All Things Admissions

Getting accepted to college is an exciting time. However, once you’ve been admitted, there are still a few things that need to be done before you can start classes. One of the most important is to register for college orientation. If you have questions about when this process starts, who should attend, or how much it costs, read on to find out how to register for orientation.

It’s that time of year when students are beginning to make their college decisions. When thinking about starting college, the fall entry is probably front of mind for many. Starting college in September (for every place other than Florida, where we start in August) aligns with our expectations. After all, we start the K-12 school year in the fall, so logical progression means college should as well, right? Plus, colleges often heavily feature fall in many of their admissions documentation, with many talking about their average fall academic profile or average fall class size.

At the beginning of the college hunt, the admissions office is typically your go-to contact for general information, campus tours, and application submission. At USF, our Office of Admissions handles those responsibilities. However, once you’re admitted, there are a host of other campus partners you’ll work with to complete your enrollment. Read on for information on who to contact during every step of the college admission process.

The college application process can be daunting, confusing, and even frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be! As the saying goes, “knowledge is power” and the more research and organization you do, the more prepared you will be to conquer the applications and meet the deadlines.

I remember the first time I woke up with my face stuck in a textbook. It was 4:02 a.m. – time for work. Back then, my first job started at a gym at 5:30 a.m. After I got off work at 1 p.m., I went to my nannying job. From there, I would go to school, then chat with my roommates and do any studying before calling it a night.

Whether you’re a freshman adjusting to the increased demands of high school or a fourth-year student struggling with a major case of senioritis, high school is full of challenges. Find out how to get through it successfully (and thrive) with our six tips to stay on track to graduate from high school.

An Inside Higher Ed story posted on Nov. 4, 2019, reports bad news from ACT results for the high school Class of 2019. It cites a continuing decline in college readiness, with results on English and math at a 15-year low. Data show that 37 percent of students hit three of four ACT college readiness benchmarks – 36 percent didn’t hit any. Since 52 percent of the Class of 2019 took the ACT, a lot of red flags are flapping in the breeze. Should you be flying one? Depends on how you answer the core question of our quiz: Are you ready for college?

Plans are worthless, but planning is everything,” Dwight D. Eisenhower said in a speech given as president in 1957. That Eisenhower paradox is a collision of facts that guides this thinking: An intelligent planning process explores scenarios and responses to them that shape a plan and make it possible to adapt a new one more quickly if circumstances undermine it. Want to know how to start your college search and make it bear fruit? Craft a high school senior year checklist and use it to continually define your plan.

As University of South Florida’s (USF's) Dean of Admissions, I am often asked by students and their families about the relative benefits and challenges of acceleration programs, such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual enrollment (DE). Choosing to enroll in AP, IB, DE, or another credit-by-examination program can save you time, save you money, help you accrue college credits, improve your chances of acceptance at your schools of choice, prepare you for the rigors of college academics, and raise your weighted GPA. Here is what I tell students and their parents: How to choose between AP, IB, and dual enrollment is a personal decision that depends on your learning style, your lifestyle, and your goals.

Think getting into college is as simple as researching a school, submitting an application, and waiting for a reply? Easy peasy, right? Maybe. You can certainly tackle the college hunt on your own, but working with your college counselor can make the process much less stressful and more effective. Why is meeting with your college counselor important? Here are seven ways they can give your search a boost.