The University of Central Florida is one of the most dynamic universities in the country. Offering more than 200 degree programs, it has become an academic and research leader in many fields, such as optics, modeling and simulation, engineering and computer science, business administration, education, the 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 now has 12 colleges, including the newly established College of Medicine, the College of Nursing (July 2007), the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, the Burnett Honors College and the Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences. Nearly 47,000 students attend classes on UCF’s main campus and its 11 regional campuses located throughout Central Florida. UCF recently granted its 164,000th degree in its 38th year of offering classes.

The incoming freshmen class for the academic year 2006-07 of about 4,100 students continued UCF’s rise in academics with an average SAT score of 1200 and a high school grade-point average of 3.7. The Burnett Honors College incoming class had an average SAT score of 1352 and included 27 National Merit Scholars, 115 AP Scholars and eight National Hispanic Scholars.

UCF’s programs and services are designed to provide a supportive and memorable experience for all of its students, helping them reach their goals while learning to become productive members of our society. UCF promotes a diverse and inclusive environment. UCF students come from every Florida county and 50 states, and more than 1,300 international students come from 138 countries. Study abroad programs allow UCF students to study and conduct research with 98 institutions in 36 countries.

The UCF Libraries offer more than 1.6 million volumes, nearly 13,000 periodical subscriptions and 6,000 electronic journals. 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. A new Health Center is a full-service health clinic with on-site professionals, X-ray capabilities, a pharmacy, a medical laboratory and physical therapy services. A 10,000-seat Convocation Center and a 45,000-seat on-campus football stadium are scheduled for completion in Fall 2007. Students can choose from hundreds of student organizations, services and on-campus residence halls and affiliated housing for nearly 10,000 students.

UCF President John Hitt was named Central Floridian of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel and the Most Powerful in Central Florida by the Orlando Magazine this year. Hitt helped develop the Florida High Tech Corridor and increased UCF’s participation with the Central Florida Research Park, one of the top 10 parks in the country. Hitt recently led efforts to gain approval for the College of Medicine and helped raise more than $50 million in several months to fund it. He also played a major role in attracting the Burnham Institute for Medical Research to build its Florida facility next to UCF’s College of Medicine at the UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona.

In 2005-06, UCF professors received more than $100 million in research funding for the second consecutive year. Research contracts and grants come from esteemed institutions, such as the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Justice and Lockheed Martin. Undergraduate Research offers seven research programs, including paid research positions for undergraduates and graduate students.

The UCF College of Medicine is scheduled to open in Fall 2009. The college will expand the educational and residency opportunities for Florida students while helping to alleviate the nationwide shortage of physicians and increasing job opportunities in medical and related fields at higher wages. The college is expected to diversify the local economy by attracting more life sciences industry to the area.

UCF’s main campus is located 13 miles east of downtown Orlando, which offers an array of entertainment opportunities - theme parks, theaters, museums, internationally recognized festivals and 2,000 lakes, springs and rivers, as well as 21 fitness trails for outdoor recreation.