UF Alumni coping with rejection of legacy children

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
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@Zinhead

Exactly, admissions seems too darn random. Being in Florida, I know lots of kids that get in, and even more that don’t. We know that a not insignificant number of better qualified kids are being denied over less qualified kids.

In general, the strongest kids get accepted (that can be seen in the admissions stats that UF releases), but that doesn’t explain why a higher ranked student with a 1460 on the SAT doesn’t get accepted, while someone with a 1100, who’s not taking the most rigorous classes, at the very same high school, gets in. That’s what makes it especially hard for Alumni, who see weaker students getting in, while theirs get denied.

I’m ok with GPA/Class Rigor being more important than test scores, but that darn essay should be on par with the test scores, not GPA/Rigor.

I can also understand why they want to weight EC’s, 50% of admissions, but I don’t think they have the resources to do so. By doing what appears is a questionable job of reviewing students, UF starts to lose credibility.

My DD14 was in the top 25% of the (UF accepted student class (GPA/Rigor/Test scores), with strong ECs, and we worried about getting her in. My DS17 is in the top 5% of the class, with strong EC’s, and since I understood the process better, I was even more worried. After following admissions for the last few years, I can’t tell anyone that UF is a “safety”. I also can’t tell anyone they have no chance (1100 SAT? know folks that got in…3.3 GPA, know folks that got in…).

Only advise I can give, is to really put work into that essay, and make sure you have plenty of ECs (that you’ve been involved in for a few years…), and make sure to apply to several other schools.

Fun bonus point. The Honor’s program no longer requires a minimum GPA or test score. Instead admissions are based on 3 essays. The essays will be reviewed by current honor students (who all take the same “honor” class on how to review the essays).

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That is going to be a holistic mess. Most schools use an honors college as a way to attract top students. If admittance is based on essays and not GPA/test scores, top students will not consider UF’s honor college to be much of a draw as admittance will be random.

It is a similar problem with UF’s OOS merit aid. Most public schools who offer OOS merit aid make it very clear that it used to attract top students and they provide very clear guidelines in order to get top kids to apply. UF’s OOS merit aid process again is holistic with no rhyme or reason as to who gets money and who does not. If I were an OOS student with a 32 ACT and choosing between Ohio State with their well-defined National Buckeye scholarship or UF’s nebulous OOS merit aid, I would go with the sure thing.

UF needs to get some economists or game theory experts to look at their admissions/honors college/OOS merit process. They are just wasting money and opportunities the way it is setup now.

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A number of years ago, UF had more national merit scholars then any other public university. In the early 2000’s the requirements for admission increased dramatically. Admissions was using a shoot for the best and the brightest criteria. The problem was when those kids appeared on campus, it was very apparent they weren’t Gator material. It’s at that point admissions started to shift to include a more holistic approach. I think they are trying to find the brightest and the best while trying to weed out the bookworms. Just a thought.

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If a “top” student truly wants to be a part of UF Honors, they will write “top” essays and earn their spot, regardless of their test scores.

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@OrlandoGator -

I wonder who would be more “Gator material” than the children of alumni?

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@OrlandoGator what do you mean by “Gator material?”

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The problem with making sure that you have plenty of ECs is that the application only gave room for 6. How do you know which ones they care about. The application process backs up my thoughts that at UF you are just a number. UF has a very good student body but I have concerns about the quality of education if you are just a number in a very large mismanaged institution.

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From the alligator:

http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_60bdef98-f337-11e6-9a9c-3f0fb5f33058.html

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The impression I got was that gator material really meant outgoing students who engage the campus. I don’t know how you can judge that on the holistic side of the application. After the national merit scholar success, there were reservations about how some of the kids who were essentially being paid by the school to go there really worked out.

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What I heard from the several Admissions presentations I went to UF was looking for was the outgoing, engaged student leaders. I heard more than once, join a club or organization, get involved, have a multiyear commitment…and become president.

I think what they may be looking for in the essay is not so much great writing or passion, but for the applicant to demonstrate their involvement and leadership skills/potential. Why else would they weight it so heavily unless it was a gauge for “Gator Material.” I wonder if some legacy applicants might have hurt themselves by focusing on “I want to be a Gator” versus “this is what I can bring to UF to make it better.”

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We know someone who did not get in and both parents are legacy and she had heavy leadership involvement in school and excellent test scores and grades, while another student who probably should not have gotten accepted was also given a $20k merit scholarship. The holistic approach can be frustrating because they don’t have to tell you why someone did or did not get in. I also feel that by not accepting recommendation letters it’s very easy for students to lie on their applications and get accepted for things they never even accomplished. My daughter was fortunate enough to get in based on her grades, scores and honest application but she feels bad for those students who she thinks should have gotten in over some others that did not deserve to. I guess everyone will wind up where they are meant to be. I agree that UF open house was lacking compared to others we went to but unfortunately they know they don’t have to impress anyone because so many want to go there. Still love the Gators and looking forward to what the next 4-5 years will bring.

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Personal opinion only not based on anything UF actually says–

If admissions were based strictly on grades and scores then UF would turn into an engineering school/pre-med school. Part of the beauty of UF is the wide variety of majors and all those slots need filling.

I know UF would deny it but here’s my one anecdote (hardly a definitive study)— a friend’s son was admitted (several years back) in preference over another much higher stat kid (happen to know both kids so know their stats).
The main difference was the lower stat kid was interested in an agriculture major and the higher stat wanted (surprise!) pre-med. It makes sense to me that it would be folly to admit way too many kids interested in one particular major and then not have resources to give them what they wanted. UF is looking not only at stats but a variety of students to fill different career choices.

And UF wants you out in four years (engineering gets five years) so it behooves them to choose students with a fairly clear vision of what they want (despite the “everybody changes majors” talk)

I think the same thought process is going on with the Honor’s college. When son was in it a few years ago the admission was based on test scores and grades. And while he really enjoyed the honor’s dorm he said the great majority were engineering students who mostly just studied and could be less than social. Maybe UF is trying something new to try and get a better mix (it may solve one problem and create another)…

Again, only personal opinion.

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That was very insightful, GOuf78. I think you may be onto something. It seems that the Honors College wants you to have good stats (of course), but is more importantly looking for “engagement” on many levels – ideas, within the major, on the campus, leadership etc. You don’t get that by limiting your selection criteria to grades/stats alone.

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Yeah my stats were somewhat low and I applied as international studies.