1.     The University of Florida now super scores the ACT.  This is new this year.  UF has super scored the SAT for years.  You “super score” when you combine your best four section scores on the ACT or your best two section scores on the SAT.  This applies to students who take the ACT or SAT more than once.  The only SUS school that does not super score the ACT is UCF.  I bet that changes very soon. 

2.     Nine of the 12 State University Schools now accept the Common App.  The only SUS schools that are not on the Common App are FAMU, FIU, and USF.  This has the potential to save students time.  Instead of writing an essay specific to a school, a student can just answer one of the Common App prompts. 

3.     The test score requirements for Bright Futures are changing:

For the Class of 2020 (this year)        For the Class of 2021 (next year and beyond)

Florida Academic Scholar (FAS)          Florida Academic Scholar (FAS)

ACT:  29                                               ACT:  29

SAT:  1290                                           SAT:  1330

Florida Medallion Scholar (FMS)        Florida Medallion Scholar (FMS)

ACT:  26                                               ACT: 25

SAT:  1170                                           SAT:  1210

In short, the SAT score requirement is going up (FAS – 1290 to 1330, FMS – 1170 to 1210) and the ACT score requirement is going down (FMS – 26 to 25).

Why is this happening?  The current SAT was revised a few years ago and there is now enough data to compare the two tests again.  Simply put, a 1210 on the new SAT compares to a 25 on the ACT. 

4.      Admissions Directors from several schools reminded us that students should only apply once to a school.  In other words, don’t apply to UF through the Common App and the Coalition App. 

5.     More information on SUS schools -

a.     The University of South Florida is now the #44 Public University in the US.  It is the fastest rising school on the US News and World Report list.

b.     New College of Florida does not use Teaching Assistants.

c.     Florida Gulf Coast University no longer uses rolling admissions.  They have added Early Action and Early Decision options. 

d.     Florida State University saw a 19% increase in applications last year.  They have four alternative pathways to FSU involving studying abroad, state colleges, and their Panama City campus.

e.     The University of Central Florida now has a downtown campus with 7,000 students.  There are more than 68,000 students at UCF this year. 

f.      The University of North Florida dropped the credit requirement for Engineering students from 130 to 120.  They are the first SUS school to do this.