Rejection by UF

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

<p>My son was recently rejected by the Univ. of Florida for Fall 2013 and I am hoping someone can help me understand why or possible next steps. I have researched all the websites and based on historical information, thought he had a real chance to be accepted. Here is quick snapshot of his credentials:</p>

<p>SAT - 1820
ACT - 28
GPA - 4.6, in top 10% of graduating class
AP classes - Taken 2 -3 AP classes for past 3 years, achieving either an A or B in each class
Extracurriculars - Multiple clubs and organizations, with leadership positions in all during senior year
Athletics - 2 years on tennis team
Community service - over 190 hours community service, church mission efforts abroad
Many of his friends with lower grades or lower test scores were accepted.</p>

<p>Does anyone know about the UF appeal process? Is it even worth trying?
Is it worth calling the UF admissions office to ask for help in understanding where he fell short? Would it help if he took the ACT/SAT exams again in an effort to raise the scores?
Is it possible there was an error in his application or an issue with his transcript? Other items he was missing or should have had to get in?</p>

<p>What does it take to get into UF?</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>UF is an extremely unpredictable school when it comes to admissions. </p>

<p>You have two options
-appeal, especially if his grades/scores have improved
-transfer</p>

3

<p>The UF admission decision appeal process works in the following manner. An appeal package will be made available usually by the end of February. You have to request the forms and complete them. Less than 2% of appeals are granted. The admissions office will only review new information that was not on file when the application was reviewed or crucial facts such as a very serious illness or family situation which occurred during high school but that was not indicated in the application for admission. On average 200-250 appeals per year are filed and on average 4-5 per year are granted. if your child’ situation fits the circumstances above by all means avail youirself of the appeal process. But it goes without saying it a longshot.</p>

4

<p>Do you know how strong his essays were? How about his recs?</p>

<p>It is entirely possible that a vindictive teacher could have written a bad rec.</p>

5

<p>This was posted on this site: perhaps test scores were low</p>

<p>Fall Admission Profile:</p>

<p>Mid 50% GPA-4.1-4.5
Average GPA-4.3
Mid 50% SAT-1840-2100
Average SAT-1967
Mid 50% ACT-28-32
Average ACT-30</p>

6

<p>We went through this last year as well. My daughter had great credentials (better than some of her friends who were accepted and not as good as others). We met with an admissions officer last March when we were in Gainesville for a soccer tournament and he told us there was no particular reason she didn’t get in except for the fact that they get way more applications than they have spots which means that there are always good students who don’t get in. There are lots of other great universities out there. He said she could always go to community college, get her AA and reapply as an incoming junior or choose another university and have the normal freshman experience (the second option was his recommendation). It was great advice…my daughter chose the normal freshman experience and is amazingly happy with her choice. Move on and focus on other alternatives. Help your son get excited about them and realize that while UF is a good school it is not the only good school out there.</p>

7

<p>Maybe something in the essay threw up a red flag (boring/overconservative/unstable/typos/White Supremacist)</p>

8

<p>It’s possible to go to Santa Fe and transfer.</p>

9

<p>I was in the same situation as your son. I had 7 leadership positions, 2 years of swimming, 2 years of soccer, 4 years of debate with qualification at national tournaments , 1850 sat, 24 ACT 4.7 Weighted , Top 8%. I was one of the most involved in my school and i was still able to keep my grades up and graduate 50th in my class. My brother got in 5 years before me with lower stats in every category, I thought i was a shoe in. When i found out i was extremely upset not understanding why they didn’t take me. I though of appealing but as time went on i became less upset that they didnt accept me and realized it was their loss. I go to UCF now and this school is amazing. Never though i would enjoy it this much. I get paid to come here and am getting a great education at an up and coming school. If i want to I can always transfer to UF. To be honest though it doesn’t matter where you get your AA or BA. Your son can transfer to UF in his last semester and his diploma will say he went to UF. In the end explore other schooling options and if he must go their he can always transfer.
P.S Sorry if i ramble or if i am a little wordy</p>

10

<p>My daughter was rejected from UF last year and at the time we could not believe it but now she is so thankful because she is extremely happy going to school in the Northeast! There are many qualified students who don’t get get into UF. Trying to understand college admissions is impossible - in my daughter’s case she was accepted at a much higher ranked school - so anything can happen.</p>

11

<p>superboy:</p>

<p>My son was admitted to UF last year, so I know something about the school. (he did not attend).</p>

<p>To be honest, based on the stats you provided, in my opinion he was only a borderline candidate, and it is no surprise that he was not admitted. I don’t agree with you that the stats indicate that he should have been admitted. Rather, only that he had a chance for admission. You seem to think that he should have been a shoe-in. I don’t agree at all.</p>

<p>I would say that his stats were more an an FSU level. </p>

<p>Getting into UF is pretty tough, given that it is a financial bargain.</p>

<p>His spot might well have been awarded to a kid who in prior years might have attended a private university. </p>

<p>Last year, kids with much better stats than the ones you laid out were also rejected.</p>

<p>Further, UF takes many things into account, including geographic diversity within the state of florida, racial diversity, etc.</p>

<p>My son was waitlisted last year at many of his top choices. I know rejection is painful, but life will go on, and he will do just fine at his second choice.</p>

<p>I really see no grounds for appeal.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that a lot of kids who are qualified will not be admitted to UF.</p>

<p>And that some kids who were not as qualified as your son will get in, because of subjective standards.</p>

<p>I think you may be underestimating how hard it is to get into UF.</p>

<p>When a school says it has “holistic” admissions, this makes admission a crapshoot for even top students.</p>

<p>Many kids actually prefer to go to FSU of UCF over UF, so things will eventually work out.</p>

12

<p>UF DOES NOT accept letters of recommendation</p>

13

<p>Take your son’s GPA and test scores and add 15% and add more extras. Even with that my child did not get in. So you should not feel so bad.</p>

14

<p>I could be wrong, but I think the reason why UF is starting to decline so many brilliant students who have AWESOME test scores and HUNDREDS of EC is because it looks as if you didn’t make an impact. </p>

<p>You can the leader of 10 clubs, but any person can assure you that you will not be able to put as much heart into a project verses someone who founded a club or participated in merely 3 clubs with 2 leadership positions.</p>

<p>I don’t agree with floridadad55 at all when he says that your stats are low. UF lies. Point blank period. They paint the picture of a potential Ivy and fall back on their word. I got in with a 23 act/1760 sat… Exactly. My other friend got in with a 16 act, now why I don’t know, but her story must have spoken volumes.</p>

<p>I do agree with him however about no one being a shoe in. I would urge you to do the appeal, but this time really focus on trying to paint a picture on how awesome your son is. He sounds like a great kid. Granted EC is important because my other classmate was rejected from Columbia with a 2360 but only 2 clubs. But you have to show that you made a difference.</p>

<p>Sorry about the long message. I hope it helps.</p>

15

<p>Poetic , your friend that got into UF when was it and was it into IA?</p>

16

<p>It was just these past two weeks ago. And I don’t believe she applied for IA on her original application.</p>

17

<p>That is why. It was IA because they accept many more people that may not be qualified necessarily. The program is around that the state can fund the school more.</p>

18

<p>I’ve heard that many people who handle college admissions don’t like to see too many frivolous clubs like a fashion club, or pop music club. I think being involved with larger organizations like a church or JROTC can make a much bigger difference on your application.</p>

<p>In any case, UF is becoming a hard school to get into. Part of this may be that with bright futures and the low in-state tuition in Florida, the financial incentive to stay in Florida for school is pretty high. It’s constantly becoming a more difficult school to get into because the demand to get in is going up, allowing the top universities to be more picky.</p>