Faith-based organizations • Leadership development programs

CAMPUS LIFE Students also have on-campus access to: • Accessibility services • Health services • Counseling services • Numerous places to eat, have fun and meet friends • Top-notch residence halls and living communities • Lakes and green spaces for recreation • Bright House Networks Stadium for football games • CFE Arena for basketball games, as well as concerts and other shows

U N I V E R S I T Y of C E N T R A L F L O R I D A

UCF CREED INTEGRITY SCHOLARSHIP COMMUNITY CREATIVITY EXCELLENCE

KNIGHTS ON THE JOB

UCF Career Services provides students with information and resources to ensure the decisions they make today lead to job satisfaction tomorrow. The center provides comprehensive services to help Knights plan their careers, gain hands-on work experience and secure employment upon graduation.

Career specialists will assist your Knight with: • Identifying academic and career options • Gaining career-related experience • Developing résumés and interview skills • Searching for full-time employment • Researching and applying to graduate or professional schools Career counselors can also help students choose a major and career path

STUDENT SUCCESS FIRST-YE AR ST U DE NT RE T E NT IO N

89%

$1M

Available for undergraduate research

20,000 Co-ops, internships and service-learning projects completed annually

48%

vs.

33%

through self-assessment, workshops and major fairs. To learn more about

48 percent of UCF students graduate with

UCF Career Services, visit career.ucf.edu.

NO EDUCATIONAL DEBT — compared to 33 percent nationally.

16-17

APPROXIMATE ANNUAL TUITION AND FEES, ROOM AND BOARD, AND BOOKS* Florida Resident Non-Florida Resident

Tuition and Fees

$ 6,379

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A GREAT VALUE

$ 22,476

UCF is one of the nation’s best educational values for in-state college students according

Room and Board

$ 9,764

$ 9,764

to The Princeton Review and Kiplinger’s. Students from outside of Florida also enjoy one

Books (estimate)

$ 1,152

$ 1,152

of the lowest nonresident tuition rates in the nation.

Est. Annual Cost

$ 17,295

$ 33,392

More than $450 million in financial aid is awarded annually to students. In fact, 89 percent

* Based upon 30 credit hours, standard room and meal plan for the 2016-17 academic year.

of all UCF undergraduate students receive financial assistance. And the combination of financial aid plus scholarship funds can ease the burden of financing your student’s education. Visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance website at finaid.ucf.edu for additional information. Scholarship listings are available at finaid.ucf.edu/scholarships.

A D D E D VA L U E Scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per year are awarded to new students with excellent academic credentials.

• On-campus, university-affiliated and off-campus housing options are available.

• Students can attend most sports, music, arts and theater events free of charge.

• Many work-study programs and internships are available on or near campus.

• 48 percent of UCF students graduate without any education debt.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP The first step in determining your student’s eligibility for financial assistance is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By completing the FAFSA, the Office of Student Financial Assistance can determine your student’s eligibility for federal, state and university financial aid programs such as grants, low-interest loans and work-study programs.

For more information, visit fafsa.ed.gov.

YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. WE HAVE ANSWERS. Q. A re there resources to help parents prepare their students?

A. T he family and parents of incoming students can visit

parents.sdes.ucf.edu for information about workshops and more.

Q. W hat happens after my student is admitted?

A. Y our student can submit their $200 enrollment deposit and

register for Orientation through myUCF. They will receive information about how to prepare for their first day on campus.

Q. W hat could affect the status of my student’s admission?

A. If your student’s grades drop, their admission status could change.

Your student should keep up their GPA and finish high school with a strong academic record.

Q. H ow can we find out more about on-campus housing?

A. For more information about residence halls, communities and amenities, contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life at 407.823.4663 or visit housing.ucf.edu.

students have to walk. The shuttle also stops at 20 offcampus locations, including residential communities and the Central Florida Research Park.

Q. W here can my student buy textbooks?

A. O nce your student has their class schedule, they can buy books at the UCF Barnes & Noble Bookstore or online at ucf.bncollege.com.

Q. H ow does UCF keep my student safe?

A. T he UCF Police Department patrols the campus and offers

a Safe Escort Patrol Service (SEPS), which provides students with an escort to their car or on-campus destination.

Students can call 407.823.2424 for an escort Sunday to Thursday, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. After 1 a.m., students may call the UCF Police Department at 407.823.5555 for an escort.

Students can also register their belongings in person or online with the UCF Police Department. Items such as computers, bikes, tablets, cameras and other valuables can be registered to protect against property loss. For more information about the services the UCF Police Department provides, visit police.ucf.edu.

Q. H ow can I find out more about Florida Bright Futures Scholarships?

A. For answers about the scholarships, including eligibility criteria, call the Bright Futures toll-free hotline at 888.827.2004 or visit floridastudentfinancialaid.org.

Q. W hat health services are available on campus?

A. UCF has a full-service health clinic with on-site professionals,

X-ray capabilities, a pharmacy, a medical laboratory, physical therapy and dental services — all provided at a low cost (or free) to students. UCF also has a counseling center that provides mental health services free of charge.

Q. W hat is the UCF Card?

A. T he UCF Card is your student’s ID card — but it also operates

as their library card and on-campus debit card. Additionally, it can be used to get into student activities and events such as athletic events, concerts and other programs.

Q. W ill my student need a car?

A. N ot necessarily. Students can get around campus on the UCF

Shuttle — a safe, convenient and free service we offer. The shuttle stops at strategic destination points to minimize the distance

NEXT STEPS FOR ADMITTED FRESHMEN

1 Submit the $200 enrollment deposit no later than May 1.

2 Consider housing options early.

3 Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA) before the December 1 priority date.

Search for scholarship opportunities using 4

fastweb.com.

5 Expect to hear from the Office of First Year

Experience to register for a mandatory orientation and register for classes in early spring.

WE’RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US Like you, we have high aspirations and expectations for your student. We have numerous academic and campus resources to build a foundation for success. From academic advisors to tutors, help is just a phone call away.

COME VISIT US The best way to find out if UCF is right for you and your future Knight is to visit us. Schedule your Campus Visit Experience at admissions.ucf.edu/visit.

DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES

COLLEGES

Academic Services for Student-Athletes 407.823.5896 / assa.sdes.ucf.edu Campus Faiths and Ministries 407.823.5336 / cfm.sdes.ucf.edu Counseling and Psychological Services 407.823.2811 / counseling.sdes.ucf.edu Dining Services 407.823.2651 / ucfdining.com Financial Aid 407.823.2827 / finaid.ucf.edu First Year Advising and Exploration 407.823.3789 / fyae.sdes.ucf.edu First Year Experience 407.823.5105 / fye.ucf.edu Health Services 407.823.2701 / hs.sdes.ucf.edu Housing and Residence Life 407.823.4663 / housing.ucf.edu LEAD Scholars Academy 407.823.2223 / lead.sdes.ucf.edu LINK Program 407.823.5105 / link.ucf.edu Multicultural Academic and Support Services 407.823.2716 / mass.sdes.ucf.edu Parking and Transportation Services 407.823.5812 / parking.ucf.edu Pegasus Parent Program 407.823.5105 / parents.sdes.ucf.edu Registrar’s Office 407.823.3100 / registrar.ucf.edu Student Academic Resource Center 407.823.5130 / sarc.sdes.ucf.edu Student Accessibility Services 407.823.2371 / sas.sdes.ucf.edu Student Neighborhood Relations 407.823.6505 / snr.sdes.ucf.edu UCF Police Department 407.823.5555 / police.ucf.edu Undergraduate Admissions 407.823.3000 / admissions.ucf.edu

Arts and Humanities 407.823.2251 Burnett Honors 407.823.2076 Business Administration 407.823.2185 Education and Human Performance 407.823.2835 Engineering and Computer Science 407.823.2156 Graduate Studies 407.823.2766 Health and Public Affairs 407.823.0171 Medicine 407.266.1000 Nursing 407.823.2744 Optics and Photonics 407.823.6800 Rosen College of Hospitality Management 407.903.8000 Sciences 407.823.1997 Undergraduate Studies 407.823.2373 OTHER RESOURCES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS admissions.ucf.edu/faq UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS MAILING ADDRESS University of Central Florida P.O. Box 160111 Orlando, FL 32816-0111 UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS PHYSICAL ADDRESS University of Central Florida 12585 Gemini Boulevard South Orlando, FL 32816

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