<p>I am an infantryman in the Marine Corps, and I am getting ready to get out this November after my deployment coming up in March. I have done 2 tours to Afghanistan and this will be my 3rd, depending on which company I go to in my new unit, it may be a deployment to Eastern Europe for an Anti-Piracy rotation to the Black Sea. I am a combat veteran, that being said, while I was in highschool, I never applied myself, had a poor GPA and just breezed by. The discipline and intangibles I have built myself upon and the new person that I am are not reflected by what I did in highschool. I would really like to attend UCF next year and I'm skeptical on whether or not I will get accepted, what is the best way for me to make myself look more appealing to gain acceptance? Help please!</p>
<p>Does UCF use holistic admissions? Do they require an essay or two as part of the application process? If so, then think about using that opportunity to explain how your old high school GPA is not indicative of your current academic aptitude. Read a few posts from here regarding college applications for veterans: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/veterans/1426483-digital-badges-can-highlight-veteran-skills.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/veterans/1426483-digital-badges-can-highlight-veteran-skills.html</a></p>
<p>Be sure to take (or retake if applicable) the SAT or ACT and you can use your scores to reflect this as well. So long as you meet the minimum requirements to apply, then you should flagged aside when they notice you as a veteran, and admissions staff should know to take certain things into consideration when deciding to admit you or not.</p>
<p>From what I can find, the mid-range of the last incoming class had GPAs 3.6 - 4.1 and SATs of 1730 - 1920 (ACT 25 - 29): [Prospective</a> Students](<a href=“http://admissions.ucf.edu/apply/prospective/]Prospective”>University of Central Florida | Undergraduate Admissions)
Keep in mind that those are the middle range scores, and so students have been admitted with scores lower than that. </p>
<p>Minimum reqs I found for UCF: [Freshman</a> Applicants](<a href=“http://admissions.ucf.edu/apply/freshman/]Freshman”>Freshman & First-Time-In-College | UCF Undergraduate Admissions)</p>
<p>What I also suggest is to contact your local area admissions rep (contact info should be found on the school’s website) and make it clearly known to them that you are a veteran.</p>
<p>In short, the best way I think you can stand out if you think you do not have a competitive GPA is to study for high SAT/ACT scores (schools will see the date you took the score, so if it is more recent than your high school GPA, then that helps too), and keep in goo contact with an admissions rep at the school.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>EDIT: Post #2 here as well: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/veterans/1367495-x-post-chances-about-out-military.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/veterans/1367495-x-post-chances-about-out-military.html</a></p>
<p>Thank you very much!!</p>