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College Essays

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Are you applying to the University of Florida? You'll need to answer some essay prompts as part of your application.   Read this guide to learn what the University of Florida essay prompts are, what admissions officers are looking for in your response, what you should include and avoid in your answers, and what strong UF college essay examples look like.

What Are the University of Florida Essays?

The University of Florida accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application, and applicants must answer one of the Common Application prompts. 

As part of your application, you'll also need to answer an additional UF-specific essay prompt, and you'll have the option of answering three additional essay prompts. Your answer to each prompt can be up to 250 words. Here's the prompt:

  • Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity

We'll go over how to best answer this supplement question in the next section.

The UF Essay Prompt, Analyzed

In this section, we explain what the prompt is asking for, why UF is interested in this information, what information you should include (and what information to avoid), and what a strong example answer could look like.

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity.

What the prompt is asking for: A description of the one extracurricular you feel is most important to you.

Why UF is interested: Students who are dedicated to something show they are passionate, interested in learning, and have a strong work ethic. These are all characteristics colleges want their students to have, so having something you're committed to is a major boost to your application. Seeing what you choose also gives UF a better sense of who you are and what you value.

Potential topics to discuss: What the extracurricular, is how long you've involved with it, how much time per week/month/etc. you dedicate to it, what activities your involvement includes, why you consider it meaningful. 

Topics to avoid: Listing multiple activities or simply describing the extracurricular without explaining why it's important to you.

Example: "The extracurricular most important to me is my involvement in my high school's Model UN team . I've been involved for four years, since I was a freshman. We meet once a week during the school year to prepare for the four conferences we participate in each year. As a Model UN member, I research different political events and international relations topics, then debate the issues with other team members to build my skills in those areas. Model UN is so important to me because, not only did it solidify my choice to major in International Relations, it strengthened me personally. As a result of my participation, I've improved my debate skills, become a more confident public speaker, and have much more experience finding a compromise even between very different groups."

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Tips for the UF Essay Prompt

Follow these three tips when completing the University of Florida supplement essays to make sure your answers are as strong as possible.

#1: Keep Your Answers Concise

You only have 250 words per prompt. That isn't that much! This means your responses need to be brief and to the point if you're trying to fit a lot of information in. You likely have a lot of reasons why a particular extracurricular is the most important to you.

#2: Show Your Strengths

Even though the prompt is short, it’s still an opportunity for you to impress the admissions committee. You can dive into how you've been involved in your extracurricular, as well as any leadership roles you may have had. Try to include themes you've mentioned in other parts of your application , such as your longer essay. For example, if you mentioned that your dream is to be a doctor, try to highlight experiences that reflect that, such as volunteering at a hospital.

#3: Be Honest and Passionate

Sometimes students think they need to tell a story that the admissions committee wants to hear...so they make things up. Do not lie in your college essay—admissions counselors are  great  at sniffing out fibs! 

Instead, lean into the passions and experiences that make you unique . For instance, maybe you made a quilt and entered it in the fair. That's awesome! Just make sure you're explaining why it's meaningful for you! Maybe your grandmother taught you how to quilt and you worked on it together, which taught you the importance passing knowledge down from one generation to the next. 

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Summary: UF College Essay Examples

There is one main University of Florida essay, and it'll be the Coalition or Common Application (depending on which application you use) prompt of your choice. But there are also additional UF essay prompts to answer. These shorter prompts are a way for the UF admissions committee to learn more about you and have the most accurate look at your application.

Here is where you can discuss extracurricular activities, anything that prevented you from participating in extracurriculars, certain programs you took part in, and anything else you think is important for the people reviewing your application to know. As you answer these UF essay prompts, remember to keep your responses short, don't feel pressured to answer every prompt, and highlight your strengths.

What's Next?

Considering the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship? Our guide to Bright Futures Scholarship programs answers all the questions you're wondering about.

Want to bring up your GPA? Read about four ways to bring up your high school grades fast .

Interested in community service ideas? Check out our guide to 129 great community service projects .

Want to write the perfect college application essay?   We can help.   Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will help you craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay to proudly submit to colleges.   Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now:

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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University of Florida Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are University of Florida's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

  • GPA requirements
  • Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
  • Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into University of Florida and build a strong application.

School location: Gainesville, FL

This school is also known as: UF

Admissions Rate: 30.1%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at University of Florida is 30.1% . For every 100 applicants, 30 are admitted.

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This means the school is very selective . If you meet University of Florida's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.

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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

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University of Florida GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.9

The average GPA at University of Florida is 3.9 .

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(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.9, University of Florida requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.9, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

University of Florida SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1360

The average SAT score composite at University of Florida is a 1360 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes University of Florida Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.

University of Florida SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1320, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1450. In other words, a 1320 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1450 will move you up to above average .

Learn more about tutoring in the Miami area to improve your test score and strengthen your application to UF.

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

University of Florida has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, University of Florida will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and University of Florida forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1450, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

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University of Florida ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, University of Florida likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 30

The average ACT score at University of Florida is 30. This score makes University of Florida Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.

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The 25th percentile ACT score is 29, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 33.

Even though University of Florida likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 29 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 30 and above that a 29 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 33 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to University of Florida, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 33.

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Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Free eBook: 5 Tips to 4+ Points on the ACT

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

University of Florida considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission . If you're able to score a 1450 SAT or a 33 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.

For a school as selective as University of Florida, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1450 SAT or a 33 ACT, you unfortunately have a low chance of getting in. There are just too many other applicants with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

  • PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
  • We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
  • Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
  • We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of University of Florida here.

Application Requirements Overview

  • Common Application Not accepted
  • Electronic Application Available
  • Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Interview Not required
  • Application Fee $30
  • Fee Waiver Available? Available
  • Other Notes Self-reported academic record; transcripts required for admitted students only required for freshmen

Testing Requirements

  • SAT or ACT Required
  • SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
  • SAT Subject Tests
  • Scores Due in Office December 15

Coursework Requirements

  • Subject Required Years
  • Foreign Language 2
  • Social Studies 3
  • Electives 2

Deadlines and Early Admissions

  • Offered? Deadline Notification
  • Yes March 1 February 25

Admissions Office Information

  • Address: 201 Gainesville, FL 32611
  • Phone: (352) 392-3261
  • Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

Instead of submitting your transcript, you will complete a self-reported academic record. You can find info on that process here.

Priority admissions deadline is November 1st, with a final deadline of March 1st or as long as space is available. Furthermore, housing applications are available soon after the first deadline and are treated on a first-come, first-served basis. (Most schools don't start housing arrangements until after the enrollment deadline.) So if UF as a top choice and you want on-campus housing, make sure to apply early.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in University of Florida, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to University of Florida.

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Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than University of Florida. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

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Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for University of Florida, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

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Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for University of Florida, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If University of Florida is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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uf essay requirements

University of Florida

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Want to see your chances of admission at University of Florida?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of Florida’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Honors program short response.

American novelist Henry Miller once said, “My hunger and curiosity drive me forward in all directions at once.” Students in the University of Florida Honors Program are known for pursuing multiple interests and passions.

Tell us about a subject or topic that you find intellectually stimulating and are curious to learn more about while in college. Which direction(s) do you imagine your hunger for that subject or topic will take you while at UF? How do you envision the honors program’s academic and extracurricular resources will support you along the way?

Extracurricular Short Response

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

University of Florida Application

Uf application guide- introduction.

Applying to college can be daunting. Luckily, there are ways to simplify the college application process and tools to help with specific applications, like the UF application.

CollegeAdvisor.com offers college-specific resources for students and parents. Explore our site to learn how to get into your dream school , use the CommonApp, and stand out when you’re applying to college.  

This page covers the University of Florida application process. We’ll show you how to apply to UF and go over the UF application requirements, including the UF application essay portion . We’ll also discuss the UF application deadline. 

We’ll also share UF admissions data, including the University of Florida acceptance rate and University of Florida ranking. We’ll also review the University of Florida application fee and share University of Florida enrollment information. 

Finally, we’ll cover some general tools you can use in your college application journey, like the Common App.

Applying to college doesn’t have to be difficult. So, keep reading to learn how to get into University of Florida! 

How to apply to UF?

Ready to start the UF application process? Then, keep reading to learn how to complete your UF application. You should also check out our guide on how to get into University of Florida . 

Research and strategize

Your UF application will require strategy . As with every college application, you’ll want to do some basic research on the University of Florida enrollment. Average enrollment statistics can also help you set goals for yourself when applying to college. Here are some basic UF admissions stats for incoming freshmen at UF in Fall of 2021:

  • University of Florida acceptance rate: 31% (as of Fall 2020)
  • Average incoming GPA : 4.4 – 4.6 
  • Average ACT score: 30 – 34
  • Average SAT score : 1330 – 1470

These ranges reflect the median of students admitted to UF in 2021. However, these are NOT minimum criteria necessary to apply to UF. Also, note that falling within these ranges does not guarantee admission. 

This University of Florida enrollment data should help guide you in the UF application process. Furthermore, the University of Florida ranking is #28 in the nation, meaning it’s a competitive school.

Luckily, the UF admissions team considers all aspects of a student’s application, background, and qualifications when making decisions. Check out this site for more UF admissions statistics.

Stay on schedule

Besides having a strong strategy, it’s most important that you stay organized and on schedule! Below are some important UF application dates to keep in mind. 

Mark these UF application dates in your calendar and plan to complete the tasks with time to spare!

  • August: The Coalition and Common App open for UF admissions. Choose which platform you’d prefer to make your UF application. The school has no preference and accepts each equally.
  • October 1 : The Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ) opens. Complete the FAFSA as early as possible to receive the best financial aid offer.
  • November 1 : Priority deadline for the University of Florida application for freshmen.
  • December 1 : Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR) deadline.
  • December 15 : Test score submission deadline.
  • February 25 : UF releases admissions decisions for students who applied by the November 1 priority UF application deadline.
  • March 1 : Final deadline to submit your University of Florida application. UF considers applications submitted after the November 1 priority deadline on a space-available basis.

You can check your UF application status here once you’ve applied, in order to keep track of any pending items.

Six steps to complete the University of Florida application

Now let’s get started on your University of Florida application! First, visit the UF admissions homepage . This site is a great starting point. While you’re there, be sure to download the University of Florida application College Planning Guide . It has great information on how to get into University of Florida, starting in the 9th grade!

Next, bookmark this page to help stay organized while you complete the University of Florida application. There are six steps in the University of Florida application process; let’s go through each one! 

Step 1: Collect your documents and information

  • School transcripts
  • A list of your high school extracurriculars
  • Parent(s)/guardian(s) educational background, occupation, and employer information

Step 2: Complete the University of Florida application

(*Note: You can use either the CommonApp or the Coalition App to apply to UF.)  

Add UF as a chosen university and receive the UF application requirements. Then, fill in your profile information. The University of Florida application requires the following:

  • Background information about you
  • Current-year coursework
  • Honors and distinctions
  • Activities and experiences
  • Complete the UF Supplement. This includes short-answer questions.
  • Complete the UF application essay questions . Use this space to include details that UF admissions staff couldn’t learn elsewhere in your UF application.

Step 3: Fill in the SSAR

After submitting your UF application, a link will appear on your UF application status page to create your Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR). List your high school courses and grades exactly as they appear on your transcript. You must complete the SSAR by November 15 to submit your UF application. 

*If you have attended a high school outside the United States, don’t submit the SSAR. Refer to the UF international admissions information page.

Step 4: Submit test scores by December 1

You may either self-report your SAT and/or ACT scores through your UF application status page or send official scores from the testing agency. You should submit scores for all SAT or ACT tests you have taken. 

Step 5: Choose a term

You may request to begin your studies in either the Summer B or Fall term. The term you request won’t affect your UF application. 

Step 6: Submit the University of Florida application fee

Pay the $30 nonrefundable fee by credit card unless you qualify for a fee waiver. 

Congratulations! You just completed your University of Florida application.

Next, you will receive an email 24-48 hours after submitting your UF application with instructions to create your MyAdmissions application status credentials. Once completed, you can log in to the MyAdmissions app status portal. Then, you can keep track of your UF application status.

UF application requirements

The University of Florida ranking is #28 in National Universities in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges by US News. Further, the University of Florida acceptance rate is 31%, making it a competitive school to get into.

These are the minimum requirements for applying to UF:

  • Graduation from a regionally accredited or state-approved secondary school or the equivalent (G.E.D., etc.)
  • Sixteen academic units. Find the distribution required here  
  • A cumulative C average GPA in the academic core
  • Students taking dual-enrollment courses must have a minimum 2.0 GPA at every institution they attend
  • A record of good conduct
  • All applicants must submit test scores from the SAT and/or the ACT
  • Submit the $30 nonrefundable University of Florida application fee or request a waiver

What is the UF application deadline?

The priority deadline for the University of Florida application is November 1. The school considers applications submitted after this date on a space-available basis. The absolute final deadline to submit your UF application is March 1.

The University of Florida application fee is $30 and nonrefundable. This must be paid in order for your UF application to be considered complete. If you qualify for a fee waiver, indicate this in the profile section of your application.

Remember to check your UF application status for any updates!

Why apply to UF?

The University of Florida ranking is #28, making it a great school to attend. In addition, the University of Florida acceptance rate suggests there’s a good chance of admittance if you meet the requirements. Further, the high quality of academics you receive, the fantastic location, and the relatively low cost of college make University of Florida enrollment desirable. 

University of Florida Application- Final Thoughts

Applying to college is a long journey, but it doesn’t have to be difficult! The University of Florida enrollment is competitive, so use CollegeAdvisor’s resources to make the UF application process painless. You can also visit the UF application FAQ page to find answers to some common questions about how to apply to UF.

This article was written by Ciara Ayala. If you want to get help with your college applications from  CollegeAdvisor.com  Admissions Experts ,  register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.

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uf essay requirements

University of Florida: Admission Requirements 2023

University of Florida: Admission Requirements 2023

uf essay requirements

Beyond its beaches and warm weather, Florida is also home to an excellent public university, the University of Florida (UF). Located in North-Central Florida, UF is the most competitive university in the state of Florida with plenty of selective undergraduate major options, such as engineering, business, psychology, and pre-health. If you are ready to “chomp” your way into UF, then read on to learn more about University of Florida’s admissions requirements and how to be Gator-ready.

UF emphasizes a comprehensive and holistic application review process, which takes into consideration both academic and non-academic factors . With “no one single factor” that determines the admissions outcome, UF admissions take interest in a student’s academic performance, standardized test scores, passions, and personal background and experiences.

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How hard is it to get into university of florida, university of florida acceptance rate, university of florida early decision, early action, regular decision, and transfer acceptance rate, university of florida gpa requirements, university of florida sat requirements, university of florida act requirements, what does university of florida look for in students, university of florida application deadlines, university of florida supplemental essay prompts, university of florida essay tips.

It is moderately difficult to get accepted to UF. The grade point average of people who get accepted to UF are in the top quarter of their class. People who successfully get into UF also tend to have impressive extracurricular activities and rigorous secondary school classes.

On average, the University of Florida admits 32% of its applicants, making it a moderately competitive school . Acceptance rate is an indication of how competitive a school is, but it is also an indication of how popular a school is. To get into a school like UF, you will need to excel in your rigorous secondary classes, demonstrate consistent involvement and passion, and convey positive personal qualities. 

uf essay requirements

University of Florida does not have any Early Action or Early Decision options. However, applications submitted before November 1 are considered Priority Applications while anything after the date are considered on a space-availability basis. The latest data shows that UF received 48,193 applications and accepted 15,002 students (32%) during the 2020-21 admissions cycle, making it a rather popular school to apply to, especially within the state of Florida. 

Admitted applicants to UF typically have a GPA of 3.7 and above , which may also vary depending on the competitiveness of your intended major . You will need a very high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top-half of your class in order to get into UF. If your GPA is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your standardized tests. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section .

University of Florida Unweighted GPA Requirements

What gpa is required for university of florida.

Applicants’ GPA when applying to UF should be between 3.75 and 4.0 to be strong candidates. Having less than this will require compensating by having outstanding extracurricular activities and personal essays. Although candidates may try to submit a competitive SAT/ACT score to supplement a lower GPA, do keep in mind that UF weighs GPA (“most important”) more heavily in the evaluation process than standardized test scores (“important”). 

University of Florida Weighted GPA Requirements

UF considers weighted GPA as one of its admissions factors , with its middle 50 percentile ranging from 4.4 to 4.6, indicating that you will likely have to take higher level classes like AP and IB classes in order to be a competitive candidate for UF. On the university’s website, UF describes how it calculates weighted GPA . 

The SAT requirement for University of Florida is a composite score that ranges between 1310 to 1450, combining the reading and writing, and math sections together. You will need a moderately high SAT score in order to get into UF. If your SAT is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your other standardized tests or have spectacular extracurricular activities to compensate. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section .

University of Florida Average SAT Composite Score: 1380

What sat score is required for the university of florida.

Applicants should score between 1310 to 1450 on their SAT to be strong candidates for admission to the University of Florida. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute ACT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.

The ACT requirement for the University of Florida is a composite score that ranges from 30 to 34 combining all English, mathematics, reading, and science sections. You will need a very high ACT score in order to get into UF. If your ACT score is not what you’d hoped by the time you apply, you may have to make it up by getting above-average scores on the SAT and having an above-average grade point average. If your ACT wasn’t as high as you’d like because of difficulties or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.

University of Florida Average ACT: 28

What ACT score is required for University of Florida?

Applicants should score between 30 and 34 on their ACT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute SAT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.

While there seem to be moderate GPA and standardized test score ranges among UF’s admitted applicants, UF has continued to emphasize its holistic approach in reviewing students’ applications beyond their academic records. 

To stand out, UF wants to see how a student has continued to pursue their interests outside of their classrooms and contributed to their communities . Afterall, UF’s mission is to seek intellectuals who’d “lead and influence the next generation and beyond for economic, cultural and societal benefit.”

What’s a good way to demonstrate your involvement and passions? On top of your application’s activity form, student essays are also a compelling way to talk about your activities and something UF heavily evaluates in their admissions process. UF admissions officers also value a student’s personal experiences, background, and circumstances, all of which you can also elaborate on using the student essays or the additional information section.

The University of Florida’s application deadline for Priority Application is November 1 , and any application submitted after November 1 will be considered based on space availability with a March 1 application deadline.

To complete UF’s supplemental essay requirements, applicants must complete a 250-word essay to expand on their most meaningful activity outside of the classroom. 

“Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity.” (250 words max) — — —

Additionally, if you would like to be considered for UF’s Honors Program, there’s also a 400-word response required to expand on why you want to be considered. Here’s the prompt: 

“Why is applying for the UF Honors Program important to you? Which aspects of the program's three pillars of opportunity, community, and challenge pique your interests? How would you engage with the program to exemplify these pillars yourself? How does the program factor into your long-term goals? — — —

Tip #1 for University of Florida Supplemental Prompt #1

Demonstrate you have compelling reasons to choose UF. Using the main activity or interest you talk about in your essay, browse and reference UF’s student clubs and organizations where you could apply your experiences and further your interests. If your activity is academic, check out the respective academic department’s website, course catalog, and other opportunities.

Tip #2 for University of Florida Supplemental Prompt #2

Show that you’ve done your homework! Check out the Honors Program ’s page and learn about all of the resources, courses, and opportunities that students have access to. Make specific references to the opportunities and even people (professors, mentors) that could help you maximize your learning experience in your academic area. And to some degree, work backwards: think about how the values of “opportunity, community, and challenge” have appeared in your life, and show how/why you connect to those values because of your experiences.

Special thanks to Ameer for writing this blog post.

uf essay requirements

Ameer Drane

Ameer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Top values: Growth / Diversity / Empathy

uf essay requirements

University of Florida

uf essay requirements

As a preeminent top-10 research university, UF is committed to pushing the world forward by challenging convention and ourselves. We measure our success in people helped and lives improved. Our 11 colleges offer more than 120 undergraduate and 200 graduate degrees. We also offer five professional schools: dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. With world-class faculty, undergraduate research opportunities, 1,000+ student organizations, residential living and learning communities, and an inclusive environment, students can create a signature experience.  

Academic programs.

  • Art & Design
  • Communication
  • Engineering
  • Finance/Accounting
  • Government/Political Science
  • Health Science
  • Liberal Arts
  • Performing Arts
  • Social Science
  • Visual Arts

Student experience

  • Co-op/Internship Opportunities
  • Disability Services
  • Intramural/Club Sports
  • LGBTQIA Services
  • Military/Veteran Services
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Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

Students who have not yet graduated high school and those who have earned less than 12 hours of college credit after high school graduation apply as first-year students. The UF admissions process is designed to consider all aspects of an applicant's academic record and personal experiences in order to facilitate individual holistic consideration. The admissions review process tries to balance the subjective and objective components of the application. UF recognizes that there is great variation among applicants' personal circumstances.  

Prospective transfer applicants must complete an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public institution or at least 60 transferable semester credit hours from an institution. Applicants must also show proficiency in a foreign language. You can do this by providing a high school transcript showing that you completed two years of the same foreign language OR by completing 8-10 semester hours of the same foreign language. For more information about the transfer application process, please visit admissions.ufl.edu/apply/transfer/ .  

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Additional Information

Ready to see UF for yourself? Learn about current opportunities, watch our virtual tour and register for information sessions at admissions.ufl.edu/visit.

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Admissions office

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201 Criser Hall , P.O. Box 114000 Gainesville , FL 32611-4000 , United States of America

[email protected]

Phone number

352-392-1365

For first-year students

Admissions website.

admissions.ufl.edu/apply/freshman/

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www.sfa.ufl.edu/prospective/

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UF Writing Requirement (Formerly Gordon Rule)

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The Requirement

The University of Florida requires that all students complete the Writing Requirement. AICE, AP, CLEP, and IB examination credit as well as dual enrollment or transfer credit may count toward the requirement

To graduate, students must complete courses that involve substantial writing for a total of 24,000 words. Courses that count toward this requirement will be in one of three categories:

"2": Coursework with at least 2,000 words; "4": Coursework with at least 4,000 words; "6": Coursework with at least 6,000 words.

Some sections of qualified courses may not offer substantial writing in a particular term. In the Schedule of Courses, the course sections and amount of writing credit awarded (2,000, 4,000 or 6,000) are identified for a given term.

The writing course grade assigned by the instructor has two components: the writing component and a course grade.  Therefore, to receive writing credit a student must satisfactorily complete the writing component and receive a minimum grade of C (2.0) for the course. It is possible to not meet the writing requirement and still earn a minimum grade of C in a class, so students should review their degree audit after receiving their grade to verify receipt of credit for the writing component.

Courses intended to satisfy the writing requirement may not be taken S-U.

The writing must be evaluated on the content, organization and coherence, effectiveness, style, grammar and punctuation. Assignments must be returned to students with a grade and comments that address the students’ writing skills. Consequently, feedback on all assignments should be provided by the last day of class, or, if provided electronically, by the end of finals.

Evaluation of writing is based on individual work.  Class notes, quizzes, and in-class writing assignments or essay examinations may not be counted. Team-written documents may not be counted for credit unless clear individual sections are identified for grading, such that an individual student’s writing may be evaluated and graded.  Drafts cannot be counted separately from final drafts as part of the total number of words completed during the course.

Students may not take the same course multiple times to meet the writing requirement, unless the course allows for multiple registration based upon rotating course content.

All courses that require writing will not necessarily count toward the writing requirement. In writing requirement courses, students will be evaluated as described above.

Finding Appropriate Courses

The Schedule of Courses lists the General Education courses offered in a specific term. Courses that meet the Writing Requirement are indicated by the code WM in the GE column.

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Extracurriculars.

uf essay requirements

A Great University of Florida Essay Example

What’s covered:.

  • Essay Example  
  • Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay  

The University of Florida is a large public university in Gainesville that is known for both its academics and party scene. You have to really stand out in order to gain admission to this selective university, which is why your essays have to shine. In this post, we’ll share a real essay a student submitted to the University of Florida, and outline its strengths and areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our University of Florida essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Essay Example 

Prompt: Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, any academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words)

Attending high school in the U.S brought me many new experiences, but also disappointments. At my school, students mostly learned how to memorize theory. Lessons were conducted simply as teachers lectured the students until the bell rang. The old-fashioned teaching style with the lack of critical thinking led students to crumble into the shells. Therefore, I decided to make changes by creating a Speech and Debate Club in my school so that students could learn to comfortably express their viewpoints and further gain confidence in public speaking. 

As the club’s leader, I created an environment that encouraged the members to freely voice their viewpoints and solutions for problems happening in our community and society. To help them improve their critical thinking and public speaking skills, I signed up all members for the State Speech and Debate Championship. I also took an active role in scheduling practice for the members after school and helping them find logical evidence and outline their speeches. I also trained the members to find flaws in the opponent’s arguments. With these efforts, we won the Silver Medal in Public Forum Debate and Sportsmanship Awards in the State Speech and Debate Championship.

Even though the Speech and Debate Club is only a year old, I believe it is meaningful for many students in helping them comfortably articulate their ideas to make positive changes in our school and community. 

What the Essay Did Well

This essay does a good job of picking an extracurricular activity that was meaningful to this student and explaining why it was important to them. “ Extracurricular ” essays are a great opportunity to provide context on why you participated in a certain activity in high school and showcase the impact it had on you. This student fully answers the prompt by both explaining what the activity was and why it was important to them.

The opening paragraph also reveals a lot about how this student thinks and how they value education. They aren’t shy about their criticism of the traditional learning model, where students memorize and regurgitate information. The University of Florida wants to admit students who think critically and want to challenge the status quo, so this paragraph is a great way for admissions officers to see that this is the type of student they want. This isn’t to say that you need to disparage your school and teachers, but a good essay should reveal some insight into the way you think and value learning.

What Could Be Improved

The biggest thing this essay needs to work on is showing, not telling . The author tells us that they created an environment where people could share ideas. The author tells us that they helped members of the club strengthen their speeches. The author tells us the training they provided helped their team win a medal at the championship. But they don’t show us anything. 

The way the essay is currently written, it reads more as a resume description. Admissions officers will learn the same information from this essay as they will from reading the activities section of the application. The point of this essay is to humanize these accomplishments and highlight key traits of your personality or growth. 

Rather than telling us what occurred, this student should show us the conversations they had with struggling team members to display their leadership skills. Rather than telling us they created a safe environment, they should show us unlikely friendships being made through their club and the joy they felt. Rather than telling us they won, the student should describe what it felt like to hear their school’s name: “ The world stood still. All I could hear over the thunderous thump of my heart were gulps of excess air. Wait, what did they say?! We won!”

Show, don’t tell is old advice, but it really can make all the difference in an essay. If this student rewrote the story so the reader was actively placed in the moment, it would be far more successful.  

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay 

Do you want feedback on your University of Florida essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

uf essay requirements

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Application Process

Any student applying to the University of Florida through  freshman admissions  can apply concurrently to the Honors Program. Using the Common Application for UF admissions, prospective Honors students should complete the additional Honors essay as indicated in the application. 

Note that students cannot go back and complete the Honors essay after submitting their UF application. Students must apply to the Honors Program to be considered for the  Lombardi and Stamps Scholarships . Only students who apply to the University of Florida by the November 1 deadline will be considered for the Honors Program.

Timeline for 2023-2024 Cycle

  • August 8 : Application opens via the Common Application
  • November 1 : UF application deadline
  • November 15 : Student Self-Reported Academic Record due to the Office of Admissions
  • December 1 : ACT / SAT test scores due to the Office of Admissions
  • February 23 : Admissions decision notification. Honors applicants will see one of the following decisions:
  • Accepted into UF and the Honors Program: Students accepted to both
  • Accepted into UF: Students accepted to UF but not the Honors Program
  • Not accepted into UF
  • May 1 : $200 tuition deposit and confirmation deadline to UF. Students must confirm to UF by this date in order to confirm their place in the Honors Program. There is not a separate Honors confirmation.
  • July 15 : Send official transcripts to UF

Review process

The Honors admissions review process is coordinated by the Office of Admissions .

The Office of Admissions uses the information from the Honors essay to complete the selection process. Both objective information such as high school GPA and standardized test scores, and subjective information from the UF application (e.g. essay and other supplemental information) are also included in their review.

Please note that students accepted to UF Online are not eligible for Honors Program admission.

2023 Admitted Student Profile

Acceptance rate: 12.6%.

  • 14,089 applicants
  • 1,778 admitted

Middle 50 percent:

  • GPA: 4.5 - 4.7
  • ACT: 33 - 35
  • SAT: 1480 - 1550

Would you like to suggest a change on this page? Please email [email protected] .

  • Apply to Honors
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uf essay requirements

The admissions policy of the University of Florida Levin College of Law furthers the mission of the College of Law: excellence in educating professionals, advancing legal scholarship, serving the public, and fostering justice.

UF Law seeks to admit students who will:

  • excel academically
  • attain the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity
  • bring vision, creativity, and commitment to the legal profession
  • distinguish themselves in serving the state, nation, and world through the practice of law, formulation of public policy, legal scholarship, and other law-related activities.

Thus, the College of Law seeks to enroll students who, collectively, bring to its educational program a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and perspectives. The breadth and variety of viewpoints to which graduates of the College of Law are exposed while in law school will enable them to provide outstanding service in many different public and private capacities.

The College of Law gives substantial weight to numerical predictors of academic success (undergraduate grade point average and LSAT scores). Numbers alone, however, are not dispositive. The College of Law considers all information submitted by applicants. Factors such as the difficulty of prior academic programs, academic honors, letters of recommendation, or graduate training may provide additional information about academic preparation and potential. In some cases, demonstrated interest, prior training, or a variety of experiences may indicate that an applicant is particularly well-suited to take advantage of specialized educational opportunities.

Information about work experience, leadership, community service, overcoming prior disadvantages or commitment to serve those for whom legal services have been unavailable or difficult to obtain may show that an applicant is in a unique position to add diversity to the law school community or to make significant contributions to the practice of law.

The J.D. Application

Go to : Application Deadlines | Application Fee Waivers  | Required Documents | Optional Documents

uf essay requirements

Application Options and Deadlines

Thanks for your interest in University of Florida Levin College of Law. The UF Law JD application is available September 01, 2023 – apply via the Levin College of Law LSAC online application at www.lsac.org .

Regular Decision Timeline

(Scroll down for general requirements.)

September 01, 2023

  • Application Available

March 15, 2024

  • Recommended submission/completion Deadline

June 2024 LSAT

  • Last LSAT accepted for Fall 2024

July 15, 2024

  • Application Closes

For the Fall 2024 cycle, UF Law is offering two limited application options in addition to the regular decision application.  Please carefully review specifications and requirements.  (Submission deadlines for the two following options have passed for the Fall 2024 cycle but will again be available in September for Fall 2025 applications.)

Limited Option #1    UF Law Binding Decision Timeline  (No longer available for Fall 2024)

(Scroll down for general requirements.  Click here for specific requirements. )

February 15, 2024

  • Binding Decision application submission/completion final Deadline

Limited Option #2    Gator Scholars Timeline  (No longer available for Fall 2024)   

September 15, 2023*

  • Gator Scholars application submission/completion Deadline (*for 1st round consideration)

Application Fee Waivers

UF Law is waiving the $30 application fee through December 31, 2023 for all applicants.

UF Law cannot waive fees charged by LSAC. 

Additionally, the application fee will be waived throughout the entire cycle for the following candidates:

  • Candidates who receive an LSAC fee waiver.   (The UF Law application fee should automatically show a zero amount due at LSAC checkout.)
  • Candidates who are currently a member of or alumni of Teach for America, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps; upon request.
  • Candidates who have served or are serving in the U.S. military; upon request.

To request an application fee waiver, please email [email protected] and include your LSAC account number and reason for the waiver request.

Please note :   Application fees are non-refundable. The $30 application fee cannot be refunded to candidates who might qualify for a waiver but apply prior to receiving it.   Additionally, the fee waiver process begins anew each application cycle, and a waiver is valid only until the expiration date indicated. 

Required Documents

Bachelors degree.

Applicants to the J.D. program must have a U.S. bachelor’s degree or international equivalent (in any field) conferred prior to the first day of law classes of the application year.

LSAT, GRE and CAS Report

All applicants, with the exception those applying through the limited Gator Scholars option or applying with GRE only , are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Scores for both exams are valid for five years. If you take either exam more than once, we will evaluate your application using the highest score achieved. UF Law places primary emphasis on the highest LSAT score.

Note : Valid LSAT test scores are included as a part of the LSAC CAS Report and cannot be waived from your application. If you elect to apply with a GRE score, you must request all scores be sent directly from ETS to UF Law. The UF Law GRE school code is 3945. Applicants admitted without an LSAT score who subsequently take the LSAT will be subject to admission reconsideration.

Applicants with further questions about Standardized Test Scores should read through the GRE FAQ section of our website or contact Admissions directly.

All applicants,  regardless of application option , are required to register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS), which centralizes and standardizes undergraduate academic records and provides them to the law schools to which candidates apply. Registration is valid for five years from the date that the LSAT/CAS registration form is processed. Applicants must  ensure that the latest available undergraduate transcripts from each college, university or high school/university dual enrollment program attended are on file with the CAS .  The law school code for the University of Florida Levin College of Law is 5812 .

Upon submission of the online application, the CAS report will be requested automatically and will be transferred to the Levin College of Law as soon as the CAS file is complete. A complete CAS report contains the LSAT score(s) except as described above , writing sample, transcript information, and any letter(s) of recommendation.

Applicants should send updated transcripts to the CAS well in advance of the Levin College of Law’s March 15th preferred completion date. The Credential Assembly Service requires at least 10 days to process transcripts.

LSAT Writing Sample

Per LSAC.org :  For your LSAT to be considered complete, you must have at least one writing sample on file – either from an earlier paper-and-pencil administration of the LSAT or from LSAT Writing. Using LSAT Writing, candidates can now complete the writing sample portion of the test at a convenient time and place of their choosing. LSAC will now open LSAT Writing eight (8) days prior to every test administration. Candidates must have a complete writing sample in their file in order to see their score or have their score released to schools .  If you already have a writing sample on file, you do not need to complete LSAT Writing. If you have questions concerning your writing sample, please contact LSAC.org .

Important Note for Foreign-Educated Applicants: The University of Florida Levin College of Law requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) which will authenticate and evaluate your transcripts.

The Levin College of Law requires an official TOEFL or IELTS score, submitted through LSAC , for JD applicants whose primary mode of educational instruction has not been in English (ref. Standardized Tests Question 2 of online application). To be competitive for admission, foreign-educated, non-English speaking applicants generally possess at least a 95 TOEFL or 7.0 IELTS score.  You may contact [email protected] with questions about English-proficiency requirements.

Applicants who completed any post-secondary work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, must use the CAS for the evaluation of foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is foreign work completed through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and where the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript.

Please see www.LSAC.org for more details about the CAS.

Personal Statement

UF Law seeks to enroll a class with varied backgrounds and academic skills. Such diversity contributes to the learning environment of the law school and historically has produced graduates who have served all segments of society and who have become leaders in many fields of law. To better assess such qualities, UF Law requires each applicant to submit a Personal Statement.

  • UF Instructions: Tell us who you are, what matters to you, and why you want to be here.  Please keep it to four (4) double-spaced pages or less, in a font we can read.

Personal Statements should be uploaded as an attachment to your LSAC Flex App.

Submitting a comprehensive professional résumé is an essential part of the law school application process, as it offers an overview of an candidates qualifications.

  • Education details provide the academic foundation, while honors and awards showcase exceptional achievements.
  • Extracurricular or community activities reveal the commitment to social engagement and leadership skills.
  • Mentioning publications highlights any academic contributions.
  • Work history illustrates real-world experience that enriches the applicant’s perspective, and
  • Information about military service and foreign language proficiency underscores diverse competencies.

The emphasis on clearly defined time frames and detailed descriptions ensures that the admissions committee gains a deeper understanding of the candidates unique journey and accomplishments, fostering a holistic assessment of their candidacy.

Resumes should be uploaded as an attachment to your LSAC Flex App.

Letter(s) of Recommendation

Candidates are required to submit one (1) letter of recommendation, and we will accept up to four (4). Recommenders should evaluate in detail the applicant’s academic performance and skills, academic activities, community service, and/or employment. Candidates applying while still enrolled in undergraduate studies, or within six months of having graduated, are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of recommendation that attests to their academic ability (e.g. from a current or former professor/advisor).

Candidates have two options for submitting letters of recommendation:

  • LSAC Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Service: The Levin College of Law strongly prefers that letters be submitted through the  LSAC LOR Service , which is included with the CAS registration.
  • Submit letters directly to the Levin College of Law: Letters submitted directly to the Levin College of Law should be on letterhead and contain the contact information and signature of the recommender.

Candidates may verify receipt of documents using the Application Status Online (ASO) .

ACT or SAT Official Results (Gator Scholars Option Only )

Applicants applying through the Gator Scholars application option must provide a copy of their official ACT or SAT results.

ACT or SAT results should be uploaded as an attachment to the LSAC Flex App.

Character & Fitness Documents

Please see detailed information at  Character & Fitness . UF Law strongly prefers that the explanation and supporting documents for any C&F disclosure be uploaded as an attachment to your LSAC Flex App.

Prior Law School Attendees Only

Applicants who have attended another law school must submit a written statement about their attendance, a complete law school transcript, and a statement from their dean indicating class rank and certifying they are in good standing and eligible to return to the institution as a continuing student.

If you would like to request a substitution or modification of our admission requirements because of a documented disability, please contact the Assistant Dean for Admissions at  [email protected] .

Optional Documents

Why uf law.

It is totally ok to apply to UF just because you think we are great, and you don’t have to tell us that. If you haven’t addressed this in your personal statement, we would like to know any other reasons, specifically, why you have chosen to apply to UF Law. Please also let us know if you are directly connected to UF or UF Law through alumni, professors, or other ways. Most candidates can communicate these interests in one or two short paragraphs.

“Why UF Law” statements should be uploaded as an attachment to your LSAC Flex App.

Addenda and Other Materials

Applicants who wish to discuss any unique issue may submit a separate addendum with their application. This document may include, but need not be limited to, information about poor grade progression, history of standardized testing, linguistic barriers, character and fitness disclosures, or a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage. Materials received before a final decision is made on your application will be considered by the Admissions Committee.

Addenda, including Character and Fitness explanations/documentation, should be uploaded as attachments to your LSAC Flex App.

Other Items

Residency declaration and other required supplemental data.

The Residency Declaration, which you will submit through your UF MyAdmissions portal (expect emailed information from the University within 1-2 weeks following submission of your LSAC online application), will be collected by the University of Florida Graduate Admissions Office,  which  makes all residency determinations for tuition purposes   (UF Law does  not  decide residency classifications) .  Final decisions on residency matters are determined by the UF Graduate Admissions Office in accordance with Florida State Statute, 1009.21.  Please be advised that the UF Graduate Admissions may request additional supporting documentation to verify residency classification for tuition purposes.  Applicants may contact UF Graduate Admissions directly with concerns or questions at (352) 392-1365. For more information, visit  UF’s Residency for Tuition Purposes page .

Residency determinations are made outside the scope of admissions decisions and do not impact the admissions decision timeline.  However, admitted students are strongly encouraged to work with the University Admissions Office to finalize their residency determination as it will impact scholarships.

All  admitted students, including current UF students and UF alumni, should complete the residency declaration for tuition purposes.

Evaluative Interviews

The Admissions Committee may, at their discretion, invite candidates to interview in order to learn more about the candidate prior to rendering a decision.  Interviews are by invitation only and candidates may  not  request an interview .

Admissions Decisions

Timing of admissions decisions.

UF Law anticipates admitting the first round of students in mid-November followed by a second round in mid-December with rolling admissions thereafter.We manually process and review every application and appreciate your patience throughout the process. While the time from Application Received to Decision Made can vary, applicants can expect a 6-8 week review. Candidates are encouraged to submit the application as soon as possible. Applying early will place applicants in the best possible position for admission and scholarship consideration.

We also know that deposit deadlines vary from school to school and candidates may be asked to deposit before they have received a decision from UF Law.  In these instances, we will not expedite our review process.

Some candidates may receive a decision quicker than others based on the relative strength of their application. However, most candidates will have their application compared with the larger applicant pool before a decision is rendered. In order to protect every applicant’s confidentiality, status check requests over the phone cannot be granted.  Because of the high volume of applications, emails, and telephone calls the Admissions Office receives, we ask that you use the  Check Applicant Status Online  page to monitor your application status.

All decisions are sent  via email  to the address listed as  primary   email on the candidate’s application. Candidates are encouraged to ensure the following domains are allowed/trusted senders to ensure communication from UF Law is not routed to spam/junk: @law.ufl.edu , @ufl.edu . Candidates are further encouraged to keep their  primary email updated with the Office of Admissions, especially where the email on file is a school email.

The Wait List Process

UF Law typically receives applications from more applicants we would like to accept than we can  accept. In order to ensure that we enroll the target number of students in the entering class, the Office of Admissions creates a “wait list” of candidates each year. Candidates on the wait list are those that UF Law feels are competitive for a possible later vacancy in the entering class.  These candidates will be considered for seats that may be available in the class after the deposit deadline, or seats which may become available before the first day of Orientation.

The wait list process is ongoing and we encourage candidates who remain committed to UF Law to let us know via a letter of continued interest. We also request that candidates no longer interested in UF Law advise us via email of their decision to withdraw from the wait list.

For more information, please read our Wait List FAQ.

Appealing an Admissions Decision

To appeal the decision to deny admission to the College of Law, an applicant must send a written appeal to [email protected] within ten (10) business days of receipt of the admissions decision. The applicant’s full name and “Appeal of Admission Decision” must be in the subject line of the email. The appeal must provide new and compelling material information that was not available to the applicant at the time of the initial admissions decision. New grades, additional activities and honors, additional letters of recommendation, and appeals by someone other than the applicant are never considered.

The final decision will be communicated to the applicant by reply email within ten (10) business days of receipt of the appeal.  The decision on a petition for reconsideration is final and is not subject to further appeal.

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UF Essay Prompts and Helpful Tips

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University of Florida or UF is a public institution of higher learning that was established in 1853. The highly esteemed university is home to 16 academic colleges and over 150 research facilities. UF is committed to producing graduates ready for the global economy, which is why thousands of students apply to it each year. Luckily for hopeful applicants, UF’s acceptance rates are not in the single digits. This fact notwithstanding, prospective students should work hard on crafting a winning application essay. Anyone who has tried writing such a piece knows that the process is complicated, frustrating, and daunting.

This article has been written by Florida Essay staff to get you off on the right foot in crafting a powerful application essay for the 2018-2019 admissions season. Read it to get some writing help and drastically increase your chances of getting into UF.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by essay writing requirements, let our specialists help you. They have assisted thousands of students with getting into UF. You can be next!

Acceptance Rate for University of Florida

University hopefuls entering the 2018 admission season know that the hardest thing about UF is getting in. Indeed, many students who apply online to the educational institution are rejected and their essay crafting efforts have been for naught. The acceptance rate of the institution is 42%, which means that the majority of prospective students who charge ahead to breach the walls of the university will not succeed. Fortunately, as has been mentioned above, the acceptance rate is not a single digit; therefore, applicants stand a solid chance of getting into the university of their dream. All they have to do is work hard on their personal statement essay. Keep reading to get the edge over other applicants.

University of Florida Application Requirements

The ever-increasing number of applicants along with the frantic climate of the current job market have driven UF acceptance rate to meager 42%. It means that in order to get accepted, you have to think and act fast. For starters, you must choose your start dates for online application:

  • Fall application process and file completion deadlines are June 10, 2019 and July 8, 2019, respectively.
  • Spring application process and file completion deadlines are October 1, 2018 and October 29, 2018, respectively.
  • Summer application process and file completion deadlines are March 4, 2019 and April 1, 2019, respectively.

Note that application deadlines for university hopefuls living in areas impacted by Hurricane Michael have been extended to November 15th. Applicants resided outside these territories should meet the priority application deadline – November 1st.

If you are a freshman (a person with less than 12 college credits) who wants to benefit from the rich academic experience offered by UF, consider the following minimum admission requirements:

  • An applicant should pay a non-refundable fee of $30 and a $7 processing fee.
  • An applicant has graduated from a state or regionally-approved secondary school;
  • An applicant has earned fourteen academic units: 4 years English, 4 years Mathematics, 3 years Natural Sciences, and 3 years Social Sciences;
  • An applicant with two or more years of foreign language instruction or an equivalent level of proficiency will earn additional credits.
  • C average as calculated by UF.
  • 2.0 GPA for dual-enrollment students.
  • Test scores should be submitted by applicants who graduated from a high school less than 5 years ago. Other applicants do not have to submit the scores.
  • Before March 1, 2016 SAT (200-800): Reading 460 and Mathematics 460.
  • After March 1, 2016 SAT (10-40): Reading 24, Writing 25, and Mathematics 24.
  • ACT (1-36): Reading 19, Writing 17, and Mathematics 19.

Note that mixed scores from different tests will not be accepted.

  • An applicant must provide a record of good conduct. A record of problematic student behavior can render an applicant ineligible.

UF Admissions Essay is a Key to College

Among all application requirements put forward by the Offices of Admissions an essay is probably the most important one. UF applicants are advised to stay within the 500-word limit when crafting their essays. In their essays and UF’s supplemental sections containing several short-answer style prompts, students are encouraged to be frank and direct. Check examples below to write an essay in which each word counts.

Unlike other prestigious institutions of higher learning, UF is not known for throwing off-the-wall essay topics like “tell us your favorite childhood book” (Kalamazoo College) or “what does #YOLO mean to you” (Tufts University). The University of Florida application essay example topics provided by the Offices of Admissions are pretty basic. Therefore, all you have to do is make sure your essay stands out among other submissions.

  • A first-person narrative is expected from UF applicants. Remember, your application essay is a story about you.
  • A great essay shows what makes an applicant unique. Avoid boring and overused topics such as winnings or losses, friendships, pet deaths, etc.
  • A powerful essay evokes vivid imagery and helps the readers to rise above the straight text. It tingles their senses.
  • Application essays worth reading are not repetitive. Avoid restating information provided in the supplemental documents and/or your test scores.
  • Essays that are not transferred into the rejection pile are appropriately professional. Do not use contractions and follow proper grammar.

Application to University of Florida

Many college hopefuls ask how to apply to UF. Fortunately, the online application procedure developed by the Offices of Admissions has made it easier than ever to submit your documents. The procedure takes about 30 minutes to finish and can be used for a nominal fee of $37. Online application menu can be accessed here .

UF Essay Topics and Word Limit

Your application essay to UF should not exceed the required 500-word count. As for the supplemental section, each prompt should be answered in 200 words or fewer. With such a short word limit, you have to be brief and precise.

  • Tell a story showing your character.
  • Describe an experience of making a meaningful contribution to others.
  • Present a story about your cherished belief being challenged.
  • What are the hardest and easiest experiences of being a teenager?
  • Topic of your choice.

If you don’t know how to approach the essay writing process, let our talented writers help you.

Check Out Our Services

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Frequently Asked Questions for Denied Applicants

Thank you for your interest in transferring to UF Online. We sincerely appreciate your interest in the programs offered through UF Online.

The University of Florida thoroughly reviews each application for admission, and there are various reasons why prospective students may not be admitted to UF Online. This webpage provides an overview of UF Online’s admissions process, answers frequently asked questions, and recommends next steps for applicants who are interested in reapplying to UF Online.

First, applications are reviewed against the state minimums for admissions. If the application meets those minimum requirements, the application is then reviewed against UF’s admissions standards, which vary based on the type of applicant, listed below.

Freshman Applicants If you have 0-11 transferable college credits, your application will undergo a holistic review. Your high school record, college transcripts (if applicable), extracurricular activities, unique contributions, and admissions essay are reviewed. If you graduated high school within the last 5 years, standardized test scores are also collected with your application.

Since your high school record constitutes the majority of your academic work to date, your academic performance in high school weighs heavily into your admissions decision.

The state minimum requirements for Freshmen applicants can be found here ; however, UF’s standards for admissions are significantly higher than the state minimums. Applicants who are admitted typically have at least (and usually higher than) a 3.7 High School GPA.

Recommended next steps: If denied at this level, we would recommend earning at least 30 transferable credits at a local state college or university. This coursework should include some competitive admissions courses for your intended UF Online major, as well as college level Math and English courses.

Lower Division (12-59 transferable credits): If you have 12-59 transferable college credits, your application will undergo a holistic review. As with freshmen applicants, your high school record, college transcripts, extracurricular activities, unique contributions, and admissions essay are reviewed. If you graduated high school within the last 5 years, standardized test scores are also collected with your application.

The state minimum requirements for Lower Division applicants can be found here , however, UF’s standards for admissions are significantly higher than the state minimums. Generally, we are looking for applicants with over a 3.0 High School GPA and over a 3.0 College GPA. The more college credits an applicant has earned, the less heavily the high school coursework weighs in the decision-making process. Additionally, the closer an applicant is to being an Upper Division transfer (60 credit hours), the higher the expectation that the applicant would have more of their intended major’s upper division competitive admission criteria met at the time of admission.

Recommended next steps: If denied at this level, we would recommend earning at least 60 transferable credits and meeting all of the competitive admissions criteria for your intended major before reapplying. To ensure that all UF general education requirements are completed and to take advantage of articulated transfer pathways, Florida residents are strongly encouraged to complete their Associates of Arts Degree at a Florida state college prior to reapplying. Admission processes and degree programs at each institution are found on the individual college’s webpage. For your convenience, the following Florida Department of Education website provides links to all the institutions included in the Florida College System: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/about-us/colleges.stml .

Upper Division (60+ transferable credits): Unlike freshman or lower division applications, your high school record and test scores are not required to determine your eligibility for admissions. Your college coursework is used to determine your eligibility for admissions as an upper division applicant. Below are the state minimums and UF standards for Upper Division transfer admissions:

State Minimums

  • A cumulative 2.0 GPA in all college coursework
  • A 2.0 GPA or higher from the last institution attended

UF Standards

  • A minimum overall GPA requirement
  • A list of Competitive Admission coursework
  • A minimum prerequisite GPA
  • If you are missing prerequisites courses, you will need to complete the missing courses before reapplying.
  • If you have completed all of your prerequisite coursework, but did not meet both of the GPA requirements, you may need to take some additional courses or retake a course to earn a higher grade before reapplying. Please note that for most majors, all prior attempts at a competitive admissions coursework are factored into this GPA calculation.
  • If you have received an AA degree from a Florida College System institution, please consider applying to one or more of the other 11 institutions that comprise Florida’s State University System if you have not already done so. Admissions processes and degree programs at each institution are found on the individual university’s websites. For your convenience, the following State University System of Florida website provides links to the undergraduate admission websites for each institution: https://www.flbog.edu/universities/admissions-transfers/undergraduate-admissions/ .

Post-baccalaureate (Already have a Bachelor’s Degree): This category falls under the same review process as Upper Division students. Please see above.

Readmissions (Previously attended the University of Florida): All readmissions applicants go through an extensive hands-on review process directly by the College to which the applicant is applying. Due to the unique circumstances of each student, the readmissions process can look very different from one student to the next.

Recommended next steps: If denied at this level, please refer to your decision letter available on your application status page. If your College provided specific admissions requirements, you should satisfy these requirements prior to reapplying.

The University of Florida conducts its own GPA calculations of your academic records. Each school transcript is reviewed individually for applicable transferrable work, which is why we require all transcripts be submitted with your application. How we calculate a GPA is detailed below:

High School GPA: Your coursework in English, Math, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Foreign Language are utilized for your GPA calculation. All other non-academic coursework is excluded.

Note: Applicants utilizing a high school equivalency examination (GED, etc) are exempt from this GPA calculation and their applications are reviewed holistically.

Overall College GPA: Each transcript is reviewed individually and your grades are combined into one overall GPA. Coursework classified as vocational or from unaccredited institutions are excluded from this calculation. You must have at least a 2.0 overall college GPA and at least a 2.0 GPA at your last institution to be eligible for admission. Upper division applicants should know that each major has a specified minimum overall GPA, which can be located in the competitive admissions criteria section on each major’s webpage

Competitive Admissions College GPA (Upper division applicants only): Your competitive admissions GPA is calculated by averaging your grades across the prerequisites listed for your major. Most programs include every attempt at a competitive admissions course, regardless of possible grade forgiveness. Each major has a minimum overall GPA requirement and a minimum prerequisite GPA specified for admissions, which you can locate on your major’s webpage.

If your prior academic record was negatively impacted by serious extenuating circumstances that can be documented, consider the possibility of retroactively dropping and/or withdrawing from the issuing institution. If the issuing institution grants the retroactive drop/withdrawal, you could reapply for a future term using the updated transcript.

Credit is awarded for college-level coursework completed at a U.S. institution of higher education accredited by one of the following institutional accreditors or its equivalent from a foreign institution:

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
  • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission

Foreign institutions must be recognized by the Ministry of Education in that country. Courses must be similar in nature and content to courses in our undergraduate curriculum to be transferred. Courses that are remedial, technical, vocational or doctrinal in nature are not transferable to an undergraduate degree. It is the prerogative of the student’s UF college to determine how transfer credits apply to a degree. Students should expect to receive 60 transfer credits with an AA degree from a Florida public community/state college.

Review the University of Florida’s full transfer credit policy here .

If you earned less than a 2.0 overall GPA or earned less than a 2.0 GPA at the most recent institution you attended, unfortunately, you are not currently admissible to UF. We recommend you return to your previous institution and improve your GPA prior to reapplying.

A formal appeals process exists for applicants whose individual circumstances may not have been sufficiently accommodated in the application process. Appeals can only be considered for the same major in the term for which you applied. If you wish to be considered for a different major, then a new application will be required. When you appeal, you are asking the Committee to make an exception in the case of your application. Every appeal will receive a fair review. However, exceptions, by definition, are rare and require substantial evidence or reasoning to warrant approval. Some appeals are approved; most are not. Since the appeal process varies based on the major to which you applied, please contact the UF Online OneStop for more information.

Although we cannot offer you admissions to UF Online at this time, we encourage you to continue pursing your academic goals. If you are interested in reapplying to UF in the future, we encourage you to take the recommended steps listed on this page. However, if you want to learn about other degree programs and explore options outside of UF Online, read below.

If you have received an AA degree from a Florida College System institution, please consider applying to one or more of the other 11 institutions that comprise Florida’s State University System if you have not already done so. Details about individual program opportunities and admission processes are found on the individual university office websites. For your convenience, the following State University System of Florida website provides links to the undergraduate admission websites for each institution: https://www.flbog.edu/universities/admissions-transfers/undergraduate-admissions/

  • If you have been denied admission, we would first suggest you determine the reason you were denied. You should begin by reviewing the minimum criteria needed to be competitive for admission to your preferred major. If you are simply missing courses, we recommend that you enroll in these classes at your current institution and reapply by the deadline for a future term.
  • If your prior grades that are affecting your admission were impacted by serious extenuating circumstances which you can document, we recommend that you discuss the possibility of retroactive drops and/or withdrawals with the institution where these grades were earned. You can then send an updated transcript if your academic record changes and we can re-evaluate your application for admission for the term you applied or you can re-apply for a future term by the deadline.
  • If you want to consider alternative majors in UF Online for which you meet the minimum criteria, we can potentially get your application re-evaluated for a different major for the same term you have applied. Or you can reapply by the deadline for a future term for the new major. Just be aware that if you are admitted to a different major than your original choice, you will be expected to pursue that major to graduation.

If your application has been denied and if you have new information (e.g., grade changes, new courses in-progress) or if you want to be considered for a different major, please follow the instructions below.

Send an email to [email protected] and include in your email the following:

  • Your full name
  • UFID number
  • Information relevant to your circumstances

(Note: this process is only for appealing upper division transfer decisions.)

Tuition & Fees

A UF degree will ignite possiblities and open new horizons for your path. And it doesn’t have to be out of reach financially. Explore our affordable tuition and financial aid opportunities.

How to Apply

Momentum begins here. Whether you're entering college for the first time or transferring your coursework, find out how you can accelerate your future as a part of the Gator Nation.

Questions? Let's talk

We're here to answer your questions. Give us a call 1-855-99GATOR to speak with a member of the admissions team.

Make a connection that lasts a lifetime

Tell us about yourself, so we can help you take the first step toward joining the Gator Nation

By selecting "Yes - Contact me via Text Message", you agree to receive text messages from UF Online related to application deadlines and info session reminders, booking appointments with admissions counselors, etc. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. View Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .

Course Sample

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COMMENTS

  1. Freshman Requirements

    UF does not require or encourage applications to complete the essay portion of the ACT. SAT, ACT and/or CLT scores can be sent directly from the testing agency or self-reported through your application status page. Scores must be received by UF by December 1. If your test scores are not received by the deadline, your application will be moved ...

  2. Freshman

    Complete the UF Supplement. This includes a few additional short-answer questions so that we can learn more about you when reviewing your application. Complete the essay questions. The essay helps our admissions staff get to know you better. Use this space to tell us something about yourself that we wouldn't learn elsewhere in your application.

  3. How to Write the University of Florida Essays 2023-2024

    Please use a maximum of 400 words in your essay for full consideration. This prompt is meant to gauge who you are beyond your grades and test scores. It's primarily about a subject that interests you, but there are multiple parts of the prompt that you'll need to address: Identifying the subject or topic of interest.

  4. How to Write the University of Florida Essays 2020-2021

    We've updated this post! Check out the 2021-2022 UF essay guide. The University of Florida is a top public research university in the suburban center of vibrant Gainesville, Florida. Known for its abundant research opportunities, business programs, and engineering school, the university is widely considered the strongest public school in Florida.

  5. 3 Writing Tips for the University of Florida Essay Prompts

    Prompt 1. Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity.

  6. University of Florida Admission Requirements

    Application Requirements. Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews.

  7. University of Florida's 2023-24 Essay Prompts

    250 Words. Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. Read our essay guide to get started.

  8. University of Florida Application

    Step 2: Complete the University of Florida application. (*Note: You can use either the CommonApp or the Coalition App to apply to UF.) Add UF as a chosen university and receive the UF application requirements. Then, fill in your profile information. The University of Florida application requires the following:

  9. University of Florida: Admission Requirements 2023

    To complete UF's supplemental essay requirements, applicants must complete a 250-word essay to expand on their most meaningful activity outside of the classroom. PROMPT #1 "Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to ...

  10. PDF FRESHMAN APPLYING TO UF

    UF is a member of the Coalition Application, as well as The Common Application. The UF supplement to both applications will be available in August. Students can apply using either, but only need to apply once. STUDENT SELF-REPORTED ACADEMIC RECORD DEADLINE: DEC. 1 The Student Self-reported Academic Record (SSAR) is UF's self-reported transcript.

  11. Apply to University of Florida

    As a preeminent top-10 research university, UF is committed to pushing the world forward by challenging convention and ourselves. We measure our success in people helped and lives improved. Our 11 colleges offer more than 120 undergraduate and 200 graduate degrees. We also offer five professional schools: dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. With world-class faculty ...

  12. Writing Requirement

    The University of Florida requires that all students complete the Writing Requirement. AICE, AP, CLEP, and IB examination credit as well as dual enrollment or transfer credit may count toward the requirement. To graduate, students must complete courses that involve substantial writing for a total of 24,000 words.

  13. A Great University of Florida Essay Example

    The University of Florida is a large public university in Gainesville that is known for both its academics and party scene. You have to really stand out in order to gain admission to this selective university, which is why your essays have to shine. In this post, we'll share a real essay a student submitted to the University of Florida, and ...

  14. First-Year Honors Program (FHP) Admissions

    August 8: Application opens via the Common Application. November 1: UF application deadline. November 15: Student Self-Reported Academic Record due to the Office of Admissions. December 1: ACT / SAT test scores due to the Office of Admissions. February 23: Admissions decision notification. Honors applicants will see one of the following decisions:

  15. University of Florida

    Admission Requirements in Brief. To have the best chance of getting into to University of Florida you should: Have a high school GPA of 3.9 or better. Earn A- grades in high school. Score 1400 on the SAT. Score 30 on the ACT. Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class.

  16. Standards for J.D. Admission » Levin College of Law

    The admissions policy of the University of Florida Levin College of Law furthers the mission of the College of Law: excellence in educating professionals, advancing legal scholarship, serving the public, and fostering justice. UF Law seeks to admit students who will: excel academically. attain the highest standards of professional excellence ...

  17. UF Application Essay and Admission Requirements

    UF Essay Topics and Word Limit. Your application essay to UF should not exceed the required 500-word count. As for the supplemental section, each prompt should be answered in 200 words or fewer. With such a short word limit, you have to be brief and precise. The UF's Offices of Admissions has presented the following application essay topics:

  18. Frequently Asked Questions for Denied Applicants

    Applicants who are admitted typically have at least (and usually higher than) a 3.7 High School GPA. Recommended next steps: If denied at this level, we would recommend earning at least 30 transferable credits at a local state college or university. This coursework should include some competitive admissions courses for your intended UF Online ...