For incoming students at UF, being admitted through a non-traditional pathway like PaCE might feel like a disadvantage at first. But students who have gone through these programs think otherwise.
Flexibility, more time for extracurricular activities and an easier transition are among the hidden benefits students say come with the program.
The Pathway to Campus Enrollment program, better known as PaCE, allows students to begin their degrees online before transitioning to campus. Students are required to complete their first two semesters and 60 credits through UF Online before becoming eligible for in-person classes.
While students go through a different experience from the traditional path, some have reported their unique positions allow them to make the most of their time at UF.
Ally Tamargo, a 19-year-old business administration sophomore, said PaCE made her freshman-year transition smoother.
“It gave me an opportunity to adjust to college better and focus on learning how to live on my own,” she said.
The program’s online environment also allowed Tamargo to learn from wherever she was. And with no specific class time, the sophomore had full control of how she organized her days.
“I was able to work and take exams from home,” Tamargo said. “I was able to adjust around club meeting times.”
This flexibility also gives PaCE students more time to participate in campus organizations and Greek life, as well as enjoy Florida’s athletics scene.
Paige Swanson, a 19-year-old business administration sophomore, rushed a sorority during her freshman year and is a committed member of the Florida women’s business club. She said her PaCE schedule helped her balance several extracurriculars and her coursework.
“I've still been able to get really involved on campus," Swanson said. “It’s actually given me a lot of extra free time in my days to be involved.”
Like Swanson, PaCE students can also get hands-on experience in their classes. The sophomore participated in the Warrington Welcome ethics case analysis competition, where she and her team examined the ethical implications of using AI facial recognition in airport security.
After presenting their project to a panel of professors and executives, the group received first place in the competition.
“It was really exciting to still be able to do a competition and do a project like that while being in an online class,” Swanson said.
However, while the PaCE program’s online format offers students more freedom, some found the online format can get lonely.
Mika Deorajh, a 19-year-old business administration sophomore, admits he struggled with feeling disconnected from the UF community.
“It can be difficult to build relationships and feel connected to classmates and professors compared to an in-person environment,” Deorajh said. “You have to be a lot more intentional about reaching out.”
The lack of a traditional classroom also meant Deorajh had to create his own structure. This flexibility, while exciting to others, made the sophomore lack motivation to do his homework at times.
“You really have to hold yourself accountable every day,” Deorajh said. “You have to be able to manage your time without a lot of structure.”
However, his loneliness and lack of motivation slowly disappeared with time, Deorajh said. Learning how to manage his independence ultimately made him a stronger student because he didn't have to rely on outside motivators, he said.
Deorajh’s biggest piece of advice for incoming students joining the PaCE program is to use the pathway’s tools to their advantage.
“A PaCE student could either be really successful in their college career, or they won't be,” he said. “It all comes down to the amount of effort you put in.”
Contact Sofia Alamo at salamo@alligator.org. Follow her on X @alamosofiaa.
Sofia Alamo is a Sports Journalism freshman at UF and the university’s Women’s Tennis beat reporter. Her favorite sports are soccer and tennis, and she aspires to be a sports broadcaster in the future.
