Does UF place a lot of emphasis on extracurriculars?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

<p>I'm a rising senior freaking out about my weak extracurriculars.</p>

<p>In 9th grade, all I did was journalism club, Varsity Tennis, and volunteering.</p>

<p>In 10th grade - Mu Alpha Theta and National Art Honor Society...and volunteering.</p>

<p>In 11th grade - Varsity Tennis, Math Tournament, volunteering.</p>

<p>Senior year I plan to do a lot more volunteering, join Mu Alpha Theta again, join Newspaper Club, join National Honor Society and get a part-time job at Publix.</p>

<p>All of these years, I've done tennis lessons every Saturday for two hours.</p>

<p>I don't have many ECs, but they're fairly consistent. I'll have a lot of emphasis on volunteering and tennis (and math?).</p>

<p>I plan to get a 33+ on the ACT. I know I broke 30 on the June ACT. I'm a white male, and I go to a really low performing school....my class rank is pretty high even though my GPA is not outstanding. lol</p>

<p>I took 5 AP classes and 2 community college classes in junior year. Two AP classes sophomore year. I've done the most rigorous course load possible at my school. Senior year I'm going to do early admissions at the nearby community college since my school has no more APs for me.</p>

<p>I'm so scared I'm not going to get in, and I really really really want to go to UF. Am I doomed? Any suggestions? :/</p>

2

<p>I don't think you have anything to worry about. I believe you are as good as UF candidates get. I got into UF with just the following EC's:</p>

<p>Spectrum (Gay Straight Alliance - GSA)
Chess Club - Officer (Parliamentarian)
Judo - Yellow Belt
Philosophy Club
Video Game Club</p>

<p>I did do Mu Alpha Theta, but never went to the meetings/tutoring hours. DX</p>

<p>Then again, I am hispanic, so maybe that made a difference? I dunno how much emphasis UF places on that.</p>

3

<p>I'm surprised I did get in when I look at everyone else's credentials. I took 3 AP classes (Calc 1, Eng, and Am Hist) got a 28 on ACT, an 1170 on SAT, and a 3.8 GPA. My EC's are swimming, Teen Trendsetters, and 2 years of NJHS. I am a white girl too. You're not doomed.</p>

4

<p>They don't care. I know people who got in without much extra-curricular activity at all. Focus on getting a 4.2+ GPA.</p>

5

<p>Oh thank God. I feel much better. aha</p>

<p>When you mean focus on getting a 4.2+ GPA, are you talking about the GPA that UF calculates?</p>

<p>My weighted GPA at my high school is about 4.1. But they factor in every class. I know my GPA for Bright Futures is about 4.3.</p>

<p>Is there any way I can figure out what my UF GPA would be?</p>

6

<p>UF calculates only your core academic courses and all AP/IB courses.</p>

<p>They weight Honors .5, APs/IBs 1, and Dual Enrollment .5</p>

7

<p>I think the way the Florida Bright Futures calculates it is the same way UF calculates it, but I am not sure. If you do have a 4.1, you are good. Just try to break the 33 on the ACT to be even more certain. With such a GPA and that ACT score, you would get admitted to the honors program, too, so that's a nice bonus.</p>

8

<p>Yeah, I'm aiming for honors.</p>

<p>It's funny how they give 1.0 for AP but only 0.5 for dual enrollment. Oh well, I still should have over 4.2 weighted.</p>

9

<p>If you want a really good chance of admission, just be an IB kid in-state with a really high GPA. UF LOVES IB kids</p>

10

<p>It's a little too late for IB. :D</p>

11

<p>from my experience with friends, UF acceptances may seem like a crapshoot. the ultimate best advice is take APs or IBs and pass them. Do relatively well on ACT SAT (I got in w/ 1180). Keep your GPA as close to 4.0 as possible! This is crucial. UF's average GPA for 2008 incoming class is near 4.3. They do not want anyone damaging that. Be involved. 2-3 Activities won't cut it. And show consistency in commitment, be involved in e-c's for multiple years. And probably the most neglected piece of advice: Write your essay cleanly and make sure that you're passionate about what you're writing. </p>

<p>UF was not my first choice. FSU was actually. I got into both. But something pulled me towards UF. I'm a white girl who graduated with a 4.2 GPA, participated in 8 activities, many for 3-4 years, got a 1180 and 26, and wrote a passionate essay on Art History. Ironically I spent the least amount of time and didn't even bother to have my english professor check that essay (he was a 'nole anyways), but it was real, and I believe it was my saving grace.</p>

<p>My guy friend who loves the Gators was rejected. He had scores in the 1300s but he lacked the extracurriculars and his GPA ranged 3.5. Granted he was a white male. It was honestly a surprising day when the letters with acceptances/rejections came online. Many who I thought were shoe-ins were not. And I had applied on a whim, but got in.</p>

<p>So, do not neglect your essay! And yes extracurriculars do matter.</p>

<p>If you're not Nole hater, I suggest it as a backup.</p>

<p>This is true: Everyone that got into UF also got into FSU but not everyone that got into FSU got into UF.</p>

<p>However, both are great schools.</p>

<p>UF will only get harder to get into. Good Luck</p>

12

<p>"This is true: Everyone that got into UF also got into FSU but not everyone that got into FSU got into UF."</p>

<p>Popular belief amongst UF students, but not always true. ;)</p>

13

<p>I just got my score for the June ACT. It is a 30. Hey, if I get a perfect score, would I be "in?" ;)</p>

<p>I'm going to apply to FSU, UM, NCF, and UCF, too.</p>

14

<p>Your stats sound kinda like mine...
In high school I played tennis, volunteered a lot, was a member of NHS and NAHS, and got a part-time job at publix. i ended up with a 32 on the ACT and got in (and i only took 4 AP's).. good luck! i think you'll get in if you write a good essay</p>

15

<p>It's an essay about a meaningful experience right?</p>

<p>Yeah, I think I can manage. I consider myself a fairly good writer. :)</p>

16

<p>... dude, I got in and my only extracirriculars were two years of choir and three years of musical theater in the fall. Zero volunteer hours, zero sports, zero leadership. You should be fine.</p>

17

<p>I got a 1 on the AP Physics B exam. What should I do? Should I not report just that score? Or should I not report all of my scores. Which will look more suspicious?</p>

<p>I took 8 AP exams before senior year. The only award I got was AP Scholar. UGH</p>

18

<p>If you chose to report your scores to UF, UF will see it either way if you haven't cancelled in advance.</p>

19

<p>I know.</p>

<p>But would it look even worse if I don't give them any of my scores?</p>

<p>I wish I could ask an admissions officer.</p>