Hi everyone,
I have been reading the UCF forums religiously these past few months waiting for an admission decision. Unfortunately, I found out yesterday that I was denied 
My situation is very difficult to explain. I am American but I have lived in Brazil my entire life. Here in Brazil, we donât use a GPA as a way of grading, it just doesnât exist. The High School curriculum here is extremely rigorous (we have 3 mandatory years of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, etc). We also donât grade based on A, B, Câs and so on like in the US, we are graded based on numbers (80,90,100). Getting a 90 on a subject is practically impossible here because of the difficulty of the courses. Achieving the passing grade (which is 60) is considered an accomplishment. Unfortunately, there is no way the universities in the U.S. can know this, because the schools here arenât recognized or even registered online anywhere in American systems. So, having to go through this rigorous curriculum during my High School really has affected my grades. On a Brazilian standard, my grades are great. However, when I am compared to American standards they are not, because as I said before getting a 90 is practically impossible here.
So, I got denied by UCF. However, I was accepted by USF, but UCF was my top choice. I just wanted to know if I should try to explain this through a letter of appeal, does anyone think it would make a difference? My situation is quite hard to understand but it is upsetting because I canât be analyzed on American standards and I guess thatâs what they did. Everything here is just so different.
Any reply would be much appreciated!
I forgot to mention, I did pretty well on my SATs (I got a 1900). I called to ask them the main reason for the rejection and they said it was based on my grades and recalculated GPA (donât know how that works because as I said before GPA isnât used here in Brazil).
You should probably speak to an international adviser as I am sure there are a lot of kids from Brazil applying to UCF>
And also, USF is an excellent school, better ranked than UCF and more academic.
Appeal if you think you have a reasonable case. For instance, what are your CR and Math SAT scores (those can offset a slightly lower GPA). For the GPA, your marks resemble percentages which can easily be converted to a 4.0 scale and then weighted for an honors- or AP-equivalent. Did you sit IB or similar exams? Those scores can offset what appear to be low marks. Also, a âlowerâ mark in a rigorous course that culminates in a college-credit-granted test such as AP or IB should be weighted, of course. After making the appropriate conversions and considering the sum of your two SAT subscores, what does your application look like? If the stats are near the range of admitted students, you definitely have a case.
Another thing to consider is the trend of your marks. Are they upward, downward or flat? And what is the story behind any low marks? (âThe class is really hardâ will only get you so far. Colleges want students working to their potential so a bunch of super-low marks obviously wonât demonstrate that, even if received in a rigorous honors-AP-IB-equivant program of study).
My guess is that, as a Florida state school, UCF sees a lot of applicants from South America. Your international advisor can give you more insight or assist you with presenting a strong case to the Admissions Office. If an appeal isnât reasonable, perhaps your advisor can discuss with you options for transferring in later on.
Iâm not a FL resident (my D2 applied as an OOS student) but if someone in-the-know says that USF is a better school and you were accepted there, thatâs good news indeed! It means either that UCF made a mistake (that can be quickly fixed with an appeal) or that you have an excellent shot at transferring in a year or so.
Good luck to you!
@Lurdes777 @Mamelot thank you SO much for your replies! they have been truly helpful.
My SAT CR + M is 1250, so according to the stats on ucf.edu they are within the range.
the tricky part is: since Brazilâs schools grading process is so different, there is no such thing as honors, AP or IB. Although we take three rigorous years of chemistry, physics and biology, they are not considered honors, consequently they are not weighted and only drag down my GPA.
I will certainly try to talk to an international advisor today and explain everything and see if I have a case. If I accomplish anything I will update this forum!
thank you once again for all your help 
@Mamelot USF is more academic, less social I guess. Ranking of both schools is easily found online.
Have your D2 apply to the Honors college? Just curious cause seems like no one applies thereâŠ
My S applied, still waiting. And he is deferred to USFâŠ
@brazilian1598 yes that CR+M is definitely ok for admission. Hopefully your advisor can help you on the GPA side. Perhaps your high school counselor can also get involved. We have a private school in our area that is really rigorous and they do not weigh GPAâs or anything like that. They donât even teach AP (although the rigor is so high that many of their top students take the exams and become AP Scholars by senior year!). Their guidance counseling office is very involved in the application process to make sure any school NOT used to this standard is made aware of the overall course rigor. Those guidance counselors can provide a description of the school and its academic outcomes as well as provide needed descriptions and detail concerning the coursework. This sort of information is very useful for colleges in assessing the quality of the high school education.
Good luck to you and keep us informed!
@lurdes777 my D2 didnât apply to Burnett. Animation and the BFA in general are less traditional a major and she would be quite busy as it is so the thought of doing honors didnât even occur to her.
Called today and the Admissions Officer understood my situation. They said I should definitely try to appeal officially, and that a statement from my high school containing an explanation of the coursework would be helpful. Will write the letter and send it latest Monday with the schoolâs statement, hope everything works out! Thanks for the feedback everyone! if it actually works out I will definitely post on here. fingers crossed!
Good luck @brazilian1598!!! Sounds like the admissions officer gave you very good advice.