I don’t have any direct experience. Only what I read here and what UF’s common data set says. - test scores are “important”, primarily, I suspect, because they don’t use/accept letters of recommendation, and you can’t interview.
1 Like
I’d like to believe that the admissions office does see past just SAT scores and that they take school course offerings into consideration- I can’t confirm much about the SAT score part because I scored within UF’s middle 50% range but I can also confidently say they do admit students with scores below that range. A few of my very close friends here at UF scored below that range so there’s certainly still a chance of getting in!!
2 Likes
x (deleted)
i’m in the top 22% of my class too.
1 Like
It just is so disheartening that everything else meets their requirement except that.
1 Like
Let’s hope. My daughter has been as asset to her school in more ways than one and the school talks about it all the time. Problem is I don’t know if that’s conveyed on the application that well.
It’s too bad that LOR’s aren’t counted even though I get that no teacher writes a bad LOR.
2 Likes
Yes, I remember some who got the email were rejected, really stinks. My daughter didn’t get the email and was accepted.
The good news is that they almost certainly won’t be making that mistake again.
1 Like
This is the flagship university of the 3rd largest state in the country. Also, the state of Florida retains many top students because Bright Futures is such a good deal. They will be turning away some applicants with impressive SAT scores just as a function of headcount.
3 Likes
They also will be accepting some applicants with lower SAT scores because of their outstanding school performance and extracurricular activities. They understand that not everyone is good at 4 hour long tests.
4 Likes
UF gives tons of scholarship $ (FULL RIDES) to over 300 students annually for the MFOS (Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship).Per the website over 1200 current students have this scholarship. It is an income based first generation scholarship. My 23’ high school grad knew several recepients from h.s. who didn’t even qualify for full bright futures and well out of the top of the class who received it while top students with SAT’s over 1500 got ZERO merit $. There is plenty of scholarship dollars being offered from UF but you may not fit the criteria.
This is from 2021:
It shows an average SAT of 1376. That likely will go up a bit for this class. The CDS for UF categorizes standardized tests as “Important,” so they definitely matter.
Applicants with SAT scores in the 1200s need to realize that admission to UF for them is not impossible, but it is an uphill battle.
There will be thousands of FL kids heartbroken on Friday, many of which are highly qualified and have dreamed of UF. Many of which have double legacy, family history at UF etc combined with high qualifications. It’s the school most every kid in FL strives to attend, and even the ones who look to Ivy level schools will apply to UF as a backup plan or sorts. UF truly doesn’t need to look oos for students (obv they do and will), the state has a massive population and a large amount of high level students, much like California except FL only has UF as that Tier 1 school, where as CA has 3-4 Tier 1 publics. So that should tell you how insanely competitive it is to get into UF. UF decision day is a big deal every year across the state
7 Likes
I am considered low income and first generation as well - it’s just the SAT that is really bringing me down. Just so sad that I don’t think I even stand a chance bc of that.
I agree with this. Difficult, but not impossible.
1 Like
You still stand a chance. If you are admitted check your portal a few weeks later and you may get the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship. Last year we knew a girl all set to go to UCF and received a full ride from UF with SAT scores on the low side for UF. It is part of developing a diverse student population.
1 Like
I do live in Florida too.
2 Likes
much like California except FL only has UF as that Tier 1 school, where as CA has 3-4 Tier 1 publics.
I think FSU is knocking on the door here. It’s not far behind San Diego or UCSB
3 Likes
Not far behind in what sense? They aren’t close in prominent rankings, and both UCSB and UCSD are AAU institutions.
1 Like
We all need to take rankings with some context, what really goes into it etc, what is weighted more in the ranking………
I see some students select other in-state Fl schools over UF, they like the campus at other schools, different vibe, certain majors, and so on
I’ve heard some freshman not happy at UF for too much on-line, can’t get classes, campus spread our etc
So there’s great opportunities at many schools, go make the most of it whatever door is open!
2 Likes