<p>I’m a mom, lurker for a long time, have one at UF, one at FSU, and my S wants UCF as his first choice. A question I haven’t seen addressed is for very lopsided SAT scores. His major is Computer Science, his GPA is not great 3.0/3.3 weighted going into Sr year but is carrying A’s in AP Calc, Physics, AP Stat, as he has in all math and science courses. English, Spanish, History were B’s and C’s. Mu Alpha Theta with a D in Spanish. :)</p>
<p>SAT will be retaken in Oct and Nov, as will ACT first time in Oct. Should he apply early to UCF (and remember UCF is his top top choice as he’s been head programmer for Robotics, is brilliant with programming all four years in a large HS.</p>
<p>SATs were 780 Math 350 Reading 380 writing.</p>
<p>He has Bright Futures Medallion but must stay in-state and can’t afford FIT, his second choice.</p>
<p>Should he apply early and hope to be deferred until his SATs are up or wait until November and see if they came up or if ACTs are better? Anyone get admitted with these kinds of scores?</p>
<p>Just my opinion…As far as early application- it is no longer early. The students that applied later, meaning after November, seem to have a long wait for acceptance unless they have solid GPA/SAT’s. These Reading/Writing scores are very low and doubtful he will be accepted unless they are closer to the 500 range. Also, his GPA needs to be calculated for UCF standards, not high school (if it hasn’t been) to give you a more accurate standing. If either the GPA or the SAT were higher, then maybe one would help offset the other but if both are low then not likely that he will be ultimately accepted. Perhaps a letter of explanation to the Dean of Admissions may be helpful.</p>
<p>Thanks alongwait, and yes the GPA is calculated on core classes only, and may improve with the 2 APs and 4 Honors classes this year but I’m considering worst case scenario if his reading and writing scores do not improve, which is quite possible. He’s remedial reading all through school (overcame dyslexia and ADD) but absolutely brilliant (like he knew the answer to the question in Social Network before Jesse Eisenburg said the line) in programming and writing code.</p>
<p>It may be an option to get his AA at Valencia CC so he can get in to UCF his junior year but he’s going to be way ahead of other students in CS courses so I’d like to see him get into a State University. I’ve read the boards and know a 500 is minimum for SAT sections but wondered if anybody else had this problem. It looks like Valencia students can get into UCF so he might consider that route if he gets flat out denied. That’s what I’m worried about.</p>
<p>Yes, he is writing his essay but has never used his difficulties as a child as a sob story or even an excuse. He won’t let me help at all and I know exactly how to get him noticed. Which I think says more for his character than if I’d written it and gotten him in. If they still did personal interviews he could get into UF, he’s incredibly funny and has great friends. However on paper he is very lacking, so you’re probably right to wait until at least the Oct SAT is back to see how far he needs to go.</p>
<p>His HS GPA is about a 3.3 because he aced all his electives but of course they don’t count. He’s got very little EC’s, he’s obsessed with Robotics and had to ride the bus, but he has what it takes to get in somewhere. Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>Maybe others on here will disagree with me, but I don’t think they care about EC’s or even the essay so much. My D got in with a 490 on the Math, so the 500 rule may not apply for UCF. Also, have him apply for Summer which may give him a little bump. We have toured every State University in FL due to the worry of not being accepted, so I know what you are going thru. VCC is not a bad school and a good alternative but perhaps you should due a few tours at UNF, FAU, FGCU. Perhaps a personal interview is worth a try over at UCF. Can’t hurt to inquire! Good Luck…I know what you are going thru!</p>
<p>Have you considered having your son take the ACT? Besides the fact that some kids just plain test better w/ the ACT vs the SAT, there’s a science component to the test. A lot of kids get tripped up on that, but as your son is very math/science oriented perhaps this might work in his favor. Since your s doesn’t want to use his “learning disability” as part of his personal statement/essay, whatever, perhaps one of the rec letters from a guidance counselor or a teacher could comment on that for him, describing his commitment to science/math in spite of having to work thru the remedial english. That way he’s not feeling as though he’s using it as “an excuse,” but they are able to tailor the rec to discuss his obvious intellect. Maybe even call an admissions officer at UCF and ask to speak to someone about the best way to approach the application?</p>
<p>Thanks zebes and alongwait, those are both great suggestions. S has talked to his HS counselor and he’s in a super competitive HS so the counselor said much the same thing. Nail his two portions of SAT Oct 9, study for ACT Oct 23 and get his application in before November but still plan to take Nov SAT.</p>
<p>It’s kind of crazy that a kid this talented at one thing (and he’s been to World’s and won State Championships three years in a row as head programmer for his robot) probably won’t get into the top CS schools. But he’s going to apply everywhere anyway (some of his team will get into Georgia Tech, they recruited my s at World’s in Atlanta but too expensive and it’s doubtful they’d accept these scores.) We’ll hope for someone to look past the very poor numbers. It might happen. He wants UCF over GT, and he’ll find a way to get in. He’s good at overcoming difficulties. Just hard for me to admit he doesn’t need my help. :)</p>
<p>Yeahh I’m sort of the same way, just not as good at my “strong subject” as he is. Well I’d like to think that I am better but I was unprepared and a mess that day for numerous reasons. Anyways, I have 560 reading, 520 writing, and 350 math. I’m taking the SAT in October and I pray I can get it up to at least a 450 and bring my reading into the 600s. My academics are really good, like I get A’s in math classes, but I’ve always been really weak at math and have math anxiety especially with testing. I have a good gpa 4.8, mainly from the weight of the dual enrollment courses I have taken and got A’s in. Anyway, keep us updated . UCF is my number one too
Edit*
It’s amazing that he’s overcome dyslexia and achieved those scores. Not that they are amazing, but i’m just flat out bad at math. He’s gotten the same score in his worst subject as I have with a learning disability… ( I think he should mention/write about it b.c it’s a perfectly good “explanation” .) Good luck to you guys !</p>
<p>This is quite the odd situation. It’s odd because his total score of 1130 is right in the range of students that UCF will usually accept. I have personally never have heard of the 500 cutoff for either portion of the test but I could just be in the dark about it. It’s puzzling how his reading score can be so low but if he takes some practice tests and scores somewhere in the 400s I think that would give your son a shot to get accepted. It’s a shame that he is in this situation since it’s not everyday a talented programmer wants to go to UCF over GT. If anything I can offer you these few tips. You should call UCF’s office of admissions and ask what the cutoff is for each portion of the SAT, to confirm if such cutoffs exist. Also, your son could consider applying for summer. Admission is less competitive for summer and it’s usually a good idea for students who are “on the fence” either grade or test score wise to apply for summer term. Going to Valencia is also not a bad alternative as he would be guaranteed admission into UCF after receiving his AA.</p>
