Florida State University

FSU | University Registrar

Main navigation Pulldown

University registrar, 2023-2024 undergraduate bulletin.

  • General Bulletins
  • Undergraduate Information
  • Admissions (Undergrad)

Undergraduate Admissions

Director of Admissions: Hege Ferguson

Program Directors: Ashlyn Daley, Janice Finney

Associate Directors: Lori Hamilton, Julie Rubin, Anthony Russo, Christina Smith, Erin Verity

Assistant Directors: Cathy Do, Andrea Flores, Allison Helms, Karen Layton, Lisa McGrady, Stephanie Robinson, Jennifer Santiago, Mark Slik

Program Managers: Olivia Brink

Panama City Campus Director: David Henry

General Information

Florida State University encourages applications for admission from qualified students regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected group status in accordance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws on non-discrimination and equal opportunity. Admission of students to Florida State University is within the jurisdiction of the University, but subject to minimum standards adopted by the Florida Board of Governors. Satisfaction of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to Florida State University. Admission shall be on a competitive basis within curricular, spatial, and fiscal limitations.

The University reserves the right to deny admission to any student that has an unsatisfactory academic, conduct, health, or behavioral record. The University reserves the right to place additional criteria or other requirements on an offer of admission to an applicant. The University further reserves the right to deny (temporarily or permanently) or revoke admission to any applicant who has exhibited behavior that has severely disrupted, impeded, or obstructed normal University operations or otherwise threatened the safety or well-being of the University community. Undergraduate applicants who are denied admission to the University may appeal the admission decision if they have evidence that, due to extenuating circumstances or prior unrevealed information, the admission decision rendered was inequitable. Applicants are requested to appeal in writing to the Admissions Committee through the Director of Admissions.

An application for admission is available online at https://admissions.fsu.edu/ . When applying for admission, the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 allows colleges and universities to require the disclosure of social security numbers for the purpose of identification and verification of student records, including registration, financial aid, and academic records, and for verification of identity in connection with the provisions of its services. The University does not use social security numbers for student identification; instead, the University assigns a unique Florida State University student identification number.

The Office of Admissions encourages first-year college students who are Florida residents for tuition purposes to apply for Early Action and to submit a complete application by October 15 for an admission decision on December 14. Regular decision for Florida residents and non-Florida residents has a December 1 deadline with an admission decision on February 15. March 1 is the final application deadline and rolling admissions decisions starting in early April. An application cannot be submitted earlier than one year prior to the term for admission is desired. In addition, the University reserves the right to close admission earlier than the published deadline(s), and/or increase requirements, if warranted by enrollment limitations and the number and quality of applications.

The Office of Admissions will post all decisions electronically on the Application Status Check, an applicant's private account created at the time of application. Admission is for a specific term, and if the student is unable to enroll for the term indicated on the Application Status Check, the Office of Admissions should be notified immediately. If a transfer student wishes to be considered for a different term, the student must submit a new application, an application fee, and updated official transcript(s). A change in terms will result in a re-evaluation of the application. The applicant should not assume that admission will automatically be granted when requesting a term change.

The University reserves the right to request an evaluation of international academic documents. (For transfer credit, an official course-by-course evaluation is required.) We recommend this evaluation be done by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Offers of admission to the University are contingent upon the subsequent receipt of official college, university, and/or high school transcripts indicating successful performance and verification of high school graduation. Poor performance and/or failure to meet the stipulated conditions of admission can result in the offer of admission being rescinded. Failure to submit such documents before enrollment can result in the cancellation of admission and registration.

An application or residency statement submitted by or on behalf of a student that contains false, fraudulent, or incomplete statements may result in denial of admission or denial of further registration and/or invalidation of Florida State University credits and related degrees.

Prior to registering for classes, accepted students must be health compliant. For information regarding this requirement, refer to https://uhs.fsu.edu/ . Florida State University reserves the right to cancel the admission of an applicant whose health record indicates the existence of a condition that may be harmful to members of the University community.

Admission from Secondary School

An applicant who desires admission as a first year in college student after graduating from a nationally accredited high school (or comparable international institution) must provide the Office of Admissions with the following:

Application for Admission. The completed application for admission and a nonrefundable $30.00 application fee should be submitted as soon as possible at the beginning of the senior year. Students can access the FSU institutional application online at https://admissions.fsu.edu/ or use the Common Application found at https://www.commonapp.org/ . First year in college students who apply via the Common Application will pay an additional $5.00 processing fee. If application payment is by check or money order, it must be made payable to Florida State University and drawn on a U.S. bank. Accepted application fee waivers include a fee waiver from the American College Testing (ACT) Program, the College Board (SAT), or the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Students that are Pell eligible are also eligible to receive a waiver of the application fee. The application will not be processed without an application fee or approved application fee waiver.

Self-reported Student Academic Record. The Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR) is an online transcript, created by the student, which lists all high school courses and associated grades attempted (including courses in progress if applicable), including dual enrollment courses. It replaces the high school and college transcripts used by the Office of Admissions during the initial application review process. Detailed information on the SSAR can be found at https://admissions.fsu.edu/freshman/ssar . Since accuracy is critical, applicants have a copy of their high school transcript available to use as a reference when creating the SSAR.

Note: All domestic and international applicants who have not followed an educational curriculum patterned after the U.S. system or GED graduates should not complete the SSAR. For students following an educational curriculum not patterned after the U.S. system, refer to the 'Academic Records' portion of the "International Student Admission" section for details on what to submit. GED applicants must submit an official GED transcript and an official high school transcript showing coursework and grades completed prior to taking the GED.

College Transcripts. Students who have registered for coursework at a college or university while in high school must submit a final and official transcript from that post-secondary institution before enrolling at the University. Transcripts are considered official when they are sent directly from the college or university to the Office of Admissions and contain an official seal and/or signature. Transcripts bearing the statement "Issued to Student," notarized transcripts, or transcripts submitted by the applicant are not considered official. [An official course-by-course evaluation is required of all academic records from non-U.S. institutions. Refer to 'Transfer Credit' in the "International Student Admission" section for details.]

Test Scores. Applicants can self-report all test scores through the Application Status Check. Official ACT or SAT scores are required of all first year in college applicants if granted admission to the university and must be sent directly from the testing agency to the university. All official test scores must be received before enrolling at the University. Either one or both tests should be taken no later than February in the senior year. Since the highest combination of scores is always considered, students are encouraged to retest.

Letters of Recommendation. Letters of recommendation are not required and will not be used in the decision-making process. Applicants denied admission to the University who plan to appeal may submit letters of recommendation and other supporting documentation to support their appeal.

Auditions are required of all applicants planning to major in music, dance, or the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program in theatre. In addition to submitting an application for admission and other supporting information, prospective students should visit the Websites for the College of Music ( https://music.fsu.edu/ ) or the College of Fine Arts ( https://cfa.fsu.edu/ ) for details.

Departmental Application

A departmental application is required of all applicants planning to major in animation and digital arts; motion picture arts-production; studio art or theatre. In addition to submitting an application for admission and other supporting information, prospective students should visit the Websites for the College of Motion Picture Arts ( https://film.fsu.edu/ ) or the College of Fine Arts ( https://cfa.fsu.edu/ ) for details.

Deadlines for Applications and Supporting Documents for Secondary School Applicants

Note: If the University deadline falls on a weekend, applicants have until the following Monday to submit applications and all supporting documents.

All information used to make an admission decision must be received by one of the published deadlines. The University does not ordinarily accept first year in college applications for the Spring term. Deadlines for submitting applications and supporting documents for the Panama City campus may differ from the FSU Tallahassee campus. Refer to "Admission to the Panama City campus" section.

Admission Requirements

Academic qualifications.

The academic profile of the middle fifty percent of first-year students accepted in 2023 was: 4.2-4.6 academic GPA; 29-32 ACT composite; 1310-1430 SAT total score. In addition to academic GPA and test scores, a variety of additional factors are considered. These include essay, the rigor of curriculum, grade trends, and educational objectives. Applicants who bring other important attributes to the University community may also receive additional consideration. These applicants include first generation and socio-economically disadvantaged students applying to CARE, visual and performing artists, and skilled athletes.

For students taking dual enrollment classes either in high school or at a college/university, their college career has begun. First year in college applicants who have earned thirty or more hours of college credit while in high school should also consult the department website to see if they should submit additional materials. Any grade below "C" (2.0) is cause for concern and could prevent the applicant from being admitted to the University or cause the offer of admission to be rescinded.

Required High School Course Units

Specific high school course units are required for admission to the first-year class. An academic unit is the equivalent of a year-long course that is not remedial in nature. Upon graduation from high school, applicants must have earned four units of English (at least three with substantial writing requirements); four units of mathematics (algebra I level and higher); three units of natural science (at least two with laboratory); three units of social science (includes history, civics, political science, economics, sociology, psychology, and geography); two sequential units of the same world language; and two elective units (preferably from the English, mathematics, natural science, social science, or world language areas). The units listed above represent the minimum required for admission consideration but do not guarantee admission. Most students accepted to the University exceed the minimums.

Calculation of High School Academic GPA

Only the academic core subjects will be used in the calculation of the grade point average for admission purposes. We do not use the GPAs listed on the high school transcript or report card. Grades of "C" or better in academic core dual enrollment courses, AICE, AP, and IB coursework will be weighted and receive one point in the recalculation; grade of "C" or better in honors, pre-AICE, pre-AP, and pre-IB coursework will receive one half point. For repeated courses, we will use all attempts in the recalculation.

Accuracy on the SSAR is extremely important and all students accepted to the University who have deposited will have their courses and grades validated upon receipt of the final and official high school and college transcript(s) sent to us upon graduation. Students with discrepancies between the SSAR and the official high school transcript and/or official college transcript(s) may have their admission revoked if admitted, or have their registration cancelled if enrolled.

ACT/SAT Information

We recommend applicants take both the ACT and SAT since Florida State University uses only the highest composite or total score for admission and scholarship purposes. Applicants may wish to take each exam more than once since the highest sub scores are used to create the ACT composite score and SAT total score.

High School Students Earning 30 or More Semester Hours While in High School

Applicants who are graduating from high school and earning thirty or more college credit hours, or the AA degree simultaneously, meet first-year requirements for admission and can be approved by the academic program they are applying to. All majors have individual milestones (prerequisite college courses and/or specific college grade point averages) that must be met. In addition, some majors require auditions, departmental applications, portfolios, or other information for consideration. Refer to the "Academic Departments and Programs" section of this General Bulletin or https://www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/ for details.

Note: A number of majors have specialized admission (limited access) status and require additional application materials and mayhave individual earlier application deadlines. See the department websites for instructions on how and when to apply for these programs.

Home Education and GED Information

Applicants who have graduated from a home education program must submit a final, official home education transcript that includes a list of all coursework attempted and grades and units for each course completed and a date of graduation. If the applicant previously attended another school or has completed coursework through a virtual school or dual enrollment at a college or university, official transcripts are required, and those courses and grades should also be reflected on the home education transcript.

Applicants applying with a GED must submit an official GED transcript and it must be accompanied by an official high school transcript through whatever portion of high school was completed. Home education and GED applicants must also submit ACT and/or SAT test scores.

Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE)

Through the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) Summer Bridge Program, the University offers a special admission program dedicated to assisting students who are the first generation in their family to attend college and have limited financial resources for college enrollment. Students admitted to the University through the CARE Summer Bridge Program will begin their studies in the summer with a comprehensive orientation program and academic support designed to ease the transition from high school to college and to build a strong academic foundation. Upon completion of the CARE Summer Bridge Program, students continue to be supported with transition, academic, and general support services throughout their enrollment at FSU. Interested students should apply for admission to the University, CARE supplemental questions, Self-reported Student Academic Record, ACT or SAT test scores, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The minimum requirements for consideration include a 3.0 weighted academic GPA as recalculated by the Office of Admissions and either an ACT composite score of 19 or SAT total score of 990. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

First-Year Scholarships

All first year in college students who are admitted to the University are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Recipients are selected based upon high school grades and test scores. Because scholarships are limited, students with strong academic records should apply to the University by the December 1 deadline.

Early Admission

Florida State University provides outstanding high school students with an opportunity for early entry into the University. The following guidelines are used to consider these students: (1) sufficient maturity as evidenced by age at the time of admission and/or written recommendations supporting the candidate's maturity; (2) a 4.0 or better weighted high school GPA in the academic subjects; (3) a minimum composite score of 29 on the ACT or total score of 1340 on the SAT; (4) sufficient strength in the academic units; (5) evidence of a lack of curricular opportunity in the existing high school setting; and (6) three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the high school principal or a representative of the principal.

First-Year Admission Deposit

All first year in college students who are admitted to the University are required to submit a $200.00 nonrefundable admission deposit by May 1 to secure a place in the first-year class unless qualifying for a waiver of the admission deposit. Upon enrollment, the deposit will be applied toward the student's tuition. Students admitted for Spring semester will not submit an admission deposit.

Admission by Transfer

Applicants are considered transfer students if they have earned twelve or more semester hours of college credit from a nationally accredited college or university (or comparable international institution) as evaluated by the Office of Admissions after graduation from high school. Applicants desiring admission by transfer must provide the Office of Admissions with the following:

Application for Admission. A completed application for admission and a nonrefundable $30.00 processing fee should be submitted online at https://admissions.edu.edu/transfer/ six to nine months prior to the desired term of enrollment. The preferred method of payment is online at https://fees.fsu.edu . If application payment is by check or money order, it must be made payable to Florida State University and drawn on a U.S. bank. The application will not be processed without this fee, and there are no provisions to have it waived or postponed.

College Transcripts. An official transcript from each college and university attended must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Transfer credits posted on the record of another institution are not accepted in lieu of submitting the official transcript from the original institution. Transcripts are considered official when they are sent directly from the college or university to the Office of Admissions and contain an official seal and/or signature. Transcripts bearing the statement "Issued to Student," notarized transcripts, or transcripts submitted by the applicant are not considered official. (An official course-by-course evaluation is required of all academic records from non-U.S. institutions. Refer to 'Transfer Credit' in the "International Student Admission" section for details.)

Secondary School Record. An official high school transcript is required of all transfer applicants. The transcript must reflect all attempted high school credits and the date of graduation.

Test Scores. Official ACT or SAT test scores are required of all freshman/sophomore-level applicants.

Exam Results. All AICE, AP, IB, and/or CLEP results should be submitted if college credit has been earned. Refer to the tables at the end of the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter in this General Bulletin for required scores and course equivalents for which credit is granted.

Deadlines for Applications and Supporting Documents for Transfer Students

Note: Some departments may have earlier deadlines than those established by the University or may admit only for a specific term. If the University deadline falls on a weekend, applicants have until the following Monday to submit applications and all supporting documents. Deadlines for submitting applications and supporting documents for the Panama City campus may differ. Refer to "Admission to the Panama City campus" section of this chapter.

General Admission Requirements - Transfer Applicants

World language admission requirement.

All transfer applicants must have satisfied the state of Florida's world language admission requirement by having earned two sequential units in one world language (i.e., proficiency through Spanish II) in high school or having completed through the second elementary/beginning course of one world language (i.e., proficiency through SPN 1121) in college (or documented equivalent proficiency). American Sign Language is accepted as a world language.

College-Level Proficiency Skills in English and Mathematics

All transfer applicants must have demonstrated college-level proficiency in English and mathematics prior to being considered for admission. This can be achieved by having a minimum of three semester hours of approved college-level English composition and a minimum of three semester hours of approved college-level mathematics with no grade below "C."

Associate of Arts (AA) Degree

Applicants who have received an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a Florida public institution immediately prior to transferring receive priority consideration for admission, provided an application and all supporting documents have been received by the deadline.

Senior-Level Applicants

Senior applicants (90+ semester hours of transferable credit as determined by the Office of Admissions) must:

  • have a minimum GPA of 2.00 on all attempted college courses. In calculating the GPA, we use all attempted courses (including D's, F's, and WF's) from every college you attended. If a course is repeated, we will use both grades.
  • In addition, the applicant must be in good academic standing and have at least a 2.0 calculated GPA on all work attempted at the last institution attended. Note: Very few students with less than a 3.0 calculated GPA will be admitted.

Junior-Level Applicants

Junior applicants (60 to 89 semester hours of transferable credit as determined by the Office of Admissions) must:

  • have a minimum GPA of 2.00 on all attempted college courses. In calculating a transfer GPA, we use all attempted courses (including D's, F's, and WF's) from every college the student has attended. If a course is repeated, we will use both grades. Applicants must also be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 calculated GPA at the last institution attended. Note: Very few students with less than a 3.0 calculated GPA will be admitted .

Personal Statement

Applicants who will have attempted 90+ semester hours of college credit (including withdrawals and repeated courses) before enrolling at Florida State University must upload a personal statement to be considered by the Office of Admissions. The statement must address the reason(s) for transferring to FSU this late in the academic program and should also include a plan for a timely graduation.

Freshman/Sophomore-Level Applicants

First-year and sophomore applicants (12-59 semester hours of transferable credit as determined by the Office of Admissions) must: submit official ACT and/or SAT results for every test taken and have a strong academic high school profile that is indicative of success at the college level. In addition, the applicant must have a minimum GPA of 2.00 on all attempted college courses. In calculating a GPA, we use all attempted courses (including D's, F's, and WF's) from every college the applicant has attended. If a course is repeated, we will use both grades. Applicants must also be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 calculated GPA at the last institution attended.

Note: Very few students with less than a 3.0 calculated GPA will be admitted .

Major Requirements

All transfer applicants must meet requirements for admission to the University and to the major/program of interest. For information about a major/program of interest, refer to the "Academic Departments and Programs" section of this General Bulletin or https://www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/ for more details.

Note: Several specialized admission (limited access) majors require additional application materials and/or have earlier application deadlines. See the department websites for instructions on how and when to apply for these programs.

Excess Credit Hour Surcharge

In 2009, the Florida Legislature implemented a new law (Section 1009.286, FS) to encourage students who enroll in a state university to complete the baccalaureate degree program as quickly and efficiently as possible. It established what is commonly referred to as an "Excess Credit Hour Surcharge" by charging an additional student payment to those students who do not complete the baccalaureate degree in a timely fashion. Accelerated coursework (AICE, AP, IB, CLEP, and dual enrollment) taken while in high school will not be considered in this hour count. To learn more about this surcharge, refer to https://registrar.fsu.edu/records/excess-hours .

Educator Preparation Programs

All students planning to pursue an educator preparation program at Florida State University must be formally admitted to Educator Preparation. Admission to Educator Preparation is administered by the Dean of the College of Education and assigned to the Office of Academic Services and Intern Support (OASIS), 2301 Stone Building . For more information on admission to educator preparation, see the "Admissions Standards for University Educator Preparation Programs" section of this Undergraduate Bulletin.

Application for admission to Educator Preparation is distinct from admission to an upper-division college or program and is a required step for graduation and certification.

Specialized Admissions (Limited-Access) Programs

A specialized admissions (limited-access) program utilizes selective admission to limit program enrollment. Specialized admissions (limited-access) status is justified when student demand exceeds available resources (student/faculty ratios, instructional facilities, equipment, or specific accrediting requirements). Criteria for selective admission include indicators of ability, performance, creativity, or talent to complete required work within the program. Admission to such programs is governed by the Articulation Agreement and by the State Board of Education administrative rules.

For several degree programs, access is limited at the upper-division level to those students meeting certain additional criteria. These additional criteria are applied equally to AA degree transfers from Florida public institutions and rising juniors at Florida State University.

Specialized admissions (limited-access) programs are offered by a number of different colleges. Please be aware that some programs only admit students once a year. For specific requirements for admission to a particular department or college, refer to the Program Description of the Academic Program Guide ( https://academic-guide.fsu.edu ) .

International Students

International admission.

Applicants to Florida State University are considered international if they are not U.S. citizens, dual citizens, or Permanent Residents. The admission requirements and deadlines for international applicants can be found at the beginning of this chapter under "Admission from Secondary School" for first year and "Admission by Transfer" for transfers. In addition, international applicants must provide the Office of Admissions with the following:

Academic Records

Official or certified copies of all academic records and/or examination results from every institution attended are required. Records are considered official only when sent directly from the issuing institution and must bear the original seal of the institution or the original signature of the institution's records official. All documents must be issued in the native language and be accompanied by certified English translations. Certified documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.

Transfer Credit

An official course-by-course evaluation is required of all academic records from non-U.S. institutions. We recommend the evaluation be done by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( https://www.naces.org/ ).

English Proficiency Test

If an applicant's native language is not English, the applicant must submit a minimum score of 80 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (IBTOEFL) or 6.5 on the Academic International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS), or 55 on the PTE (Pearson Test of English) examination, 55 on the MLA (Michigan Language Assessment), 120 on the Duolingo Examination, 180 on Cambridge C1 Advanced level or C2 Proficiency examinations, or the successful completion of Level 8 (Advanced Level) at Florida State University's Center for Intensive English Studies. Score reports are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency and are not valid after two years.

Notice of Admission

Formal notification of admission to Florida State University comes from the Office of Admissions and is for a specific term. After admission, the Center for Global Engagement will contact the students needing F-1 or J-1 visa status with instructions on submitting all information and documents required to review eligibility to receive an I-20 or DS-2019. If the student is unable to enroll for the term indicated on the Application Status Check, the Office of Admissions should be informed immediately. If the student wishes to be reconsidered for a different term, the student must submit a new application and an application fee.

Center for Global Engagement

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) provides immigration advising, programming, orientation, and other support services to international students. The CGE is responsible for issuing the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for students who will study with an F-1 visa and a DS-2019 for some students who will study with the J-1 visa. Outside agencies issues DS-2019 forms for sponsored J-1 students enrolling at FSU. New international students must confirm their arrival at FSU following instructions provided to them by the CGE. For more information about the CGE and specific requirements of F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant status, international students should refer to https://cge.fsu.edu/ . All first year in college students and transfer (undergraduate) students must attend an orientation session through the Office of New Student and Family Programs. The Center for Global Engagement orientation for international students is in addition to the required general orientation for all new students.

International students needing an I-20 or DS-2019 document to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa, or to apply to USCIS for a change of status, must demonstrate that they have adequate financial resources. After admission, the Center for Global Engagement provides information on the funding documents required and how to submit them. More information on financial requirements is available at cge.fsu.edu. In addition to providing the Center for Global Engagement with evidence of funding available for all expenses of the first year of study, international students must certify that funding will continue to be available for the duration of their academic program.

Students should have access to half of the estimated total yearly amount at the beginning of each semester since university fees must be paid upon registration at the start of each term. Students should also be prepared for initial expenses such as housing deposits, insurance, utilities, etc. The most up-to-date cost estimates for international students can be found at https://cge.fsu.edu/international-students/new-students.

On-campus employment opportunities are limited, and international students are not permitted to work off campus except under special circumstances.

If the student's government limits the amount of money that can be sent to students in the United States, the applicant should make sure that they have access to funds that are sufficient to cover all costs while at the University. If the applicant's government requires verification of enrollment before money can be forwarded, the student may request verification from the Office of the University Registrar after registration is completed at the University.

Passports and Visas

International students admitted to FSU and coming from abroad need a valid passport from their own government and an F-1 or J-1 visa (unless a qualified citizen of Canada or Bermuda) obtained by application though a United States Embassy/Consulate. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date the student plans to enter the United States.

Health Insurance and Immunization Requirements

Florida State University requires all students to have adequate health insurance coverage and the Florida Board of Governors mandates specific levels of coverage for F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 enrolled international students. In addition, international students with J-1 visa status who will be accompanied by J-2 dependents are required by federal regulations to purchase health insurance coverage for them. For more information regarding the health insurance requirement, refer to https://uhs.fsu.edu/ . All students must be immunized according to state of Florida requirements and must submit proof of each immunization prior to registration.

Center for Intensive English Studies

English is the official language of instruction and communication at the University. International applicants who lack sufficient English language preparation must correct this deficiency before being admitted to the University. Students may do this in their home country or in the United States at a school that offers an intensive English language program. Florida State University offers such a program through the Frederick L. Jenks Center for Intensive English Studies. Detailed information on the Center may be obtained at https://cies.fsu.edu/ .

Successful completion of English studies at the Frederick L. Jenks Center for Intensive English Studies does not guarantee admission to Florida State University.

Admission to Graduate Study

Admission to graduate study involves admission to the department or college in which the applicant expects to study; therefore, final admission to the University is subject to approval by the specific program. While there are minimum University admission requirements, the departments can, and frequently do, set admission standards higher than these minimums. The student should determine departmental requirements first and then determine the University admission requirements. Consult the Graduate Bulletin for complete details.

Admission to the Panama City Campus

Undergraduate students who are interested in attending the Panama City campus should request information from the Panama City Office of Admissions and Records, Florida State University, 4750 Collegiate Drive, Panama City, FL 32405-1099 , or apply online at https://pc.fsu.edu/ . The same policies, procedures, and requirements that pertain to first year and transfer students at the Tallahassee campus apply to the Panama City campus.

Deadlines for applications and supporting documents at the FSU Panama City campus are typically one month prior to the start of each term. Further information is available by calling the Office of Admissions and Records on the Panama City campus at (850) 770-2160 or by visiting https://pc.fsu.edu/ .

Continuous Enrollment

Please refer to the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter in this General Bulletin for continuous enrollment policies.

Readmission

Returning students seeking readmission to any student status, including undergraduate degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students who: (1) have been absent from the University for three or more consecutive terms (including Summer); (2) have been dismissed from the University and have been absent for three or more consecutive terms (including Summer); (3) have withdrawn from the University and have been absent for three or more consecutive terms (including Summer); (4) have had their last term of enrollment at the University administratively cancelled and have been absent for three or more consecutive terms (including Summer); or (5) have earned a bachelor's degree from the University and wish to pursue a second bachelor's degree, must submit an application for readmission to the Office of Admissions. Academically dismissed students are not eligible for readmission unless they have been reinstated by their academic dean. Reinstatement does not guarantee a favorable readmission decision or admission into a specific major. Refer to the 'Dismissal and Reinstatement' section of the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter of this General Bulletin .

Students who have attempted college work (including correspondence work) at any college or university since their last enrollment at Florida State University must have official transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions. Transcripts are considered official when they are sent directly from a college or university to the Office of Admissions and contain an official seal and/or signature. Transcripts bearing the statement "Issued to Student," notarized transcripts, or transcripts submitted by the applicant are not considered official.

The University reserves the right to deny admission to any student that has an unsatisfactory academic, conduct, health, or behavioral record. The University reserves the right to place additional criteria or other requirements on an offer of admission to an applicant. The University further reserves the right to deny (temporarily or permanently) or revoke admission to any applicant who has exhibited behavior that has severely disrupted, impeded, or obstructed normal University operations or otherwise threatened the safety or well-being of the University community.

Students who are denied readmission to the University may appeal that decision by filing a written petition with the appropriate academic dean's office. Students who are denied readmission for judicial and/or conduct reasons may appeal by filing a written petition to the Admissions Committee through the Director of Admissions.

The readmission application and all supporting documents should be submitted by the published deadline of the term for which readmission is desired. (Consult the "University Calendar" chapter of this General Bulletin for specific deadlines.)

Readmitted students are subject to retention requirements in effect at the time of readmission. In addition, students claiming Florida residency must reestablish their eligibility for this classification when applying for readmission.

Readmission after Multiple Withdrawals

When a student has withdrawn from the University three or more times, subsequent readmission must first be considered by a committee whose charge is to assess the student's capability of making satisfactory progress toward a degree. This committee, appointed by the Council of Associate and Assistant Deans, will make a recommendation to the dean of the student's college who will make the final decision.

Non-Degree Seeking Student Admission

Enrollment as a non-degree seeking student is subject to approval by the Office of Admissions and may be open to high school and college graduates. Refer to the 'Admission Requirements' and 'Admission by Transfer' sections of this chapter for enrollment requirements. Applicants who have been denied admission as a degree-seeking student or who missed the deadline for submitting a degree-seeking application will not be considered for enrollment as a non-degree student. Students intending to register for graduate coursework under the non-degree status should consult the Graduate Bulletin for details. The University reserves the right to deny admission to any student that has an unsatisfactory academic, conduct, health, or behavioral record. The University reserves the right to place additional criteria or other requirements on an offer of admission to an applicant. The University further reserves the right to deny (temporarily or permanently) or revoke admission to any applicant who has exhibited behavior that has severely disrupted, impeded, or obstructed normal University operations or otherwise threatened the safety or well-being of the University community.

The completed non-degree seeking student application must be accompanied by a $30.00 nonrefundable processing fee and all supporting documents. Applications should be submitted for consideration one semester prior to the desired term of enrollment. Consult the "University Calendar" chapter of this General Bulletin for specific application deadlines. The University reserves the right to close the application process earlier than the published deadlines if warranted by enrollment limitations.

A non-degree seeking student at Florida State University who subsequently decides to pursue a degree must apply for admission through the Office of Admissions. The student may be reclassified as a regular undergraduate student upon meeting undergraduate admission requirements. Enrollment as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee admission to an undergraduate program.

Work taken as a non-degree seeking student does not automatically carry undergraduate degree credit; however, up to fifteen semester hours earned as a non-degree seeking student may be applied toward an undergraduate degree with approval of the appropriate dean after degree-seeking status is obtained.

The University generally does not issue I-20 or DS-2019 visa documents for international non-degree seeking students. Questions related to international students and non-degree study should be e-mailed to the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected] .

All registration by non-degree seeking students is on a space-available basis and, in some cases, may require departmental approval. For more complete details, see the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter of this General Bulletin .

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University/Florida State University Interinstitutional Registration

A Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) student planning to participate in the Cooperative Program at Florida State University must obtain specific approval from the designated representative in the Office of the Registrar at FAMU. Approval is also required from the department offering the course at FSU. The completed co-op application must be returned to the Office of the Registrar at FAMU by the published deadline. (Consult the "University Calendar" chapter of this General Bulletin for specific application deadlines.) If approval to co-op is granted, the student will be registered for courses at Florida State University by a representative in the Office of the University Registrar at FSU. Some courses may have limited availability, and registration for these courses may be denied or delayed until drop/add at the beginning of the term. The approval of one institution does not bind the other to comply. All tuition and fees are paid at FAMU unless the course has additional departmental fees associated with it. Any departmental fees will be paid at FSU. Florida State University students planning to co-op at FAMU should refer to the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter of this General Bulletin .

Interinstitutional Transient Students

A student at another institution who wishes to take advantage of special resources and/or programs not available at the home institution should submit an interinstitutional transient student application that has been approved by the home institution to the Office of Admissions by the published deadline. (Consult the "University Calendar" chapter of this General Bulletin for specific application deadlines.) If approval for transient status is granted, the student follows the prescribed registration procedures and adheres to the fee schedule established by this institution. The approval of one institution does not bind the other to comply. A Florida State University student wishing to enroll as a transient at another institution should refer to the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter of this General Bulletin .

Note: Academic rules governing regular students (e.g., fees, drop/add, withdrawal, grading policies, etc.) apply to transient students.

Looking for something else?

Graduate bulletin, undergraduate bulletin, mailing address.

A3900 University Center 282 Champions Way Tallahassee, FL 32306-2480

Staff Email: [email protected]

Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time

PrepScholar

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 5 tips for writing an incredible fsu essay.

author image

College Essays

feature_fsu

Florida State University, or FSU, is a top-100 school and ranked number three in Florida Colleges . With a 25 percent acceptance rating , they’re considered to be a competitive school. That means you’ll need to impress them in your application, and a well-written FSU essay is one great way to go about it!

This guide will walk you through the FSU essay, including whether or not writing one is the right choice for you.

Feature image: Ayzmo /Wikimedia Commons

What Should You Know About the FSU Application Essay?

Unlike many schools, FSU’s essay is optional. You can apply using the Coalition or Common Application, or even FSU’s own app—the Coalition and FSU apps have the same prompts, whereas the Common app has its own set.

Whether you should use the Coalition, Common, or FSU-specific application depends on a few different variables. What application system do the other schools that you’re applying to use? Because these applications can be sent to multiple schools, you can use whatever one is most convenient.

If you’re not sure, read up on the pros and cons of each to help you make a decision. If you’re still not sure, you can always use FSU’s unique application.

FSU only requires one essay. You have five prompts to choose from if you’re using the FSU or Coalition Application, and seven to choose from if you’re using the Common Application. Regardless of what prompt you choose, your essay should be under 600 words.

body_thinking-5

If you're thinking about writing an FSU essay, you probably should.

Should You Write an FSU Essay?

Because FSU’s essays are optional, it’s natural to ask whether you should write one at all. You’re likely writing tons of essays for other applications, and maybe you just want a bit of a break from the whole process.

However, if you’re given the opportunity to expand on your application in an essay, it’s usually in your best interest to take it. Before you start, do some brainstorming about what aspects of yourself could use some fleshing out in your application. If you have an interest that hasn’t been covered elsewhere or an experience you want to share that will help make you a more appealing candidate for FSU, definitely write the essay—it’s your best opportunity to showcase that side of you, and those personal details are exactly what FSU wants to see.

I f you’re struggling to think of something to cover in the supplemental essay, spend some time brainstorming and looking through all of the available prompts . If you’re offered a place to write an essay, it’s best to take it, unless you truly feel that you have nothing to expand upon. If that’s the case, consider why that is—you may find that there’s an essay topic there, too!

Essentially, you should be writing an essay for this section, even if it’s optional. Taking this opportunity to expand on your application both demonstrates your commitment and shows your multiple facets. It won’t be the sole determining factor in your application, but if you have the opportunity to up your chances, do it!

body_writing-9

A fresh notebook is one great way to get your brain in gear to write.

What Are the FSU Essay Prompts?

FSU’s essay prompts are determined by which application you choose to use— Coalition, Common, or FSU’s own application . If you choose the Coalition or FSU application, you have five prompts to choose from, and if you choose the Common Application you’ll have seven. You only need to write one essay, so choose whichever prompt resonates with you most strongly.

Because these are the same prompts used in the standard application formats, follow the guidelines for either the Coalition Application or the Common Application depending on which prompt you choose. Do feel free to get more specific than you would if the essay was going to every school, however—if you’re only sending it to FSU, tying your essay to something specific about the college can demonstrate that you’re more serious about attending!

Coalition Application/FSU Essay Prompts

  • Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
  • Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.
  • Has there been a time when you've had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?
  • What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What's the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?
  • Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

Common Application Essay Prompts

  • Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  • The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  • Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  • Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
  • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  • Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
  • Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

body_plan-6

Having a plan from the start will help you write a better FSU essay.

5 Key FSU Essay Tips

As with all college essays, having a plan before you start is the best way to ace FSU’s supplemental essay. Don’t just jump in and hope for the best—start early, give yourself plenty of time to revise, and polish your essay as best you can to impress the admissions office with your achievements and individuality.

Remember everything you learned in school about brainstorming and outlining? Now’s the time to put it into action. If you brainstorm and outline a few different options to find the one that works best for you and that makes you feel the proudest of it, you’ll save yourself some time. A strong outline is the first step to a strong essay, and you won’t be losing hours and hours of work if you decide midway through that a prompt isn’t working for you.

Once you’ve settled on a topic and you have a firm idea of how you want to write it, it’s time to draft. Don’t worry about making your first draft perfect—nobody has to see it but you! Get your ideas out first, set them aside, and return to them after a few days to polish them into a state where you’re comfortable letting others see them.

#3: Seek Feedback

Now comes the hard part—letting other people give you feedback. Choose a few people you trust to give you honest and helpful advice on your essay, not just those who are going to tell you it looks great. When you receive feedback, don’t feel like it’s a personal attack or that you need to make every change people suggest—often, you can find a middle ground between readers not understanding what you meant and maintaining your own voice and writing style.

Revising is one of the most important steps in crafting a great essay. All that feedback you got in the previous step will help guide your next draft, giving you a roadmap to work from. Make notes on your draft, add and delete things, and read the whole thing aloud to make sure it flows well. Once you’re satisfied, put it away!

#5: Let It Rest

Letting your draft rest for a bit gives you some time to forget what you’ve written and come back to it with fresh eyes. When you read your essay for the first time in a while, you can start to see any errors that have crept in or any inconsistencies in your logic. Now that you’ve already gotten feedback and revised your essay, you can clean these last bits up and have an essay you’re really proud of!

What's Next?

If you're applying to FSU, you want to be sure that your standardized test scores are up to snuff. Whether you're taking the ACT or SAT , our guides will help you figure out where you are and where you need to be.

Part of college searching is figuring out what colleges you can afford and how much financial aid you'll need to cover. With our guide to FSU's tuition and financial aid , all your bases are covered!

Not sure if FSU is for you? Check out this list of other schools in Florida to find the college that suits you best.

Want to write the perfect college application essay?   We can help.   Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will help you craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay to proudly submit to colleges.   Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now:

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

  • For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Follow us on Facebook (icon)

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Florida State University

FSU | FSU Panama City

FSU Panama City

First-year applicant, apply now for summer and fall 2024.

Graphic mural on the Barron Building welcoming people to FSU Panama City

First-Year Applicants

We have the tools to become the best version of yourself, whether you're still weighing your options on your dream job or have envisioned your future since kindergarten.

Summer and fall term 2024 application deadlines, spring 2024 application deadlines, when to apply.

FSU Panama City begins accepting Summer and Fall applications as of August 1 st  the prior year. Starting October 15, completed applicants will begin receiving a decision from FSU Panama City. The Office of Admissions must receive all of the information used to make an admission decision by the published deadlines. The University reserves the right to close first-year admission earlier if warranted by enrollment limitations and the number and quality of applications. Spring term admission is awarded on a case by case basis. Contact the Office of Admissions for more information.

At least one test score must be submitted before the application deadline, but additional tests may be considered.

How to Apply

Close up of FSU Panama City branded sunglasses with the back of the Holley Academic Center faded out in the background

Apply online using our institutional application . Students should only submit one application .

Graphic of step 2 in the admissions process

Create your Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR) , using your official high school transcript as a guide. To learn more about the SSAR, view our FAQ and watch our how-to videos .

Graphic of step 3 in the admissions process

Complete the following items on the Application Status Check by the application deadline:

  • ✔ Self-report all ACT and/or SAT scores.
  • ✔ Link your SSAR through your Application Status Check . Please allow one to two business days after linking for the checklist item to be satisfied.
  • ✔ Choose one essay question and upload your essay.
  • ✔ Upload one resume/list of activities .

Application Fees & Waivers

FSU Panama City is currently waiving the application fee for first year applicants. 

Track Your Application Status

We use email as our official method of communication. Students should regularly monitor their  Application Status Check  to confirm the status of their application, required materials, missing items, and admission decision. Please ensure that we always have your most up-to-date email address, and include  [email protected]  in your address book.

Application Requirements

First year admission is a holistic and selective process, and no single criterion guarantees admission. Rather, we consider all the documentation you submit, and we carefully review your academic record and test scores to ensure you are prepared for the rigorous curriculum you will encounter at Florida State University.

Required High School Course Units

The Florida Board of Governors sets the minimum eligibility requirements in the State University System. Satisfying these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to Florida State University. Admission is selective, and admitted students typically exceed the minimum requirements.

Upon graduation from high school, applicants must have earned four units of English (at least three with substantial writing requirements); four units of mathematics (algebra I level and higher); three units of natural science (at least two with laboratory); three units of social science (includes history, civics, political science, economics, sociology, psychology, and geography); two sequential units of the same world language; and two elective units (preferably from the English, mathematics, natural science, social science, or world language areas).

The units listed above represent the minimum required for admission consideration but do not guarantee admission. Most students accepted to the University exceed the minimums. The averages courses completed represent the Fall 2022 Accepted Students.

ACT/SAT Information

ACT/SAT Info: Requiring an ACT or SAT test score for admissions consideration is not an institutional choice. FSU, along with Florida's 11 other public universities, is subject to  Florida Board of Governors admissions regulation 6.002  which requires first-year students seeking admission to submit an ACT or SAT test score.

We require all first-year applicants to submit at least one ACT and/or SAT test score. Florida State does not require the optional ACT writing score or the optional SAT essay. FSU allows students to self-report their SAT and/or ACT scores through the   Application Status Page . Since accuracy is critical, students must have a copy of their SAT/ACT score report(s) available to reference when self-reporting their scores. We recommend using your complete score report which can be found on your  MyACT  or  College Board  account. 

To complete this form, you must list at least one set of test scores, including all sub-scores. To reference your SAT sub-scores, please visit your College Board account and select Score Overview then Skills Insight. If admitted, student will be required to submit official score reports prior to enrollment at FSU PC. 

We encourage applicants to take both the ACT and SAT, and to attempt each exam more than one time to earn the highest possible score. 

When evaluating students for admission, we use the highest earned ACT and SAT sub scores to calculate the ACT composite and/or SAT total (a process known as "super scoring"). 

The June SAT and June ACT are the latest tests that we will use in the admission process for applicants applying for the summer or fall term. 

FSU Panama City is proud to offer the  Testing and Education Reference Center  (TERC) in our beautiful Library and Learning Center. We encourage prospective students to access the Testing and Education Reference Center (TERC) available for all prospective students free of charge. TERC allows users to Prepare for a test (AP, SAT, ACT, CLEP, PSAT), get general skills or STEM help, search for a school or scholarship, get career advice, and more. Additionally, both  ACT and the  College Board  now offer test preparation programs.  ACT  has partnered with Kaplan Test Prep  and will offer an ACT preparation program at no cost to low-income students and to all students at a significantly lower cost than traditional prep programs. The  College Board  has partnered with the Khan Academy  and offers free, personalized SAT practice based on the student's PSAT/SAT test results. 

At least one test score must be submitted before the application deadline, but additional tests may be considered if provided.

To make changes to your application click here .

Essay & Resume

Although the essay is not required but highly recommended, it provides another opportunity to learn more about you. The essay should be no longer than 500-550 words, and may be uploaded after the student's application has been received.  Applicants should choose one topic from the list below:

  • Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  • The resume should be no longer than two pages, and may be uploaded after the application has been submitted. It should include a list of activities such as (but not limited to) service work, employment, family contributions such as caring for siblings or sick relatives, and extracurricular and summer activities.
  • The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  • Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  • Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
  • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  • Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
  • Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Accelerated Credit

Up to 45 semester hours of credit can be awarded by taking AICE , AP , IB , or CLEP tests and achieving appropriate scores.* To receive credit, official test scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Credit will be awarded only once for the same subject, whether from credit by examination, dual enrollment, transfer credit, or FSU course credit. Credit awarded for dual enrollment or transfer courses takes precedence over credit by examination.

Students enrolled in college coursework prior to graduation from high school (dual enrollment) may be awarded college credit. An official college transcript will be required for the posting of credit. We will not post college credit from a high school transcript.

*  Subject to change. Legislation calls for an annual review to determine the appropriate examination scores and courses for which credit is to be granted.

Home Education and GED Information

Florida State University considers applications from students who participated in a Home-Education program, or who have earned a GED. Home-Education applicants must complete the SSAR, while students earning a GED must submit official GED results along with an official, partial high school transcript. In addition, all applicants must submit at least one ACT and/or SAT test score by the application deadline to be considered for admission. First-Year admission is a holistic and selective process, and no single criterion guarantees admission to our university.

Making Changes to Your Application

To make any changes to your application please complete the Application Change form.

First Year Application Decisions

Summer or fall admit.

If you were admitted for the summer or fall term, we recommend that you complete the following steps by May 1st to secure a spot in our first-year class:

  • Claim the FSUID
  • Complete the mandatory orientation registration, select a session, and submit payment.

Seminole Pathway Offer Students start their FSU experience in the summer term at the FSU Panama City campus and automatically continue into the fall term. After the spring term, students may choose to continue their education at the FSU Panama City campus or request a transfer to the FSU Tallahassee campus for the summer or fall term. Students will need to complete a Campus Location Change Form at the end of the spring semester if transferring to the Tallahassee campus. More information on this pathway is available on the FSU Panama City website.

Spring Transfer

Students who choose this pathway enroll in at least 15 semester hours of college credit at  Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) in the fall and must earn a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) college grade point average with no grade below C. If students take classes in the summer at GCSC, their college GPA for that term must also be 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) with no grade below C. Our 15-hour fall requirement cannot be split between summer and fall, so if students take courses during the summer, they must still take 15 semester hours during the fall. College credit earned in high school through AP, IB, AICE, CLEP, or dual enrollment cannot reduce the 15-hour fall requirement. Their coursework must include ENC 1101 (English Composition) and either MAC 1105 (College Algebra, preferred math), MGF 1106 (Mathematics for Liberal Arts), or MGF 1107 (Topics in Practical Finite Mathematics) depending on math placement and their major's math requirement, unless they have already earned comparable or higher level course credit through an accelerated mechanism such as AP, IB, AICE, CLEP, or dual enrollment. Students should refer to the Academic Program Guide for their major's math requirement. Students should refer to Accelerated Credit for college credit awarded through acceleration. More information on this pathway is available on the Spring Transfer FAQ .

Seminole Pathways Offered

Students selected by the Office of Admissions to participate in this program will be able to join the Tallahassee campus after completing one of the four pathways outlined.

FSU Panama City Pathways

Students start their FSU experience in the summer term at the FSU Panama City campus and automatically continue into the fall term. After the spring term, students may choose to continue their education at the FSU Panama City campus or request a transfer to the FSU Tallahassee campus for the summer or fall term. Students will need to complete a Campus Location Change Form at the end of the spring semester if transferring to the Tallahassee campus. More information on this pathway is available on the FSU Panama City Seminole Pathways website.

FSU International Programs First Semester Abroad Pathway

Students start their FSU experience in the summer by completing INR3932 Global Foundations, an online course offered through FSU International Programs. Following successful completion of the summer course, students will enroll for the fall term at one of our study abroad centers in London, England; Florence, Italy; Valencia, Spain; or Panama City, Republic of Panama. Students will be eligible to start at the FSU Tallahassee campus in January. More information on this program is available on the International Programs website. (Note: Separate fees apply.)

FSU International Programs First Year Abroad Pathway

Students start their FSU experience in the summer by completing INR3932 Global Foundations, an online course offered through FSU International Programs. Following successful completion of the summer course, students will enroll for the fall, spring, and following summer terms at one of our study abroad centers in London, England; Florence, Italy; Valencia, Spain; or Panama City, Republic of Panama. Students will be eligible to start at the FSU Tallahassee campus the following August. Non-Florida residents will have the opportunity to earn an FYA out-of-state tuition waiver for the remainder of their first undergraduate degree; Florida residents can earn up to $3,000 in non-recurring scholarship funding for the FYA program. More information on this program is available on the International Programs website. (Note: Separate fees apply.)

Spring Transfer Pathway

Students who choose this pathway enroll in at least 15 semester hours of college credit at Tallahassee Community College in the fall and must earn a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) college grade point average with no grade below C. If students take classes in the summer at TCC, their college GPA for that term must also be 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) with no grade below C. Our 15-hour fall requirement cannot be split between summer and fall, so if students take courses during the summer, they must still take 15 semester hours during the fall. College credit earned in high school through AP, IB, AICE, CLEP, or dual enrollment cannot reduce the 15-hour fall requirement. Their coursework must include ENC 1101 (English Composition) and either MAC 1105 (College Algebra, preferred math), MGF 1106 (Mathematics for Liberal Arts), or MGF 1107 (Topics in Practical Finite Mathematics) depending on math placement and their major's math requirement, unless they have already earned comparable or higher level course credit through an accelerated mechanism such as AP, IB, AICE, CLEP, or dual enrollment. Students should refer to the Academic Program Guide for their major's math requirement. Students should refer to Accelerated Credit for college credit awarded through acceleration.

More information on this pathway is available on the Spring Transfer FAQ

Please note a deferral is not a denial. However, we would like some more information before we make a final decision. Deferred students should complete the Deferral Reply Form through their Application Status Check and submit an updated SSAR with first-semester grade. We will also accept new test scores including the February ACT. Updated test scores can be submitted through the Self-Reported ACT and/or SAT Scores Form on the Application Status Check . Early Action Deferred students will receive an updated decision in February, while Regular Decision Deferred students will receive an updated decision in early April.

Early Action Applicants

  • The deadline to submit this form and all additional information is Wednesday, January 11, 2023 .
  • The last test scores that will be considered for Early Action deferrals are December ACT and SAT.
  • Decisions will be available beginning in February.

Regular Decision Applicants

  • The deadline to submit this form and all additional information is Wednesday, March 1, 2023 .
  • The last test score that will be considered for Early Action deferrals are February ACT.
  • Decisions will be available on a rolling basis in early April.

If a student is denied admission and still wishes to attend FSU, they are encouraged to re-apply in the future as a junior level transfer student, preferably with an Associate in Arts degree earned from Gulf Coast State College . Denied students should not reapply for first-year admission. We will consider an appeal only if it reveals new academic or personal information that was not present in your initial admission application. Detailed information about our appeals process may be found here . Appeals will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Residency Declaration

All students who wish to claim Florida residency for tuition purposes must complete the residency declaration. The residency form is optional for application review; however, it must be completed prior to the start of the first term of enrollment. Depending upon the review of your declaration, additional documentation may be required to support your claim of residency for tuition purposes. If you have any questions regarding the residency process, please contact our office at 850.770.2160 or [email protected].

Cost & Aid

  Florida State University offers a high-quality education at an affordable price. FSU was ranked the No. 1 Best Value College Among Florida Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges 2022." Additionally, FSU received high marks among public colleges and universities coming in at No. 3 on the Best Schools for Financial Aid, and No. 17 on the Best Value Colleges for Students with No Demonstrated Need. Florida State's numerous value-focused rankings reflect the University's commitment to high standards of academic excellence and a dedication to affordability, accessibility, and student success.

Graphic of Best Value College by US News and World Report

Tuition & Fees

For First Year students at FSU Panama City in-state tuition is 180.49 per credit hour and out-of-state tuition is $686.04 per credit hour. FSU PC is currently waiving the $30 application fee. For a full breakdown of tuition and fees visit Financial Aid & Scholarships .

Scholarships & Financial Aid

FSU Panama City offers hundreds of scholarships each year, many of which you automatically apply for when you are accepted as a student. For more information on the scholarships we offer or how to apply for FAFSA visit Financial Aid & Scholarships .

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY PANAMA CITY Office of Admissions and Records

  Facebook   Instagram   Twitter   YouTube   Pinterest

Alabama and Georgia Tuition Plan   | Application Assistance  |  Application Status Check  |  Bulletin |  Change Form  |  Dual Enrollment  |  Graduate Funding  |  Honor Policy | International  |  myFSU  | Rankings  |  Staff  |  Visit

4750 Collegiate Drive Panama City, Florida 32405 [email protected]  |  (850) 770-2160

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

PrepScholar SAT

FSU Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are FSU's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

  • GPA requirements
  • Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
  • Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into FSU and build a strong application.

School location: Tallahassee, FL

This school is also known as: Florida State University

Admissions Rate: 25%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at FSU is 25% . For every 100 applicants, 25 are admitted.

image description

This means the school is very selective . If you meet FSU's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.

image description

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Get Into Your Top Choice School

FSU GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4

The average GPA at FSU is 4 .

image description

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 4, FSU requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

FSU SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1270

The average SAT score composite at FSU is a 1270 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes FSU Competitive for SAT test scores.

image description

FSU SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1220, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1360. In other words, a 1220 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1360 will move you up to above average .

Want to go to FSU? We can help you take the next step to Tallahassee with our carefully researched report on test prep tutors for the Miami area.

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

FSU has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, FSU will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and FSU forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1360, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

image description

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Get eBook: 5 Tips for 160+ Points

FSU ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, FSU likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 28

The average ACT score at FSU is 28. This score makes FSU Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

image description

The 25th percentile ACT score is 26, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 31.

Even though FSU likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 26 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 28 and above that a 26 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 31 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that FSU does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy . To quote their Admissions Office:

Applicants should take each exam more than once, since we use the highest subscores to create the ACT composite and SAT total.

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that FSU receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, FSU will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and FSU forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 31, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

image description

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Free eBook: 5 Tips to 4+ Points on the ACT

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

FSU considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission . If you're able to score a 1360 SAT or a 31 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.

For a school as selective as FSU, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1360 SAT or a 31 ACT, you unfortunately have a low chance of getting in. There are just too many other applicants with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

  • PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
  • We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
  • Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
  • We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

SAT Free Signup

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of FSU here.

Application Requirements Overview

  • Common Application Not accepted
  • Electronic Application Available
  • Essay or Personal Statement Recommended for all freshmen
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Interview Not required
  • Application Fee $30
  • Fee Waiver Available? Not available
  • Other Notes

Testing Requirements

  • SAT or ACT Required
  • SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
  • SAT Subject Tests
  • Scores Due in Office March 1

Coursework Requirements

  • Subject Required Years
  • Foreign Language 2
  • Social Studies 1
  • Electives 3

Deadlines and Early Admissions

  • Offered? Deadline Notification
  • Yes March 1 March 16
  • Yes October 15 December 15

Admissions Office Information

  • Address: 600 Tallahassee, FL 32306
  • Phone: (850) 644-2525 x2525
  • Fax: (850) 644-0197
  • Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

You will be automatically considered for the University Freshman Scholarship, but will have to apply to the Presidential Scholarship, which is larger, by January 28. Read more about the Presidential Scholarship here.

If you want to be considered for the Honors program, apply by mid-October for a mid-December admission decision and invitation to the Honors College. If you don't receive the invitation, you can submit a separate application for the Honors College by March 27. Click here for more info about the Honors College and a link to the application.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in FSU, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to FSU.

image description

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than FSU. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

image description

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for FSU, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

image description

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for FSU, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If FSU is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

If You Liked Our Advice...

Our experts have written hundreds of useful articles on improving your SAT score and getting into college. You'll definitely find something useful here.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get FREE strategies and guides sent to your email. Learn how to ace the SAT with exclusive tips and insights that we share with our private newsletter subscribers.

You should definitely follow us on social media . You'll get updates on our latest articles right on your feed. Follow us on all of our social networks:

Gravatar Icon

  • TALLAHASSEE, FL
  • grade  A+ Overall Grade
  • Rating 3.88 out of 5   7,656 reviews

How to Apply to Florida State University

Start your application, application requirements.

  • High School GPA Required
  • High School Rank Considered but not required
  • High School Transcript Required
  • College Prep Courses Required
  • SAT/ACT Required
  • Recommendations Neither required nor recommended

Similar Colleges

  • GAINESVILLE, FL
  • Rating 3.92 out of 5   8,090 reviews
  • ORLANDO, FL
  • Rating 3.82 out of 5   22,382 reviews
  • Rating 3.82 out of 5   7,548 reviews
  • CORAL GABLES, FL
  • Rating 3.86 out of 5   3,077 reviews

Florida State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images 

  • Testing Graphs
  • College Admissions Process
  • College Profiles
  • College Rankings
  • Choosing A College
  • Application Tips
  • Essay Samples & Tips
  • College Financial Aid
  • Advanced Placement
  • Homework Help
  • Private School
  • College Life
  • Graduate School
  • Business School
  • Distance Learning
  • Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
  • M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
  • B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

Florida State University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 36%. Along with the  University of Florida , Florida State University is a flagship campus of Florida's state university system. The FSU campus lies just west of downtown Tallahassee and is a half hour drive from the Gulf of Mexico. Academically, Florida State University has wide-ranging strengths, from music and dance to the sciences, that have earned it a chapter of  Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. The Florida State Seminoles compete in the  Atlantic Coast Conference .

Considering applying to FSU? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/SAT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Florida State University had an acceptance rate of 36%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 36 students were admitted, making FSU's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

FSU requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 70% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of FSU's admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Florida State scored between 610 and 670, while 25% scored below 610 and 25% scored above 670. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 590 and 670, while 25% scored below 590 and 25% scored above 670. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1340 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at FSU.

Requirements

Florida State does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Note that FSU participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Florida State requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 30% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Florida State's admitted students fall within the top 18% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to FSU received a composite ACT score between 26 and 30, while 25% scored above 30 and 25% scored below 26.

Florida State does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, FSU superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

In 2019, the middle 50% of Florida State University's incoming class had high school GPAs between 4.0 and 4.4. 25% had a GPA above 4.4, and 25% had a GPA below 4.0. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Florida State have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Florida State University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Florida State University, which accepts just over one third of applicants, has a selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, FSU has a holistic admissions process that takes into consideration the rigor of your high school courses , not simply your grades. The university requires a minimum of four units each in English and math, three units each in natural science and social science, and two units of a single world language. You'll be more competitive if you exceed these minimums and your academic record includes challenging AP, IB, and Honors courses. Also, an upward trend in your high school grades will be viewed much more favorably than a downward trend. While Florida State does not require an application essay, they strongly recommend that applicants complete the optional essay .

Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside FSU's average range. Applicants who plan to major in dance, film, music, or theatre should visit the university's admissions website to learn about audition and portfolio requirements and deadlines for their intended major.

In the scattergram above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that the great majority of successful applicants had "B" or higher averages, SAT scores (ERW+M) of about 1050 or higher, and ACT composite scores of 20 or higher. About 75% of admitted students had a combined SAT score of 1100 or higher and/or an ACT composite score of 25 or better. Higher numbers clearly improve your chances of getting an acceptance letter, and few students with "A" averages and well above average SAT scores were rejected. 

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Florida State University's Undergraduate Admissions Office .

  • Penn State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • University of Central Florida: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Illinois State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • The University of Tennessee: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • University of South Florida: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Florida Institute of Technology: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Mississippi State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Butler University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Georgia State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Michigan State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Denison University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Auburn University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Florida International University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • Creighton University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • University of Denver: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
  • University of Colorado Boulder: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Florida State University

does the florida state university require an essay

Florida State University, designated as a preeminent research university in the state of Florida, offers a student-centered education that inspires the academically motivated, intellectually curious, and socially conscious student.

Academic programs.

  • Art & Design
  • Communication
  • Engineering
  • Finance/Accounting
  • Government/Political Science
  • Health Science
  • Liberal Arts
  • Performing Arts
  • Social Science
  • Visual Arts

Student experience

  • Co-op/Internship Opportunities
  • Disability Services
  • Intramural/Club Sports
  • LGBTQIA Services
  • Military/Veteran Services
  • Night Class Offerings
  • On-Campus Housing
  • ROTC Program
  • Study Abroad
  • Undergraduate Research

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

A first-year-in-college student has earned a standard high school diploma (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited high school, and has earned fewer than twelve semester hours of transferable college credit since receiving a high school diploma. Deadlines The Office of Admissions must receive all your application materials by the published deadlines. Application Plan Deadlines: Early Action (Florida students only) - October 15 Regular Decision (All students) - December 1 Rolling (All students) - March 1 Decision Release: Early Action (Florida students only) - December 12 Regular Decision (All students) - February 13 Rolling (All students) - Released on a rolling basis beginning early April The Office of Admissions will consider every student application holistically and will also focus on an individual's academic record and the strength of that record in relation to the term for which they apply. For Fall 2024, the academic profile of the middle 50% of admitted first-year applicants was a 4.2–4.6 FSU core GPA, 30–33 ACT score, and a 1360–1470 SAT score. For Summer 2024, the academic profile of the middle 50% of admitted first-year applicants was a 4.1–4.5 FSU core GPA, 28–30 ACT score, and a 1280–1360 SAT score.

school

Additional Information

School seal

Admissions office

Office of Admissions , A2500 University Center Tallahassee , FL 32306-2400 , United States of America

[email protected]

Phone number

(850) 644-6200

For first-year students

Admissions website.

admissions.fsu.edu/first-year/

Financial aid website

financialaid.fsu.edu/

Undocumented or DACA students

admissions.fsu.edu/residency/policy/

View more in this region

Follow Florida State University

  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • Youtube icon
  • Instagram icon

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Duke University

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

does the florida state university require an essay

What Does It Really Take To Get Into Florida State University?

Do you know how to improve your profile for college applications.

See how your profile ranks among thousands of other students using CollegeVine. Calculate your chances at your dream schools and learn what areas you need to improve right now — it only takes 3 minutes and it's 100% free.

What’s Covered

  • How Hard Is It Go Get Into Florida State University

Average Academic Profile of Accepted Florida State University Students

  • What is Florida State University Looking For?
  • How To Improve Your Chances Of Getting Into Florida State University
  • How To Apply To Florida State University
  • Learn more About Florida State University

Founded in 1852, Florida State University (FSU) is the oldest continuous site of higher education in the state of Florida. Despite FSU’s reputation as a party school and notoriety for its athletics, FSU has very selective admissions, rigorous academics, and is Carnegie Commission classified as a “Doctoral University: Highest Research Activity.”

How Hard Is It to Get Into Florida State University?

Getting into Florida State University is very challenging. FSU had 63,691 applicants for its Class of 2025 and accepted 20,668 —equating to just a 32% overall acceptance rate . 

FSU’s acceptance rate is low, but your actual chances of admission depend on the strength of your profile. CollegeVine can help you better understand your odds at FSU. Our free admissions calculator uses factors like grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to estimate your odds of acceptance and to provide tips to improve your profile. 

The average weighted high school GPA of Florida State University’s Class of 2025 is 4.16 , unweighted is 3.59. 

The middle 50% SAT score of Florida State University’s Class of 2025 is 1230-1350 and the middle 50% ACT score is 27-31 . 

46% of Florida State University’s Class of 2025 graduated in the top tenth of their high school class. Over 80 % graduated in the top quarter of their high school. 

What is Florida State University Looking for?

Florida State University is a big school with a national reputation—it welcomed students from all 50 states (plus Washington, D.C.) and 49 countries to its Class of 2025. That said, FSU is a state school and state residency is “important” to admissions decisions—giving students from Florida an advantage over out-of-state students. Whether you’re a Florida resident or not, FSU practices a holistic admissions process, and no single factor guarantees admissions. 

Students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, who are driven to succeed in school, and will be first-generation college students can gain special consideration for admission by participating in FSU’s Summer Bridge Program . 

How Florida State University Evaluates Applications

According to their 2020-2021 Common Data Set, Florida State University considers the following factors “very important” :

  • Course rigor

These factors are “important” :

  • Test scores
  • State residency 

These are “considered” :

  • Class rank 
  • Extracurricular activities 
  • First generation 
  • Geographic location 
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience 

And these are “not considered” :

  • Religious affiliation
  • Recommendations
  • Racial/ethnic status 
  • Applicant interest

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Florida State University 

1. achieve at least a 3.59 gpa.

The average unweighted high school GPA of Florida State University’s Class of 2025 is 3.59 — and 64% of students earned all As and Bs in high school . FSU considers GPA “important” to admissions decisions.

Selective schools like FSU that receive a massive amount of applicants often use a tool known as the Academic Index to streamline admissions decisions. Academic Index is a distillation of your entire academic performance into a single number. If your Academic Index fails to meet a college like FSU’s standard, you risk being considered unqualified and may not be seen as a serious applicant. 

If your GPA is underwhelming and you’re early in your high school career, there is time to improve your grades. Check out our tips for increasing your GPA . If you’re a junior or senior, it’s more difficult to raise your GPA. If this is the case, the simplest method to increase your Academic Index is to get higher test scores.

2. Take challenging coursework

Stellar grades alone are not enough to wow FSU admissions officers, you’ll need great grades while taking the most challenging coursework available. The only factor that FSU views as “very important” to admissions is course rigor. How many APs should you take to impress FSU? The average number of advanced courses—AP, IB, AICE, and Dual Enrollment—a student in FSU’s Class of 2025 took was nine . 37% of FSU’s Class of 2025 completed four or more units of AP/IB world language. 

does the florida state university require an essay

3. Aim for a 1350 SAT and 31 ACT

Standardized test scores are an “important” component of Florida State University admissions. The middle 50% SAT range of FSU’s Class of 2025 was 1230-1350 and the middle 50% ACT range is 27-31 . Any score in the middle 50% will earn you consideration, but the higher into the range you score, the more compelling you make your case for admission. FSU superscores both the SAT and ACT; consequently, you should consider taking one of the exams between two and three times to maximize your score.

To improve your SAT/ACT score, check out these free CollegeVine resources:

  • How to Get a Perfect 1600 Score on the SAT
  • How to Get a Perfect 36 Score on the ACT
  • More SAT Info and Tips
  • More ACT Info and Tips

While many colleges and universities in the U.S. have embraced test-optional admissions in light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, FSU (along with Florida’s 11 other public universities) requires you to submit either an SAT or ACT score. 

4. Write engaging essays

At competitive schools like Florida State University, nearly every applicant will have outstanding academics, which makes it important to find other ways to stand out. One of the best places to set yourself apart from other applicants is the essay. While FSU only “considers” the essay in admissions, it views talent as “important,” so make sure to highlight what makes you special. 

FSU accepts the Common Application, Coalition Application, and FSU Application, each with its own unique essay prompts. The FSU essay is optional, but electing to write one is a smart strategy if you’re serious about getting into FSU. Remember to write in your unique voice, share your abilities, and highlight how FSU will benefit from having you on campus. Interested in learning more about composing an attention-grabbing FSU essay? Check out our article, “ How to Write the Florida State University Essays 2021-2022 .”

5. Cultivate one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)

FSU only “considers” extracurricular activities when making admissions decisions, however, they’re another area where you can show off your talent, which the school sees as “important.” A highly developed interest, known as a “spike,” is more impressive to colleges like FSU than a bunch of unrelated interests. Competitive applicants will have one or two extracurriculars in which they excel. 

Not all extracurriculars are equal—colleges weigh your activities outside of the classroom on a variety of factors from exclusivity to the qualities they demonstrate. The 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars are a good guide to understanding how colleges view them. 

  • Tier 1 activities are the rarest and demonstrate an exceptional accomplishment or leadership. Tier 1 activities include winning a prestigious national award or attending a renowned merit-based summer program. 
  • Tier 2 extracurriculars also show achievement and leadership, however, are more common than those found in Tier 1. Tier 2 activities include winning a state-level award, earning state-level recognition in athletics or music, or serving as student body president. 
  • Tier 3 extracurricular activities are more common and less impressive than those in the higher tiers and are best for calling attention to your interests outside of the classroom, rather than setting yourself apart from other applicants. Tier 3 extracurriculars include holding a minor leadership position in a club or captaining a varsity sport. 
  • Tier 4 activities hold the least amount of weight in college admissions. They’re frequently seen by admissions officers and don’t demonstrate great accomplishment or achievement. Tier 4 extracurricular activities include participating in a club, playing a sport, and general volunteer work. 

How to Apply to Florida State University 

Florida State University doesn’t offer early decision or early action admissions, however, they do have a priority admissions deadline and a regular decision deadline. 

Application Requirements

Florida State University accepts the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and the FSU Application. Other requirements include:

  • SAT/ACT score
  • Linking an SSAR ( Self-reported Student Academic Record ) by copying the 32-character code from your SSAR account
  • Completing the Residency Declaration form  

Other optional materials include: 

  • Supplemental essay 

Learn more about Florida State University 

Interested in learning more about FSU? Check out these other informative articles: 

  • Florida State University Student Panel
  • How to Write the Florida State University Essays 2021-2022

Want to know your chances at FSU? Calculate your chances for free right now .

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

does the florida state university require an essay

does the florida state university require an essay

Florida State University | FSU

Cost & scholarships.

  • Essay prompt

Your chances

Acceptance rate, acceptance rate breakdown, applicant breakdown, average net cost after aid.

Published costs and averages can be misleading: they don’t fully account for your family’s finances (for financial aid) or your academic profile (for scholarships).

Want to see your personalized net cost after financial aid and scholarships?

Applications

How to apply, tests typically submitted, enrolled breakdown by gender, race & ethnicity diversity, special academic offering, study abroad, credit for ap and ib exams, offers graduate degree, similar schools.

Flagler College campus image

OU softball vs Florida State recap: Sooners run-rule Seminoles in super regional opener

Coach Patty Gasso  and the  second-seeded OU softball team  will look to start of the Norman Super Regional with a bang against 15th-seeded Florida State.

Here's what you need to know about the Sooners (52-6) vs. Seminoles (46-14):  

More: How OU softball's 'infectious' Rylie Boone makes Sooners go from bottom of lineup

OU softball live score updates vs. Florida State   

More: How to watch OU softball vs Florida State in Norman Super Regional of NCAA Tournament

FINAL: OU 11, Florida State 3 (5)

Kasidi Pickering drew a bases-loaded walk and Sooners win 11-3 in five innings.

All four of OU's baserunners in the inning came via walk, with Ella Parker and Alyssa Brito drawing back-to-back walks before Pickering drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.

More: OU softball vs Florida State takeaways: Alyssa Brito powers Sooners in NCAA super regional

Top 5: Florida State extends game

Florida State gets a run across with two down in the fifth and the run-rule is off the table for now. Sooners lead 10-3.

End 4: Alyssa Brito does it again, Kinzie Hansen pours it on

Alyssa Brito's first home run of the day was a line shot.

Her second was a moonshot.

Brito belted her second home run of the game, a two-run shot to left center, with one out in the fourth, to put the Sooners up 7-2 and start a party atmosphere at Love's Field.

It was Brito's third multi-home run game of the season. She also did it March 17 at Texas Tech and Feb. 10 against Long Beach State in Mexico.

After Kasidi Pickering singled to center, Kinzie Hansen belted a home run of her own to put OU's lead at 9-2 and move the game to the brink of run-rule territory.

The Sooners added another on Cydney Sanders' RBI single to left, but Sanders was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double.

Mid-4: Sooners' defense comes through

After OU took a 5-2 lead in the third, Florida State put pressure on the Sooners in the next half inning.

The Seminoles put the first two runners on to bring the top of the order around.

But Kaley Mudge couldn't get down the bunt, and the Sooners took advantage of another Florida State base running miscue.

Mudge's pop bunt was snagged by OU third baseman Alyssa Brito, who quickly fired to first to catch Kennedy Harp off first for the double play.

Kelly Maxwell then got Jaysoni Beachum to fly out to right to end the inning.

End 3: Alyssa Brito puts Sooners back up front

OU third baseman Alyssa Brito wasted no time putting the Sooners back in front after Florida State tied it in the top of the third.

Brito belted Ashtyn Danley's 3-0 offering over the left-field wall for her 17th home run of the season and her second extra-base hit of the game.

The Sooners added two more in the inning, first on an error after Rylie Boone laid down a bunt single, then on Alynah Torres' groundout that allowed Kinzie Hansen to score.

Mid-3: Devyn Flaherty ties it after Sooners catch a break

With one out in the third, it looked like Florida State had an excellent chance to at least cut the lead in half after Kalei Harding ripped what looked to be a surefire double into the left-center field gap.

But as she rounded second and headed toward third, Seminoles' freshman Jaysoni Beachum tripped and fell. Beachum was able to recover and scramble back to second just ahead of the throw, but Harding was held to just a single and Florida State's momentum was stunted.

The runners moved up on a wild pitch, then Maxwell was called for a pitch-clock violation with three balls to load the bases.

Maxwell then struck out Isa Torres for the second out of the inning before Devyn Flaherty delivered a two-run single to tie it.

More: More: OU softball's Tiare Jennings ties Lauren Chamberlain for 3rd on NCAA career home run list

End 2: Alynah Torres breaks out, Cydney Sanders can't get a break

In her weekly media availability Tuesday, OU coach Patty Gasso talked about the recent struggles of Alynah Torres and Cydney Sanders at the plate.

One of them broke out in the second inning Thursday.

After Rylie Boone was hit by a pitch to start the inning, Torres ripped a double into the right-center field gap to score Boone and put the Sooners up 2-0.

Sanders followed, belting a line drive to left but it was right at Florida State's Kaley Mudge and Sanders was retired for the first out of the inning.

Sanders was 0 for 4 in last weekend's regional and is just 2 of her last 25 (.080).

Mid-2: Kelly Maxwell settles in after rough first

After an eventful first inning that included loading the bases, OU starter Kelly Maxwell had a much less stressful second inning.

Maxwell retired the side in order, with a groundout, a strikeout and a fly out to end the inning.

End 1: Tiare Jennings ties Lauren Chamberlain with solo shot

After making an impressive defensive play in the top half of the inning, Tiare Jennings helped the Sooners with the bat in the bottom half.

With one out, Jennings smoked Ashtyn Danley's 1-0 offering over the centerfield wall to give OU a 1-0 lead.

The home run was the 95th of Jennings' career, tying her with Lauren Chamberlain for third in NCAA history and second in OU history. It was Jennings' 18th career NCAA Tournament home run.

Alyssa Brito just missed a home run herself two batters later, but the ball hit a few inches down just to the left of straightaway center and Brito scrambled to second for a double.

Mid-1: Kelly Maxwell keeps Florida State off the board after leadoff walk

Kelly Maxwell had a less-than stellar start.

A walk to leadoff hitter Kaley Mudge and a passed ball gave Florida State a runner in scoring position with no outs.

But Maxwell got out of it, with some help from her defense.

Alyssa Brito jumped to snag a looper to third, then Tiare Jennings made the play of the inning, diving to keep Kalei Harding’s hit from reaching the outfield, then quickly throwing to third to retire Mudge.

Maxwell then walked Michaela Edenfield before hitting Isa Torres to load the bases and bring up Devyn Flaherty.

Maxwell then got Flaherty to ground out up the first base line, fielding it herself and flipping to Cydney Sanders for the out.

The play was reviewed and the call was upheld, keeping the game scoreless.

Pregame update: Kelly Maxwell in the circle

Unsurprisingly, Kelly Maxwell is in the circle for the Sooners in the super regional opener.

Maxwell (19-2, 1.87 ERA) threw nine innings in last week's regional, allowing just two hits and one run, picking up a win and a save.

Freshman Ashtyn Danley (18-5, 3.12) will get the start for Florida State.

Alynah Torres is at second base for the Sooners (52-6) while Cydney Sanders, who has scuffled at the plate recently, is starting at first and hitting ninth. Rylie Boone is in the seven spot once again after spending much of the season in the nine hole.

Pregame weather update: Gate-opening delayed

The scheduled 4:30 p.m. opening of gates for Love's Field ahead of the super regional opener is delayed as storms have started moving through Norman.

The opener is scheduled for 6 p.m.

OU softball highlights vs. Florida State   

More: Who's going to the Women's College World Series? Experts make NCAA softball super regional picks

What time does OU softball vs. Florida State  start?  

  • Date:  Thursday, May 23  
  • Time:  6 p.m. CT  
  • Where:  Love's Field in Norman  

More: Relive OU softball's run to three straight WCWS titles with our 'Crimson Empire' book

What channel is OU softball vs. Florida State on today?  

  • TV:  ESPN2  
  • How to watch online:  Watch ESPN ( here's how to stream it live )  

More: OU softball 'very knowledgeable' about NCAA super regional foe, Florida State

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.   

Election '24: FSU study paints statistical picture of Florida politics' new normal

In preparation for this year’s election, the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University has completed a deep dive into the 2022 election to draw up a kind of painting by numbers of the Florida voter. 

The Florida Election Study 2022 is a political version of the statistical analysis pro baseball fans review in advance of the season for the inside information that foreshadows unexpected outcomes.  

The data gleaned from an online survey of 14,000 registered voters identify who votes, how they vote and whether they trust the outcome, among other things. Surveys were solicited and completed between November 2022 and February 2023.

Voter registration data sets include party registration versus turnout, voter registration compared to total population, and turnout in GOP-dominated areas compared to Democratic-dominated areas. 

Other information details, for example, how much money candidates raised and how long voters waited in line to cast a ballot.  

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

A key finding includes vote-by-mail continuing to grow in popularity, with 69% of Florida voters citing its convenience. That's an 11-point increase from 58% in 2020. 

And the data reveals how Democrats and Republicans are mirror images of each other, uncovering a stark divide on election integrity and security: 

  • 86% of Republicans prioritize protections against fraud over ensuring voter easy access, while 86% of Democrats prioritize ensuring access is more important.
  • On a 4-point scale, Democrats' confidence in accurate national elections is 3.6, while GOP confidence is 2.2.  

More interest in elections sparks Collins Institute's curiosity

Four years ago, heightened interest in elections and a dramatic increase in the number of Florida registered voters prompted the non-partisan Collins Institute to develop the semiannual study.

In two decades the number of Florida registered voters more than doubled, from 5 million voters in 2002 to 11 million in 2022. 

The GOP rode that increase in voters to a 383,954 registration edge over Democrats – and then did a better job in getting their voters to the polls. 

While Republicans made up 36% of registered voters, they were 45% of those who cast ballots. Democrats made up 34% of voters and were 33% of those who voted two years ago. 

The difference factored into Gov. Ron DeSantis' and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s double-digit reelection victories. 

Lonna Atkeson, the institute’s director, said having benchmarks from the past two federal election cycles, 2020 and 2022, will help put this year’s election in context. 

“With voter turnout, for example, we’re interested in seeing whether or not the distribution of party voters represents a new normal for Florida,” Atkeson said. 

Florida earned a “purple state” status when the average margin of victory in statewide elections over six election cycles was 0.08%. 

2022 was an outlier with DeSantis’ 19-point reelection victory and coattails that enabled the GOP to win 59% of state House seats, and 60% of the Florida Senate. 

Going into the 2024 election, the study concludes conditions remain very favorable for the Republican Party.

Florida not necessarily a 'deep red state'

But like most statistical analysis the verdict comes with the caveat, an asterisk to note the 2022 results do not necessarily make Florida “a deep red state.” That’s because in the three decades leading up to 2022, the share of no-party affiliated voters jumped from 9% to 30%, changing the state of partisanship in Florida. 

“By nature of their large numbers and loose partisan affiliations, NPAs provide space for split-ticket voting and to act as swing voters in critical elections,” the study concludes. 

The study's numbers reveal the DeSantis campaign's raised more than $202 million – the most for any gubernatorial candidate in the nation’s history.

While the Democratic Party basically sat out the election, its voter turnout efforts collasped, without turnout lower in counties where Democrats led in voter registration than elsewhere.

Plus, while the Democratic challenger Charlie Crist raised $32 million – a typical amount for a campaign – he and the rest of the ticket could not compete against the GOP's financial and voter registration edge. 

Republican turnout exceeded Democrats by more than 12 points and the GOP won all state-wide elections, and a supermajority of the congressional races, and Florida House and Senate seats.  

“That wasn’t because the message of the Florida Republican Party is so great. If it was DeSantis would still be on the presidential campaign trail,” said Tara Newsom, a political science professor at St. Petersburg College. She has written on how parties focus on their respective bases, disenfranchising independent voters. 

“The Democratic Party left the state of Florida, they didn’t invest. The national party left the state party in pieces,” Newsom said about the 2022 results.

James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at  [email protected]  and is on X as  @CallTallahassee .

Orlando Sentinel

Editorials | Editorial: Florida voters don’t buy the BS that…

Share this:.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

Daily e-Edition

Evening e-Edition

  • Letters to the Editor
  • Scott Maxwell Commentary
  • Central Floridian of the Year

Editorials | Editorial: Florida voters don’t buy the BS that elections are ‘rigged,’ survey says

A voter deposits her ballot in a drop box outside the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The survey was conducted by the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University over a two-month period soon after the 2022 midterm election. A total of 6,242 voters completed an online survey out of a universe of more than 253,000 who cast ballots in the general election in 2022.

does the florida state university require an essay

First, the good news: More than nine out of 10 voters (94%) said they were either very confident (74%) or somewhat confident (20%) that their vote actually counted.

Floridians, in this survey at least, didn’t buy the fiction that votes are systematically discarded by some sinister force.

Of those who voted by mail in 2022, an overwhelming 97% said it was an excellent (67%) or good experience (30%). In the November 2022 election, 36% of voters voted by mail, down from a record high of 43% at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Those are among the assessments from a pool of voters in which 46% described themselves as very or somewhat conservative and 23% described themselves as very or somewhat liberal. Most of the rest (26%) called themselves politically moderate.

Warning signals

The Collins survey contains cautionary notes for the 67 county election supervisors, the ones on the ground who actually send out vote-by-mail ballots, staff early voting sites and count the votes on Election Day.

Counties work diligently to remind voters they must submit new requests for a vote-by-mail ballot, and that they can track their ballot in the weeks leading up to Election Day, but too many people still didn’t know that.

A total of 56% of vote-by-mail voters in the survey said they tracked their ballots in 2022, but among those who said they didn’t, 40% said they were unaware that they could.

The Collins Institute recommends a campaign to expand the ballot tracking program to get more voters signed up.

One in four voters (25%) said they believe that it’s somewhat or very easy for “politicians, union officials or the people you work for” to find out how you voted. Only 20% said they believed it’s impossible to find out.

Voters overwhelmingly support the photo ID requirement at the polls (90%), and they trust machine counting of ballots over counting by hand, 79% to 21%.

By some measures, the survey sample was not a fully accurate snapshot of the current Florida electorate.

For instance, this finding is interesting, but it’s hardly typical: Of 3,131 voters who said they engaged in any form of political activity in 2022, nearly one-third of them (1,036) said they donated money to candidates, and that about one-third of those candidates ran for state office.

In addition, 51% of respondents self-identified as strong, weak or leaning Democrat, while 31% said they were strong, weak or leaning Republican.

The actual voter registration numbers at the time of the survey showed that 37% were Republicans, 34% were Democrats and the other 29% were unaffiliated or members of minor parties.

The Republican advantage over Democrats in voter registration continues to widen and today is nearly at 1 million voters.

Information is important

In Florida, there is no such thing as too much information about how people perceive the voting experience.

Too few eligible adults in Florida are registered to vote, and among those who are actually registered, too few of them vote, especially in midterm, non-presidential elections.

Anything that improves the voting experience is a net positive for democracy, which these days needs all the help it can get.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board includes Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney, editorial writer Martin Dyckman and Anderson. Send letters to [email protected].

More in Editorials

Are we throwing good money after bad?

Editorials | Editorial: Should Florida keep pouring money into the ocean to ‘fix’ storm-battered beaches??

Editorials | editorial: a haunting abortion question: could florida’s ban force unwilling women to terminate.

Florida's broad public record law does not offer the governor "executive privilege" claims as a trial court allowed, a claim that is now being defended on appeal by Attorney General Ashley Moody, who should be defending the law instead.

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Editorials | editorial: state’s top lawyer should oppose desantis’ super-shady grab for ‘executive privilege’.

    The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com

Editorials | Editorial: Florida voters win a few victories against the assault on rights

Toughest DI baseball regional

DI men's golf semifinals

DI baseball tournament preview

⛳️ Hiroshi Tai claims individual men's golf title

NCAA.com | May 28, 2024

2024 ncaa baseball bracket: men's college world series scores, schedule.

does the florida state university require an essay

The 2024 NCAA DI baseball tournament began with the release of tournament selections via a selection show on Monday, May 27. Regionals begin Friday, May 31 leading up to the Mens College World Series from June 14-23/24.

CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS: Every conference tournament winner and automatic bid

The 2023 Men's College World Series came to a close when LSU routed Florida 18-4 in the decisive game of the finals to win its seventh national championship.

The complete NCAA regional, super regional, and 2024 Men's College World Series schedules and results are below. 

  • Selection show: Monday, May 27 at Noon ET | ESPN2/ESPNU
  • Regionals: Friday-Monday,   May 31-June 3
  • Super regionals: Friday-Sunday, June 7-9 or Saturday-Monday, June 8-10
  • First day of MCWS games:  Start   Friday, June 14
  • MCWS finals:  Saturday-Monday, June 22-23/24

2024 NCAA DI baseball tournament bracket

👉  Click or tap here for the full 2024 bracket  | Take a closer look at the MCWS bracket | Regional bracket

2024 MCWS bracket

All times in ET

2024 DI baseball tournament regionals schedule

Here are the regional schedules for Friday-Monday, May 31-June 3:

Knoxville Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Indiana vs. Southern Miss | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Northern Kentucky vs. Tennessee | 7 p.m. | SEC Network
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 3 | Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser | 12 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 4 | Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 5 | Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser | 12 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 6 | Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner | 6 p.m.
  • Monday, June 3 | Game 7 | If necessary

Lexington Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Western Michigan vs. Kentucky | 12 p.m. | SEC Network
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Illinois vs. Indiana State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 3 | Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser | 12 p.m. 
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 4 | Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 6 p.m. 
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 6 | Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner | 6 p.m. 

Bryan-College Station Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Grambling vs. Texas A&M | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Texas vs. Louisiana | 6 p.m. | ESPN2
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 3 | Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser | 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 4 | Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 9 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 5 | Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser | 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 6 | Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner | 8 p.m.

Chapel Hill Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Wofford vs. LSU | 12 p.m. | ESPNU
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | LIU vs. North Carolina | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 4 | Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 5 p.m.

Fayetteville Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Southeast Missouri vs. Arkansas | 3 p.m. | ESPN +
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Kansas State vs. Louisiana Tech | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 5 | Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser | 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 6 | Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner | 7 p.m.
  • Monday, June 3 | Game 7 | If necessary 

Clemson Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Coastal Carolina vs. Vanderbilt | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | High Point vs. Clemson | 7 p.m. | ACC Network

Athens Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Army vs. Georgia | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Georgia Tech vs. UNC Willmington | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 5 | Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser | 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 6 | Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner | 12 p.m.

Tallahassee Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Stetson vs. Florida State | 12 p.m. | ACC Network
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | UCF vs. Alabama | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ | 6 p.m. 
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 4 | Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 5 p.m. 
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 5 | Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser | 12 p.m. 

Norman Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | UConn vs. Duke | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Oral Roberts vs. Oklahoma | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 6 | Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner | 9 p.m.

Raleigh Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | James Madison vs. South Carolina | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Bryant vs. NC State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+

Stillwater Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Florida vs. Nebraska | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Niagra vs. Oklahoma State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 3 | Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser | 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 4 | Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 7 p.m. 
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 6 | Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner | 7 p.m. 

Charlottesville Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Penn vs. Virginia | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | St. John’s vs. Mississippi State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+

Tucson Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | West Virginia vs. DBU | 3 p.m. | ESPN2
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Grand Canyon vs. Arizona | 9 p.m. | ESPN +
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 3 | Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser | 4 p.m. 
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 4 | Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 10 p.m. 
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 5 | Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser | 3 p.m. 
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 6 | Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner | 9 p.m. 

Santa Barbara Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Oregon vs. San Diego | 3 p.m. | ESPNU
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Fresno State vs. UC Santa Barbara | 9 p.m. | ESPN+

Corvallis Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Nicholls vs. UC Irvine | 4 p.m. | ESPN +
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | Tulane vs. Oregon State | 9 p.m. | ESPN2
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 3 | Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser | 1 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 1 | Game 4 | Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner | 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 2 | Game 5 | Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser  | 12 p.m.

Greenville Regional

  • Friday, May 31 | Game 1 | Evansville vs. East Carolina | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
  • Friday, May 31 | Game 2 | VCU vs. Wake Forest | 6 p.m. | ESPNU

2024 DI baseball tournament super regionals schedule

Dates : Friday-Sunday, June 7-9 or Saturday-Monday, June 8-10

2024 Men's College World Series schedule  

  • Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 2:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 3: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 4:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 5: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 6:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 7: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 8:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 9: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 10:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 11: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 12:  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
  • Game 13 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | TBD
  • Game 14 (if necessary):  TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | TBD
  • MCWS Final Game 1 : TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
  • MCWS Final Game 2 : TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ABC
  • MCWS Final Game 3 (if necessary) : TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Baseball  Championship: Future dates

MCWS HISTORY:  Winningest coaches  |  Most titles  |  Most appearances   |  Conferences most represented

Here is more on how the tournament works:

What is the difference between the Division I baseball tournament and the College World Series?

The NCAA Division I baseball tournament is a 64-team tournament that starts in May. After two rounds of play (which each consist of multiple games), there are just eight teams left. These eight teams then head to Omaha, Neb. for the College World Series. The CWS is the culmination of the DI tournament, where the teams compete in two brackets, with the winners of each meeting in the CWS finals, a best-of-three series to decide the NCAA champion.

When did the College World Series start?

The first-ever NCAA Division I baseball tournament was in 1947, and would barely be recognized as the same tournament nowadays. The 1947 tournament featured just eight teams, which were divided into two four-team, single-elimination brackets. The two winners — California and Yale — then met in a best-of-three final in Kalamazoo, Michigan. California would go undefeated through the inaugural CWS and beat Yale to capture the first title.

How are teams selected for the NCAA Division I baseball tournament?

Since 1954, the NCAA Division I baseball tournament field has been split into two qualifying groups: The automatic berths, and the at-large selections. Since 2014, that in a typical year split sees 31 conference champions receive automatic berths, and 33 teams receive at-large bids, decided by the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee. 

Men's College World Series champs since 1947

California defeated Yale in the first-ever Men's College World Series, the first of two played in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Texas put itself on the map as the first back-to-back champions in winning the only MCWS ever played in Wichita, Kansas in 1949. The following season Texas won its second championship, opening Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha.

Here's a complete list of all the College World Series finals in the 73-year history of the event. Ole Miss won the 2022 Men's College World Series in two games over Oklahoma.

*Indicates undefeated teams in College World Series play.

does the florida state university require an essay

  • Arkansas wins the best college baseball stadium vote by the fans

does the florida state university require an essay

  • NCAA baseball tournament preview: Regions to watch, national championship prediction and more

does the florida state university require an essay

  • How the Men's College World Series works
  • Championship Info
  • Game Program

Men's College World Series

  • 🗓️ 2024 schedule
  • 🔮 Future dates
  • 🤔 How the MCWS works
  • 🏆 Programs with the most MCWS titles
  • 💪 Coaches with the most MCWS wins
  • ⚾ Every champion in tournament history

does the florida state university require an essay

Everything you need to know about how the Men's College World Series works

Di baseball news.

  • Michella Chester: The toughest regional in the DI baseball bracket
  • The toughest regional in the 2024 DI baseball bracket

does the florida state university require an essay

College baseball career home run leaders

does the florida state university require an essay

Here are the baseball programs with the most Men's College World Series titles

does the florida state university require an essay

The 7 longest home runs in MCWS history (that we know of)

Follow di baseball.

Florida State University

This is your Donation message .

Florida State University Seal

  • READMISSIONS

Requirements

  • INTERNATIONAL

Seminole Pathways

  • FSU Panama City Pathway
  • International Programs
  • How to Apply
  • Deadlines & Fees

What We're Looking For

  • Tuition & Estimated Cost
  • Scholarships
  • Accelerated Credit
  • Info for Parents
  • Info for Counselors
  •     Appeals
  •     Counselor Publications
  • Application How-to Videos

Welcome Counselors

Contact list, publications, meet our team, college fair, counselor portal (slate.org).

Slate.org is a free tool that allows high school and independent counselors to view their students' application status. Counselors are also able to upload official transcripts, add a school profile, and other documents through this portal.

To register, visit Slate.org and click the registration link in the center of the page. The first counselor to register from a school will be the designated person to manage permissions for that specific school. For a video overview of how to register and manage your school's Slate.org profile, click here .

Counselor Resources

Major information.

does the florida state university require an essay

Florida Counseling Handbook

The Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook is a comprehensive academic advising resource made available annually by the Florida Department of Education to school counselors and advisors.

  • Middle and high school progression and promotion requirements
  • Career planning
  • Florida college readiness initiatives
  • Acceleration mechanisms
  • Diploma designations
  • Credit-by-examinations
  • Financial aid
  • Postsecondary degree programs and requirements

FAFSA Resources

Axs toolbox for counselors.

The AXS Toolbox is a free resource designed to empower counselors in assisting students through the Common App using AXS Companion , a 501(c)3, NACAC-approved platform.

The goals of AXS Companion and AXS Toolbox:

  • Increase student success in completing Common App
  • Streamline applications for students, counselors, and families
  • Simplify the seemingly overwhelming application process with clear, easy-to-follow instructions
  • Support high school counselors to save valuable time and onramp new staff

AXS Toolbox was created for counselors by counselors and contains customizable lesson plans & slides, video tutorials, interactive student worksheets, and a wealth of resources.

Deadlines and Decisions

While the application does not include Early Action as a deadline option, students who qualify as a Florida resident and who submit their application and all required materials by October 15th will be added to the Early Action plan and receive an admissions decision on December 14, 2023 .

At least one test score must be submitted before the application deadline, but additional tests may be considered if provided by these dates:

Students who qualify as a Florida resident and apply by October 15th will be able to select Early Action as their preferred application plan. All required materials will need to be received by the October 15 deadline to receive an admissions decision on December 12, 2023 .

  • At least one test score must be submitted before the application deadline, but additional tests may be considered if provided by the test score deadline. Please note: FSU does not accept self-reported test scores from the Common App. Students should self-report their test scores on the Application Status Check using the Self-reported Test Scores form.
  • February test scores are the last exam date that can be used for admissions purposes.
  • Admissions decisions are made available through the Application Status Check .

Honors Application

To apply for the University Honors Program, on the admissions application students should select Yes to the question "Are you interested in applying to the University Honors Program?" By selecting Yes , the supplemental application will appear on the Application Status Check . For detailed instructions on how to complete your supplemental Honors Application, visit the Honors website . To be considered for the University Honors Program, you must complete the Honors Application by December 1, 2023 .

CARE Application

CARE provides services to first-generation college students who are Florida residents from historically underrepresented populations and limited income families (eligible for Federal Pell Grant). The CARE Summer Bridge Program is designed to ease the transition from high school to college while building a strong academic foundation. To apply for the CARE Summer Bridge Program, on the admissions application students should select Yes to the question "Are you interested in in the CARE Summer Bridge Program?" By selecting Yes , the supplemental application will appear on the Application Status Check . For detailed instructions on how to complete your supplemental CARE Application, visit the CARE website .

Application Fee & Waivers

Florida State University's first-year application fee is $30.

Students who qualify for an ACT, CollegeBoard, or NACAC application fee waiver or who meet other indicators of economic need may have the application fee waived by selecting the qualifying application fee waiver category on the admissions application.

Our application review process is a holistic and selective process, where no single criterion guarantees admission. Our holistic review process is centered on three of our institutional core values— Vires, Artes, Mores .

does the florida state university require an essay

The first torch, Vires , is strength . Our focus in this area is rigor, grades, and courses taken while in high school. Each applicant is evaluated based upon the performance within the context of the student's academic environment.

Transcripts - GPA - Course Rigor - High School Profile

The second torch, Artes , is skill . We want to see how students use their out-of-classroom time, whether through sports, clubs, organizations, family responsibilities, employment, or other achievements.

Resume - Academic and Non-academic Involvement

The third torch, Mores , is character . We are taking the information students have shared with us to learn who they are, any formative experiences they may have had, and what their life goals may be.

Essay - Resume - High School and Neighborhood Context

Additional consideration will also be given to applicants applying to the CARE Summer Bridge Program, as well as exceptionally talented visual and performing artists and athletes.

Fall 2024 Admitted Student Profile

Academic Core GPA *

Summer 2024 Admitted Student Profile

High school courses.

Our focus in this area is rigor, grades, and courses taken while in high school. Each applicant is evaluated based upon the performance within the context of the student's academic environment and coursework available at their high school.

The Florida Board of Governors sets the minimum eligibility requirements in the State University System (SUS). Satisfying these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to Florida State University. Admission is selective, and admitted students typically exceed the minimum requirements.

Minimum Courses Required

English (4), Math (4), Natural Science (3), Social Science (3), World Language (2 sequential)

Average Courses Completed

by 2023 Accepted Students

The SSAR (Self-reported Student Academic Record)

All first-year applicants must complete a SSAR except :

  • Applicants who have not followed an academic curriculum patterned after the U.S. system - must submit official or certified copies of all secondary school records and/or examination results. This includes students who have attended an institution not patterned after the U.S. system for any length of time. All academic records not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. In addition, these credentials must be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency. We recommend a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or International Education Credential Services provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
  • GED graduates - students must submit their official GED transcript, along with official partial high school transcript(s).

The SSAR lists all courses and associated grades that have been attempted, or will be attempted, for high school and/or college credit. When creating their SSAR, students must have a copy of their high school transcript available to use as a reference to ensure their self-reported academic information is accurate. Students can link their Self-Reported Student Academic Record through their Application Status Check . Please allow one to two business days after linking for the checklist item to be satisfied.

For more information on the SSAR, please refer to our SSAR FAQ and our SSAR Linking Guide .

Test Score Information

FSU, along with Florida's 11 other public universities, is subject to Florida Board of Governors admissions regulation 6.002 which requires first-year students seeking admission to submit an ACT, CLT or SAT test score.

FSU does not accept self-reported test scores from the Common App. Students should self-report their test scores on the Application Status Check using the Self-reported Test Scores form.

At least one test score must be submitted before the application deadline, but additional tests may be considered if provided by the test score deadline. Since accuracy is critical, students must have a copy of their score report(s) available to reference when self-reporting their scores. We strongly recommend using your complete score report when completing the form. To complete this form, you must list at least one set of test scores. If admitted, students will be required to submit official test score reports prior to enrollment at FSU.

In May 2023, the Classic Learning Initiatives, Inc. published The Concordance Relationship Between the Classic Learning Test (CLT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) , establishing a concordance table between the CLT and the SAT.

How-to: Self-Report Your Test Scores to Florida State University

Essay & Resume/List of Activities

The essay and resume provide another opportunity to learn more about you and are used during our holistic review process.

As a requirement of the application, the essay should be no longer than 650 words and may be uploaded after the application has been submitted. Please choose a topic from the list below:

Application Essay Prompts

  • Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  • The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  • Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  • Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
  • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  • Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
  • Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The resume should be no longer than two pages and may be uploaded after the application has been submitted. It should include a list of activities such as (but not limited to) service work, employment, family contributions such as caring for siblings or sick relatives, and extracurricular and summer activities.

Please allow 3-4 business days for us to pull your essay and resume/activities if you submitted your application through the Common App.

Earning both a High School Diploma and an Associate in Arts (AA) degree

A high school student earning both the standard high school diploma and an Associate in Arts (AA) degree through dual enrollment from the Florida College System or the State University System of Florida must apply to FSU as a first-year student. Applicants must adhere to the first-year admission deadlines. In addition, applicants may be subject to additional major deadlines/requirements. Carefully review all major requirements at Academic Program Guide .

Those students who are receiving an AA degree but do not meet the admissions requirements under the Florida Board of Governors Admission Regulation 6.002, may be considered for admission under Florida Board of Governors Admission Regulation 6.005. Students admitted under this regulation are first-time-in-college (FTIC) students although they are not required to submit SAT/ACT scores. However, they should meet the requirements for their selected major as listed in FSU's Academic Program Guide . If admitted, they must submit a $200 enrollment deposit, attend a first-year orientation session, and are eligible to apply for on-campus housing. Admitted students without a test score are not eligible to be considered for first-year merit scholarships from the Office of Admissions. Students considered for admission under FL BOG 6.005 will be required to submit all official college transcript(s) for evaluation prior to an admission offer being made; they must also provide a final official college transcript displaying the A.A. before enrolling at FSU. Any FTIC student admitted under this regulation must immediately notify the Office of Admissions if they will not receive their degree. All first-year students admitted under this regulation who do not receive the Associate in Arts degree will have their offer of admission revoked.

University Housing

Students who have been admitted for the Summer or Fall term are eligible to complete a housing contract. The university housing contract opens in late February each year. Florida State has 18 residence halls in total; 14 of the residence halls are reserved for first-year students. Students may also want to consider applying to live in a Living-Learning Community (LLC). An LLC is a small group of students who live together, share an interest, and take one or two of their classes together - usually in a small classroom inside their residence hall. On campus housing is not required, but strongly encourage for first-year students. On-campus housing is limited, so we encourage admitted students to complete a contract as soon as possible if they are interested in living on campus. Students do not need to pay their admissions deposit to submit a university housing contract. The housing contract and pre-payment should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than May 1st. To learn more, visit housing.fsu.edu .

FSU Online Educational Leadership / Administration Certificate

In our Educational Leadership/Administration certificate program , you will master a core of professional and theoretical knowledge and demonstrate skills in applied research and the practice of leadership. The program is approved by the Florida Department of Education, incorporates a core of professional knowledge, includes an experiential component, and facilitates mastery of the Florida Principal Leadership Standards in educational leadership. For more information, visit the College of Education certificate program website .

Please note: To be admitted to the program, you must be a Florida teacher with a current Florida professional teaching certificate and have at least two years of full-time PK-12 classroom teaching experience.

The Office of Admissions maintains a social media presence on Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube where we share information, engage with the community, and offer customer support.

Admissions Resources

  •   Apply
  •   Check Your Application Status
  •   Application Change Form
  •   Residency Requirements
  •   Publications
  •   Office of Financial Aid
  •   FSU-Panama City Campus
  •   Aspire TCC2FSU Program

Academic Resources

  •   College & Career Planning Tool
  •   Undergraduate Majors and Degrees
  •   Combined Bachelor's & Master's Degrees
  •   Professional Licensure
  •   FSU Highlights & Rankings

Student Resources

  •   Office of Accessibility
  •   Career Center
  •   Transfer Student Services
  •   Student Veterans Center
  •   Title IX
  •   Safety on Campus

FSU & Tallahassee

  •   Visit Campus
  •   Campus Map
  •   Seminole Tribe
  •   University Land Acknowledgement Statement

College of Business

How to nail your scholarship application essay.

A student writes in a notebook while viewing a laptop screen.

When it comes to applying for scholarships, the task can be immediately overwhelming. Where do you find scholarships? How do you apply? What do they each require? This is going to take forever!

But at Colorado State, we do things a little differently. We’re so proud of our one-and-done scholarship application process. Almost all CSU scholarships live in the same place, and can be applied for with one application, one time, and that’s it. The Colorado State University Scholarship Application (CSUSA) takes a big hurdle out of your path right off the bat. Completing the CSUSA enters you for nearly every scholarship at CSU that you’re eligible for. Now all you have to do is nail that application essay … and we’re here to make that part easy, too. Here are some insider info, tips, and even a few essay excerpts to help you as you tackle your essay.

#1. It’s less formal than you think

Did you know that your scholarship application essay is meant to help us see the most-authentic version of you, your journey, and your goals? We’re not looking for a formal essay here. You won’t need to analyze anything, look for metaphors, or even write a structured outline when you start (but you can if it helps you).

The essay prompt might ask you to tell your story, highlight your ambitions, and explain how you see yourself succeeding in this big ol’ world. Essay prompts range from what kind of career you see yourself in, and how college might help you get there. They might ask you to describe a challenging event, explain how you navigated it, and how it inspires you to go forward in life. The essay is so much more your story than anything else. The more YOU you are, the better. Don’t worry too much about intros, transitions, structure, or formal conclusion paragraphs when you first sit down to write. Let it flow and be you.

  • Tip : Write your first draft like you’re talking to your best friend, your favorite teacher, your mentor, your coach. Your voice/tone should be genuine, passionate, and infused with the vibe you’d give if you were telling your biggest dreams to your biggest cheerleaders. We’re rooting for you here.

#2. Vulnerability is your superpower here

Perhaps the biggest tool in your toolbox when it comes to writing a genuine, powerful essay is your willingness to be vulnerable. While vulnerability may seem like a weakness in some arenas, it’s your superpower in the scholarship application essay. So what exactly is it, and how can you use it to your advantage?

Vulnerability, by definition, is the willingness to show emotion or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen or known. There can be some risk involved in being vulnerable, and that’s often why it has such a big impact. You’re essentially giving away your armor, and that allows you to create connection at a deep, emotional level. To put vulnerability to work in a story or experience, try to remember how you felt in that moment, and what was running through your head. Instead of just recounting events as they happened, retell them as YOU experienced them. Let emotion guide your story instead of rehashing a timeline of events. The story, told as it moved through you, is what makes the connection.

  • Tip : As you recount an event or moment in your essay, try to incorporate the senses. What did you see, hear, smell, feel? Let emotion be your guide, but paint the picture fully.

#3. Word choice matters (and not in the way you might think)

One question you should ask yourself as you draft your essay is if the words you’re using actually suit you. Would you use these actual words if you were talking to someone? One thing that can derail your authenticity in writing is trying to use big or “impressive” words that wouldn’t naturally flow from you in your daily life. We’re not saying you shouldn’t use a thesaurus, but be choosy. If the word doesn’t “fit” you when you’re casually speaking, we’re going to feel that in your essay, too.

  • Tip : Read your essay aloud while recording yourself. Does it flow? Are there words that you stumble over as you read them? If so, put those words into the thesaurus and see if anything comes up that doesn’t trip you up as you read. It should feel as natural to read it as it would if you were talking to a friend.

#4. Always, always, always get a proofreader (or two)

While it’s not the most-glamorous advice, we cannot stress enough the importance of having someone — and, preferably, multiple someones — review your essay. Even the most-seasoned professional writer will make errors, even after multiple drafts. Typos, missing words, tense errors, and even disorganized thoughts can distract readers from your beautiful, unique story. Our advice is to find a proofreader who can dial in your punctuation and grammar, and another who can help you with the more-subtle aspects of good writing, like flow, tone, and structure. You want to start and end strong, plus have a robust, visually and emotionally stimulating middle.

  • Tip : Draft your first version raw without any expectations of yourself. Answer the essay prompt as if you’re writing in your journal. Then find a reliable proofreader (preferably outside the house, like a teacher) to help you level it up and polish it up. After you’ve done a little spiff, show it to a second proofreader. Fresh eyes mean everything.

Some essay excerpts to inspire you

Ready to learn more about the csu scholarship process.

Categories assigned to this story

Tags assigned to this story

' src=

Prairie Smallwood

Prairie Smallwood is a writer and content creator for the Office of Admissions at Colorado State University. She is passionate about education and exploration, and knows that going to college can be both an adventure and an overwhelming experience. She aims to create content that helps students through that journey — the wonderful, the scary, and everything in between.

IMAGES

  1. How to Write a Florida State University (FSU) Essay: Example and Tips

    does the florida state university require an essay

  2. How to Write the Florida State University Essay 2021-2022

    does the florida state university require an essay

  3. Apply to Florida State University

    does the florida state university require an essay

  4. How to Get Into Florida State (FSU): Acceptance Rate & Strategies

    does the florida state university require an essay

  5. University Of Florida Essay Help! Florida state university application

    does the florida state university require an essay

  6. Florida State University logo

    does the florida state university require an essay

COMMENTS

  1. FSU Admissions

    The essay, a required component of the application, should be no longer than 650 words, and may be uploaded after the application has been submitted. Please choose a topic from the list below: ... Florida State University considers applications from students who participated in a Home-Education program, or who have earned a GED. ...

  2. How to Write the Florida State University Essays 2021-2022

    Florida State accepts its own FSU Application, the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. For the FSU and Coalition Applications, there are 5 essay topics you can choose from. You only need to choose one and write a 650-word essay. We've broken those 5 down below. For the Common Application, you can choose from the Common App prompts.

  3. Admissions (Undergrad)

    Satisfaction of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to Florida State University. Admission shall be on a competitive basis within curricular, spatial, and fiscal limitations. The University reserves the right to deny admission to any student that has an unsatisfactory academic, conduct, health, or behavioral record.

  4. 5 Tips for Writing an Incredible FSU Essay

    Florida State University, or FSU, is a top-100 school and ranked number three in Florida Colleges. With a 25 percent acceptance rating, they're considered to be a competitive school. That means you'll need to impress them in your application, and a well-written FSU essay is one great way to go about it!

  5. FSU Admission Requirements 2023

    FSU GPA Requirements. For Florida State, the GPA requirements for the Summer of 2023 and Fall of 2023 are between 4.1 - 4.5 and 4.3 - 4.6, respectively. You will need a very high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top of your class in order to get into FSU. According to FSU's Registrar Office, the minimum GPA requirement is a weighted 3.0.

  6. First-Year Applicant

    Florida State does not require the optional ACT writing score or the optional SAT essay. ... The essay should be no longer than 500-550 words, and may be uploaded after the student's application has been received. ... Florida State University considers applications from students who participated in a Home-Education program, or who have earned a ...

  7. This Year's FSU Admission Requirements

    Application Requirements. Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews.

  8. How to Apply to Florida State University

    What You'll Need To Complete Your Application. High School GPA. Required. High School Rank. Considered but not required. High School Transcript. Required. College Prep Courses. Required.

  9. Florida State University: Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA

    590. 670. ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. This admissions data tells us that most of FSU's admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Florida State scored between 610 and 670, while 25% scored below 610 and 25% scored above 670.

  10. Apply to Florida State University

    Register for your visit at https://visit.fsu.edu/ and explore FSU's 485-acre campus in Tallahassee, Florida. Not only is Tallahassee the state's capital, but it offers amazing cuisine, award-winning parks, miles and miles of walking and biking trails, as well as cultural events occurring all year round. Read more.

  11. Florida State University

    1180 - 1340. Students Submitting SAT. 65%. Math. Average (25th - 75th) 580 - 660. Reading and Writing. Average (25th - 75th) 600 - 680.

  12. PDF WRITE YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT

    • Tailor the essay for each school and clearly state reasons for pursing a degree from that school. • Proofread for typos and grammatical errors. • Seek feedback. 850-644-6431 • career.fsu.edu • @fsucareercenter • #NolesWithGoals ... my academic record that need to be

  13. What Does It Really Take To Get Into Florida State University?

    How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Florida State University. 1. Achieve at least a 3.59 GPA. The average unweighted high school GPA of Florida State University's Class of 2025 is 3.59—and 64% of students earned all As and Bs in high school. FSU considers GPA "important" to admissions decisions. Selective schools like FSU that ...

  14. Florida State University

    Admission Requirements in Brief. To have the best chance of getting into to Florida State University you should: Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better. Earn A- grades in high school. Score 1290 on the SAT. Score 28 on the ACT. Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class.

  15. Florida State University

    This school does not require essays or the essay prompts are not available yet. Sign up to be notified of any changes. Applying to Florida State University | FSU and trying to find all the correct essay prompts for 2023-24? Find them here, along with free guidance on how to write the essays.

  16. Application Essays for Florida's State Universities

    FAMU: The school's own application asks you for a a 500-word personal statement on a topic of your choice for. Note that FAMU will be joining the Common App on October 1, 2021. FIU: You must apply using the school's own application. No essay is required unless you're applying to its honors program. If you apply to a university's honors ...

  17. Florida State University

    Homework Help Expert FAQ Blog Articles Essay Guides Livestreams Scholarships Community Peer essay review. Log in. Sign up. ... TOEFL required (international applicants) Tests typically submitted. SAT: 65%. ACT: 36%. ... Florida State University | FSU is a public school in Florida with 33,300 total undergraduate students ...

  18. Freshman Admission Requirements

    Earning an AA with High School Diploma (Dual Enrollment) High School students earning both the standard high school diploma and an associate in arts (A.A.) degree through dual enrollment from a Florida College System or State University System institution and who do not meet Freshman admission requirements may be admitted to Florida Atlantic under Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.005.

  19. OU softball sweeps Florida State in NCAA super regional to reach WCWS

    Coach Patty Gasso and the second-seeded OU softball team will look to clinch an eighth consecutive Women's College World Series berth when they face 15th-seeded Florida State on Friday at Love's Field.. Here's what you need to know about the Sooners (53-6) vs. Seminoles (46-15): More:OU softball legend Lauren Chamberlain reflects on Tiare Jennings tying her on HR list

  20. FSU Admissions

    Transfer. What We're Looking For. Transfer. Each year, we enroll approximately 3,000 transfer students. The majority of our students come to us from the Florida College System and most will have completed their Associate in Arts degree. However, we accept transfer students from all nationally accredited institutions at all levels.

  21. OU softball run-rules Florida State in Game 1 of NCAA super regionals

    Coach Patty Gasso and the second-seeded OU softball team will look to start of the Norman Super Regional with a bang against 15th-seeded Florida State.. Here's what you need to know about the Sooners (52-6) vs. Seminoles (46-14): More:How OU softball's 'infectious' Rylie Boone makes Sooners go from bottom of lineup OU softball live score updates vs. Florida State

  22. FSU institute does deep dive into makeup of the average Florida voter

    In preparation for this year's election, the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University has completed a deep dive into the 2022 election to draw up a kind of painting by numbers of the ...

  23. 2024 ACC baseball tournament: Bracket, schedule, scores

    Game 2: No. 5 Florida State 12, No. 9 Georgia Tech 9; Game 3: No. 6 Duke 11, No. 10 Virginia Tech 8; ... Everything you need to know about how the Men's College World Series works.

  24. Sixteen regional sites selected for the 2024 NCAA DI baseball

    Tallahassee, Florida - Florida State (42-15) Tucson, Arizona - Arizona (36-21) ... Everything you need to know about how the Men's College World Series works. DI baseball news.

  25. Editorial: Florida voters don't buy the BS that elections are 'rigged

    The survey was conducted by the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University over a two-month period soon after the 2022 midterm election. A total of 6,242 voters completed an online survey ...

  26. 2024 NCAA baseball bracket: Men's College World Series scores, schedule

    Florida State: Omaha, Neb. 1969: Arizona State (56-11) Bobby Winkles: 10-1: Tulsa: ... Everything you need to know about how the Men's College World Series works. DI baseball news.

  27. FSU Admissions

    The Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook is a comprehensive academic advising resource made available annually by the Florida Department of Education to school counselors and advisors. The handbook provides information regarding: Middle and high school progression and promotion requirements. Career planning.

  28. How to nail your scholarship application essay

    The Colorado State University Scholarship Application (CSUSA) takes a big hurdle out of your path right off the bat. Completing the CSUSA enters you for nearly every scholarship at CSU that you're eligible for. Now all you have to do is nail that application essay … and we're here to make that part easy, too.