Please chance a low-GPA student for U Florida EA! [TX resident, 3.7 GPA, 4.22 GPA for UF, 1570 SAT]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Demographics

  • US citizen
  • State/Location of residency: DFW area (Texas) suburb
  • Type of high school: nationally recognized public boarding school
  • Gender: Male

Cost Constraints / Budget
*UF is an affordable option for me and my family

Intended Major(s)
*Mathematics

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.77
    NOTE: I received an F for college-level English during my first semester of junior year. I am currently retaking it and expect an A in the course.
  • Weighted/UF Recalculated GPA: 4.22
    *UF recalculates GPA by using grades from core classes only (math, science, english, etc). An A in an AP/Dual Enrollment class is weighted as a 5, an A in an honors class is weighted 4.5, and an A from a regular class is a 4.
    *Note: for AP/DE classes, A = 5, B = 4, C = 3. Works similarly for honors and regular classes.
  • Class Rank: School doesn’t rank
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 1570 SAT (800M, 770RW)

**List your HS Coursework

*My high school is set on a college campus, and all classes from 11-12 grade are taught by university professors

  • English: English 1 Honors, English 2 Honors, College English 1, College English 2, College Global Literature

  • Math: Algebra 1 Honors (8th), Geometry Honors (9th), Algebra 2 Honors (9th), Pre-Calc Honors (10th), College Calculus 1 (11th), College Calculus 2 (11th), College Calculus 3 (12th), College Differential Equations (12th)

  • Science: Biology Honors (9th), Chemistry Honors (10th), College Chemistry 1 (11th), College Chemistry 2 (11th), College Calculus-Based Physics Mechanics (12th), College Calculus-Based Physics E&M (12th)

  • History and social studies: AP Human Geography (9th), AP World History (10th), College American History (12th), College Government (12th)

  • Language other than English: Regular Spanish 1 (8th), Regular Spanish 2 (9th)

  • Only regular Spanish 1-2 were offered

  • Visual or performing arts: Orchestra (9th)

  • Other academic courses: Regular Health/Communication (10th), Honors Computer Science 1 (10th), College Intro to CS (11th), College CS 1 (11th), College Intro to EE (11th), College Digital Logic Design (12th), College Technical Writing (12th)

Awards

*Likely National Merit Semifinalist
*3rd out of around 25 people in regional math competition
*10th out of ~50 teams in Texas A&M HS math competition
*Presidential Volunteer Service Award Gold x2, Bronze x1
*2nd out of 10 teams in regional space settlement design competition (feeds into international comp)
*Qualified for final round of International Logic Olympiad (3500+ competitors)

Extracurriculars

  1. Part of power engineering research lab at local university (T200) - may get a publication as one of leading authors before EA deadline

  2. Over 300 volunteering hours at various places, including tutoring math for middle schoolers

  3. Tested into school’s competitive math team (top 12 students grades 11-12) school is a nationally recognized STEM school

  4. Officer for 3 school clubs (12th grade): community service club, religious club, hobby club

  5. Tutored math in Schoolhouse SAT program (11th grade)

  6. Played JV soccer for 2 years then transferred to current school and became captain (team is small however)

  7. Self-taught myself EE concepts through a variety of resources

  8. Planning to participate in Boy’s State

  9. School orchestra for 1 year

  10. Created some small programming applications

Essays/LORs/Other
LOR: UF does not consider LORs
*Essays: I have started drafting my personal statement for the Common App, and I would say I am a decent to strong writer.

Schools
UF EA - as of now, UF does not admit by major

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I apologize for the formatting; this is my first post!

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Congratulations on your acheivements.

Do the GPAs you calculated include the semester F? Will that still be in your GPA and included on your transcript after you repeat the class?

The mid 50% accepted GPA for Class of 2028 was 4.5-4.7, so based on that UF will be a reach.

What is your class rank? Approximate it if you don’t know. Look on your HS’s School Profile for average/median/mid 50% range GPA.

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Hello, the GPAs calculated for this post include the F in English. Officially, the F will be replaced by the grade I receive when I retake the course in my GPA calculation, however, I calculated my GPAs with the fact that AOs consider all grades in mind. I genuinely have no clue as to what my rank is; my school doesn’t post percentiles, and I don’t think my counselor will tell me. If I apply RD, my weighted GPA could be around 4.4 if I get all A’s. Should I wait to apply RD?

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The unknown part is how UF sees your specialized school. In schools such as yours, the college counselors are really your best bet on getting a read on your chances.

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I apologize, my weighted GPA will be a 4.4 if I get all A’s this spring semester.

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Will it make a difference if my weighted GPA becomes a 4.4 if I get all A’s this semester?

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So considering only core courses, the classes you are taking this semester will move your UF gpa from 4.22 to 4.4?

UF doesn’t breakdown it’s admit rate by EA and RD. I assume RD has a lower admit rate and would defer to your HS counselor about your best application strategy. UF seems like a reach, so just make sure to have a balanced college list including a handful of target schools and at least one affordable safety school that you would be happy to attend. Since you are a likely NMF, you might consider the schools that give large scholarships for NMF students. See this thread: Big merit NMF/NMSF schools and their specialties

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The guidance counselor at your nationally recognized public boarding school will be your best source of information as they will have the acceptance history for your HS.

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Your GPA is not low. You are simply applying to a highly rejective college. 70% of those who apply with higher GPAs will also be rejected.

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Yes, my UF weighted GPA will be a 4.4 if I get all A’s this semester. Is my GPA (particularly the F I got) the main thing lowering my chances to UF?

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Again, your college counselors are the best people to ask that question. They have access to the data of the acceptance results of previous students that they can compare to.

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I agree with others that UF is not a safety, and you need to also apply to other universities for which admissions is more likely.

I do however wonder, why UF? There are many very good in-state options in Texas.