🎓 Your Guide to Getting Into Florida Colleges and Universities

Florida Colleges and Universities

Florida offers students a wide range of college options—but understanding the system and preparing early are key. Whether you're aiming for a flagship state university or planning to transfer from a state college, building a thoughtful plan in high school will give you the strongest path to success.

🔍 Florida's College Landscape

Florida colleges fall into three categories, each with distinct expectations:

🏛️ Selective State Universities

Examples: University of Florida (UF), Florida State University (FSU), University of South Florida (USF), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Florida International University (FIU)

These schools evaluate:

• GPA (especially core GPA)

• Rigor of coursework (AP, IB, AICE, dual enrollment)

• Test scores (SAT, ACT, CLT)

• Extracurriculars and leadership

  
  

🏫 Open-Access State Colleges

Examples: State College of Florida, Miami Dade College, Valencia College

Admissions requirements:

• Standard high school diploma or GED

• Placement tests may be required for English and math

🎓 Private Colleges and Universities

Requirements vary by institution but are published on each college’s site and platforms like BigFuture.

📚 Academic Core: What Florida Schools Expect

Most Florida state universities look for:

• 4 English credits

• 4 Math credits (Algebra 1 or higher)

• 3 Science credits (2 labs recommended)

• 3 Social Science credits

• 2 World Language credits

• 2 Academic Electives

• Minimum 2.5 GPA in core subjects

  
  

➡️ Highly selective schools like UF and FSU expect much higher GPAs and more advanced coursework.

📝 Standardized Tests & Florida Programs

Most state universities require:

• SAT, ACT, or CLT

• Superscoring of best section results

• Science section of the ACT is no longer required at some schools starting in the 2025–2026 cycle

  
  

🎓 Talented Twenty Program

Florida public high school students are guaranteed admission to at least one state university (not necessarily first choice) if they:

• Rank in the top 20% of their class

• Complete 18 core credits

• Earn a standard diploma

  
  

🏅 Beyond the Basics: Building a Strong Application

Top applicants typically demonstrate:

• High recalculated core GPA

• Coursework aligned with their academic interests

• Strong, consistent extracurricular involvement

• Meaningful essays that show growth, goals, and fit with specific colleges

At PEAK, we help students identify what sets them apart—and communicate that effectively in their applications.

📋 Creating a Strategic College List

A strong college list includes:

• 🎯 Reach Schools (ambitious goals)

• ✅ Match Schools (good fit academically)

• 💡 Likely Admits (solid academic confidence)

Track deadlines for:

• Early Action (EA): often available to Florida residents

• Regular Decision (RD)

• Rolling Admission: Apply early for the best results

We help you map deadlines backward for testing, essays, and recommendations.

🔁 Starting at a State College? Plan Your Transfer Early

Florida’s 2+2 pathway allows students to:

• Start at a state college

• Transfer to a state university after earning an associate degree

Keys to successful transfer:

• Know your target university’s transfer requirements

• Complete prerequisites for your major

• Maintain a strong GPA

• Get advising from both your college and PEAK

  
  

🏈 A Note for Student-Athletes

PEAK offers full support for student-athletes navigating NCAA and NAIA recruiting. Our Student-Athlete Planincludes:

• NCAA eligibility guidance

• Course planning and transcript review

• Recruiting videos and timelines

• Coach communication strategies

• Signing Day support

  
  

Early planning makes all the difference. We help athletes match with schools where they can thrive academically and athletically.

🧭 Bring Your College Plan Into Focus with PEAK

PEAK Educational Consulting offers:

• Base Camp (Grade 9): Foundation setting

• Ascent (Grade 10): Exploration and discovery

• Summit (Grades 11–12): Full support through application season

• Survival Guide (Grade 12): Final-year application strategy

• Customized Service Blocks: Help with specific areas like essays, lists, and interviews

• Student-Athlete Programs: NCAA support and application guidance

  
  

🌟 A free 30-minute discovery session is available to help your family explore the best path forward.

📞 Ready to Begin?

Contact Elizabeth Burgon today:

📧 info@peakeducationalconsulting.com📱 Text or call: 1-239-776-9781🌐 www.peakeducationalconsulting.com🔒

Let’s climb your path to college—together.