[brian21]

How is UCF on transferring credit in? Are the classes taught by teaching assistants who can't speak a word of english? What are the professors attitudes? Are they interested in seeing there students succeed or could care less? Will the classes all be in auditoriums with 500 people where its impossible to see the board? Will I feel totally out of place being a non traditional student?
Thanks

[BioAdoptMom3]

I graduated from UCF (the Daytona Beach campus) several years ago and was very happy with my experience. I think most colleges now have a lot of non-traditional students so that shouldn't be an issue. I never came across any professors who couldn't speak English (I am wondering why you thought that was a possibility?) nor did I ever experience an assistant teaching a class. There were never more than 35 students in any of my classes in Daytona. I went to main campus in Orlando to add a certification to my teaching certificate and in those classes I also never had more than about 40 students. Good luck!

Nancy

[bdpop]

This question would best be posted in the Orlando forum.

[brian21]

Originally Posted by bdpop

This question would best be posted in the Orlando forum.

I debated posting it in the orlando forum but I figured I would get more answers in the general florida forum. If a mod wants to move it feel free to do so.

[brian21]

I never came across any professors who couldn't speak English (I am wondering why you thought that was a possibility?)

The university that I attended had teaching assistants teaching many classes that they had no business teaching(It saved the university money). Many of these them were from foriegn countries and could not speak english well. The worst experience I had was a professor from ukraine who literally could not speak a word of english. It was a real disgrace they were letting this guy teach when he had such a poor command over the english language. As far as class sizes most were huge,300 to 500 students, with the small classes being 40 to 80 students. Its something I dont want to experience again.

[Prettygyrl777]

I was a traditional (and non-traditional) student at UCF. UCF has a slight rep of being a party school. They let just about anyone in and their enrollment numbers reflected that. UCF was also known as 'You Can't Finish' for the simple of reason of: too many students, not enough classes. Registering for classes was a special skill, you had to do it early enough (practically as soon as the registration period opened) in order to get in. Also, their arena style classes were ridiculous! Make sure you arrive early enough to sit midway or at least near the front. If not, a voice recorder should help if you miss out on anything. I can say though that I haven't had any classes taught by TA's. Also, the professors I had were pretty knowledgeable about their subjects. I transferred to UCF from a comm. college and I had absolutely no problem with that. UCF is a growing school but that also includes some positives: they are well connected with the surrounding communities so that means you may have some research opportunities (or other educational experiences) nearby. Last I heard, they were building a medical school there, too.

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by Prettygyrl777

They let just about anyone in and their enrollment numbers reflected that.

I beg to differ....
Gordon Chavis, assistant vice president for Undergraduate Admissions: "In 2001, incoming freshmen at UCF posted an average GPA of 3.6 and an average SAT score of 1152. In 2007, freshmen had an average GPA of 3.72 and an average SAT score of 1217."

Those grades don't sound like just about anyone to me.

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by brian21

The university that I attended had teaching assistants teaching many classes that they had no business teaching(It saved the university money). Many of these them were from foriegn countries and could not speak english well. The worst experience I had was a professor from ukraine who literally could not speak a word of english. It was a real disgrace they were letting this guy teach when he had such a poor command over the english language. As far as class sizes most were huge,300 to 500 students, with the small classes being 40 to 80 students. Its something I dont want to experience again.

What university did you attend? The poster was asking about UCF.

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by brian21

How is UCF on transferring credit in? Are the classes taught by teaching assistants who can't speak a word of english? What are the professors attitudes? Are they interested in seeing there students succeed or could care less? Will the classes all be in auditoriums with 500 people where its impossible to see the board? Will I feel totally out of place being a non traditional student?
Thanks

Brian, my son just graduated from UCF from the college of engineering and computer science. He had a wonderful experience there with many friends, caring professors and even some TA's .....teaching assistants. He thought some of the classes he had with teaching assistants were better than ones taught solely by a professor....although there was always a professor involved in the class. These TA's were graduate (PHD) research students and were quite knowledgeable and helpful according to my son. He often emailed them with questions, they were quick to organize study sessions. He had many study sessions with TA's on Sunday afternoons.

There are students of all ages, races, color, religion....it's a huge school.

In regards to your questions on transferring credits, it varies from school to school. You will have to check with the school.

The size of the classes will probably depend on your major. I imagine many of the general education classes could be in auditoriums. Most of my son's classes had around 20-30 students in them.

ALthough I too have heard UCF's reputation as a party school, not all students are involved in that. My son lived at home and entertained many of his UCF friends here, but most of the time they were study groups, not parties.

He enjoyed his experience and the great professors so much he is entering graduate school there in the fall. Although he was accepted into graduate programs in California, Colorado and Georgia, he chose UCF. Their CS graduate program is rated in the top 100 in the country and the PHD program in the top 10. To insure top candidates, they restrict the number of students in the CS graduate program to around 150. The College of Engineering and Computer Science is one of their premier schools.

Also, their placement office was amazing. There seemed to be a job fair every other week. My son got multiple job offers - all from top of the line companies....Hughes, Lockheed Martin, etc. He is now working his dream job with great pay and benefits.

What is your major? UCF is outstanding in many areas....not so much in others.

[Prettygyrl777]

Originally Posted by pianogal

what university did you attend? The poster was asking about ucf.

ucf