What else can be done to improve chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

Please let us know what else can be done to improve chances: (To regular or Innovation Academy)

  • Out of State
  • Desired Major: CS

EC:

  • National Honor Society
  • National Merrit - Commended List
  • Key Club / Model UN (Officer), Coding club, Quiz Bowl
  • Won Best of the show in CodeDay
  • County Tech competition winner (Attending State level)
  • 50 Volunteer hours
  • Expecting good Letters and essays (Not stellar but good)
  • Planning: on publishing few games on the Android market (They are working as a group with friends)

Rigor:

  • Highly rigorous STEM program (every year at least 1-4 goes to Harvard/Princeton/MIT)
  • 12 AP
  • STEM with local university Internship

Academics:

  • SAT: (Kid1): 1450 (Kid 2) 1480 (Taking again: target to cross 1500)
  • GPA Weighted (Kid1): 4.5 (Kid 2): 4.1
  • Class Rank: (Kid 1) 7/550 (Kid 2) 60/550

Really interested as due to my job we will be moving to FL or TX next summer - To Be determined by my company. (coinciding with their start of college)

Please suggest what else can we do to improve chances.

2

UW GPA: (Kid 1) 3.95 (Kid 2) 3.65

3

I think they both have an excellent chance as is. Best thing to improve chances would be to write a very strong and memorable essay.

I would NOT use Innovation Academy to improve chances. You have to specifically want the IA experience, which means no campus classes in the fall, plus classes in the summers, and limitations in other ways with respect to major. Once you select IA, you GET IA, and cannot get out of it.

They have plenty of a good shot without IA being a part of the picture, unless they want that for reasons of their own.

If you’re going to be a Florida resident by next year, they would need 100 volunteer hours in order to easily qualify for Bright Futures full tuition scholarship. (They can probably easily attain that in senior year)

Edit: Never mind about the Bright Futures, I just noticed you wouldn’t be moving until right before they start school. Then they’d be eligible for in-state tuition by their sophomore year, I think.

4

I would say step up volunteer hours and it needs to show consistency and a passion. But the self-directed coding of games is great! The essay may need to work in showing overcoming an obstacle and be really creative - tell a story. All the best!

5

The Essay is very important.

Keep doing what they are doing…continue with being active this summer (doing EC’s, volunteering, working, etc.).

Have a rigorous senior schedule (but don’t go too crazy! They should still have a bit of fun.).

UCF"s CS program is on par with UF"s. It would make a great safety (financially and academically).

Good Luck!