UCF Freshman Year Guide: Good Luck Freshie

WELCOME NEW UCF KNIGHTS!! 💛🖤 This video has about everything you need to know to have a successful Freshman Year at the University of Central Florida. All this information will help you be the most amazing and of course, a MAGICAL student that you can be. Enjoy these tips, tricks, fun facts, useful knowledge, and clips of me being my goofy self throughout the video and hope you have a fantastic first year at UCF! Go Knights and Charge On!! #UniversityofCentralFlorida #FreshmanYear #GoKnights!
Update: some of this information is general, and going through my o-team training right now I have gained a lot more information and learned more about some changes UCF is making so I'll probably be making another video with a few things/updates you should know about UCF to continue to be a successful knight!! 💛🖤
Instagram Handles:
Mine: @kathyxli
UCF Main: @ucf.edu Admissions: @ucfadmissions First-Year Experience: @ucf_fye Campus Store: @ucf.campusstore Mascot: @ucf.knightro Honors College: @ucfbhc Career Services: @ucfcareerservices Dining: @ucfdining Rosen College: @rosencollege
Websites:
UCF MAIN: www.ucf.edu/location/ucf-main...
Orientation Changes: orientation.ucf.edu/whats_hap...
Campus Tour Video: • UCF Campus Tour: Heart...
Rosen College: hospitality.ucf.edu/
Spin Scooters: www.spin.app/
Office of Student Involvement (in charge of Pegasus Palooza this Year): osi.ucf.edu/
Housing: www.housing.ucf.edu/
SGA TICKET CENTER: ticketcenter.sdes.ucf.edu/
About UCF: www.ucf.edu/about-ucf/
Library: library.ucf.edu/about/librari...
Pegasus Palooza: palooza.sdes.ucf.edu/
Let me know if you have any specific questions in the comments below!! Feel free to DM me on Instagram!! 🤗

[@kathyxli24]

Please subscribe for more awesome content! A lot of you watch my college series on this channel but aren't subscribed so it would mean the world to me if you could just hit that red button right there cause it's free and why not?

[@rickyandrews8409]

I want to like to say that you are very sweet girl

[@de_candi_kingdum9878]

Who else is still in high school

[@madameee4274]

I'm gonna be a senior this year but I'm still watching because I really want to go to UCF. I'll come back again next year once I get in ;) Update (January 2021): I got in! Now I can rewatch the video knowing for sure that I'm going lol

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Madameee! that’s awesome, UCF is an amazing school and I totally recommend you taking a tour of our beautiful campus in advance because then you can get a feel for the campus environment even before applying 💛🖤

[@lizzygressen8008]

I just applied yesterday! I plan on visiting in like January (unless I get rejected) because it’s so far away I need to visit Florida schools over break

[@madameee4274]

@@lizzygressen8008 Nice! I still haven't applied yet bc I'm scared my SAT score may be too low lol. I just retook for October and got my score back so I'm just going to submit that one. I'm going to apply soon though. I hope we both get in!

[@lizzygressen8008]

@@madameee4274 I am worried about my GPA honestly but I think my ACT score is pretty strong

[@madameee4274]

@@lizzygressen8008 Same, I think my SAT is okay (I thought it was low at first but I'm pretty sure I'm in the range) but idk about my GPA haha. I hope we can both get in and see each other there! It's my top choice

[@kathyxli24]

Omg I got recognized from this video on campus a total of 5 times now! 😂

[@adesuwaike4453]

I love ‘Goodluck Charlie’ so you got me smiling and subscribing 😍

[@kathyxli24]

I'm glad you got it! I was like I should do this theme lol. I need to get back into making videos though. Sorry I'm just now seeing this comment now.

[@enhypenchaos]

thank you so much for this video! i was really nervous about going to college but u made it sound so much fun!

[@kathyxli24]

Aww well if you have any questions, feel free to ask or dm me on Instagram @kathyxli 💛🖤

[@alextodor2655]

I just enrolled last week-really looking forward to freshman year at UCF!!! Unless Big 'rona puts the whole fall semester online 😪 loved the video!

[@kathyxli24]

aww, thank you so much! and congratulations on committing to be a knight! I hope you're in my small group for orientation! :)

[@benjamintiradogarcia9167]

I was wondering if you could share your stats for admission. I applied this year but I’m scared 💀

[@lila7607]

Thank you so much for this, it really helped

[@kathyxli24]

Awww of course! Feel free to dm my insta @kathyxli if you have any other questions 😊

[@yaniset95]

moving in next week as a transfer!! thanks for this bestie!!

[@kathyxli24]

Aww yay!!! And of course happy to help!

[@angelwauna]

thank you so much for this!

[@kathyxli24]

Of course! Let me know if you have any questions! Feel free to DM me on Instagram @kathyxli

[@gabbygonzalez3169]

I'm Committed to UCF starting on campus in the fall, I'm so excited! GKCO!

[@kathyxli24]

Ah congrats! That’s so exciting 🤩

[@poreycooler2547]

I'm literally taking notes on things you're saying lmao, thank you so muchhh

[@kathyxli24]

Awww of course! I legit just put out a new video about virtual orientation too! happy new year 💛🖤

[@hannahsworld9101]

this is such an amazing and informative video thanks so much for making it!! i’m currently a junior and don’t really have an idea of where i want to go for university but the helped so much!!

[@kathyxli24]

Of course! Thanks for watching! Let me know if you have any questions about ucf cause I am returning to my college series and working on a set of videos to release this month 😊

[@marisoldiaz6509]

Thank you for this video! SUPER helpful. How were you able to establish in-state residency? Did your parents move to Florida?

[@kathyxli24]

Of course!! And tbh I’m still trying to establish in state residency for spring 2021 Semester as you have to have evidence that you lived in Florida for a full year. I do have a house in Florida and I’ve stayed in it for a full year now so I hope that my residency is reclassified to in state. I recommend contacting the registrars office or visiting registrar.ucf.edu/residency-reclassification/ for more information 😊

[@botch465]

Hi Kathy - I'm a parent of a prospective student who was just accepted (he's hospitality, too). We're coming down in two weeks to look at the campus. It will be tough without tours, but we want to see it in person. From your video, I think we should visit the Student Union, Breezeway, Library, etc. Any other suggestions on getting the most out of a self-led tour? We're also going to check out the Rosen campus. (Loved your video, BTW).

[@kathyxli24]

Hi, firstly thank you so much for watching my video, I actually just got hired as a campus ambassador/tour guide and I'm in the process of planning a virtual tour video so make sure to subscribe for some more college content. Yes definitely visit the student union and see the renovated sections. I also recommend visiting memory mall which is the big open green field where most of the classroom buildings are. If you have any questions you can or your student can also DM me on Instagram @kathyxli and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have there. There will also be a lot of Q&A panels led by UCF's admissions team to learn more about campus and student life. Here's the link to learn more: www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/live-virtual-sessions/

[@austynhamby1479]

I have a 4.17gpa and a 1100 sat as well as 6-7 extra curriculars I really hope its good enough update: I got in! I'm excited to start at UCF next year

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Austyn! Well you can always contact admissions and ask their opinion on your scores but having extracurriculars is definitely helpful as I didn’t have the highest SAT score and I had a 4.0 GPA so you should be fine but make sure to have a good admissions essay. Really show how you would utilities ucf to better your future as well as what you can contribute to UCF. 💛🖤

[@mattwhelan8940]

So I live in Massachusetts 😬 but I am so hyped for UCF. One problem I can't help but think about is the finances as far as healthcare goes. Since I would be moving to a new state I just have no idea how that would play out. If you see this let me know how you faced this problem. Thanks! Edit: Thanks for this video! You're making this sound like it's gonna be the best 4 years of my life and I cannot wait!

[@kathyxli24]

Hi there! I'm so glad you're excited; you'll love the OSSM program when you get here! As for health care, there is a health center on the main campus that is free for students to go to if they aren't feeling well. Then you can also register your insurance to cover other fees like x-rays, crutches, and stuff like that. You can visit this website for more information: ucfhealth.com/ Currently with COVID-19, we have a telehealth program: ucfhealth.com/lp-telehealth/?gclid=CjwKCAjwkun1BRAIEiwA2mJRWW_2eJG4M1Cy6ev-WRHUc-mwLxJEaPKUDLwFfuxyua2maJIl6oQu-xoCSkwQAvD_BwE

[@mattwhelan8940]

Magical Kathy Thank you so much!

[@kathyxli24]

Fertile Miffin of course! Glad to help! 💛

[@melanieparedes202]

I just got in and I'm planning on staying in towers for summer 2021!

[@kathyxli24]

That’s awesome!! I’m working really hard on an updated version of this video and more college content coming in January 💛🖤 welcome to UCF!

[@betuanap3028]

I’m so bummed that my orientation was online. I feel like the experience we had was not as I expected. I wanted to feel secure and I was looking forward to touring the campus :( Now I’m just very stressed out about how everything’s gonna go.

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Betuana! I'm so sorry about Orientation being online. I totally get it but I'm still glad to meet new students like yourself even if it is through zoom. I think during this difficult time, we just need to stay positive 😇 If you want, I can give you a personal tour of campus when returning in the fall (fingers crossed). Feel free to DM me @kathyxli and I can answer any questions you have about campus, UCF in general, and etc. because I don't want you to feel stressed. 💛

[@clairesauzel]

Uni look so cool in the US !!

[@colincalabrese6432]

I’m going to be a junior and this school sounds amazing. I am from New Jersey tho so I’m concerned about the price. Are scholarships commonly given out?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Colin! Yea, UCF is absolutely amazing! I'm from New Jersey too! Scholarships are a great way to save some money. Right now, you can check out the fast web for some awesome scholarships to save money in preparing for college. I will say that UCF's out of state tuition is kind of the same as Rutger's in-state tuition. UCF also has a website called A2o which stands for Access to Opportunity. This website allows for UCF students to apply for grants and scholarships as well. Feel free to subscribe cause I have more college videos coming out soon! and DM me on Instagram @kathyxli if you have any other questions! :)

[@reaganparks6357]

Loved the video! Great job. Do you have any idea as to if Pegasus Palooza, The Knighting, etc. will be happening this year for fall 2020?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Reagan! So nothing is completely set at the moment as UCF is trying to figure out a plan for students to HOPEFULLY return to campus by the fall semester. I would follow @ucf_fye on Instagram for more updates 😊

[@reaganparks6357]

@@kathyxli24 okay thank you!!

[@kathyxli24]

Reagan Parks of course! Let me know if you have any other questions! Feel free to follow me on Instagram @kathyxli and dm me there 😊

[@elenaguillen9574]

Since you're a Rosen student, did you take classes in the Rosen campus your freshman year?

[@kathyxli24]

Elena Guillen Hi Elena! I did I took introduction to hospitality and tourism with Professor Deborah Weissberg (professor Deb) and I took SLS 1501 (the rosen specific one). I think it’s important to incorporate courses specific to your major into your curriculum even if it’s just 1-2 courses.

[@danielclarke1655]

so, how much do the knights games cost and which link leads to the info about the SGA tickets?

[@kathyxli24]

Daniel Clarke Hi Daniel! UCF sporting events are free for all students with a valid UCF student ID. Omg! I forgot to include that in the description but I’ll fix that right now. Here’s the link also: ticketcenter.sdes.ucf.edu

[@katherinetharp7982]

Hi! What’s your experience with the LEAD scholars program? I’m an incoming freshman and this videos been really helpful!

[@kathyxli24]

Thank you for watching! I did it for one academic year but didn't continue with the program my second year. I loved it cause it gave me a lot of insight into leadership and professionalism. I was able to get volunteer experience and work on some big projects just as a freshman. You also get a lot of fun opportunities at tailgates, organizations, and more.

[@tylerbutcher3610]

Is it possible to get into "the Awesome Program" if you're an in state student or is it just for the out of state students?

[@kathyxli24]

Tyler Butcher Hey Tyler! So the OSSM program is only for incoming out of state students. If you wanted to go on the trips to Disney and Universal, there are other clubs involved with theme parks on campus that have site visits and fun activities within the parks as well. Such as Future Theme Park Leaders Association (FTPLA). It’s on the Rosen College Campus but it’s an amazing club; I’m involved in it too! 😉

[@casshughes7449]

Hi, as an out of state student looking at this school, if I stay on campus for freshman year will I qualify as in state for sophomore year?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Dylan! I can't believe I never responded to this. I'm so sorry, I haven't been on KZbin in a little bit. If you stay on campus for freshman year, you can not use your address on campus as your in state address. You must have a residency in florida for a full year like an actual house or apartment that is under your name or your parents name if you are classified as a dependent somewhere in the Florida State.

[@dianafernandez7523]

I’m committed to ucf for this summer but I’m planning to do my first term online since my scholarships don’t come in until fall term, would they let me take like only two classes for that term?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Diana! Congratulations! 🎉 I think summer classes require a minimum of 9 credits but not sure if there’s different requirements for your first semester at ucf. I would recommend talking to your academic advisor during orientation for clarification.

[@miaaverie3535]

Hi! I’m coming from New York and was wondering how you got in state tuition for the next year? Thank you!

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Mia! Thanks for watching! So you have to talk with the registrars office. You must be a resident or claimed by your parents if your entire family is moving down for 12 months before claiming in state residency. You can visit this website for more information: registrar.ucf.edu/residency-reclassification/

[@mariareyes-ku6194]

Hi Cathy. Great video. I truly enjoyed all your tips. My son will be a freshman this year and this a great video with plenty of information from a student perspective. Do you know if there is an area on the website for used dorm equipment? Thanks.

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Maria! Thank you so much for watching! And that’s so great to hear! I wonder if I had him for orientation already or if he’ll be in my upcoming orientation small group! Not too sure about where to find used dorm equipment but if you’re wondering on what to bring (college checklist) I have a video for that too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4azf6RtgaaFbJY

[@mariareyes-ku6194]

@@kathyxli24 Well, my son Dylan starts this year during Summer B (June 27). Orientation has not been scheduled yet.

[@kathyxli24]

@@mariareyes-ku6194 oh okay! Definitely recommend checking the orientation.UCF.edu website occasionally so you can register as soon as sessions are available 😊

[@soup.dumpling1629]

If i and my bestfriend want to share the same room can we do that?

[@kathyxli24]

Yea you can do that! You can have your roommates planned beforehand and then set it up through the housing portal! I would email [e-mail] just to make sure everything is set afterwards as well 🤗

[@gaellea.984]

Hey, great video. I got deferred for summer term, but I really want to attend fall. I genuinely think my stats aren’t bad, I’m not trying to boast but I got accepted to higher ranked schools with my stats, so I don’t understand why I wasn’t given fall term. Is there anything I can do about this?? Also.....does it matter which dorm I live in for freshman year. I want something in proximity to my classes, but if first years take the same classes then does it really matter if I live by the college of my major?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Gaelle, I'm so sorry you got deferred. I recommend calling admissions often to see if you can get any updates and if there is anything you can do about the situation. Even if you got accepted to higher ranked schools, you need to follow your heart and where you think you'll have the most success. I know that's easier said than done but trust me, if UCF has your heart, it won't matter when you start as long as you are pursuing a degree at school that you love no matter the ranking. I also don't necessarily think it matters where you live for your freshman year because everyone's schedule is different but I do recommend living on the main campus as a lot of campus life happens there. Not everyone takes the same exact courses freshman year, you choose which ones you think would be the best fit for you. Most freshmen take GEP courses and maybe some prerequisites towards courses specific to their major. When you commit to UCF and attend orientation, there will be academic advising that will help you with all of that. I have more college videos coming soon so make sure to subscribe to my channel for that content :)

[@gaellea.984]

@@kathyxli24 Thank you, that was very helpful😄. I guess I’ll just have to take ur advice then.

[@kathyxli24]

@@gaellea.984 haha thanks and feel free to message me on Instagram with any other questions @kathyxli

[@gigsdiaz1398]

Question if my major is hospitality and I go to the Rosen College of hospitality then do I live in the Rosen dorms.

[@kathyxli24]

Hi there! no, you don't have to live in the rosen dorms! I lived on main campus in the neptune community for my freshman year and I am a Hospitality Management Major :) Don't forget to subscribe for more college content btw

[@t.b.sandmore1251]

I am interested in majoring in hospitality as well at UCF, but I don’t want to live all the way at the Rosen College Housing because it seems so far away from all of the action on main campus. Do you think it’s manageable to live on main campus rather than in the Rosen Housing?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi there! Just because you decide to be a Rosen major does not mean you have to live within the Rosen College Housing. I am a hospitality management major and I lived on main campus my entire freshman year so it is definitely manageable. Just a tip is to have good time management so you can catch the shuttles or if you have a car, know how much travel time you need to commute to the Rosen campus for some of your hospitality classes there 🤗

[@t.b.sandmore1251]

Magical Kathy thank you so much! That is very reassuring💕 I was scared I was going to miss out on main campus activities if they recommend living so far away. Thanks again!!

[@kathyxli24]

Aww of course! 💕 feel free to subscribe if you haven’t already, and follow or Dm me on Instagram if you have any other questions @kathyxli

[@enhypenchaos]

are the events for the freshmen like the magic show and what not, free events? or do u have to get a ticket?

[@kathyxli24]

The events vary sometimes, like with spirit splash pre covid, it would be all students could go and then there are events that you need to rsvp and claim tickets for but usually are free with your UCF id 😊💛🖤

[@enhypenchaos]

@@kathyxli24 thank u so much🥰

[@kathyxli24]

@@enhypenchaos of course! Happy to help! Make sure to subscribe ✨

[@enhypenchaos]

@@kathyxli24 I did! 😉

[@jujugirl011]

I I’ll be going to ucf during spring term, but I know they probably will not, but if they do have events for the freshman like the first week of school or throughout the fall semester would I still be able to go to those since I’m also a freshman?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Juliemay, well in regards to the events, everything is still up in the air and being planned so if the events do still occur, it's probably going to be a different setup. I'll be making a video about it once I have those updates so make sure to subscribe. You can also always follow and DM me on Instagram @kathyxli with any other questions.

[@jujugirl011]

Magical Kathy okay thank you so much!!!

[@azure_maiden]

Campus better open up before the fall semester

[@kathyxli24]

I’m hoping too! Fingers Crossed 🤞

[@gabbyarriaga905]

i have a not so great SAT score and my gpa is around 3.7 but i am very involved with extracurriculars. what do you think my changes are ?

[@kathyxli24]

I didn’t have the highest SAT score either and that’s a great GPA! I say it depends on how great your application is overall. But being involved in extracurriculars never hurts because I truly believe that is one of the things that got me into UCF 💛🖤 you can also always email UCF admissions at [e-mail] with any questions about your application

[@gabbyarriaga905]

@@kathyxli24 thank you ! especially for the fast reply ! your video helped me a lot

[@kathyxli24]

@@gabbyarriaga905 thank you so much ⭐️ more college content to come so stay tuned and subscribe if you haven’t already💛

[@gw3884]

hey! I’m looking into going to UCF but I looked up the average gpa and test scores and now I’m worried I won’t get in. I have a 4.0 gpa, am in 4 NHSs, am in multiple clubs, am a president of a club- stuff like that. but my ACT is lower than the average person who gets into UCF (I’m retaking it in September so I will hopefully get it a few points up). What do you think my chances are of getting in? Do you have any advice for me? I’d really appreciate it ! xx

[@kathyxli24]

Hi! The average GPAs on our website are actually class averages and then the higher your GPA is within that range the more competitive your application is 😊 it’s great to hear that you are really involved because I was actually super involved in extracurriculars and I think that is one of the reasons I got into ucf.

[@kathyxli24]

I can’t say for sure what your chances are of getting in but it seems like you would be a great addition to ucf. Just make sure to show us your potential in that essay and APPLY EARLY!! the earlier the better 😊

[@laylaamuhammad598]

Do you stay in the dorms for orientation?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi so it depends on what orientation you sign up for and if you want to stay in the dorms or not cause orientation is two days. Right now it’s all online but depending on the circumstances, we may go back to in person orientation. I recommend checking orientation.UCF.edu for more information and updates 😊

[@bobbyswanson3498]

Where are your from? I live in raleigh Nc and I’m really considering going to ucf for hospitality

[@kathyxli24]

I’m originally from East Brunswick, New Jersey and then I moved down to florida

[@mariareyes-ku6194]

Hi Kathy. When is the Christmas break for this year? Start date and end date. Thanks.

[@kathyxli24]

You can find those dates here! Here is the fall 2021 academic calendar: calendar.ucf.edu/2021/fall

[@mariareyes-ku6194]

@@kathyxli24 I did find them here. But it says last class date is December 3 and following weeks are exams. Does the break starts on December 10 or December 15? Thanks again.

[@kathyxli24]

@@mariareyes-ku6194 Definitely not December 10th. Break starts after final exams end so I would say December 12th.

Sub #550 🥰 I’m looking into UCF and I found this video! So helpful, thank you

[@kathyxli24]

Aye thanks for getting me to 550 💛🖤 feel free to message me on Instagram @kathyxli and explore my other college videos for any guidance! If you want to schedule a virtual panel or go to a virtual tour, I also work with admissions so let me know and I can help you out with that too 💛

[@shamarhart3784]

I want to major in Restaurant and Foodservice Management how should I set up my class for freshman year?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Shamar! that's great that you have that figured out! I recommend talking with your academic advisor and utilizing pegasus path to help with planning out your courses for future semesters :)

[@shamarhart3784]

Thank you

[@adesuwaike4453]

Can you talk about scholarships available to international students in UCF?

[@kathyxli24]

Yes, a lot of student scholarships are offered through our Access to Opportunities website (A2O) website: ucf.academicworks.com/. You can find more info about international scholarships here as well: global.ucf.edu/international-students-scholars-and-professionals/scholarships/. You will be contacting UCF global a lot when admitted as an international student.

[@isabellapacheco8995]

Hi I have a quick question I am going to be a high school senior but I’m out of state and want to apply to UCF what do you think I can do to get in ?

[@kathyxli24]

Hi Isabella! I would recommend getting involved cause it’s not just about statistics, it’s about showing your potential! Get involved in different organizations in your high school and maybe do some volunteer work to stand out! You got this 🤗

[@isabellapacheco8995]

Magical Kathy thank you I’m on my dance team and the Vice President and done NHS and SNHS so I have service hours from those I was also in Girl Scouts do you think that’s a good amount ?

[@kathyxli24]

ISABELLA Pacheco that sounds like you are super involved and that’s awesome! Of course I can’t guarantee that you’ll get in but it sounds like you have a lot of potential and I think UCF would be lucky to have you! You can also find more about admission requirements here: www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/freshman/ . also girl set me up with those thin mints please 😅

[@stephmontvein8328]

I hope to go there next year!! I’m from Brazil

[@kathyxli24]

That’s awesome! Let me know if you have any questions! 😊

[@stephmontvein8328]

@@kathyxli24 in my country gpa doesn’t exist so Idk how it work. But isn’t 0-4? Bc on I saw online that I had to have a 4.12 but I don’t get it.

[@kathyxli24]

@@stephmontvein8328 I’m not completely sure how to explain it but you can always schedule a meeting with an advisor to work out how to get an optimal gpa. The gpa on our site is recommended. From my opinion, You don’t have to have a high gpa to possibly get into ucf but it definitely makes your application more competitive.

[@damarysmendoza4633]

Hi Kathy! I DM you on Instagram. I had so many additional questions about UCF and how to get in!

[@kathyxli24]

I’ll go check right now!

[@retrovelvet]

how do we register for online orientation?

[@kathyxli24]

Visit orientation.ucf.edu/whats_happening/ for information about registration and how online orientation is going to work. There is also a zoom helpline you can come on and ask questions after you register for orientation through that link. And Congrats on becoming a knight!

[@retrovelvet]

@@kathyxli24 thanks!!

[@zenko_artz2675]

Lol I actually like ice breakers 😅

[@randomuser3441]

Late ash but I got accepted too!! 😭

[@kathyxli24]

WOOHOO! Yay so exciting