Hello! UF is my dream school… chances with this info?
UW GPA: 3.3
W GPA: 3.7
SAT: 1400 (760 EBRW 640 M)
SERVICE HOURS: 100
Leadership & Clubs:
President Quill & Scroll International Honor Society
Founder Speech & Debate Club
EIC Online Magazine
Director of Weekly News Broadcast
Head of News @ School
Quiz Bowl Team Member
Honor Societies:
Quill & Scroll
National English Honor Society
National Science Honor Society
National Honor Society
Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society
APS:
8 APS overall, more than anyone at my small school.
Service:
Founder of own charity (primary essay topic)
regular volunteer at food pantry & community outreach program
Athletics:
Taekwondo for 12 years.
KEY INFO:
I have attended the College of Journalism & Communications Summer Media Institute twice. My work has been sent out in promotional emails for the institute, and I was even selected out of all attendees to give a speech at the institute. My writing is featured on the CJC website regarding the camp.
Overall, I think I have a pretty strong application except for my very low GPA, which is very low for UF. My school is very difficult and I am in the top 10%, and my SAT score proves I am smart but I am still very very nervous. Hopefully holistic review will help me!
My assumption is that you posted this because you want an honest assessment.
You have a lot of great ECs, good rigor and great test scores, but if you look at UF’s common data set, the publicly reported data, you will see UF values GPA and Rigor, for example, as “very important,” while saying standardized test scores are “important.”
One can never say never with UF holistic admissions, but I will say that you should have some safeties lined up.
The competition is fierce and recalculated GPA is so critical. One can only speculate but it is very easy to look at your resume and see a kid who was super involved with ECs, perhaps to the detriment of your coursework.
For context, I have been accepted to fall terms at FAU, UT, USF, UCF, Saint Bonaventure, and most recently FSU with the freshman scholarship which allows me to apply to the honors program.
You have a decent chance. Your SAT and extracurriculars are well in range, but @Gatordad305 is right about your GPA. UF is extremely competitive these days and a 3.7 is below their range.
I will point out that the fact that you were given the freshman scholarship at FSU could mean that something in your application stands out. It’s definitely possible that you’ll be admitted. Don’t give up hope, and let us know once you find out!
@Crimsonkid I claim no expertise beyond what I have seen firsthand and UF’s own statistics. The challenge you face is that 40,000+ kids are applying, and ALL of them (you included) are talented and worthy. I hope that when viewed in its entirety, your application truly stands out. I’m glad you have so many options in case you don’t make it.
Thanks for the feedback @GatorDad305 !!! Uf is tougher than ever and I’m just so nervous. Everything will work out in the end. Will let you know results on Friday!!
This goes to show that the raw weighted and unweighted GPAs is not what is important. It is the GPA relative to the peers at the same high school that is important. The candidate had what appeared to be a GPA that UF would likely not accept, but was in top 10% of the class. That is the key…
@Crimsonkid Congratulations! You landed on the right side of UF’s holistic process. I just heard the other day that a kid from my daughter’s high school, who was a top10% kid and student council president, was accepted to West Point but not UF. No one’s a lock. Congratulations again, great accomplishment.