I just checked UF’s Common Data Statistics on their website and found out that 95% of the accepted applicants had above a 3.75 unweighted GPA. This freaked me out because my UW GPA is around 3.6 but my recalculated GPA for UF is 4.35 (barely 50th percentile).
I had a very intense schedule in HS and am an IB student who will have taken 17 AP/IB (actually18, I don’t know if UF will count it though because it was AP Art) , and 9 Honors/Pre-IB classes.
Do you think a slightly below average GPA could be overlooked because of this?
Also, do they look at unweighted at all or do they only look at your recalculated GPA?
Yes I think your IB status will help you. I believe they look at recalculated GPA. Also UF looks for something extra beyond grades/scores, so hopefully you have a nice EC or two, or something that you’re passionate about that you wrote a great essay on. Good luck!
@Trisherella Yeah, I was a part of a few clubs and had a leadership position in one.
IB will help, because it’s viewed as the most rigorous courses available at your high school, and UF wants to see that you took the most rigorous classes.
If you attend a High school that doesn’t offer IB/AICE, then they will want you to take AP classes (if offered) or duel enrollment. Whatever is the most “rigorous” for your high school.
@Gator88NE So even if your GPA is a little lower than average, having an intense course schedule could make up for it?
@sushipanda
UF uses their recalculated GPA with weighting for admissions, I would not worry about the unweighted, it is just a data point, not a decision point. Your UF GPA is fine as it is the average for incoming freshman, I cannot see how it could hurt you. Completing an IB program will definitely help.
Your GPA is fine, don’t worry about it.
UF uses holistic admissions, so yes, a strong course load can help make up for a bit lower GPA.
Look at section C7 in UF’s common data set to get a sense of how important each factor is in admission.
http://www.ir.ufl.edu/CDS/cds2015-2016.pdf
Good Luck!
@CaucAsianDad Idk, I heard that even if you’re 50th percentile you’re never safe, that’s why I’m worried. My GPA might not even be 4.35, it could be around ~4.32 since I’m not sure if they’ll count AP Art as part of my core academic GPA.
@UFapplicant73461 Same, I’m still a junior and in the IB program as well. I’m worried that admissions will drastically become harder for me because of increasing applicants, so my GPA might fall short. According to my sister, UFs average GPA will probably be 4.4 when I apply so that would put me in a crappier position. 
The middle 50% of admitted students had a GPA in the range of 4.2 to 4.5. If your GPA is in this range, stop worrying about it. GPA is only one (an important one) factor that UF uses in admissions. As a Junior, you should be focusing on ending the year strong (grades), but also working on all of the other factors UF uses in admissions. Work on your EC’s, do volunteer work, get a part time job, study and take the ACT/SAT…
For most students that get accepted to UF, it wasn’t a safe choice. Holistic admissions is a bit random, and while we all understand GPA and test scores, it’s hard to determine how much impact an EC has on admissions.
In other words, it’s OK that UF isn’t a safety. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Do what you can (ECs, grades, test, work, etc…), make sure you apply to a few other schools as back-ups, and try to enjoy your senior year in high school. 
Good Luck!