I would like to start by asking if someone could break down tuition for me. I keep hearing that UF is free, but I highly doubt that. I would be an in-state applicant living on-campus, so can someone break it down for me? Like, the total costs and all. I am looking to go into pre-med as well if that is of any relevance. Thank you!
GPA: 4.769 (W), 3.949 (UW)
ACT: 34
SAT Subjects, I will be taking BIO, CHEM, and ENG
Senior course load:
AP Gov/AP Macro
AP Lit
AP Spanish 4
AP Stats
AP Calc BC
Fine art, most likely theatre I and II
ECs:
-Speech and Debate since freshman year
-Model UN since sophomore year
-Founded a volunteer-based club to rescue animals locally since sophomore year
-Part of a Leadership program to help freshmen/combat bullying since junior year
-NHS since junior year
-100+ volunteer hours:
Managing an animal rescue adoption center
Organization that packs meals for starving children in Africa
Running ACDEC tournaments
Working at tents of a festival that focus on safety measures for children
-Volunteer work in a third world nation the summer before senior year for a month
If you’re in state, and earn the highest level of Bright Futures Scholarship, then your tuition cost are covered. I think that’s what folks mean by “Free”. However, it doesn’t cover your other cost, like room and board.
Here is UF’s Cost of Attendance (COA) for 1 year (Fall and Spring semesters). This is UF’s official estimate, and it’s what’s used when determining scholarships, loans, etc. https://www.sfa.ufl.edu/cost/
Tuition / Fees: $6,380
Books and Supplies: 850
Computer/Cell Phone: 1,230
Housing: 5,750
Food: 4,470
Transportation: 1,110
Clothing Maintenance: 1,000
Personal: 420
Total Budget: $21,210
As you can see, your greatest cost will be housing and food. You can lower these cost by doing your own shopping/cooking, finding a cheaper place to stay, etc.
Your chances look good, but with holistic admissions is always hard to tell. Make sure you put a lot of effort into the essay, it really does matter. Also, make sure you’ve met all of the Bright Futures requirements.
Adding to @Gator88NE, my son was a Freshman last year and lived in a standard double room in Broward Area. He was on the highest priced meal plan (Open Access) that had unlimited swipes/meals.
Dorm was $2,648 per semester
Meal Plan was $1,985 per semester
So, room & board was $4,633 per semester, $9,266 for Fall + Spring. You can expect that to inflate some before you would begin in 2020, but it gives you a good idea.
As far as the other cost outlined in the earlier post, here are my comments:
Books and Supplies: 850 - probably a bit high, but depends on your classes and how you buy/rent books
Computer/Cell Phone: 1,230 - Depends on if you need a new computer, certainly don’t every year and you are going to pay for cell phone anyways.
Transportation: 1,110 - depends on where you live now and how you get there. Your not going to take Uber from Miami, so this is way high.
Clothing Maintenance: 1,000 - depends on your lifestyle, could be close to $0 if you wanted, certainly no more than you normally spend. People don’t dress up to go to class…
Personal: 420 - depends on your lifestyle. Eating out, partying, etc.
The other thing to think about is fraternity/sorority. This can add expense if you go that route.