FUTURE PLANNING

Welcome Juniors and Seniors! As you can tell, high school is flying by and it is never too early to start your university/college search. Seniors, apply as early as you possibly can. Retake the SAT/ACT if you need to or if taking it for the first time, do so immediately. Juniors, start taking your SAT/ACT now and retake early your Senior year. 

If you are looking for some in-state schools apply through the Common App. If for whatever reason you cannot because the name doesn’t show up, apply directly to that school!  If you are thinking about applying out-of-state, then this document will still have some information that you will want to know. Oorah!

What is the Common Application?

The Common App is an undergraduate college admission application that you may use to apply to more than 900 colleges and universities across the United States and other countries. 

How do I create a Common Application:

 You will need to create your account by going to https://apply.commonapp.org/login and selecting “First Year Students.” Find the “Create An Account” link to get started. You will provide the requested information to complete the application process.

What about the application fee?

You will need to complete the fee waiver section. Put down your Guidance Counselors information. No matter how many schools you apply to, you won’t have to pay if the fee waiver is granted. You may qualify for one if you: Received or eligible to receive an ACT/SAT waiver, enrolled or are eligible to participate in free or reduced lunch, or your family receives public assistance. For a full list, please visit https://appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/article/What-do-I-need-to-know-about-the-Common-App-fee-waiver

What do I do after I create my account?

 Once this is done, you can apply to any school you would like by going to “College Search”. Afterwards, your “Dashboard” will show your status and what is still “In Progress” which would require further attention to complete your application and get your decision by that school.

I am seeing “Early Action, Early Decision, Rolling Admission” etc when I apply to these schools. What do they mean?

There are 7 types of college admissions: Regular, Rolling, Open, Deferred, Early Decision, Early Action, and Early Evaluation.

The most common are: Regular, Rolling, Open, Early Action, and Early Decision

Regular Admission is when schools set a specific deadline for all applicants, typically between November and January, then they review them all after the closing date. Every application is compared to others before decisions are sent out.

Rolling Admission is a first-come, first-serve approach. Applications are accepted during a set timeframe but they are reviewed as they are received.

Open Admission is a type of unselective and noncompetitive process where the only criterion for entrance is a high school diploma or GED certificate. You are guaranteed admission.

Early Action is similar to Early Decision however it is less stringent. You are considered for placement before those who apply using the regular college admissions deadline, but you DO NOT HAVE TO COMMIT to the school as a default. You can apply to many schools using Early Action and then decide where you want to go. You have until May 1st of that year to commit to wherever you want to go. 

Early Decision is when you HAVE TO ATTEND THAT SCHOOL if you are accepted, and you cannot apply anywhere else until a decision is made (or withdraw the application if accepted). 

Where should I apply?

You should apply to as many schools as possible. Give yourself options.  Best of luck to your school search! If you ever have questions, reach out to your Guidance Counselor or appropriate Vanguard Staff. Best of luck!  Oorah!!

FLORIDA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES:

Florida State University, Tallahassee/ 37% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Very High

SAT/1200-1340

ACT/ 26-30

GPA/ 3.9

Total One Year Cost/$22,446 including Room and Board 

University of Florida, Gainesville / 36% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Elite

SAT/1310-1470

ACT/ 28-33

GPA/ 4.1

Total One Year Cost/$21,211 including Room and Board 

University of Central Florida, Orlando / 44% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Very High

SAT/1170-1340

ACT/ 25-30

GPA/ 3.8

Total One Year Cost/$22,548 including Room and Board 

 University of South Florida Main Campus, Tampa / 48% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Very High

SAT/1170-1330

ACT/ 25-30

GPA/ 3.9

Total One Year Cost/$23,446 including Room and Board 

(#) My scores were SAT/ACT respectively 1060/22

Florida International University, Miami / 58% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Difficult

SAT/1110-1280

ACT/ 23-28

GPA/ 3.8

Total One Year Cost/$23,865  including Room and Board 

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton / 63% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Average

SAT/1080-1240

ACT/ 22-26

GPA/ 3.5

Total One Year Cost/$25,549 including Room and Board 

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee / 36% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Very Easy

SAT/1030-1160

ACT/ 19-23

GPA/ 3.3

Total One Year Cost/$23,433 including Room and Board 

(#)My scores were SAT/ACT respectively 1060/22

University of North Florida, Jacksonville / 72% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Average

SAT/1090-1260

ACT/ 20-25

GPA/ 3.7

Total One Year Cost/$21,379 including Room and Board 

(#)My scores were SAT/ACT respectively 1060/22

Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers / 67% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Moderate

SAT/1060-1210

ACT/ 21-25

GPA/ 3.4

Total One Year Cost/$20,390 including Room and Board 

University of West Florida, Pensacola / 31% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Difficult

SAT/1080-1260

ACT/ 22-28

GPA/ 3.4

Total One Year Cost/$20,322 including Room and Board 

(#) My scores were SAT/ACT respectively 1060/22

Miami Dade College, Miami / 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/$26,678 including off campus living

St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg/ 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open Admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/$14,901  including off campus living 

Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville/ 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open Admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/$14,224 including off campus living 

Rasmussen College, Ocala/ 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open Admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/ $18,950 including off campus living 

Florida SouthWestern State College, Fort Myers/ 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open Admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/ $18,171 including Room and Board

Broward College, Fort Lauderdale/ 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open Admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/ $30,334 including off campus living

Hillsborough Community College, Tampa/ 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open Admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/ $16,667 including Room and Board

New College of Florida, Sarasota/ 73% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Very High

SAT/1180-1360

ACT/ 25-31

GPA/ 3.9

Total One Year Cost/ $20,915 including Room and Board

Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth/ 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open Admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/ $25,124 including off campus living

Valencia College, Orlando/ 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open Admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/ $16,493  including off campus living

College of Central Florida, Ocala/ 100% Acceptance

Admissions Standards: Open Admission

SAT/Not Reported

ACT/ Not Reported

GPA/ Not Reported

Total One Year Cost/ $15