UCF Deferment (Need Feedback)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Central Florida
1

My name is Garrett, I submitted my application to UCF on August 25th, and began the waiting process for a decision.

In my essay I wrote about my being poor and gay and overcoming those challenges throughout my life and how it made me a better person. I also wrote about my extensive knowledge and class experience for sciences (9 science credits instead of the required 3 in high school) as well as all of my programming knowledge and how I am almost fluent in programming languages such as HTML, Java, Python, C++, C#, Lua, Objective-C, and Batch.

  • I applied under the computer science degree.

My High School Stats Are:
GPA - 2.9
SAT - 1140
Yes, I am aware my stats are not amazing at all or impressive

I am… (extracurriculars)

  • Treasurer in Student Gov for Class of 2020
  • Psychology Club
  • Interact Club (Volunteer Service)
  • Center for Education and Leadership (Volunteer Academy)
  • Student Council
  • Daily Volunteer at Local Elementary Schools
  • Chemistry Tutor

So, after almost 2 months of waiting, I logged into myUCF with no notifications, but discovered that my status had changed from pending and under review to then say this,

“Your application has undergone an initial review and is currently deferred for further evaluation with the admissions committee. A decision may be delayed as we assess the strength of this years applicant pool.”

So I got deferred. I did, however, research everywhere online and almost all stories I found of deferral ended with the student being accepted into the Summer term instead of the Fall term.

After reading everything I have to say how would you look at my situation? Do I still have hope of admission into the Summer (which I would be 100% Okay with, I don’t mind starting a semester early or being tested to see if I would be allowed into the Fall [Their Pegasus Success - Access Program])

Finally (1 last thing), I was researching and I need some feedback on this too, would it be smart for me to send in letters of recommendation (I never sent any for UCF), also, I read somewhere that I should mail the university a letter expressing a tinge of disappointment at the deferral but immediately bounce back with my excitement for the school and maybe even mention alternative decision (like their Pegasus program). On the article suggesting this, they said it would show that I am an active student with persistent interest in the school and determination, would sending a letter like that and some recommendations be a good idea, to show my continued and active interest?

Thank you so much and I know this was a lot to read, thanks :slight_smile:

2

I was also deferred this past week. I recommend writing a “letter of continued interest” to the admissions office. I will also be retaking the SAT because my score is what I believe is bringing me down. Maybe that is something you should consider doing as well. Best of luck.

3

Yes, send a letter of continued interest in both fall admissions and the other options you listed (summer admissions and Pegasus Program). Ask what else you can do (interview)

Good suggestion to retake SAT (or take ACT)

4

I agree with the above- consider the ACT, you might score higher. If you have quarter grades and they are good send them. Any positive information is good.

5

You should definitely write a letter of continued interest.

Honestly, both your GPA and SAT scores are very low for CS candidates in general. You might have gotten accepted if you were going into an easier and less competitive major, but right now that combination may be what is holding you back.

IMO sending a letter of reccomendation isn’t going to do you much good unless it specifically addresses that weakness. A generic, “He’s a great kid, participates in class,” isn’t going to do much for you. You need a teacher who can write about your STEM interest and CS skills, and explain why s/he thinks you can succeed in CS despite the 2.9/1140. Is it going to be possible to get someone to write about that?

If you get into the summer session, take that gift! Good luck.

6

Update: I have a few questions. I was thinking a lot this week. When should I expect a decision, or when do you think I might get one? I read everywhere that deferment is from early action to regular decision, but since UCF is rolling admissions there is really no regular decision time period, so I got confused given that there is no time period where I could expect a decision.

Also, I was thinking of retaking some courses from other years of high school online in the next month to raise my GPA even higher when the first semester ends so I can send those updated stats to UCF, would that be a good idea.

Again thank you so much for all of the helpful tips, advice, and feedback. I just want to go everything I can to get in, especially now since all of my friends are getting their acceptances and I’m here left feeling confused and somewhat saddened.

7

And online courses at my school can have 1 semester complete in as early as 2 weeks, so a full course can be remade in as little as a month, especially if I do like 2 or 3 courses at once in a month.

8

Did you try calling the office of admissions directly? My friend and I were both deferred but got accepted the same day we called admissions- our situations were a bit different than yours though (http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-central-florida/2162751-deferred-for-ucf-summer-2020-advice.html#latest). I would also definitely recommend taking the ACT! Late registration for the December ACT is open until the 22nd of November. Also, make sure you have safeties lined up, and maybe consider going to Valencia to get your A.A then transferring to UCF through their DirectConnect program. Good luck!

9

@malayk Thanks for you advice! I called the admissions office to let them know personally that an updated transcript was being sent to them, as there were some edits to my GPA that my school initially overlooked which brought me up from a 2.92 to a 3.08 (not much but better).

Also I’m nervous! My decision updated on their portal from

“Your application has undergone an initial review and is currently deferred for further evaluation from the admissions committee. A decision may be delayed as we asses the strength of this years applicant pool.”

To

“Your application has undergone an initial review and is with the admissions committee for further evaluation. A decision may be delayed as we assess the strength of this years applicant pool.”

Does that mean it’s being looked at right now and not postponed anymore?? I had a plan to send in my ACT scores for December when they come out and send in my semester grades in December/January to show my As and Bs throughout the semester, but what if I get rejected before then?!?

Im so scared.

10

I’m not really sure what the change means but you’re probably right, it sounds like your application is currently being looked at. I would also try calling the office of admissions Monday morning at 9 when they open and saying this- “Hi, my application status shows I’ve been deferred and I was hoping you could tell me why?” They will probably tell you it just means they need more time to make a decision and point out what is lacking in your application (in your case I think it might be your test score as well as your GPA, but congrats on getting it higher!) They will then most likely offer to transfer you over to one of the guidance counselors/admission officers, if they don’t then just ask :smile: Say the same thing to the guidance counselor and see what feedback they give you. Make sure to let them know you would also be very happy with being placed into summer. Also, make sure when you call that they actually look at your application- you will know they are looking at it when they ask for your full name and date of birth.

11

I was accepted the same day I called and so was my friend but our situations were a bit different than yours. Even if you get a decision before the December ACT, you should still take it, because it could help you with getting the Bright Futures scholarship. Also, try to remember it’s not the end of the world if you dont get in! It would be in your benefit to consider starting off at Valencia then transferring to UCF with pretty much guaranteed admission through DirectConnect.

12

Oh and good luck!!

13

Hey did you hear anything back from UCF?

14

@HelloR2 Sadly not yet. My status still says

“Your application has undergone an initial review and is with the admissions committee for further evaluation. A decision may be delayed as we assess the strength of this years applicant pool”

I will definitely keep you and everyone posted for when I get a decision, which I hope doesn’t take until like March or April

15

@malayk What was you and your friend’s situation? I got deferred a few weeks ago but I didn’t think about calling them. Was there a mistake in your guy’s application?

16

@HelloR2 @Gbw1005 Both of you should definitely take the ACT, today is the last day to register for it :slight_smile: UCF receiving new scores could help improve your case

17

@miralov I have a thread on it here- http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-central-florida/2162751-deferred-for-ucf-summer-2020-advice-p1.html

Basically, I was deferred for seemingly no reason (my test score and gpa are both on the high end of their midranges) and my friend was deferred even though she had guaranteed admission through Top 10 Knights :slight_smile:

18

@miralov Calling them is definitely a good idea

19

Well as luck would have it I did not get in, I got rejected from UCF. It doesn’t bother me too much as I am now officially going to UNF, but it does bother me that I applied in August, waited 2 months just to get the “I’m not sure yet” message, then to wait another 4 months to get the “rejected” message. Like they couldn’t just reject me a couple weeks after I applied pretty much knowing I wasn’t going to get in all along? Oh well, no hard feelings.

20

@Gbw1005 when did you hear from UCF?