The University
UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is one of the most dynamic universities in the country in one of the most popular cities in the world. Offering 225 degree programs, it is an academic and research leader in numerous fields, such as optics, modeling and simulation, engineering and computer science, business administration, education, the sciences including biomedical sciences, hospitality management and digital media.
UCF’s 1,415 acre main campus provides modern facilities, most of which have wireless abilities, with 600 acres set aside for lakes, woods and an arboretum. UCF has 12 colleges, including the newly College of Medicine, the College of Nursing and the College of Graduate Studies. More than 50,000 students attend classes on UCF’s main Orlando campus and its 11 regional campuses. UCF recently granted its 183,252nd degree in its 40th year of offering classes.
The incoming freshmen class for the academic year 2008–09 of 3,932 students continues UCF’s rise in academics with an average SAT score of 1219 and a high school grade-point average of 3.76. The Burnett Honors College incoming class has an average SAT score of 1373 and a grade-point average of 4.16. UCF ranks in the top 50 universities nationwide for the number of National Merit Scholars of first‑time‑in‑college students.
The UCF Libraries offer more than 1.9 million volumes, 18,252 periodical subscriptions and 11,576 electronic journals, most of which are available online.
UCF has an 85,000‑square‑foot Recreation and Wellness Center complete with a three‑story climbing wall, an indoor track and fitness equipment. The Student Union has computer labs, study lounges, ballrooms and meeting rooms, popular eating establishments and a small shopping mall. The Health Center is a full‑service health clinic with on‑site professionals, X‑ray capabilities, a pharmacy, a medical laboratory and physical therapy services. The 10,000 seat UCF Arena and a 45,000 seat on‑campus football stadium were opened in 2007. Housing includes on‑campus residence halls and affiliated apartments for more than 10,000 students.
UCF promotes a diverse and inclusive environment. UCF students come from 63 Florida counties, 50 states, and 142 countries. Study abroad programs allow UCF students to study and conduct research with 98 institutions in 36 countries. Students at UCF have been recognized throughout the world and include recipients of the Rhodes, Mellon and Goldwater scholarships.
In 2007–08, UCF professors received $122.9 million in research funding, topping $100 million for the fourth consecutive year. Distinctive research programs extend learning beyond the classroom and include leadership programs, study abroad, cooperative education, mentorships, internships, service learning and paid research positions.