Chances on being admitted as a freshman?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

I’ve been really nervous about admissions. Any thoughts help! Please be honest.

I was born and raised in Florida till I was 13. My mom and I had to move to Japan for 8 months due to my grandfather passing, and I came back to America right before the end of 8th grade. That messed up my math classes, I was supposed to be double advanced. Then I enrolled in a public high school in Texas, which is one of the top 10 high schools in the country according to Niche. My grandmother passed away sophomore year and my mother had to leave again for a month. We are a low income family(5 members) in the $35,000 range. I qualify as in-state tuition because my parents paid for Florida Prepaid prior to moving.

My brother is now a sophomore at the University of Florida. He was extremely smart so it was easy for him to get in.

These are the high school classes I’ve taken/are in the process of taking:

7th grade: Algebra I
9th: English I, Geometry, Biology, PreAP World Geography, ASL I, Art, Technical Theatre, Speech
10th: PreAP English II, Algebra II, Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP World History, Color Guard, ASL 2
11th: AP English Language, AP Statistics, Pre Calculus, Physics, AP U.S. History, ASL 3, Color Guard
12th: Mentorship(Internship), AP English Literature, Advanced Biotechnology, AP Psychology, AP Macroeconomics, AP AB Calculus, AP Government, AP Environmental Science, Health

I struggled with the American system once I came back and it shows on my lack of rigour/grades freshman year. I think I’ve had an upward trend in my grades/classes.

These are my AP Scores:
AP World History: 3
AP U.S. History: 3
AP Japanese: 5
AP Statistics: 4
AP English Language: 4

GPA: 3.8(weighted)
ACT(Taken twice, taking again): 26 both times
SAT(Taken once, taking again): 1810 (11 on essay)
SAT II: Japanese this fall

Extra Curriculars/Awards:
-Color Guard for 3 years, selected to perform a solo Junior year. Auditioned and selected for the first varsity team as well. One of the best marching bands in the state.
-ASL Club for 3 years, volunteered at local deaf school
-Secretary of an anti-bullying company for 2 years
-Applied and chosen for a study abroad trip to South Korea
-Worked at Kumon, a tutoring company
-Member of Red Cross Club(will recieve cpr certification)
-Voluntary Japanese to English Translator for a band

I’m still unsure about my future but I would like to someday work in Japan. I was thinking something like International Business/Marketing but I’m not sure.

Other schools I’m applying to are UT Austin and FSU. I’m looking for more safety schools. I’m also looking into some schools in Japan but it’s an extremely complicated process there so I don’t know.

Thank you so much.

2

Some background on my highschool:
-600 or more per grade.
-Well known as extremely competitive
-Regularly sends students to all Ivy Leagues and highly prestigious colleges

3

About 50% of admissions is based on GPA (most important), class rigor, essay and test scores (least important). The other 50% is based on EC’s, leadership, volunteering, work, etc.

Your GPA and test scores look a little low, while your “class rigor” looks fine. UF doesn’t consider AP scores (or SAT II subject test scores) as part of admissions. Not much you can do about your GPA, but try to improve your test scores. UF does super score the SAT, so you may want to take it at least once, if not twice. The final SAT (or ACT) scores have to be to UF by the end of December. With your background, you should be able to write a great essay! It does matter at UF, so spend some time on it.

Your EC’s look good, and shouldn’t hold you back.

UF is a high match. Make sure you apply to a few other in-state options (like UCF, USF, UNF, FSU, FAU…etc), as back-up plans. Other than FSU, all of the others are on rolling admissions, you can apply and be accepted by October, which makes waiting for UF’s decision in February a lot less stressful. These other schools may also offer merit scholarships.

Keep in mind that you can also use Florida Pre-paid to help pay for schools outside of Florida. This includes schools in Texas.

Good Luck!

4

The rule was changed in 2009, to lower it to 8% for UT-Austin (other schools are still 10%).

5

@Gator88NE Thank you so much for your insight! I was able to raise my test scores significantly. :slight_smile:

6

Your stats are not what UF typically wants, and I don’t see that you took on any leadership positions beyond secretary. Definitely apply to a back up school like UCF or USF maybe. Good luck!