Please Chance My Daughter/ UF, FSU, UCF, USF

State Forums
1

School Type: Private
Location: Florida
Race/Gender: White, Female
Prospective Major: Psychology
Unweighted GPA: 3.96
Weighted GPA: 5.0

SAT Composite: 1330

She attends a very small but accredited Christian school. They don’t offer AP courses, but do offer honors and dual enrollment

All A’s throughout high school, with the exception of B’s both semesters in Algebra 1 (eighth grade)

Dual enrollment / 15 current credit hours (will be 18 before graduation)

85% core courses honors

Phi Delta Service Club/ 4 years

NHS/ 4 years (chapter president this year)

SGA/ 2 years (senior rep this year)

Yearbook 2 years (editor this year)

Soccer/ 3 years

At least 150 volunteer hours

Missionary work

Fundraising volunteer 2 years at art co-op in low income area

Hooks - First generation

2

You can use this spreadsheet to get an idea about admissions to each Florida public university.

https://www.browardschools.com/cms/lib/FL01803656/Centricity/Domain/11400/2018-2019-SUS-Matrix-Schedule.pdf

For example, at UF for Fall of last year, the Middle 50% GPA for accepted students (in the Fall) was 4.2 to 4.6. The middle 50% for SAT was 1300 to 1450 and the middle 50% for ACT was 29 to 33.

Note that it’s easier to be accepted to the Summer B term, vs the Fall term at most Florida public universities (you’ll see that the middle 50% scores are lower).

UF is far more “holistic” than the other schools, about 50% is based on academics, the other 50% is based on non-academic factors, so it’s important to layout her EC’s in the application.

UF (and some of the other schools) puts a LOT of weight on being first generation, make sure that’s clear on her application.

She is a match at UF (but with holistic admissions it’s hard to make a prediction), and should be accepted to all of the other Florida public universities . She should also be offered merit based scholarships at the other schools, so it’s important she apply early (in the fall), even for those schools with rolling admissions like UCF and USF.

Example of merit she could expect at USF.
USF Scholars Award
$12,000 ($3,000 per year)
3.80+ GPA and
1280+ SAT (Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math) or
27+ ACT

https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admissions-scholarships/index.aspx

If she could get her SAT score up to a 1340, she would qualify for the USF Directors Award; $16,000 ($4,000 per year).

Good Luck!

3

I can’t thank you enough for your reply. This is our first time navigating through the process, and the information you’ve provided is very helpful. Have a great day!

4

Make sure to complete UF"s app by the Nov 1’st deadline. Get a copy of her HS transcripts, it makes filling at the SSAR much easier.

Apply to UCF, and/or USF and any other state universities now, much of the merit aid is handed out in the fall (when they still have funds), and you’ll get an acceptances (and know the merit amount) in a few weeks. Knowing you already have an acceptance or two in your pocket, will make waiting for UF’s (and other school) admission decisions a lot easier.

The essay matters at UF! She should spend some time on it.

Good Luck!!

5

I strongly suggest you follow @Gator88NE 's advice. He’s very knowledgeable on the FL university system. Knowing things like merit being handed out in the fall is huge.

6

She’s submitted applications for schools that require the Common App. She is nearly finished applying to those who require the Coalition App., with the exception of UF and UCF. She has completed her essay, but needs to shorten it for UF. It is her top choice, but she’s also realistic, and aware of how competitive it is. I’m going to share your responses with her as well as the spreadsheet Gator88NE provided.

Again, your input and assistance is much appreciated!

7

UCF doesn’t use coalition…

8

Okay, thank you.