Summer B/Fall Semesters?

JEquestrian · July 29, 2011, 5:53pm

I'm a rising high school senior and have my heart set on going to UF (In state student). I have an 1800 SAT (not super scored)/27 ACT, should graduate with a 4.0 unweighted or close. I feel like these are solid scores, but I'm not confident that they're enough to get in without stunning EC's.

I would love to go for Fall semester, but I hear Summer B is easier to get into. Can I apply for Summer B then go to Fall when it starts?

Or, if I apply to Fall and get rejected, can I still get into Summer B somehow?

Also. How will taking Summer B classes effect when I graduate? Will there be a difference?

ufgator18 · July 29, 2011, 5:56pm

No, you cannot switch semesters without losing your place. If you get into Summer B but want Fall, you lose your place with no guarantee of getting into fall.

If you are rejected, you are rejected. Your only option is to appeal and then you might only get into Spring of the next year. (I saw this happen to about 10 of my friends)

Summer B is a SEMESTER. This is no difference. Their is just not very many courses offered as it is only 6 weeks. You have to spend at least one summer in order to graduate. You might as well complete it during your freshman year.

JEquestrian · July 29, 2011, 6:05pm

Thank you.

I guess the only thing I have a question about is this:

"No, you cannot switch semesters without losing your place. If you get into Summer B but want Fall, you lose your place with no guarantee of getting into fall."

And then you go on to say you have to spend one summer there to graduate. I have a friend who I guess is doing that now, as a junior, but he is enrolled for fall and is just finishing up exams now.

If I apply for Summer B as an incoming freshman, once I complete Summer B can I go into fall when it starts in late August and then I'll be done with my required Summer semester?

:) Sorry. I think I got a little lost in the wording!

SeekingUni · July 29, 2011, 6:21pm

UF doesn't admit students based on their selected term. They admit the freshman class as a whole. In other words, they don't care what term you applied for when you apply. They go through all applications the same and either accept or reject. Once you're accepted, they'll do their best to admit you in your preferred term (indicated on your application), but cannot guarantee that. The admissions officer told us, "We are looking to admit you to the freshman class, not particular terms." ... which pretty much clarifies that your term doesn't matter in admissions. As such, I don't believe it's any easier to get into summer B than it is to get into fall, as again, you're not applying for a term, you're applying to enter the freshman class.

[quote]
If I apply for Summer B as an incoming freshman, once I complete Summer B can I go into fall when it starts in late August and then I'll be done with my required Summer semester?

[/quote]

You just have to do one summer semester one time in your entire 4 years of undergrad. It doesn't matter when; it can be before your freshman year or before your senior year, or anywhere in-between.

ufgator18 · July 31, 2011, 4:18pm

Thanks Seeking Uni. You summed it up perfectly.

Anyone who reads this, do SUmmer B if it works out financially for you. It's a great way to be accustomed to UF.

SeekingUni · July 31, 2011, 5:03pm

[quote]
Anyone who reads this, do SUmmer B if it works out financially for you. It's a great way to be accustomed to UF.

[/quote]

Agreed. I have a few friends doing it, and when I toured the campus last week it seemed like there was SO MUCH, I couldn't imagine learning it all on a full/active campus. I plan to do summer no matter where I go, it seems like an invaluable opportunity.

ufgator18 · July 31, 2011, 5:45pm

@Seeking Uni,

Are you a rising senior? Applying for next year?

SeekingUni · July 31, 2011, 5:46pm

Yes, I am.

tzais01 · July 31, 2011, 7:58pm

To clarify the "one summer" requirement mentioned a few times in this thread. It's not a "one summer" requirement. The requirement is 9 hours of summer sememsters. Full time during summer B is 6 hours, so 9 is hard to do and you would likely go multiple summer semesters.

Also, if you have 9 hours of credit from AP/CLEP then the requirement is waived.

ufgator18 · July 31, 2011, 11:34pm

@tzais, the AP/CLEP no longer applies. You must do 9 hours (thanks for clarifying that)

jcold9 · July 31, 2011, 11:37pm

Do summer. You won't regret it. Trust me.

ufgator18 · August 1, 2011, 12:21am

@jcold9, AGRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDD

seiclan · August 5, 2011, 10:02pm

Do you guys feel that Freshman adjust better to college if they do summer? My son is applying (he is a rising senior too). He has the stats to get in for Fall but I told him to apply for summer because I had heard it was better (socially and academically) with the transition to college life. However, I just spoke with a friend whose son is currently doing summer B and he goes home every weekend. He says that most of the kids doing summer B are over partying (drinking until they puke) and sleeping through classes.
So what I am asking is, admissions bump or not, is it really advisable to start with summer B (especially if you are not a partyer)?

julius305 · August 5, 2011, 10:17pm

I just completed my first summer session. Summer B is a great way to get accustomed to the campus and how things work at the university. Given that it is summer, some students choose to party and sleep through class, but that should have no effect on your son if he isn't going to do that. I attended every class and took classes as seriously as I would if it were fall or spring semester. I think some kids blow off their classes because its done in 6 weeks and they still consider it their summer.

seiclan · August 5, 2011, 10:19pm

Thanks for the answer Julius. Where did you live during the summer session btw?

ufgator18 · August 6, 2011, 1:10am

I freaking loved Summer B. Lived in Reid and definitely partied a bit.. loved every second. oh, I also got straight A's.

thesos76 · August 6, 2011, 3:54am

I was told at Preview that we don't have to do a summer term if we have at least 9 hours of credits via AP/IB/Dual etc.

Also I got FOS and summer terms aren't covered, I wouldn't be able to afford to attend a summer term (My family only makes about $400 a month).

tzais01 · August 12, 2011, 9:23am

UFgator18 and Thesos76, according to the current catalog, you still do not need the 9 hours summer if you have 9 hours credit from exams like CLEP/AP/AICE.

Students entering UF beginning with Summer B 2002 are EXEMPT from the summer requirement under the following condition: they have earned nine hours of credit from accelerated mechanisms, such as the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or approved dual enrollment programs.

rlynch93 · August 12, 2011, 12:44pm

I regret not doing Summer B, especially every time my friends tell me what a good time they had up there. I got to work over the summer though and earn some money to use up during my freshman year, so I guess in the long run it benefitted me. If your not really doing anything over the summer anyways though, I'd suggest applying for summer.

And as for the summer being mandatory, as of right now the rule is if you have 9+ AP/CLEP hours you don't HAVE to do Summer B. At preview though my advisor said that the people in charge are discussing whether they should make it mandatory regardless of the hours you bring in though. I don't when or if this will be put into effect though.