FAQs for Parents
- How are Sophomore students identified?
UCF identifies students with the sophomore level classification (completed between 30 and 59 semester hours) with the identifier (2S). This is used when early course registration times are processed by the Registrar's office, and on other documents (such as the on-line degree program "audit") that students use to chart their progress towards graduation. The Sophomore and Second Year Center gets periodic listings of students identified with the 2S classification to provide ongoing advising support communications by use of student information (e-mail, local address, phone numbers, etc.).
- What is the Sophomore and Second Year Center (SSYC)?
This office, within the Student Success Center, has been established to provide programs, services, and referrals to many campus support resources with the goal of connecting with UCF's undeclared (no major) or undecided sophomores and second year students. Our mission is to enhance their overall undergraduate experience, and assist in their progression towards graduation. UCF is on the leading edge nationwide in offering sophomore specific programs and services to help retain and engage this population of students ~ as they move forward.
- What advising services are provided through SSYC to help my child succeed in college?
Advising support is provided to students who are not yet in a declared major, first time in college students entering with 45 or more credits completed, and those students exploring alternate major program options. Working in close collaboration with many UCF student support departments is a primary component of the Sophomore and Second Year Center office. Referral resources to support services include: Career Services, advising support offices from UCF College's, Campus Life and Leadership, and Undergraduate Research and faculty connection opportunities. You are invited to learn more about many of these services and programs provided as information "links" from this website.
- How does the Sophomore and Second Year Center differ from other departments in Student Development and Enrollment Services (SDES)?
Sophomore and Second Year Center differs from other SDES departments in offering specific advising and programs focused on supporting sophomore and second year student success and progression at UCF. In addition, the office provides a direct career development services link with a staff member from Career Services assigned to the Sophomore and Second Year Center office - this unique collaboration is not seen in other offices.
- What types of advising assistance is offered to students who enter with college credits already earned, or for students not yet certain on their college major (Undeclared/undecided)?
- Accelerated FTIC's are students entering UCF (as a first-time-in-college student) with 45 or more college credit hours earned through accelerated mechanisms (AP, IB, CLEP, and/or Dual Enrollment), the Sophomore and Second Year Center (SSYC) (Student Success Center, Howard Phillips Hall 221), will be your initial advising office. The Sophomore and Second Year Center advisor will review the "accelerated credits" earned (or expected) with the student to discuss how these earned college credits will factor into the UCF major (degree) program completion, and assist with schedule planning for upcoming semesters, as well as other advising support to help the incoming students become acclimated to UCF.
- Advisor will review student's areas of academic interest & strengths and look at potential degree program (major) options
- Have student complete a "My Major Interests" assessment sheet to review how the major and career interests can potentially match in the selection of an appropriate major and/or minor program
- Review of various major/career information resources (i.e., undergraduate catalog), and on-line information websites (Choices planner, FACTS.org, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Career Services link to "What can I do with this major" )
- Facilitate a meeting with Career Services staff assigned to the Sophomore and Second Year Center for additional career development discussion
- Provide numerous advising outreach programs on and off-campus for Undeclared and major exploring students
- Connect students to many campus resources to enhance their undergraduate experience - including College advising support, Campus Life /Leadership, and Undergraduate Studies for faculty research opportunities
- Students will be reminded of the UCF Undeclared policy stipulations and requirements
- My child is interested in getting a job on campus. Where would he or she find more information about jobs on campus, possibly in the Sophomore and Second Year Center?
Sophomore and Second Year Center staff members are very knowledgeable of the job opportunities on campus. Employment opportunities are listed on the SSYC website and students can find information by walk-in or scheduled appointments. The Office of Student Financial Assistance website also has a database of student employment available to either work study of OPS (general employment), and can be found at www.finaid.ucf.edu. Students can also learn more about internship, externship, jobs, and careers through Career Services & Experiential Learning at www.crc.ucf.edu/home.
- What information can you give me about on-campus and off-campus housing?
The UCF Housing website has in-depth information regarding prices, location, and availability for both on-campus and off-campus housing at www.housing.ucf.edu.
- What resources are available to help my child with their classes and keep up their grades while they are in college?
Special programs to help increase success throughout (the first year of) college include Student Academic Resource Center (SARC), Math Lab, the Writing Center, and specific tutoring programs within each department and college. The Sophomore Center offers advising for FTIC (Freshmen) entering UCF with 45 or more college credit hours earned though accelerated mechanisms (AP, IB, CLEP, and/or Dual Enrollment) ), the Sophomore and Second Year Center (SSYC) (Student Success Center, Howard Phillips Hall 221), will be your initial advising office.
- Call 407-823-3375 to schedule an appointment with a Sophomore and Second Year Center Academic Advisor.
- E-mail sophomore@mail.ucf.edu to schedule an appointment with a Sophomore and Second Year Center Academic Advisor.
- Walk-in to the Sophomore and Second Year Center, Howard Phillips Hall, Room 221. Depending on availability of Academic Advisors, students may be seen immediately or asked to schedule an appointment.
- I do not have the money to send my child to college. What types of scholarship programs are available to help me?
The Office of Student Financial Assistance website has a detailed listing of scholarships and financial aid options available to students at www.finaid.ucf.edu.
- I do not want my child to go into debt over tuition. What type of "free money" or other forms of financial assistance can he/she apply for and receive?
The most important step in being considered for the full range of financial aid available is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is available January 1 each year, and the processed results of the FAFSA must be received by UCF on or before March 1st to meet our priority date. Students can still apply after the priority date, but risk receiving less aid. The online FAFSA can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- What types of student leadership opportunities are available on campus? How can my child become involved?
There are numerous opportunities for leadership positions here at UCF. The Office of Student Involvement (OSI) has over 300 clubs and organizations registered with their office. Many of these are actively involved at UCF and within the Orlando community, which allow many opportunities for leadership. There are also other divisions such as Fraternity and Sorority Life, Volunteer UCF, Student Government Association, and more. For more information on any of the above programs, please contact the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) at 407-823-6471 or visit their website at www.GetInvolvedUCF.com.
- My child is an out-of-state student. Are there any programs specially catered to these students?
UCF has created the Out-of-State-Student-Mentoring (OSSM) program designed specifically for out-of-state students. This program is a division of the Learning and Interacting with New Knights (LINK) First Year Experience Program. Students are matched with an upperclassman (junior or senior year student) mentor and either a faculty member or administrator. These mentors are here to help guide out-of-state students so they will feel more adjusted to UCF. They also offer activities and programs so all students can have the chance to interact with other students from outside of Florida. For more information on the OSSM program, please contact LINK at 407-882-LINK or visit their website at www.link.ucf.edu.
- My child is an international student. Are there any programs designed for these students?
The International Services Center is a department dedicated to helping international students at UCF. The office assists with the completion of required paperwork and documents. They also offer seminars and programs to help inform international students so they will have a successful college and professional career. For more information on the International Services Center, please contact them at 407-823-2337 or visit their website at www.intl.ucf.edu.
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