I would REALLY appreciate ANY input on this…
Gender: F
Ethnicity: White
Child of a military family with two 100% VA disabled parents (medically retired) I have been told that UF gives preference to dependents of medically disabled veterans as they supposedly recieve extra money from the state (the state pays entirely for my tuition).
Location: Brevard County Florida
College Class Year: 2021
High School: Satellite Senior High School (Public)
Academics:
GPA - Unweighted: 3.80 (I have held a 4.0 for 10th, 11th, and hopefully 12th grade so my 9th grade year is what really messed up my unweighted)
GPA - Weighted: 4.50
GPA - Dual Enrolled @ Eastern Florida State College: 4.0 (have taken 63 credits so far but will end up at around 85 after senior year and yes I am aware that UF will only accept around 60 credits max)
Scores:
ACT: 30
SAT: (have not ever taken, I fell in love with the format of ACT and hated the PSAT so didn’t bother, I’m thinking perhaps I should have…)
AP Language & Composition: 4
AP Statistics: 4
AP Human Geography: 3
AP Physics : 2 (I will not be sending this score over)
Extracurriculars:
(Captain) Girl’s Varsity Bowling Team 11,12
Chorus 7,8,9
(co-Captain) Junior Varsity Soccer 8,9 (stopped after car accident injuries)
Waitress at Perkins Breakfast Restaurant 11,12 (20 hour weeks to save for college)
Volunteer/Service Work:
Volunteering at Relay for Life (American Cancer Society) (48 hours)
Volunteering at Holmes Regional Hospital (80 hours so far)
Honors and Awards:
National Honor Society 11,12
Mu Alpha Theta (math club) 11,12
Eastern Florida State College President’s List 10,11,12
Florida Academic Scholar Award (Bright Futures)
Another note: I have been told that I am an excellent writer by many of my past AP teachers/professors and so I am definitely planning on putting my all into my Personal Essay.
Also on a separate note, does admissions necessarily favor/disfavor dual enrollment?
I think you will get in! But UF is turning into a crapshoot, more competitive each year, so you never know but I do think you are at level.
Yes, I believe they do give preference to veterans and their families, but I’m not 100% about that.
And also, they prefer AP/IB over dual enrollment because it’s more standardized, but they won’t discredit you or put you at a disadvantage if you did DE.
I hope this helped and if you get in, say hi to me on campus next year! Lol I’m class of 2020 
also, if you have any specific questions about regular admission, honors admission, or anything an incoming freshman would know, feel free to message me!
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard about UF’s admissions being a crapshoot or lottery, ect. I’ve heard all sorts of stories about kids with perfect EC’s and academics that still don’t get in and that is really what worries me at this point. UF is easily my first choice and probably the most selective school I’ll apply to so I’m just trying to see what they’re looking for. Anyhow, I’m glad you think that I stand a fair chance and if I come up with any other incoming freshman questions (and I’m sure I will), I’ll be sure to come to you.
Thanks for all the help!
UF holistic admissions can seem a bit random, but you’re a match, good GPA, test scores and ECs. Make sure you apply to at least one safety, just in case. A school like UCF/USF may end up offering you a bunch of $$$ and a honors program, giving you some options to choose from. Also, it’s nice having at least one acceptance (and a merit scholarship offer) by Oct/Nov, it makes the wait on UF’s acceptance (2nd Friday in February) a lot easier to handle…
Good Luck!.
I definitely plan on applying to UCF, USF, and possibly FSU. I toured FSU and I didn’t really get a feel for the campus at all. UF has the dental program that I want so I’m sure if I get in for undergrad it’ll only boost my chances of getting into their pre-dental program. My next choice if I don’t get into UF is actually UCF but I have yet to tour USF. I am optimistic at this point but UF has always been my dream school. Thanks for the advice!
Your stats look pretty good. They put a lot of emphasis on the essay, so as long as you’re a good writer I think that you have a great chance. I finished my AA through dual enrollment and most of my stats look pretty similar to yours, and here I am
Awesome, glad to know that switching over with my AA degree should workout pretty smoothly. I’ve begun brainstorming for the essay but this week I overheard someone talking about early decisions and I mean earlier than February type of early. I don’t know if that’s just a rumor or if the “early admissions” they were referring to was for a different college. It would be best for me to send in my application as early as possible right? I’ve heard applying really early shows the college you’re really interested.
No early decision at UF. The best way to show interest, is by attending a tour or open house at UF. (UF is having an open house on AUG 13th, btw).
http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/visit.html
No real advantage to applying early, but you would want to send in your $25 non-refundable housing application fee early, if you plan on living on campus.
Update: I am applying for early graduation at my high school so that I may graduate in December of 2016, I will also be graduating from my local college (Eastern Florida State College) with my AA in December of 2016. It has been a bit complicated, but it looks as if I will be applying as a Transfer student to UF from the Spring term of 2017 with a total of 81 credits (I know there is a 60 credit cap). Does anyone have any advice for my transfer to UF for Spring 2017, or any criticisms at all? I’m just trying to save time and money at this point. I’ve actually heard that applying as a transfer student for the Spring 2017 semester, as opposed to applying as a freshman for the Fall 2017 semester, gives me a better shot at admission. If I stayed at EFSC for my Spring semester I would just be completing extra classes I don’t need to graduate high school or to complete my AA.
Oh and I also registered for the Open House on August 13th and am really looking forward to it!
Your situation is a bit unique, you really should talk with someone in admissions!
Normally, you apply as a first year freshman, who happens to already have an AA. It’s the same freshman application process, but it has an extra step. Freshman are normally admitted to the university, but since you have an AA, you also have to be admitted to your college/major. After the admins review your app, it gets sent to the college to be reviewed.
If you’re trying to get in via the normal “transfer student” route, then your app goes directly to the college for review, the admissions folks don’t really play a role.
However, I don’t know if that’s on option for you. UF may require you follow the normal freshman process, so contact someone in Admissions and get the right answer.
You should note that your choice of major doesn’t play a role in freshman admissions, but it is consider in transfer/AA admissions. Based on your choice of major, it may be easier to get into your major though the freshman process, than the sometimes much more competitive transfer process.
Good Luck and enjoy the Open House.
I left a message with a transfer admissions advisor today and am awaiting her response. I definitely have the ability to graduate early with my High School Diploma and AA degree but the question is should I? I understand where you’re coming from when you say that it might be better to apply as a freshman for my major. The only reason I’m pushing to graduate early is because I will have 81 credits by the end of Fall 2016, and if I continue at EFSC until Spring 2017 then I’ll have near 90 credits when the cap of transferable credits at UF is only 60. If I stayed I’d only be wasting my time on classes that won’t count towards my high school and won’t transfer either. I’d also lose around 30 hard earned credits. I’m hoping that transfer admissions will understand my situation.
Don’t get me wrong, when I say apply as a Freshman, I mean apply with your AA and 60 credits, but as a “freshman” and not a true transfer student. It’s a different process, much closer to a normal freshman application.
You can also apply to start Summer B, and take a 1/2 year break from school…work, make some money, travel, spend time with family, etc.
Out of curiosity: did you take any of the following courses at the state college: Chem, organic chem, Calculus, physics, biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology? If so, I assume you are planning to transfer those credits and move up to the next class depending on your major?
Gator88NE: I would love to take the spring off and then start in summer B but I’ve heard colleges don’t really like seeing students taking a bunch of time off before applying. But then again most students going in for the fall take the summer off anyways. I’m considering it, but I’m also considering sticking around in the spring as it might look better if I never took time off. I would like to take time off don’t get me wrong! I just don’t want to harm my chances of admission.
Saismom: At my college I have taken Chem 1 & Chem 2, Bio 1 & Bio 2, and Calculus. My state college wouldn’t allow me to register for anatomy, physics, or organic Chem because they are “junior level classes” that I would probably have to retake at UF anyways if I wanted to apply for their medical, dental, or pharmacy program. That’s why I’m stuck! If I stayed around for the spring I would be taking classes like Community involvement, and abnormal Pyschology ect. (Classes that don’t really pertain to my major) because my college won’t allow me to move forward into classes like anatomy, microbio, calc 2, physics, or organic Chem which are really the last classes that I need. That’s why I’d rather graduate early and take these classes elsewhere.
Contact someone in Admissions and ask! They like to see that you’ve taken rigorous classes your senior year, but I’m sure they don’t punish students that graduate early, as long as they took a full load of rigorous classes. Earning your AA should make it a none issue. But contact admissions, they will tell you if it would impact your chances.
UPDATE: (just in case anyone goes back to read this thread) I got accepted for Fall 2017!!