University of Central Florida

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>To open, I'll quote my AP United States History teacher: "Your GPA, in no way, is indicative of your intelligence."</p>

<p>My essays regarding my GPA will tell the story about my dad being diagnosed with lymphoma. I had to get that job at Barnes and Noble to help pay the bills and I had to devote the rest of my time with helping out in the family business since he was at home recovering from multiple series of chemotherapy. Because of so much tension, my parents were on the brink of divorce, and with my older brother leaving the state for grad school, it also became my responsibility to keep the house in order.</p>

<p>However, working in the business so much kind of grew on me. I mainly worked at helping my mom keep the monetary records. I learned how to do cost analysis, put people on payroll, and all the micro financing going on in the business. Essentially, my love for economics started through this experience, and that's what I want to do.</p>

<p>I quit my job in order to focus on these applications right before winter break. Over the summer, my dad was officially cancer-free, my parents reconciled, and I no longer had to work, so that's why my extracurricular activities really increased my senior year. I've also been able to focus on school. I'm ready to move ahead and look forward to the future. I'm more than willing to show my essay to those interested if they want to see a more in-depth view of my realty.</p>

<p>I went to UCF today to turn in my transcript and was able to soak up a bit of the atmosphere. I have a few friends that go to UCF so they showed me around, had lunch at the student union, got a look at their dorms, and even got a chance to sit through one of the programming lectures. I came home feeling like UCF is officially my #1 choice. I've already been accepted to Stetson University and University of Alabama, waiting to hear from FSU and UCF. If admitted to UCF, I will deposit my enrollment fee immediately. I've e-mailed the admissions staff to let them know how strongly I feel about UCF. Here are the stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 2.9
ACT: 25
Ethnicity: White Hispanic
In-state Student</p>

<p>Spanish Language - 5
English Language - 4
World History - 4
US History - 4
Comparative Government - 3</p>

<p>I'm also taking plenty of APs this year, and I'd like to know, hypothetically, about how many credits I could get with the following scores (the following are just scores I feel are very possible):</p>

<p>Microeconomics: 4
Macroeconomics: 4 or 5
Psychology: 4 or 5
French: 4 or 5
Statistics: 3 or 4
United States Government: 4 or 5
English Literature - definitely pass (taking online so not sure if I'm prepared for the 4-5 range)</p>

<p>Course load:</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
Chorus I
Algebra I Honors
Spanish I
English I Honors
Debate I
AP Biology
Latin I</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
Chorus II
Geometry Honors
French I/French II
AP Spanish
AP World History
Chemistry Honors
Pre-AP English (Honors weight)</p>

<p>Junior Year:
AP United States History
AP English Language
AP Comparative Government & Politics
Precalculus (Honors weight)
Chorus III (Honors weight)
PE/Personal Fitness (required for grad)
Physics Honors
French III (Honors weight)</p>

<p>Senior Year:
AP English Literature
AP French
AP Statistics
AP Microeconomics/AP Macroeconomics
AP US Government/Chorus IV (Honors weight)
AP Psychology
Teacher Assistant</p>

<p>Holistic Application:</p>

<p>President of the French Club
President of the French National Honor Society
Historian of the Spanish National Honor Society
Member of the Kite Society
Member of Lake Brantley Ultimate Frisbee team
Member of Lake Brantley's Open Community Choir
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Young Philosopher's Club
Tutoring with Mu Alpha Theta
Regular Member of Spanish Club
Little Warriors Relay for Life Team
Work Experience: Worked at Barnes and Noble at the Altamonte Mall from October 2011 - December 2012</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Worked with local Colombians to make a case to the Colombian government to open a consulate in Orlando. The entire project was successful and the consulate was late 2011 in the PNC Building in Downtown Orlando</p></li>
<li><p>Help out at various choral events when I'm not directly involved (approximately 25 hours)</p></li>
<li><p>100 hours at Teague Middle School's Spanish department, doing various things like tutoring and teacher assistant (grading papers and student essays, mainly).</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteered in "Friends of Scott Plakon" for State Representative in 2012</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteered alongside many members of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Orlando to promote Colombians to vote in the 2010 Presidential Election in Colombia. It was the first time Colombians out of the country were able to vote in a national election.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>1) Rated "Superior" by the Florida Vocal Association
2) Given "AP Scholar with Distinction" by the CollegeBoard in 2012
3) Runner-Up at Brantley's Got Talent
4) Recognition by the Colombian Consulate in Miami for my involvement in organizing and promoting the vote in Colombia's 2010 presidential election.</p>

2

<p>Anyone…? :/</p>

3

<p>I think you will get in my friend! As long as the situation with your dad is explained I think you’ve got it. Like you my dad was diagnosed with an awful disease during my freshman year. Although he did pass away in June of 2012, I didn’t have to get a job like yourself and pay the bills. I admire your motivation and I live in central florida so I know you’ll have a great time. Good luck in the future!</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the response! I’m really sorry to hear about your dad. :frowning: Losing someone so important, especially at this age, is really tough.</p>

<p>I’ve lived in Central Florida my entire life and, while I do admit that moving away from home for a while would be an awesome experience, I’d like to stay in the area.</p>

5

<p>UCF: Match (maybe low match)</p>

6

<p>Thank you very much for the reply. This makes me feel a bit more comfortable.</p>

<p>I know this is a long shot, but I’ll curiously ask: do you think I stand ANY shot getting into the Honors College? I’ve gotten mixed answers on these. People usually say “Oh no your GPA/ACT scores aren’t stellar” but people in the university themselves say I stand a chance because of my ethnicity, the fact that I’m an AP Scholar, a step away from AP National Scholar, my ability to write, my recommendations, and my political activism. I’ve heard that they look at the application through a much more holistic lens than the actual admission process. Just a thought?</p>

7

<p>Oh, and one more thing. FSU with these stats?</p>

8

<p>FSU: High match</p>

<p>Do you intend to spend a year or two at UCF and transfer somewhere else?</p>

9

<p>Not really. I think I’m going to stay wherever either at FSU or UCF. Both Alabama and Stetson are too expensive (only applied to Stetson because my application fee was waived) and I’d much rather save my money for graduate school. I intend to double major in political science and economics.</p>

10

<p>Bump to first page. I’d really appreciate some input! I’m breaking down here…</p>

11

<p>Stetson: Low match/Match
Alabama: Low match</p>

12

<p>I’ve already been accepted to both.</p>

13

<p>Bumppppppppp!</p>

14

<p>…please, anyone else? :)</p>

15

<p>Just received the rejection today.</p>

16

<p>Rejection from where? FSU or UCF?</p>

17

<p>University of Central Florida.</p>

18

<p>But, you have been accepted to schools like University of Alabama! That’s not bad at all! Wherever you go good luck and GOD BLESS!</p>

19

<p>Seriously? UCF told you you had a chance for Burnett but then rejected you? That’s cold. And I really thought you had a chance, especially with your essay. X( I hope you get into FSU or Alabama and Stetson.</p>