Hello,
I was wondering if I could get an honest response if I have a chance to get into UF.
Male / Asian
Low Income
First generation college
State - Florida
I am a senior this fall.
Major Choice: Health Science, Biology or Mechanical Engineering.
ACT with Writing - 30 ( first try )
English (30), Math (27), Reading (33), Science (28) Writing (27)
SAT - 1600 ( Not planning to send it )
GPA - Unweighted (3.33), Weighted (4)
UF GPA - 3.75
EC:
I am multi-lingual.
375 Volunteering Hours (Tutoring, referring sport games and helping a teacher set her class up and grade papers.
9th - JV Football Fall/Spring. Tutored a few kids. Summer - Receptionist for a Nail Shop (Internship) Only Weekends though.
10th - JV Track. AAU Basketball. Volunteering at Middle School Intermurals ( Referee ) Summer - Receptionist for a Nail Shop (Internship) Only Weekends though.
11th - I volunteered to help a teacher set up her class room and graded papers throughout the whole year. ( x2 a week ) Summer - Receptionist for a Nail Shop (Internship) Only Weekends though.
So Far
Great letters of recommendation.
I attend a magnet school that is ranked #37 in the nation for magnet school.
Not sure if this would help my chances of getting in but I’ve always took honors. 4 APs by the end of senior year.
I’d say the good aspects: First generation, low income. Your SATs are on the low side, but your ACT score is looking relatively good. I’d say your ECs are solid. I think your GPA may be a bit low( but that completely depends on your school, what’s your class rank?). I think the only other thing that might be troublesome is the amount of APs. I could be wrong though. Here’s me for reference (will be starting UF this month):
ACT: 29
SAT: 1630
UGPA: 3.8
WGPA: 4.6
Male/ Single mother w/ 3 kids, ~18k a year
First generation
Live in Florida
My major choice is Computer Engineering, I took 9 APs, 3 my Junior, 6 my senior:
AP Physics B: 5
AP Calc BC: 5
AP CS: 5
AP Physics C Mech: 5
AP Stats: 4
AP Chem: 4
AP Macro: 4
AP Lit: 3
AP Gov’t: 3
My ECs are terrible, all I’m apart of is NHS and NTHS. I’ve tutored for ~100 hours.
By the way, UF doesn’t accept letters of recommendation.
I’m not completely sure how you will fair. I’ve seen other posts with incredibly impressive stats who’ve been denied.I was honestly shocked that I got in. I think it’s because relative to people of my socioeconomic status and my class rank (8%, despite dropping out my freshmen and sophomore year) I did well. Hard to say. I’d think I’d say don’t be too bummed if you don’t get it but it’s definitely not out of your reach. You’re definitely as if not more worthy than I am. First gen looks really well and I hear UF cares about that sort of thing. Hopefully you can be a fellow MFOS student. Good luck!
Your GPA is a bit low for UF, making you a high match/low reach. You should apply, but have several other alternatives/safeties.
If you can, re-take your ACT and try to raise it a point or two. This will help a bit with UF, but more importantly, it will help with merit scholarships. For example, a 32 will earn you a Presidential Scholarship at University of Alabama, which would pay full tuition for 4 years. It will also help with merit scholarships at UCF, USF, UNF, etc. Going to UCF (or any Florida public university) with a $4k a year merit scholarships, $3K+ bright futures and if you qualify for Pell Grants, can be very affordable.
Good Luck!