Hi! UCF is one of my top choices and I applied on 10/20 for the summer 2020 term because I thought applying for summer would increase my chances of being accepted and I thought starting in the summer would be a good introductory period. However, I checked my application status page last night and saw that I got deferred. I know a deferment isn’t a rejection but I feel disappointed because I thought my application was good and I had a strong chance of getting in soon.
I was wondering if there is anything I can do now to get myself out of deferment and accepted? I was thinking of emailing them, asking why I got deferred, seeing if they need anymore documents or forms from me, as well as stating my continued interest in UCF. Would that be ok? Also, when I submitted my application my transcript only showed that I had 41 community service hours but I have more to turn in that would bring me up to around 90 (aiming for 100 for bright futures). I am thinking of sending them my transcript again once it is updated to reflect my updated number of hours. Listed below are my stats.
High school GPA: 3.8 unweighted, 4.6 weighted
Recalculated GPA: USF told me it was a 4.2, not sure if UCF recalculates the same way.
ACT:29
Rank: 121/796 (top 15%)
Intended major: Physics with astronomy specialization. I wrote my essay about my passion for astronomy and my journey to deciding to study it.
Florida resident
Freshman year core classes:
Geometry Honors
Biology Honors
English 1 Honors
Sophomore year core classes:
Algebra 1 Honors
Chemistry Honors
English 2 Honors
AP World History
Junior year core classes:
Pre Calculus Honors
AP United States History
AP English Language
Physics Honors
Sociology (dual enrollment over the summer)
senior year schedule:
(Full time dual enrollment at Valencia community college)
VDE Astronomy
VDE College Algebra
VDE Macro Economics
-V DE World Literature 1
VDE Pre Calculus
VDE United States Government
VDE Earth Science
VDE Meteorology
UF DE Art appreciation
EXTRACURRICULARS:
Historian of astronomy club
Co vice president of Make-A-Wish Club
Member of National Honor Society
Member of key club
Cat rescue volunteer
Orlando Science Center Volunteer
Part time job
Caring for siblings
Thank you for reading and any advice you have to offer!
@REC521 Thank you for the advice! I emailed them earlier today and I will definitely be calling the admissions office as well. Were your friends accepted for the 2020 summer/fall terms?
UPDATE- Just wanted to let you know I received a response from UCF. However, I know it is automated because it was sent to me in under 2 minutes and my friend also received the exact same email, which makes sense because the information they listed doesn’t really apply to me. My stats- 29 ACT and 4.2 recalculated GPA- are not on the low side of their midranges. I’ve copy pasted their reply below Also, would retaking the December ACT improve my chances? I’m not sure how long the deferment period is and whether my December ACT score would be taken into consideration when reviewing my application.
UCF EMAIL-
"Good Afternoon
Your file is currently at committee for a final decision. The application process is one that takes time, since we give consideration to each individual. I know you are probably anxious for a decision and I appreciate your patience and understanding. Please realize that your academic credentials, ACT scores, SAT scores, and high school grade point average, are on the low side of our midranges, which in turn hurts your competitiveness for admission. As such, it may take a bit longer for you to receive an admission decision, but this delay in response does allow you optimal consideration. Also please understand that the admission process is a competitive one.
It may be helpful for you to review the midranges of our Fall 2019 Freshman Class as well. I have listed these midranges below for you to review, but it is important to note that ranges represent the middle 50% of our Fall 2019 Freshman Class. This means, that 25% of our Freshmen students for Fall 2019, fell above and below these ranges. It is always best to fall in between or around these ranges to be competitive. However, these ranges are not minimums.
Midrange High School GPA: 3.8 - 4.3*
Midrange SAT: 1280-1380 (CR and Math)
Midrange ACT: 27 - 31**
Note that the high school GPA of every student is recalculated on academic core coursework only.
** Note that the ACT scores are the overall composite score only.
You can continue to check your application status online at http://my.ucf.edu."
Your stats certainly look on the high side of the midrange so I can see why you are feeling disappointed. I would be too! As far as retaking the ACT, I would think that it can’t hurt, but the best people to answer that question would be admissions. Give them a call on Monday and ask. Good luck to you and fingers crossed for good news! My DD20 is waiting to hear still.
Taking the ACT won’t hurt, I think today is the last day to register without a late fee. I get a feeling at some point UCF starts holding back because they have to hold spots for top 10 Knights. I think your stats look good, I’m a little surprised by the deferment.
@voyagermom Thank you for the advice! I think I will go in person on Monday to visit the admissions office and see what they say, I think it’ll be easier than waiting for an email/call back
@jeneric Yes, you’re right about today being the last day to register without late fee, but I think I’m going to talk to admissions in person first on Monday just to make sure it’s my best option- I’ve already taken it 3 times so I’m a little hesitant to go for a 4th haha but if it increases my chances then why not. I was surprised too, especially since my friend who got deferred also qualified for top 10 knights!
Maybe both you and your friend need to call admissions! Advise your friend to check their residence status in their online account and make sure it says they are a FL resident. This was a problem a few years ago, really screwed things up for people.
@jeneric Thanks for the feedback! We’re both listed as Florida residents. And yes, I’m going to try going to UCF on monday to speak to admissions in person and I told my friend to make sure she calls them as well.
I got deferred at first as well but after I sent in a resume I was accepted a few days later. Once i checked my portal and saw I was deferred I literally called the admissions office hysterically crying. Definitely recommend sending in extra forms so you always stay on the radar.
@Danif99 Thank you for the advice and congrats on getting accepted!! I was also really upset when I saw I was deferred but luckily for the office of admissions they were closed when I found out so they didn’t have to deal with me right away haha!
Update- I just talked to the office of admissions and an admissions officer told me the reason for the deferral was just because the admissions committee or something of the sort just needs more time to look over my application, that I don’t need to submit any more documents or test scores, and that I will be hearing from them soon in regards to my decision. I found that a bit strange because that doesn’t sound like logical grounds for deferral but oh well. At least it confirms that I shouldn’t have been deferred because of my stats!
@jeneric Thank you!! Yes, she did. They told her the reason for her deferment was because her test scores are below the midrange which is true. When she questioned why she got deferred even though she has guaranteed admission through Top 10 Knights, they told her that students who qualify for top 10 can still be deferred because they are assessing whether she should be placed into fall, as she requested, or summer. They also said that UCF doesn’t start looking at the Top 10 placements until January but students might not hear back with a decision until March. Seems like quite a while to wait with rolling admissions but at least she knows she’s getting in for sure!
Update- My friend just checked and she was also accepted!!! So happy for her!!! I’m thinking it can’t be a coincidence that both of us got accepted the same day we called to check on our applications, so looks like a super important part of getting out of being deferred is calling admissions personally!
Also, would retaking the December ACT improve my chances? I’m not sure how long the deferment period is and whether my December ACT score would be taken into consideration when reviewing my application.