Admission as a Freshman

Composite pictures of the SAT results of recent freshman classes at the university indicate that the middle 50 percent of admitted fall freshmen score between 1190-1360 on the SAT. In addition, more than 50 percent of each entering class has earned a B+ or better average in high school academic subjects. While there is no minimum grade average or test score to ensure admission or success in college, prospective applicants are urged to discuss these data with their school counselors before applying.

When to Apply: The best time to apply is early in the senior year of secondary school. Freshman priority is provided to qualified applicants whose applications and supporting records are received by Office of Admissions before January 13, 2003. Early Decision applicants for the 2003 term (those willing to commit to UF if admitted) must apply no later than October 1, 2002. Admission to the University of Florida is a selective process. For Fall 2002, UF admitted slightly more than half of its 22,000 applicants for freshman admission. Although the admissions staff encourages all interested students to apply, it is important to be aware of the competition for admission spaces. The application process should be taken seriously, and individuals should provide the strongest application possible.

The selection process for the University of Florida allows for a freshman class to be admitted based on an applicant’s academic credentials, as well as a holistic review of academic and personal information contained in the application.

It is important for the applicant to know that many factors are considered in the admissions process. It is very difficult to predict the admissibility of any applicant without considering all the information contained in the application file, and the size and strength of the applicant pool.

Requirements for admission consideration give priority to applicants whose total record indicates the greatest likelihood of academic success.

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or state-approved secondary school or the equivalent (G.E.D., etc.).
• The following distribution of 15 academic units is required:

• An overall C average, as computed by the university, is also required at each collegiate institution attended. College deficiencies earned through high school dual-enrollment programs will be reviewed individually.
• A record of good conduct. Major or continuing difficulty with school or other officials may render an applicant ineligible regardless of academic qualifications.

Please note: Applicants who present scores on the G.E.D. also must present records from secondary schools attended and standardized test scores. The applicant’s overall academic background will be considered.

• A total score of at least 950 on the SAT with a minimum verbal score of 440 and a minimum quantitative score of 440. On the ACT, a composite score of 19 is required with a minimum of 17 on the English subsection, a minimum of 19 on the math subsection and a minimum of 18 on the reading subsection.

Any Florida student who meets the minimum admission requirements and who is interested in attending the university is urged to submit an application. Applicants should be aware, however, that admission is highly competitive when the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number that the university is permitted to enroll. An applicant’s total high school record including grades, test scores, educational objective and pattern of courses completed, plus school recommendation and personal background and record will be considered.

Any student who does not graduate from a regionally accredited secondary school must provide, in addition to a transcript and SAT or ACT results, the results of the following SAT II examinations: writing, mathematics (Level II-C), foreign language, science and social science.

Applications for early admission (i.e., admission following completion of the junior year of high school) will be considered individually by the admissions committee. Applications should be submitted in accordance with university deadlines.

In addition to the application, the following items are needed:

• A written statement by the student setting forth reasons for requesting early admission.
• An official transcript of the applicant’s secondary school record covering grades 9, 10 and 11. An overall academic average of 3.9 as computed by UF is expected.
• Results of either the SAT or ACT. An SAT total score of 1350 or a composite score of 30 on the Enhanced ACT is required.
• A letter from the student’s high school principal or guidance counselor stating specific reasons why the applicant would profit more from early admission than by completion of the senior year of high school.

Eligible early admission students from Florida high schools may be funded through dual-credit enrollment. Dual enrollment refers to a student taking on-campus courses simultaneously at both the University of Florida and another institution. If the parent institution is a Florida high school, the student may qualify for tuition-exempt, dual-enrollment credit and may receive textbooks/materials on a lend-return basis. There must be an articulation agreement between the university and the home county school board, developmental research school or other secondary school.

Qualified high school students will be enrolled as nondegree students and credits earned before high school graduation may be accepted subsequently for advanced standing and degree credit when the student is admitted to the university. For more information, refer to Academic Regulations (especially the sections on Dual Enrollment and Nondegree Registration).

The university provides numerous opportunities other than early admission to accelerate graduation. For additional information, please refer to the Academic Advising section.

Entering freshmen are required to make a housing deposit within 30 days of acceptance if they desire to live in university housing. The housing deposit, less a $25 service charge, is refundable until May 1 for applicants accepted for admission to the fall freshman class.

The university participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE). The student may receive university credit or exemption from such courses without credit, depending on the results. (Refer to the Academic Advising section.)

The following rule will not apply to credit earned through dual enrollment at Florida public institutions. College credit earned through a dual-enrollment program will no longer transfer to UF if the course(s) completed through dual enrollment were used to meet high school graduation requirements. Students must provide a letter from their high school stating that the courses they completed through dual enrollment were not used to fulfill secondary graduation requirements in order for their credit to be eligible for transfer to the university.

Offers of admission with course work currently in progress are tentative, pending review of final transcripts. Admission offers are subject to cancellation if final course work does not meet admission requirements.