Is it really that hard to get in?

<p>I've heard that UF is nearly an impossible (and unpredictable) school to get in. I've heard from some people with absolutely outstanding applications that got rejected, and people who got in with only slightly good test scores and grades. I understand that academics aren't everything that colleges look for, but what gives? A 44% acceptance rate seems doable, but when I hear the stories of those who got rejected, it makes me super nervous. My grades aren't spectacular. As a freshman I got a 3.4 gpa, and have been able to steadily pull it up to a 3.8 as a junior. I've only taken the SAT once and didn't do so hot (1680) but I'm taking the ACT in 2 weeks and will probably retake the SAT once or twice. I'm a great writer so I'm not that worried about my essay. I participate in sports (xc and track, including varsity pole vaulting) but never won any medals and probably won't compete in college. I do NHS and NAHS (art honors society). So as you can tell, my academics and extracurricular aren't all that impressive. The only thing I think will be a deciding factor for me as far as getting accepted is my art portfolio. I know I'm talented in the arts (hey, we're all talented at something right?) And I know I can put together a portfolio that blow away the admissions boards. But I'm worried it won't be enough if UF is as selective as it seems.
I want to get my masters in architecture, btw. Am I being paranoid? Or are the rejection horror stories true?
It doesn't seem like a party school with around 50,000 students would be that hard to get into...</p>

<p>UF uses holistic admissions, so it’s difficult to predict who gets in or not. </p>

<p>(Based on feedback from the Admissions officers…)</p>

<p>50% of admissions is based on GPA (which is most important), Class Rigor (did you take the hardest classes available at your school), and test scores (SAT/ACT, least important of the three). </p>

<p>The OTHER 50% is based on EC’s/Leadership/Essay; so the essay does matter. This is what makes it hard to predict, what’s a good EC? UF wants to see passion, so joining 5 clubs your junior year doesn’t impress. However, if you’ve done something for several years, then they will notice. If your talent/passion is the arts, make sure it comes out in the application.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>UFs admission is ridiculously holistic.</p>

<p>The best we can do is estimate whether you’d be a good condidate for admissions. But as we’ve all seen, UFs decisions are unpredictable and outstanding students are rejected.</p>

<p>Tons of kids in the top 10% of my class were rejected this year. Make sure that you signed up for a rigorous senior year course load and have some sort of leadership position. and the essay is probably the most important part. They get tons of kids with high GPAs and high test scores and those things I said before is what really separates the rejections from the acceptances.</p>

<p>-Member of UF Class of 2018</p>

<p>4.1 weighted GPA (3.6 unweighted)
30 ACT
1940 SAT
Essay: Creative narrative about an event that motivated me to start the animal protection club at my school.</p>