Why choosing a major on the UF application matters....

I have heard many times that UF does not consider your major when applying. Then why do they ask for one on the application? I’m sure UF loves getting that data, even though they don’t require you to follow the path you check on the app months before getting on campus. And yes, they want kids to explore and find the path that makes the most sense.

But wait, there’s more. I have heard a number of folks say this week that they were surprised that their kid wasn’t even offered PaCE. We know that PaCE is offered to kids who were close but not quite in UF’s box, but the decision to offer PaCE likely also has to do with the major the kid chose on their application. PaCE is not offered for all majors. If you look at the list, you will see that engineering, nursing, psychology, accounting and many many others are not on the list.

So let’s say your kid is on the bubble for UF and lists psychology as his major. If he’s denied, he won’t get PaCE. However, if the same kid lists sociology as his major and is denied, then he might get PaCE. I’m pretty confident that UF doesn’t want to offer a kid who aspires, for example, to be a nurse, a chance to take online classes only in majors other than nursing.

I know this is a very fine, nuanced point. Most kids apply with the hopes of getting in summer/fall and don’t even consider PaCE. However, if future kids want to at least have this option, choose a PaCE supported major on the application – but know that you won’t be able to easily switch to a non-PaCE major later – UF knows we are all sneaky.

I’m not advocating that you try to game the system. I think kids should choose a major that fits them,

Main message: If you “weren’t even offered PaCE,” it may be because of the major you ticked on that box that everyone says doesn’t matter.

It’s always a lot easier to just say “UF doesn’t consider Major in admissions”, which is true for all Fall/Summer admits (90%+ of the admitted students), than to try and explain Gator Engineering at Santa Fee, PaCE, IA, and several other programs. :-??

And to be honest, no one really wants to talk about these other programs (with the exception of IA), till after the 2nd Friday in February.

@Gator88NE I agree. As I said, it’s a nuanced point. The other day, a parent said to me that his daughter “at least deserved to be in PaCE.” They want the validation that their kid came close. I believe she applied as an engineering major so PaCE was not even an option.

I also think that on this forum, many parents and students are looking for as much information as possible – a point that you have proven, in fact.

I agree. My daughter was offered PaCE, as she indicated an Advertising Major on her application (with a pre-law intent). We first said no way, but actually spent quite a bit of time researching, asking questions, and reaching out to advisors. Her big issue is that since the time of her application, she has been working with children, and decided to pursue Speech Pathology, a non-PaCE major. PaCE is just not going to work for her.

It’s funny, though, to read all of the students’ arguments on the PaCE pages who are trying to make non-PaCE majors work. We’re just not willing to gamble on her being accepted as a ‘transfer’ student when applying to her major, and then being forced into a PaCE major. It’s just way too risky.

I attended UF, and she was raised a Gator, is in the 50th percentile for all of UF’s stats, tons of leadership, extra-curricular, etc. so who knows what makes them put you into PaCE. It looks like she will be headed to FSU, where she received the Freshman Scholarship, and her major has the exact same ranking as UF. As a Gator, it’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s the right decision in this situation.

@rccoble I wish your daughter the best of luck at FSU. I watched Facebook video last year of one of my UF fraternify brother’s moving his son into the dorms at FSU. I jokingly said: You are a living my nightmare! FSU is a much better institution than “our UF” was years ago, but it doesn’t make it any less hard to swallow.

Before decisions came out last week, I kept telling my daughter that things would work out whether she got in to UF or not. She was invited to Gator Engineering at Santa Fe and it looks like a great match for her.

UF does care about your major choice, but perhaps not as much as other schools. Best of luck to your daughter.

@rccoble Congratulations to your daughter re: FSU. Being offered money is amazing! I’m sure she will thrive and wishing her much success!

I was talking to someone else who applied as engineering who was offered pace