<p>I received my rejection letter from UF on Friday evening (obviously a devastating night for me). My sister attends UF (which I of course mentioned on my application) and I know in my heart I am a Gator. I am a 4-year IB student with a 4.0 GPA (almost exactly). My ACT is a 28 (SAT is 1250). I am in EVERY honor society my school offers (National, Math, English, Science, and Spanish.) I am a part of the Leo and Interact club. I Have 200 volunteer hours and my volunteering was spread out through high school. I was a JV cheerleader for 2 years and this past senior year I was on Varsity (but I turned in my application too early...I wasn't able to put that on there). Lastly, I maintain a part time job (20 hours a week). I am very shocked that I did not receive acceptance, especially since I have a family member CURRENTLY attending the University of Florida. I am a white female (in FL). </p>
<p>I called this Monday begging for some kind of light for this very dark situation I am in. Unfortunately, (but not surprisingly) the lady on the phone could not tell me a specific reason for my rejection, but did acknowledge I am a strong and qualified student. She notified me on the March 1st appeals process or the possibility of transferring. The dedication I have for attending UF drives me to do BOTH of those options. I am aware of the slim chances of appealing, but I really think I have a shot. As I mentioned, I was not able to put a few important leadership positions on my application due to my early application. </p>
<p>What do you guys think? Is it worth it? UF is my destiny and appealing is only step 1 in my fight to be accepted, but I'd like to know what I'm going up against I guess. I just can't believe I was not accepted---though I have heard the process comes down to a lottery-type thing and spots ARE limited. Any comments would be appreciated :).</p>
<p>you answered your own question in the third sentence of your final paragraph. If you personally feel UF is where you need to be then by all means, appeal. But be realistic - surely the admissions officer you talked to let you know that apparently successful appeals are very rare.</p>
<p>The good news is that you need <em>new</em> information in order to appeal. Since you have new extracurriculars on your record this year, that will help… But by how much, who knows… Best of luck</p>
<p>I am so sorry to hear that you were rejected by UF. My daughter was too. I can’t believe that they wouldn’t heavily weight a student who has a sibling currently enrolled at UF. You are definitely qualified and probably have higher stats than most of the incoming football team. I’m sure your parents planned on you guys rooming together in an apartment at some point to save money and the travel would be much easier for you to attend the same school. It is so disappointing to hear that UF rejects people with such strong ties to the school… Both my husband and I are UF alumni and our daughter’s rejection for Fall 2013 has really changed my feelings about financially supporting UF in the future. They are biting the hand that feeds them with their rejections that have no information on why the student was rejected. I hope you are successful on your appeal. Good luck!</p>
<p>Ryan- I know, I can’t just let it be. Even if I don’t appeal, I need to know that I did everything I could. I know now more than ever that I shouldn’t expect much, especially since the chances are so slim. Since I can’t sell myself with my grades, I plan on succeeding by proving worthiness through my involvement in school and the benefit I would be to the campus. </p>
<p>MomofThree- Seems like her and I are in the same boat. It reeeeeally sucks too, I can’t stop thinking about it. I heard that UF likes to keep families together and this has thrown me off completely. Thanks for your support, I really hope I get it. I’ve begun planning how I am going to win those admissions officers over–let’s hope they change their minds!!!</p>
The appeal is limited to items or information not contained in your application reviewed by the UF Admissions Office. They will look at information that could explain a level of acacdemic performance or test scores such as a severe illness or family situation. UF will not re-evaluate your GPA. test scores, EC’s or essay. The new information has to have been so impactful that it would have warranted a change in the admission decision.</p>
<ol>
<li>Consider UF’s published stats for the Class of 2017:
Number of Applications: 28,834
Admitted to Fall/Summer B: 11,763
Enrollment Cap:6,400
Admitted to Innovation Academy: 2,114 of which 1005 were given the option of enrolling in Fall or Summer B
Enrollment Cap Innovation Academy:500
Admitted Students Mid 50% GPA:4.1-4.5
Average GPA:4.30
Mid 50% SAT:1840-2100
Average SAT:1967
Mid 50% ACT:28-32
Average ACT:30</li>
</ol>
<p>Those stats give you a sense of where you fit in the snapshot of all students.</p>
<p>Also remember the decision is also holistic and subject to the following:
a. UF is required to accept a certain number of students from each of Florida’s 67 counties. In counties with lower populations the competition is less.
b. There is the Talanted Twenty Program in which the top few students in each public high school based on GPA are guaranteed admission to a Florida 4 year university although not necessarily in each case UF. But a number of students enter UF in this way so long as they meet the minimum state SAT/ACT score requirements.
c. A number of the 6,400 slots are for athletic scholarships. It is a sizable number in the hundreds.
d. Legacy counts for very little. It is only used if a group of students are essentially equal in all respects sort as of a tie breaker.
e. If you come from a large county, or from a very competitve school district it clearly has an impact on your chance for admission.</p>
<p>So are you saying it’s not worth it? I mean I did not have an illness or disability during my 4 years of any sort—can’t really use that. I was going to call March 1st and see if they’d even send me an appeal (as they can even deny you that!!). My goal was to play up my recent Varsity sport and leadership activities I never mentioned…I’m not sure if this will work now. My county is very competitive considering there are 2 IB schools (including the one I am in obviously). It is also a large county…I feel less bad when I think of it like that! I know I’m not at the top, but by all means I’d say I’m pretty damn near! I’m well-rounded and I believe that’s more important than a 32 ACT score with no involvement in the school or community to support it.</p>
<p>If you have your heart set on UF, I would try every possibility. I would not want to look back with regret and wish I had tried something else. Since you do have something to add, I would give it a shot.</p>
<p>If you want to appeal you should. My point was to give you a realistic overview of the criteria used to decide appeals and an understanding of the way UF has to consider applicants from all over the state of Florida. Many people see admission to UF as monolithic
analysis of grades, test scores, EC’s and other issues. Given Florida’s diversity, demand for admission slots and the considerations UF has to utilize it is not just a function of having grades and test scores with the 50% average. There are only 6,400 freshman slots for Fall/Summer B and 500 for IA. When you subtract for example Talented Twenty admits, athletic scholarship students and admits from more rural and less populated counties, the available number of admission slots for the more urban areas of Florida is substanially limited.</p>
<p>Allow a current FSU freshman to view your predicament in a different light.
Like you, I always wanted to be a gator and exactly one year ago, I was accepted to Florida and planed on going to Florida until FSU offered me a significant financial incentive to attend FSU. Since my parents are just of average means, I followed the money trail and enrolled @ FSU and I counld.t be happier. Just “man-up”, admit you didn’t make it and follow your academic dreams at another school.
I’m certain that this time next year, you will be happy at which ever school you attend and if you still have desirers to obtain a diploma from Florida, then transfer out after obtaining your AA.</p>
<p>Just my two cents here…my brother was denied, and I am a current student at UF. I was so hurt and offended, since I am so proud of my school and I have been planning for years to have him continue to legacy and be able to share in my enthusiasm for the Gator Nation. He was crushed and, unlike you, decided not to appeal or consider transferring. Since your heart is in it…GO FOR IT. Don’t regret not doing everything you could! If you end up going elsewhere, go with the peace of mind that you tried as hard as you could. I have a good friend who initially didn’t get into UF and transferred after her first year and she couldn’t be happier. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks guys My sister is encouraging me to appeal either way lol! I have also almost officially decided to attend Santa Fe CC. After four years of the rigorous IB program, a community college has NEVER been an option for me. However, after reading about the large number of transfers into UF, I honestly don’t know if I can overlook such a place! What do you guys think? Going to Santa Fe and transferring or going to UCF? (Money is not the issue, I have a full-ride to UCF.) I am mostly concerned about my social life I suppose…I don’t want to give up a year at a university with campus life to go to a community college if the result could be the same? I’m just afraid my chances won’t be as great to transfer into UF by going to UCF.</p>
<p>If you want to transfer you have a better chance of transfering from Santa Fe. Also, being and Santa Fe would obviously put you closer to UF and give you the ability to participate in UF activities. I took a couple of transient classes at one of Santa Fe’s satellite campuses and it was great. The main campus is very nice.If I could move to Gainesville I would go there in a heartbeat, but I live an hour away and have a child, so I can’t move. I will be commuting to UF, but wasn’t going to do that for my AA when I have a state college in my town. I’m sorry that you weren’t accepted. I did very poorly in high school and during my first attempt at college and am now struggling to overcome my past and transfer to UF. Good on you for doing it right the first time. You’ll have no trouble transferring. Just follow the transfer guide for your intended major and make sure you do all the classes they ask for and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>You should seriously consider UCF especially if they are giving you money. It’s a great school and I know several people there that love it. If you get in to the Burnett Honors College there is even more incentive to go to UCF. Unless you already have college credits you would most likely have to go to Santa Fe for 2 years to get your AA before transferring to UF. Your decision should also consider the major you’d like to study. Does UCF have a good program?</p>
<p>I do have SOME college credits (I passed AP Calc, AP US History, AP Literature, and AP Psych, & probably some IB tests after I take them this summer). I really don’t want to be at Santa Fe for more than a year/a year and a half…it just worries me! A part of me wants to go there so I can transfer to UF easily, however a part of me wants to go to UCF and try and transfer too. UCF doesn’t have pharmacy…I don’t THINK! I’d have to take biomedical sciences, which is kindddda the same? I am applying to the Burnett Honors Program! I am just very confused and my parents want me to start deciding so we can sign an apartment lease in Gainesville, if that’s what I choose.</p>
<p>Now that someone from FSU told you their side, let someone from UCF tell theirs. I also applied class of 2016 like deadmoonrising. I was rejected. I have higher GPA and testing scores then you currently do and was so involved with my school im surprised they didnt rename it after me lol. I was shocked since my brother had been accepted 5 years before me with lower SAT and GPA and Less Clubs and activities. It isnt about well roundedness anymore. It is if you are in the top 20 of your class and have strong enough GPAs to be in the TOP 5% (I was TOP 8%) of your whole class you will get in. (Non IB). I also looked into going to Santa Fe. It would be cheaper and id be up there already. Because of my major i chose to pick a university instead. UCF offered me enough money to pay everything off and pocket a substantial amount afterwords. My advice would to go to UCF or wherever is giving you the money. GET PAID TO GO TO YOUR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE. BUY YOURSELF SOMETHING NICE. Because you and I both know you deserve it. And transfer to UF after 60 credit hours. If you have a lot of IB credits the process will happen faster. Best of luck!!!</p>
My sister is encouraging me to appeal either way lol! I have also almost officially decided to attend Santa Fe CC. After four years of the rigorous IB program, a community college has NEVER been an option for me. However, after reading about the large number of transfers into UF, I honestly don’t know if I can overlook such a place! What do you guys think? Going to Santa Fe and transferring or going to UCF? (Money is not the issue, I have a full-ride to UCF.) I am mostly concerned about my social life I suppose…I don’t want to give up a year at a university with campus life to go to a community college if the result could be the same? I’m just afraid my chances won’t be as great to transfer into UF by going to UCF.</p>