Chances for University of Washington, University of Minnesota, University of Florida

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

My daughter is hoping to attend either University of Washington or University of Florida in Fall 2017 with Minnesota as a third option. We live in Illinois. She has a 3.7 UW/4.46 W GPA. ACT: 26 (Superscore 28) she will be taking the ACT again in Sept. She is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; Math Honor Society; English Honor Society; History Honor Society; Future Health Professionals of America; Student Council; Students Against Drunk Driving; 2 year Varsity Captain of her dance team; 4 year Varsity dancer; 7AP classes the rest are all honors classes; peer mentoring; athletic leadership council; tutoring and volunteering over 100 hours at a local hospital. She wants to major in neuroscience.

Chances for University of Washington
University of Florida
University of Minnesota??

2

Speaking of only the Univ. of Minnesota, I’d say her admission there is less than likely considering her intended major. The U of M’s overall average ACT score is about 28, and the average ACT for those entering its College of Biological Sciences (where neuroscience is based) is in the 31-32 range. Also, it is important to note that the U of M does not super score the ACT – just send along the single highest ACT score that your student has attained.

3

I would work seriously on improving the ACT score, and then I believe she’ll be good for everything… The summer is a good time to study for those

4

It’s harder for OOS students to get into UF. Her extracurriculars sound great but UF doesn’t superscore the ACT. I agree with collegeguru2017 and I think if she brought up her ACT up to about a 30, she would be good.

5

It’s iffy for all three, treat them as reaches.
If her goal is premed, then it’s a bad strategy, because premeds need to be top 25% in the admitted class to have a shot at Med school later on.
In addition, you won’t get financial aid at any of them : can you afford full cost of attendance OOS at all three?
Note that in Florida, usf is well-known for its biology related majors, as is Eckerd. In Minnesota, St Olaf as a reach, Gustavus as a match. In nearby states, Lawrence, Illinois Wesleyan, and Earlham.
What other colleges is she looking at?

6

At UF, the middle 50% ACT scores, for admitted students is 27-31. UF admits to the university, so her choice of major will not impact admissions. It also uses holistic admissions, so her EC’s will have a significant impact. UF puts more importance on GPA, course rigor, and essay, than on test scores. So, even with a 26 (UF doesn’t superscore the ACT), she has a shot, but a point or two more would be a big plus.

Adding to MYOS1634’s note on OOS cost, UF doesn’t offer many OOS scholarships. UF’s OOS tuition/fees is $28K a year. If she can improve her ACT scores a few points, then she may be able to get one of the limited number of “tuition reduction” awards ($8K, $16K, $20K, a year).

In addition to UF, several other Florida public universities do significant amounts of research into neuroscience and may be much more affordable. They may also be solid choices if she plans on being pre-med. since several have med schools (which helps with EC’s, such as research) and generate a fairly large number of med school applicants.

For 2015-2016, the institutions supplying undergraduate applicants to U.S. Medical Schools:

UF: 802
USF: 366
FSU: 341
UCF: 324
compared to
U of Wash:445
U of Minn: 309
(the above does not consider acceptance rates, only number of applicants)

Looking at USF:

OOS tuition/fees at USF is $17,324 a year. Unlike UF, USF is much more generous with OOS merit awards.

http://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshman/admissions-scholarships/nonflorida.aspx

Keeping in mind that USF will superscore the ACT, unlike UF…

A 27+ ACT and 3.80+ (weight) GPA would award the USF Green & Gold Directors Award :$32,000 (up to $8,000 per year).

If she can get the ACT up to a 29+, she could be awarded the USF Green & Gold Presidential Award $48,000 (up to $12,000 per year

Oh, and if she can get her ACT up to a 30+, and register for the honors program, she qualifies for the stackable USF Honors College Scholarship $2,000 ($500 per year).

Good Luck!

7

@Gator88NE thank you for all the helpful information. @MYOS1634 she is also looking at Clemson, Pitt, Arizona and Iowa. cost is always an issue whether we can afford it or not, everyone would like some kind of scholarship!

8

The only universities where she may have a scholarship are asu Barrett and Iowa. USF if she can bring her act to a 30 (one sitting).
I’d keep Pitt Neuroscience on the list but the competition will be rough and no scholarship to expect (scholarships only go to top test takers, as in act 33,34,35).
Look into Earlham, a school that punches way above its weight for graduate and medical school admissions. Scholarship likely due to curriculum rigor and EC 's.

9

If it helps any, I got into University of Washington- Seattle with a 3.9 and 1850 sat score.
I also had many extra-curriculars, AP/Honors, and service hours