Get that app in early. Certain majors fill up early and once those spots are full, that’s it.
Well, visiting, applying early, naming it as first choice for national merit (you can switch to MIT if accepted there and selected by merit foundation as a scholar) and showing some adoration/campus knowledge in essay should make his intentions clear.
He is at top 1% for UF demographics, they should demonstrate some love too.
Last year, two NMFs I know personally turned down UF to attend University of Central Florida (UCF). The Burnett Honors College at UCF was the deciding factor.
UF is desperately trying to climb the ladder and become a “top 5” public university (according to USNWR). You can read about some of its plans here, which include building a dedicated honors college as at UCF: https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190615/uf-has-plans-for-22b-in-projects-in-next-10-years
I just don’t see UF turning down NMFs while it is on this mission.
Good stuff - thanks @CupCakeMuffins and @OneMoreToGo2021 !
UF does not consider demonstrated interest per post #6 in this thread http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/22566007#Comment_22566007
Just make sure UF is the first-choice college on the National Merit application.
What happens if an NMF misses a deadline and applies on the space-available basis? I listed UF as my first-choice college, which they should hear about around March 1st.
@sherimba03 UCF will definitely give your child a full ride…doesn’t matter if he’s IS or OOS.
@OneMoreToGo2021 Just curious but the two NMF you know who went to UCF, what are they studying? My twins are NMF this year and we’re waiting to hear from UF tomorrow. They have been accepted at UCF and the honors college. They are on the fence which to pick assuming they are accepted at UF.
@FLParent888 yes that confirms my understanding, however DS21 is onlyinterested in UF right now. That could change after our spring break trip…
I’m at a competitive Private High School in state. About 220 students in grade with about 100 applying to UF. Every year a handful of National Merit Scholars get rejected because they think they are overqualified. Being OOS I think it is unlikely this happens to your child, but with the college process these days you never know.
@jetsman10 do you mean that UF rejects them because they believe the students consider UF to be a safety and they’re protecting their numbers? That makes sense, and I do plan on having DS21 make sure in his essay(s)? - not sure exactly what the application process is yet - that he clearly states he’s committed to attend if accepted. Plus we’ll be on campus in April although I don’t know if UF tracks demonstrated interest…
The resident admissions person on these boards has said that on campus visits are not tracked and linked to applications.
I don’t subscribe to the notion that UF rejects exceptional candidates just to protect yield. It just does not seem logical to me. How many people are we talking about? A relatively small number that would not have a material impact on the overall yield %. Just my opinion.
Wait, who thinks they are “overqualified” - the rejected student? Why would a school that has stated that they are trying to become a top 5 public university reject a student for being overqualified? This makes no sense, especially since the state pays for NM students to attend via Benacquisto Scholarship. There has to be other reasons they were rejected. Sounds like sour grapes from the rejected students.
@PPuggle - one of the kids who chose UCF over UF is definitely planning to major in compsci. The other I think is planning to be premed, but I am not 100% sure.
Good luck to your twins today!
Daughter who is NMF - rejected today. 
@Nervous123Mom I’m sorry. I’m sure she will have lots of other great choices. What was her class rank and gpa?
@Nervous123Mom, I heard of one student rejected at FSU last year - who was accepted at Vandy. So hard to figure sometimes - if you haven’t, take a look at UCF - they have a much stronger honors program (and better dorms) imo.
My twins applied feb 4 to uf and got accepted today. We are so excited!!
My daughter was rejected as well. All AP and honors courses with over a 4.0 along with clubs and a lot of volunteer hours. High SAT scores too. We are out of state so maybe that is why. Disappointing for sure.
@alaqualia @Nervous123Mom That’s so surprising. I wonder if there was something about how your kids filled out the SSAR that might have contained an error? Perhaps double check with admissions to be on the safe side.
My D20 is an NMF (OOS) and was very excited and honored to receive her acceptance letter today. 