As the college application season begins, the University of Central Florida (UCF) has become a top choice for many high school seniors here at Seminole High, who are looking to secure their spot early at one of Florida’s largest and most diverse universities. Early application deadlines have motivated students across Florida, and even students nationwide, to get ahead of the rest and take advantage of the benefits that they can reap through early applications.
Applying early can offer many different benefits, like improved chances of admission, early access to scholarships, and of course, the peace of mine that one feels once they realize that they already got into college. UCF, which is known for its many rigorous academic programs, as well as high-ranked engineering and health sciences department, is a top university option for students seeking a strong academic education, as well as an exciting campus life. “I have heard great things about UCF’s medical and nursing program and I’m also intrigued to attend the school due to its great diversity,” says Health Academy senior Zia Fatemah Yusufali.
For students at Seminole High School, the early application deadline, November 1, has a lot of students stressed “I’m applying early because it shows colleges I’m serious about attending,” says Sanya Kakkar, an IB senior who plans to study psychology at UCF. Other students at Seminole also agree, stating that it was important to get their applications in before others submitted theirs for regular decision.
Students need to have all of their scores, transcripts, and personal scores ready early in order to submit their application early.
Despite the benefits, applying early isn’t without its challenges. Tight deadlines mean students must juggle schoolwork, extracurricular activities, but also speed through application preparations.
As early application decisions begin rolling in mid-november, many Seminole High seniors hope to open up their emails and find an acceptance letter from UCF. For these students, the hard work and dedication put into meeting the early deadline represent not just a step toward higher education but also a step toward achieving their dreams.