ADMISSION FROM SECONDARY SCHOOL
This information pertains to applicants who desire admission as beginning freshman students after graduation from high school and who have not attended an accredited postsecondary institution.

International students should refer to the section on International Student Admissions in addition to this section.

Required Documents
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION
The application for admission and a nonrefundable $30 fee payable to the University of West Florida should be submitted as soon as possible after the beginning of the senior year. The $30.00 application fee must be in U.S. currency, drawn on a U.S. bank. This fee may also be paid via MasterCard, Visa, or American Express by calling toll free 1-888-529-1763 or locally at 474-3027.

The preferred time for receipt of applications for the fall semester is the preceding October through February. The fee may be waived for applicants from Florida high schools who can document that they have received a fee waiver because of economic need as determined by the College Board or the American College Testing Program. It is the policy of the University not to defer or waive other application fees.

SECONDARY SCHOOL RECORD
An official high school transcript (sent by the high school directly to the Office of Admissions) reflecting work completed from the beginning of the 9th grade through the 11th grade is required.

Applicants who present scores on the General Education Development (GED) diploma for satisfaction of the high school graduation requirement must also present records from secondary schools attended.

COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS
Students who have registered for course work at community colleges, four-year colleges, or universities through dual enrollment or non-degree student status must submit official transcripts from postsecondary institutions. Transcripts are considered official when they are sent from a college or university directly to the Office of Admissions and contain an official seal and signature. Transcripts bearing the statement, “Issued to Student,” or transcripts faxed or submitted by applicants are not considered official.

TEST SCORES
The examination offered by the American College Testing Program (ACT) or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) administered by the College Entrance Examination Board is required of all applicants for freshman admission. Either one or both of these tests should be taken no later than the January testing date of the senior year. Students should feel free to repeat a test, since the highest combination of scores is always considered.

Deadlines for Applications and Supporting Documents
Fall Semester                               June 30
Spring Semester                           November 1
Summer Semester                        April 1

Admission Requirements
Admission to the University of West Florida requires graduation from regionally accredited high schools or completion of the General Education Diploma (GED), certain high school academic units, a cumulative high school grade point average in those academic units, and test scores as outlined below.

REQUIRED HIGH SCHOOL COURSE UNITS
Applicants should have earned four units (an academic unit is a non-remedial yearlong course) of English (at least three with substantial writing requirements); three units of mathematics (Algebra I or above); three units of natural science (at least two with laboratory); three units of social science; two sequential units of the same foreign language demonstrating proficiency through the second level; and four electives, preferably from English, foreign language, mathematics, natural science, or social science areas. Social science includes history, civics, political science, economics, sociology, psychology, and geography. American Sign Language is considered a foreign language for this admission requirement.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants for admission who have satisfactory high school records, including at least a 3.0 average in the required high school academic units and who submit other appropriate evidence that they can achieve successful academic progress in the University, are academically eligible for admission consideration.

Applicants who have less than a 3.0 average in the required academic units described above must present a combination of high school GPA and test scores as indicated on the following list: 

In the case of applicants who do not meet these qualifications, a variety of additional factors are considered. These include the pattern and quality of courses and curriculum, grade trends, class rank, educational objectives, extracurricular activities, leadership, and school recommendations.

Applicants who bring to the University community other important attributes may receive additional consideration. These include talented writers and performing artists, applicants having special ties to the University, students with significant life and career experiences, and skilled athletes and other attributes that may contribute to a diverse educational environment.

In computing the high school GPA (academic courses only) for purposes of admission, additional weight is assigned to grades of “C” or better in honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Program, and Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education courses.

Applicants completing a nontraditional program (home schooling, outcome-based education, etc.) must present credentials equivalent to those described above. An applicant whose educational program is not measured in Carnegie Units must present test scores of at least 1010 on the SAT or 21 on the ACT.

Early Admission
The University provides an opportunity to outstanding high school students for entry into the University as a full-time, degree-seeking student upon completion of the 11th grade. The following guidelines are used to consider these students:

1. Sufficient maturity as evidenced by age at the time of admission and an essay from the student addressing their desire to accelerate their college enrollment;

2. A 3.5 or better high school average in the academic subjects;

3. A minimum score of 1200 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT;

4. Sufficient strength in the academic units evidenced by a review of the high school transcript;

5. Evidence of a lack of curricular opportunity in the existing high school setting;

6. Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the principal or the representative of the principal;

7. Students applying for early admission from a nontraditional setting (e.g., home schooling) must provide an official evaluation from an educational agency (county school board) documenting that the applicant has completed the equivalent of 11th grade.