take two- this is for FL specifically so I’d thought I’d post again here.
I’ve been a big time lurker on these forums for about a year now, but today I decided to bite the bullet and join (and ask for help ). I’m a rising Florida senior who is starting to narrow down their college search so I decided to ask you guys to look at my stats and my school choices. So far I’m looking at UF, UCF, FSU, USF, UNF, Eckerd, Flagler, and Rollins- even though my dream school is the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities (Don’t worry, I’m not a dreamer). Honestly, the private colleges are out of my ideal price range, but I figure I need something to fall back on if none of the public schools accept me? My stats are:
3.5 unweighted GPA (this includes all classes, not just core)
4.09 UF GPA (I attempted to calculate it my self, so this is probably somewhat accurate)
31 ACT composite (first time taking it, waiting on my second results now!)
1890 SAT (January, I retook it three weeks ago)
1 AP- AP HUG (4)
1 year on the JV dance team
1 year on the swim team
Competitive dance for 9 years (3 years of high school- does this count for anything?)
300+ hours of volunteer work
Two years (junior and senior year) of the Business Ethics club- placed fourth in the competition
Part-time job that I will have had for almost two years at the time of graduation
Perfect score on FCAT reading my sophomore year
I will graduate with my AA degree and my high school diploma (dual enrolled)
-I’m interested in business (more of the management or marketing side) and/or political science
I don’t even know if that’s everything you would even list on a college application, but I hope that’s enough information for you guys to help me out. I know my GPA is going to screw me over and I hate that I have to rely on my ACT score, but that’s a hole I dug my own self into and something I’ll have to roll with. My questions right now are: Do you think it’s too ambitious of me to apply to UF when I know I’m not anywhere near the top 10% of my class? How do you think my chances are at the other schools I listed? Are there any schools on my list notorious for not accepting college credits? Should I include a safety school? Your answers and opinions are welcome!
You are an absolute angel if you read all of this.
Hi,
First, relax, your grades and EC’s are fine for almost every Florida school you listed.
Your GPA (and ranking) may only hurt your chances at UF (it’s fine for all of the other schools). It’s just outside of the middle 50% of the admitted 2014 Freshman class (4.1 to 4.5).
UF uses holistic admissions, far more so than the other Florida schools. 50% will be based on GPA (most important), Class Rigor (taking AP/DE/IB/AICE classes), and test scores. The other 50% is based on EC’s, leadership, volunteer and work. All of the items you’ve listed (except perhaps the FCAT score) you should list on UF’s app (especially the 9 years of competitive dance). UF holistic admissions can seem a bit random, but you should apply.
To my knowledge, all of the Florida schools (public and private) you’ve listed will accept your DE credits. You should apply to some of the privates and see what type of financial aid package them may offer. With your GPA/Test scores, I would expect UCF, USF and UNF to offer merit scholarships.
Good Luck!
I agree with Gator88NE. What is your UW GPA? It should be somewhere above 4.6 with close to 30+ DE credits, unless of course you did not perform so well on your DE Classes. What is your GPA at the Community College you are attending? If I’m not mistaken, you will be treated as a transfer student with your AA degree (60 credits). Have you aligned your college courses with your intended major (business) so as to maximize your transferred credits and be able to complete your undergraduate degree in 2 years?
You will have no problem with any of the Florida 4-year institutions, with the exception of UF and your AA degree might put you in a good position relative to your non-AA peers, especially if you have performed well on your DE courses. FIU might be a good addition to your list as far as merit/financial aid is concern. Does your ACT.SAT make you qualify for 100% Bright Futures?
@Psata82 @Gator88NE Thanks for your replies! My college GPA (right now) is 3.8. I have heard some mixed opinions as to whether or not I could be treated as a transfer student. The most common is that I apply as a freshman, but once accepted the credits transfer and I’m treated as a junior academically. I imagine this is because the credits I’m earning for my AA all count for my high school GPA? I have heard that UF looks at students with AAs twice: once as a freshman then as a transfer (if all pre reqs are met). Is this true? And I should be good for full bright futures as my ACT is above 29 and my SAT is above the requirement (bright future GPA: 3.75)
You’re still in high school and dual enrolled, thus will be treated like a freshman applicant with advanced standing. It’s a much more favorable position to be in, since you get to have a shot at all the merit scholarships transfers can’t access, while still starting with advanced standing. And of course you would definitely get into the Honors College at USF, FIU, (FAU if you’re looking to go to med school or are into science research), so do apply. 
Having the AA doesn’t directly impact your chances at admissions, but not having the “major” prerequisite courses could impact your ability to get into a specific college/major (anyone who gets admitted to UF will have met the minimum GPA requirements!).
Talk with the folks in admissions. If you don’t have the prerequisites, you may need to apply to another college/major at UF. Once at UF you can (in most cases) complete any required prereqs and then transfer to your preferred major. Also, if you’re missing any prereqs, you may want to change up your senior schedule to include those missing courses. Some majors, such as engineering, will have several prereqs, while others have very few.
Good Luck!
@Gator88NE Wow, thank you so much! I’ll definitely will talk to admissions about where I stand.