UF invited 15,220 applicants to become Gators on Friday.
The number of applicants continues to grow each year, with 52,513 applications this year, compared to 49,401 applicants last year. UF also accepted more applicants this year, outpacing last year’s accepted cohort of 14,561. Of those accepted in 2021, 3,248 will start in Summer B and 11,972 will start in Fall.
The number of admits for the Pathway to Campus Enrollment program, or PaCE, decreased this year to 3,607 compared to 3,719 last year. Meanwhile, the Innovation Academy welcomed 624 admits, roughly the same number as last year.
The average GPA for admits was 4.51 along with an average SAT score of 1392 and an average ACT score of 31.
UF expects 6,400 students to enroll, UF spokesperson Steve Orlando wrote in an email. A full breakdown of the diversity of students will be available next week.
Last year, incoming freshmen attended Preview — UF’s orientation event — virtually. But the university is still unsure whether it will be held virtually this year too, UF spokesperson Cynthia Roldán said. It’s also unclear whether classes will be in person this Fall.
However, UF officials began discussing plans for Summer B classes to be held in person with normal capacity levels this year. The university will consider its decision based on vaccine and virus conditions at the time. It’s unclear if Summer Preview events will be in-person, following the university’s classes.
Lana Gabryluk, a 17-year-old senior at Lake Nona High School in Orlando, said she jumped out of her chair with excitement and called her mom, a UF alumna, as soon as she found out she got accepted to UF for Fall.
Gabryluk lives in Orlando and wants to major in electrical engineering at UF.
“One of the main things I’m really looking forward to is actually just finally having a school experience again because I haven’t been in person since basically sophomore year,” Gabryluk said. “I’m just excited to have a new start and be at UF.”
Chloe Oakes, an 18-year-old senior at Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando, said she started crying when she found out she got in. The first person she broke the news to was her mom, who is a UF alumna.
“Going to UF has just always been my dream, even when I was really little,” Oakes said. “I practically grew up on the campus.”
Oakes rows on her club crew team at her high school. She got accepted into UF’s Innovation Academy and hopes to double major in public relations and business management.
“I’m really excited for the school spirit, going to football games and just starting over in a way,” Oakes said.
Zoe Schuler, a 17-year-old senior at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, got her decision Friday and committed to attending UF in the Fall. She wants to major in applied physiology and kinesiology.
“I’ve always been a Gator since my dad went there,” Schuler said. “I feel like if I would’ve gone anywhere else, it wouldn't have felt like home.”
Contact Alexander Lugo at alugo@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @alexlugo67.
Alex is a fourth-year journalism student at UF and is in his third semester at The Alligator where he is serving as the university editor. He previously reported on university administration and the city and county commission. In his free time, he enjoys video games, traveling and being outdoors.
