uf honors college essay prompt

How to Write the University of Florida Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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The University of Florida (UF) is a top-rated public university located in the city of Gainesville. Their many accomplished alumni include football player Tim Tebow Senator Marco Rubio; sportscaster Erin Andrews; and former Senator, current NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. If you’re looking for an acceptance letter, you’ll need to nail down your University of Florida supplemental essays. This article will take you through each prompt, including the honors program application prompt.

University of Florida’s 2024-2025 Prompts

There are a few different types of essays required by UF. However, there is only one prompt required for all applicants. That said, there are also three optional prompts that all applicants can elect to answer. You could choose to answer none of the three optional prompts, all of them, or any other combination. Lastly, there is one prompt that is required for applicants to the honors program. Note that this prompt has a longer word count than the others.

In this article, we’ll explain all of the University of Florida supplemental essays. If you’re only answering some of the prompts, feel free to skip around. All of the prompts are listed below. Let’s dive in!

All Applicants

Required : please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. this could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words or fewer), optional : do you have any employment or family obligations that limit your participation in extracurricular activities if so, please describe. (250 words or fewer), optional : have you participated in or been assisted in your college preparation and search by programs outside of classroom, such as educational talent search, take stock in children, upward bound, boys and girls club, etc. please provide the name of the program, details/benefits of your involvement, and how long your experiences continued. (250 words or fewer).

• Optional : Is there any additional information or extenuating circumstances the Admissions Committee should know when reviewing your application? Please provide more information in less than 250 words. (250 words or fewer)

Honors Program Applicants

As albert einstein once said, “the important thing is not to stop questioning. curiosity has its own reason for existing.” reflecting on this, what academic subjects, learning opportunities, or extracurricular activities are you most excited to engage in during your college experience how do you imagine or hope the uf honors program will help feed your curiosity and help you achieve your aspirations (400 words or fewer), we’ll review your essay.

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General Tips

Supplemental essays are never easy to write, but there are some general rules-of-thumb that can make the process a little easier. Here, we’ll dive into two tips in particular. The first is research, the second is authenticity.

Research is key to nailing your University of Florida supplemental essays. Any applicant who has a thorough understanding of the opportunities available to them at the University of Florida will fare better in the application process than any applicant who has thrown UF on their college list after simply reading their website. In your essays, you should mention, by name, specific programs, professors, extracurriculars, and so on that interest you.

These should be qualities of UF that aren’t just generally interesting, but are of particular interest to you. In other words, look up programs related to your intended major, professors who teach courses you might take, clubs you would want to join, etc. Researching UF before you begin to write these essays won’t just boost your level of detail on the page. It’ll also give you genuine reasons to be excited about attending the University of Florida. While less tangible, your motivation will shine through in your essays as excitement and passion. Moreover, it will be easier to get yourself to work on these essays if you’re genuinely excited about attending the University of Florida, because you understand what great opportunities will be available to you if you’re lucky enough to become a student there.

Authenticity

Authenticity is a word that’s thrown around a lot in the context of college essays. But what does it mean in practice? Following upon the point made about research in the section above, you need to have genuine motivations under your belt when you’re writing these essays. Moreover, you need to write about your real interests, experiences, and curiosities.

Admissions officers are highly capable readers who will be able to tell, in most cases, if a student is faking their interest in physics or the depth of their involvement in student government. It’s not worth your or anyone else’s time fabricating an interest or life experience that sounds good. Instead, think deeply about who you are, how you spend your time, and what you’ll bring to the table at UF. Then, write about these honest parts of yourself, with the requisite details included. Authenticity is the only way you can truly stand out from the crowd in the application process.

Now let’s break down the University of Florida supplemental essays specifically, prompt by prompt.

University of Florida Supplemental Essays: All Applicants

The following prompts apply to all applicants, but only the first is required.

As the one required prompt for all applicants, this is probably the most important of your University of Florida supplemental essays. For many applicants, this is the only prompt you’ll answer. When you read the prompt, it can be helpful to go phrase by phrase to break it down.

The prompt begins with, “Please provide more details.” The “more” in this phrase implies that you have already provided details. In this case, the prompt is referring to your activities list. The prompt continues, “Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school.” Evidently, the admissions team at UF wants to hear more about a commitment that appears elsewhere in your application .

Note that in the first sentence of this prompt, the word “meaningful” is used twice. Therefore, it’s your job to show the reader how and why the commitment you choose to explore in this essay is meaningful. To express this meaning, you need to be specific and personal. Why is this commitment meaningful to you ?

Notice how expansive the parameters of this prompt are. You can take the word “commitment” liberally. Not only could this commitment be “related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity,” but it could also be another type of commitment that has been meaningful to you in your high school years. If you’re having trouble coming up with the right commitment to explore, consider how you’ve spent the hours of your high school years. What did you spend the most time on outside of school? This is likely your ideal essay topic.

After answering the last essay question, you may feel that there are some parts of your life left untouched in your application. For instance, you may have spent meaningful time throughout your high school years caring for a younger sibling or working a part-time job. If that is the case, you may have also struggled to find time to take up a sport or join a club. Here is your opportunity to explain these obligations.

Some of the qualities admissions officers look for in applicants include maturity, work ethic, and empathy. If you worked a job or took care of family responsibilities for any significant amount of time in high school, you likely displayed (and continue to display) one or more of these qualities. With humility, consider the ways that you can demonstrate those qualities in this essay, like your other University of Florida supplemental essays.

This question only applies to applicants who have experience with the programs listed above. If so, you’ll want to be as specific as possible in your response. Not only should you name the program, but you should provide as many details as you are comfortable (and can fit in 250 words or fewer) regarding your involvement. The prompt also asks for the duration of your experience.

In addition, if you have strong opinions about your experience with the program, whether positive, negative, or something in between, you’ll may want to provide those opinions as well. Doing so will add layers to your short essay that may help the admissions team better understand you as a person.

Overall, this essay shouldn’t require any added pressure. Instead, it’s a useful opportunity for the admissions team to understand how their applicants navigate high school, choose to apply to UF, and put their applications together. As long as your response is honest and specific, you’ll give the admissions officers what they’re looking for.

Optional : Is there any additional information or extenuating circumstances the Admissions Committee should know when reviewing your application? If so, please provide more information in less than 250 words. (250 words or fewer)

For many applicants looking back at their applications, something seems missing. If there was a drop in your grades during sophomore year and nowhere else in your application did you have the opportunity to explain this situation, this essay is your chance.

If you faced a significant hardship in your personal life, perhaps you want to explore that hardship here. Or if you faced a financial or other barrier to participating in certain extracurricular activities (for instance, you were accepted into a selective academic summer camp but couldn’t afford to attend), then you may wish to provide those details in this essay.

The above are just a few of the many examples of topics you could write about in this essay. Before beginning your draft, think about your application as a whole. Does it truly show you as you are? As a student, classmate, friend, and family member? If so, then remember, this prompt is optional. But if not, you’ll want to provide details here. “Details” is a key word. You’ll need to be specific for the admissions team, who doesn’t necessarily know you very well, so they can fully understand the situation you choose to describe. Once again, be genuine and specific, and this essay has the potential to strengthen your application.

University of Florida Supplemental Essay: Honors Program Applicants

Note that this prompt is only required for honors program applicants.

Applicants to the honors program at the University of Florida are expected to be a level above the general applicant pool. These students are especially intellectually curious, motivated, and accomplished. In order to prove that you deserve a spot in the honors program, you are asked to write this additional essay.

Although it’s more work for the applicant, a successful honors program essay will pay off in the long run by giving the student access to greater resources and more individualized academic attention. Before you write this essay, you should read up on the particular opportunities available to you through the UF honors program . In this essay, you may want to mention specific opportunities at UF that will help you pursue your intellectual hunger further. Doing so will demonstrate to the admissions team your sincerity and commitment.

When the admissions team asks the above questions to honors program applicants, they are expecting to hear from students who know their interests and know how they will take advantage of UF’s resources once enrolled. Thus, it can be helpful to structure your essay around those elements.

For instance, you can start by describing one subject or topic that is intensely interesting to you. Then, envision how this interest will motivate your academic studies in college. Be specific and open-minded in your answer by naming particular resources you’ll seek support from without limiting yourself to a certain path. Whatever topic and essay structure you choose, do your research and let your words exude your passion. You’ve got this!

If you need help polishing up your University of Florida supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, examples or tips for uf honors essays.

Hey folks! I'm applying to the UF Honors Program, and I'm looking for some guidance or examples of successful essays. Any advice on how to make my essay stand out and improve my chances of getting in?

Hi there! UF Honors essays can be a great opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and interests. CollegeVine has a guide breaking down all of the UF essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-florida-essays

Remember, the essay is your chance to showcase who you are and what sets you apart from other applicants. Take the time to thoughtfully craft your essay and tell your unique story. Good luck with your UF Honors Program application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

University of Florida 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Activity

How to Write the University of Florida Supplemental Essay

With only one supplemental essay, the University of Florida is making it easy for you to complete their application—but don’t take this opportunity lightly! In this essay, they’re aiming to assess your “quality of thought,” so make sure you give it the attention it deserves. Keep reading to discover our University of Florida supplemental essay tips! 

University of Florida Prompt Breakdown

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. this could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words).

What would your life be mundane without? Elaborate on an activity, responsibility, or passion that is meaningful to you. Unlike an activities resume entry, this should be expanded to reflect your priorities, worldview, and sense of purpose. Do you babysit your cousins when your aunt gets called into work? How does it feel to support your family members in this way and what does the phrase, “it takes a village,” mean to you? Do you foster rescue cats until they find their forever homes? What does this hobby mean to you? Maybe you inherited your animal love from your dad who used to work as a farmhand. Use your experiences to tell admissions something about you they wouldn’t already know from your list of extracurriculars. What gives your life meaning? Why do you wake up in the morning? What are you working toward?

Honors College Only:

As albert einstein once said, “the important thing is not to stop questioning. curiosity has its own reason for existing.” reflecting on this, what academic subjects, learning opportunities, or extracurricular activities are you most excited to engage in during your college experience how do you imagine or hope the uf honors program will help feed your curiosity and help you achieve your aspirations (400 words).

This is a classic Why Essay even if it’s not incredibly obvious, although rather than asking only about your interest in the university in general, UF also wants to know why you are applying for the Honors Program. This essay calls for—say it with us now—research! Block off a solid hour or two to noodle around UF’s website , looking at the courses, clubs, research opportunities, study abroad experiences, musical ensembles, intramural sports teams, or anything else about the school that attracts you. The prompt focuses on curiosity, so mention every aspect that appeals to you in a college experience, even if they don’t connect elegantly into one major or focus. Take some time to learn about the Honors Program in particular, noting which courses, student activities, teaching assistantships, or retreats will help quench your thirst for discovery and prime you to reach your personal, academic, and professional goals. How does UF in general and the Honors Program in particular fit your hopes, dreams, and expectations for your college experience and beyond?

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3 Writing Tips for the University of Florida Essay Prompts

College Essays

Are you applying to the University of Florida? You'll need to answer some essay prompts as part of your application.   Read this guide to learn what the University of Florida essay prompts are, what admissions officers are looking for in your response, what you should include and avoid in your answers, and what strong UF college essay examples look like.

What Are the University of Florida Essays?

The University of Florida accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application, and applicants must answer one of the Common Application prompts. 

As part of your application, you'll also need to answer an additional UF-specific essay prompt, and you'll have the option of answering three additional essay prompts. Your answer to each prompt can be up to 250 words. Here's the prompt:

• Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity

We'll go over how to best answer this supplement question in the next section.

The UF Essay Prompt, Analyzed

In this section, we explain what the prompt is asking for, why UF is interested in this information, what information you should include (and what information to avoid), and what a strong example answer could look like.

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity.

What the prompt is asking for: A description of the one extracurricular you feel is most important to you.

Why UF is interested: Students who are dedicated to something show they are passionate, interested in learning, and have a strong work ethic. These are all characteristics colleges want their students to have, so having something you're committed to is a major boost to your application. Seeing what you choose also gives UF a better sense of who you are and what you value.

Potential topics to discuss: What the extracurricular, is how long you've involved with it, how much time per week/month/etc. you dedicate to it, what activities your involvement includes, why you consider it meaningful. 

Topics to avoid: Listing multiple activities or simply describing the extracurricular without explaining why it's important to you.

Example: "The extracurricular most important to me is my involvement in my high school's Model UN team . I've been involved for four years, since I was a freshman. We meet once a week during the school year to prepare for the four conferences we participate in each year. As a Model UN member, I research different political events and international relations topics, then debate the issues with other team members to build my skills in those areas. Model UN is so important to me because, not only did it solidify my choice to major in International Relations, it strengthened me personally. As a result of my participation, I've improved my debate skills, become a more confident public speaker, and have much more experience finding a compromise even between very different groups."

Tips for the UF Essay Prompt

Follow these three tips when completing the University of Florida supplement essays to make sure your answers are as strong as possible.

#1: Keep Your Answers Concise

You only have 250 words per prompt. That isn't that much! This means your responses need to be brief and to the point if you're trying to fit a lot of information in. You likely have a lot of reasons why a particular extracurricular is the most important to you.

#2: Show Your Strengths

Even though the prompt is short, it’s still an opportunity for you to impress the admissions committee. You can dive into how you've been involved in your extracurricular, as well as any leadership roles you may have had. Try to include themes you've mentioned in other parts of your application , such as your longer essay. For example, if you mentioned that your dream is to be a doctor, try to highlight experiences that reflect that, such as volunteering at a hospital.

#3: Be Honest and Passionate

Sometimes students think they need to tell a story that the admissions committee wants to hear...so they make things up. Do not lie in your college essay—admissions counselors are  great  at sniffing out fibs! 

Instead, lean into the passions and experiences that make you unique . For instance, maybe you made a quilt and entered it in the fair. That's awesome! Just make sure you're explaining why it's meaningful for you! Maybe your grandmother taught you how to quilt and you worked on it together, which taught you the importance passing knowledge down from one generation to the next. 

Summary: UF College Essay Examples

There is one main University of Florida essay, and it'll be the Coalition or Common Application (depending on which application you use) prompt of your choice. But there are also additional UF essay prompts to answer. These shorter prompts are a way for the UF admissions committee to learn more about you and have the most accurate look at your application.

Here is where you can discuss extracurricular activities, anything that prevented you from participating in extracurriculars, certain programs you took part in, and anything else you think is important for the people reviewing your application to know. As you answer these UF essay prompts, remember to keep your responses short, don't feel pressured to answer every prompt, and highlight your strengths.

What's Next?

Considering the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship? Our guide to Bright Futures Scholarship programs answers all the questions you're wondering about.

Want to bring up your GPA? Read about four ways to bring up your high school grades fast .

Interested in community service ideas? Check out our guide to 129 great community service projects .

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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University of Florida (UF) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the University of Florida supplemental essays? CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the University of Florida supplemental essays will show you exactly how to write engaging UF supplemental essays and maximize your chances of admission. If you need help responding to the UF essay topics, create your free  account  or  schedule a free advising assessment  by calling (844) 343-6272.

University of Florida Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• UF has an acceptance rate of 31.0%— U.S. News  ranks the University of Florida as a  highly selective  school.
• There is  one  school-specific UF supplemental essay required for all applicants. If you are planning to apply to the UF Honors Program, you will complete an additional  two  UF essays. This means applicants to the UF Honors Program will complete a total of three UF supplemental essays.

Does the University of Florida have supplemental essays?

Yes. Whether you apply through the  Common App  or  Coalition App , you will respond to at least one UF essay prompt. Your UF admissions essay lets the admissions team learn more about you as they review your application.

Any freshman applying through the Common App or Coalition App also can apply to FHP, the University of Florida’s First-Year Honors Program. In addition to the required UF admissions essay, students applying to FHP must complete two additional UF supplemental essays.

While some schools handle honors admissions separately, UF includes all application materials for FHP in the standard UF application. This includes every UF admissions essay. Students completing the UF supplemental essays for the Honors Program, therefore, will submit all three UF essays through the Common or Coalition App. This means that you must complete the UF essays for the Honors Program before you submit your final application.

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay  guide .

How many supplemental essays does the University of Florida have?

There are  three  total University of Florida supplemental essays included on the 2021-2022 application.

The University of Florida has  one  UF essay prompt every student is required to complete. Additionally, if you choose to apply to their Honors Program, you must write another  two  UF supplemental essays. The first required UF essay prompt asks about your extracurricular engagements. In contrast, the UF essay topics for the Honors Program ask about your interest in the program and your academic priorities.

Before writing your essays, you’ll want to have an idea of your intended major. If you haven’t already, use our College Search Feature to explore the wide range of majors offered at UF!

How do I write the University of Florida supplemental essays?

Here are some helpful tips to help you get started on the University of Florida supplemental essays!

To begin, the University of Florida supplemental essays give you an opportunity to showcase what motivates you, which academic topics interest you, and how you engage with the world around you. Therefore, think of the UF supplemental essays as your chance to introduce yourself to the admissions team on your own terms.

As you brainstorm the UF essay topics, remember your audience. Admissions officers read thousands of UF supplemental essays. Ultimately, if you are vague, superficial, or misleading, your UF essays won’t help the UF admissions team understand who you are. To maximize your UF supplemental essays’ impact, you’ll want to be as specific, genuine, and authentic as possible.

If you’re having trouble finding topics for your UF essays, don’t worry! We will discuss each UF essay prompt individually below. But first, here are some more technical tips to keep in mind when writing your University of Florida supplemental essays.

Overall, the most important thing your University of Florida supplemental essays should do is answer the UF essay prompt. Even if you write a perfect UF admissions essay, it has failed to serve its main purpose if it doesn’t answer every aspect of the prompt.

Each of the University of Florida supplemental essays has a maximum word limit. In each essay, make sure to stick to the word limit and use your space wisely. For example, if you find yourself quoting someone famous or writing about a friends’ experiences, ask yourself how it relates back to you. In fact, the more “you” that you include in your UF admissions essay, the better!

The admissions team reads countless UF essays every year. This makes it particularly important that your UF admissions essay is as clear and polished as possible. Essentially, the more straightforward and refined your writing is, the more easily your ideas and personality will shine through! For this reason, you’ll want to be sure to give yourself enough time to draft, revise, and proofread your University of Florida supplemental essays.

Below, we have provided the 2021-2022 UF admissions essay prompts. Along with the prompts, you’ll find a breakdown of how to approach each UF admissions essay. As a bonus, we included both the general UF essay prompt and the Honors Program prompts. Additionally, we’ll also discuss tips for narrowing down your UF essay topics. If you follow these tips, you’ll write University of Florida supplemental essays that will help you stand out in admissions.

University of Florida Supplemental Essays – Question 1 (Required)

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity (250 words or less).

To start, this UF essay prompt asks you to choose your single “most meaningful commitment.” Even if multiple experiences pop into your head, you must narrow your UF essay topic down to just one commitment. The best University of Florida supplemental essays will use one commitment to reveal fundamental aspects of an applicant’s identity.

If you need help choosing your UF essay topics, try making a list using UF’s suggested categories. These include: Extracurricular, Work, Volunteering, Academic Activity, Family Responsibility, Other. While writing, remember that this list can include a sport you’ve played, a job you’ve held, or even a responsibility toward a sibling. Once you’ve completed your list, circle three to five topics that engage you most. Do a five-minute free-write for each. If there’s a topic you can’t stop writing about, there’s a good chance that might be your most meaningful commitment!

Once you’ve selected your essay topic, you can consider the rest of the UF essay prompt. This first UF essay prompt is quite open-ended, which gives you plenty of opportunities to showcase your identity. While “Please provide more details” isn’t very specific, remember that your UF admissions essay is an opportunity for the admissions team to get to know you. As you write, make sure to always connect your topic back to who you are.

Struggling to answer this UF essay prompt? Here are some questions to guide your response:

What did I do?  Be specific. If your topic is a sport, like basketball, discuss details of playing basketball that your reader might not know. For instance, you might describe waking up at 6 am for practice, practicing drills and collaborating with teammates, or performing under the pressure of a crowd.

Why did I do it?  What was the motivation behind your commitment? Let’s continue with the basketball example. Is basketball something you and your little brother grew up playing together? Does playing a sport help with your anxiety? Were you inspired by a certain professional athlete? Including the reason why you pursue the activity will strengthen your response to this UF essay prompt.

What did I take away from this commitment? Learning happens in all places. While this UF admissions essay asks you to describe an activity outside the classroom, asking “what did I learn?” will help take your response to this UF essay prompt from a summary into a story. Maybe you discovered a new passion, a new skill, or a new way of problem-solving. Maybe your commitment to basketball translated into commitment in your classes? Or maybe the teamwork you cultivated in practice changed the way you helped your family at home?

As you expand upon your UF essay topics, think about how your commitment shaped who you are. This will give you a compelling ending to your UF admissions essay.

UF Supplemental Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Does my UF admissions essay reference one (not two, or three) commitment outside of my classes?
• Does my essay show why this is important to me?
• Do I show how I engaged in this activity?
• Does my essay reflect what I gained from this experience?

University of Florida Honors Program Supplemental Essays – Question 1 (Required)

Why is applying for the UF Honors Program important to you? Which aspects of the program’s three pillars of opportunity, community, and challenge pique your interests? How would you engage with the program to exemplify these pillars yourself? How does the program factor into your long-term goals? Please be specific (400 words or less).

The first step in tackling this UF essay prompt is to read about the UF Honors Program’s  3 Pillars of Value . As you think about your UF essay topics, ask yourself what about these pillars draws you to the program. Why are these ideals crucial to your college experience?

If you’re struggling to find specific details to discuss in your UF essays, think about your current situation. What are you missing in your high school academic career that you want to experience in college? If your classes aren’t challenging enough, you might want to talk about “challenge” and why the Honors Program would give you the academic rigor you need to reach your greatest potential. Or, if you feel you haven’t met many like-minded individuals in your high school, you might want to talk about “community” and why the Honors Program would provide opportunities to support and be supported by peers. If you aspire to do research or attend a graduate school, you might want to talk about “opportunity” and how the Honors Program will connect you with advisors to put you on track for those experiences.

Think about the future

While this brainstorm can help you begin choosing your UF essay topics, the Honors Program  Application Tips  reminds prospective students that this UF essay prompt is meant to be forward-facing. This means the admissions team wants to hear about what you imagine for your future rather than what you’ve completed in your past. This is where the second half of the UF essay prompt comes into play.

Imagine the Honors Program as a stepping-stone: what will you do in the Honors Program, and how will that help you reach your goals? Be sure to answer these questions with specific details about the Honors Program. For example, if your dream is to join the medical field, you might reference the Honors Program’s Pre-Health Coordinator and the Professional Development courses you will take to prepare you for medical school.

No matter what draws you to the Honors Program, remember to be specific, answer all four questions in the UF essay prompt, and proofread, proofread, proofread!

• Does my UF admissions essay reference specific details about the Honors Program?
• Do I include both why I am interested in the Honors Program and what I plan to do if I get in?
• Does my essay communicate why the Honors Program is important in reaching my academic goals?

University of Florida Honors Program Supplemental Essays – Question 2 (Required)

Identify two topics you have previously studied that do not traditionally overlap. How do you envision you might bring these topics together during your time in Honors to engage a pressing societal, medical or technological concern? The concern you wish to engage could be of local, national, or global scope, but you should be clear about the issue you want to address. For the purposes of this essay, the topics you identify need not have been formally studied in high school, but you should have studied them since beginning in high school (300 words or less).

This UF essay prompt asks you to think along interdisciplinary lines to express your unique academic goals. This gives you a crucial opportunity to illustrate why you belong in an intellectually rigorous space like UF’s Honors Program.

Choosing a Topic

The first challenge of this UF essay prompt is to choose two topics that do not traditionally overlap. If you are having trouble choosing your UF essay topics, use your transcript and make a bulleted list of your classes divided into basic high school subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language, and the Arts. Think about which classes on this list you most enjoyed, and start combining subjects with seemingly little relation. The more unorthodox your combination, the more unique your UF admissions essay will be. For example, if you first choose Statistics and Chemistry, you may want to keep brainstorming as those have quite a bit of overlap. However, if you choose Chemistry and Music, you’ll have a less traditional pair that will make for a fascinating UF admissions essay. Strong UF essays can come from unexpected places!

Choosing a Concern

Next, turn away from your academic interests and choose the societal, medical, or technological concern you’d like to address. Unlike some other UF essays, this UF essay prompt focuses on how you think rather than who you are. As you choose your concern, therefore, focus on how you will engage the topic rather than why it is important to you. Remember, you’ve chosen this topic because it needs to be addressed, and your reader knows that. If you have a specific, personal connection that impacts the way you view the problem (and will ultimately tackle it), keep your justification brief and always connect back to how you will engage with the topic at hand. The best UF essays will offer concrete, specific details on how an applicant plans to tackle their chosen concern.

As you complete your University of Florida supplemental essays, be sure to reference their Application Tips to ensure you have a strong application.

• Does my essay include two topics that I will combine to solve a problem (not one, not three)?
• Do I show how my two chosen topics inform and relate to one another?
• Does my essay reflect how I plan to engage with this topic (not just why I am interested)?

How hard is it to get into the University of Florida honors program?

The University of Florida Honors Program is a highly challenging and therefore highly competitive program. Last year, the acceptance rate was 13%—well below the University’s acceptance rate. Students who are accepted have excellent scholarly credentials, are leaders in their communities, and plan to push themselves alongside their fellow Honors Gators.

It is important your University of Florida supplemental essays showcase why you belong in the Honors Program. Students accepted to the UF Honors program also have high test scores and GPAs as well as strong UF supplemental essays. You can read more about the 2020 Admitted Student Profile, the Honors review process, and the timeline for the 2021-2022 application cycle  here .

What are the requirements to get into the University of Florida?

Your University of Florida supplemental essays are only one element of your UF application. The University of Florida’s Admissions page provides a list of minimum  requirements for freshman applicants . That means you need to meet or exceed the following benchmarks to have a competitive application outside of your UF supplemental essays:

• Graduation:  You must be on track to graduate from a regionally accredited or state-approved secondary school or the equivalent (G.E.D., etc.).
• Academic Credits:  You need 16 academic units distributed across English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Foreign Language.
• Grade Point Average:  Your cumulative GPA must be at least a C.
• Conduct:  You must have a record of good conduct. Any major issues may disqualify your application from being considered, regardless of your academic credentials.
• SAT or ACT:  You must submit test scores from the SAT and/or the ACT. If you have taken a test multiple times, UF will take the highest scores for each subsection and superscore to create the highest possible total score.

University of Florida Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

As you think about the University of Florida supplemental essays, remember that no single element of your application will determine your admissions results. The UF admissions team uses a  holistic review process , meaning they take everything into consideration: your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, background, and UF supplemental essays. Admissions will consider your UF supplemental essays alongside your other academic credentials to better understand who you are as a student and how you will enrich the University of Florida community. While your transcript and test scores reflect the kind of student you already are, your UF essays will help them see what kind of student you can become.

While writing the University of Florida supplemental essays can be time-consuming, remember your UF essays—including both your Personal Statement and your UF supplemental essays—are the one part of your application where you have complete control. Be sure to take your time and make your University of Florida supplemental essays as strong as they can be! Give yourself time to think about the UF essay topics before you get started. Consider what you’ve already included in the rest of your application and use the UF essays to share something new about who you are.

If the thought of distilling yourself into a few short essays seems daunting, spend some time daydreaming about what going to the University of Florida could mean to your future. Think about the possibilities and opportunities you are excited to take on. Let that excitement shine through in your UF supplemental essays. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on UF was written by Stefanie Tedards. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources, click  here . Want help crafting your University of Florida supplemental essays? Create your free account or schedule a no-cost advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Nailing the UF Supplemental Essays for the 2023-2024 Admissions Cycle

The college application process is a crucial period in any student's life, and when it comes to the University of Florida (UF), this process includes crafting a captivating set of supplemental essays. In this blog post, we will offer targeted, step-by-step guidance to ace each University of Florida essay prompt.

General Prompt

Please submit a personal essay about who you are. We suggest a limit of 500 words.

This is your opportunity to tell your story in your own unique voice. Who are you as an individual? What experiences have shaped you, and what do you value most? Be sure to weave in your personality, values, and motivations. This essay is broad, but the key is to be authentic and introspective.

Example Essay

I come from a vibrant cultural melting pot nestled within the sun-kissed landscapes of Miami, Florida, where my Cuban heritage and American upbringing intersect. The enchanting salsa music echoing down the streets, my grandmother's tantalizingly spiced arroz con pollo, and the passionate baseball debates at the local café - these elements of my Cuban heritage provide a rhythm and warmth to my everyday life. Simultaneously, the annual traditions of roasting a Thanksgiving turkey or watching the Fourth of July fireworks paint the canvas of my American identity. These diverse cultural threads have woven the tapestry of my values and perspective, celebrating resilience, diversity, and tradition.

As I anticipate my journey at the University of Florida, I aim to contribute to the rich diversity of the campus community. I am particularly intrigued by the Multicultural & Diversity Affairs Program. The prospect of fostering meaningful cross-cultural dialogues through this initiative aligns closely with my personal goals and cultural background.

Optional Prompts

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. (450 words)

Here, UF wants to understand your community involvement and ethical values. Choose a specific moment when you positively impacted others. Discuss the challenges faced, solutions found, and the rewarding outcomes. Demonstrate your growth and commitment to contributing to the greater good.

When Hurricane Irma mercilessly ripped through my hometown of Miami in 2017, it left in its wake a trail of destruction. The poorer neighborhoods, including my own, bore the brunt of the calamity. Amid the chaos, I felt a deep-rooted urge to contribute to my community. Using my high school as a platform, I coordinated a relief drive, urging my peers to donate food, clothes, and their time.

Organizing such an endeavor was not without its hurdles. Power outages disrupted communication, making coordination a significant challenge. Despite the logistical problems, the community response was astounding. We gathered a sizable amount of supplies, enough to assist over 100 families. Witnessing my community unite in the face of adversity and knowing my role in facilitating that unity was a reward in itself. This endeavor reaffirmed my commitment to community service and is a value I intend to bring to the University of Florida, especially through initiatives like the Gator Good.

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? (450 words)

This prompt seeks to gauge your ability to handle intellectual challenges and personal growth. Choose a belief, explain why you held it, discuss the event that challenged it, and delve into the aftermath. This essay showcases your ability to adapt, learn, and evolve.

As a product of a devout Catholic family, my religious faith was an integral part of my identity. However, a close friendship with an agnostic classmate put my long-cherished beliefs under a new lens. Our stimulating dialogues revolving around faith, science, and morality invoked in me a sense of discomfort, yet these conversations were enlightening.

To reconcile my faith with the emerging questions, I turned to literature, reading about theology and secular humanism. Rather than eroding my faith, this intellectual journey deepened it, lending it a nuanced, empathetic, and more tolerant nature. I learned the significance of open dialogue, the strength in acknowledging differences, and the beauty of diversity. I aim to bring this attitude of acceptance and respect for differing viewpoints to UF's multicultural campus.

Prompts for Specific Schools

Each college within UF has its own prompt. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your clear interest in your chosen field and how studying it at UF will benefit you.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Describe a problem in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth. (400 words)

For this prompt, think about a significant challenge or problem in your life, how you approached it, and how it influenced your personal development. It allows you to display your problem-solving skills and resilience. Link this back to your academic pursuits within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

When my younger brother was diagnosed with dyslexia, my family and I found ourselves navigating a maze of challenges. In addition to managing my school work, I found myself tutoring my brother, researching his condition, and grappling with my feelings of helplessness. Instead of being overwhelmed, I chose to confront the problem proactively. I dedicated myself to understand dyslexia and developed a personalized learning plan for my brother.

This incident provided me with first-hand experience of the power of personalized learning and ignited my interest in psychology and cognitive science. I look forward to delving into these subjects at UF’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Cognitive Psychology and Developmental Science courses seem particularly interesting, aligning perfectly with my academic aspirations.

College of the Arts: Describe an experience that has shaped your artistic practice. (400 words)

UF wants to understand your artistic journey. Describe a significant artistic experience, how it shaped your craft, and why it matters. Connect this to the offerings of the College of the Arts, highlighting specific programs or opportunities that you are excited about.

Witnessing Frida Kahlo's "The Two Fridas" for the first time was an experience of profound artistic awakening for me. Kahlo’s raw portrayal of emotional pain and inner turmoil resonated deeply with me, inspiring me to view art as a potent vehicle for personal expression and social commentary. This interaction with Kahlo's masterpiece was transformative for my artistic style and approach, leading me to explore themes of identity and cultural dichotomy through vibrant colors and symbolic elements.

The University of Florida's College of the Arts offers the ideal environment for me to further hone my artistic skills and broaden my conceptual understanding. The Art and Social Change course is particularly appealing to me, promising a rich exploration of the interplay between art, society, and transformation.

The key to excelling in these UF essays is to be reflective, personal, and precise. Illustrate why you are an ideal fit for UF and how UF is the perfect environment for you to achieve your goals.

Good luck, future Gators!

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A Great University of Florida Essay Example

What’s covered:.

• Essay Example  
• Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay  

The University of Florida is a large public university in Gainesville that is known for both its academics and party scene. You have to really stand out in order to gain admission to this selective university, which is why your essays have to shine. In this post, we’ll share a real essay a student submitted to the University of Florida, and outline its strengths and areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our University of Florida essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Essay Example 

Prompt: Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, any academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words)

Attending high school in the U.S brought me many new experiences, but also disappointments. At my school, students mostly learned how to memorize theory. Lessons were conducted simply as teachers lectured the students until the bell rang. The old-fashioned teaching style with the lack of critical thinking led students to crumble into the shells. Therefore, I decided to make changes by creating a Speech and Debate Club in my school so that students could learn to comfortably express their viewpoints and further gain confidence in public speaking. 

As the club’s leader, I created an environment that encouraged the members to freely voice their viewpoints and solutions for problems happening in our community and society. To help them improve their critical thinking and public speaking skills, I signed up all members for the State Speech and Debate Championship. I also took an active role in scheduling practice for the members after school and helping them find logical evidence and outline their speeches. I also trained the members to find flaws in the opponent’s arguments. With these efforts, we won the Silver Medal in Public Forum Debate and Sportsmanship Awards in the State Speech and Debate Championship.

Even though the Speech and Debate Club is only a year old, I believe it is meaningful for many students in helping them comfortably articulate their ideas to make positive changes in our school and community. 

What the Essay Did Well

This essay does a good job of picking an extracurricular activity that was meaningful to this student and explaining why it was important to them. “ Extracurricular ” essays are a great opportunity to provide context on why you participated in a certain activity in high school and showcase the impact it had on you. This student fully answers the prompt by both explaining what the activity was and why it was important to them.

The opening paragraph also reveals a lot about how this student thinks and how they value education. They aren’t shy about their criticism of the traditional learning model, where students memorize and regurgitate information. The University of Florida wants to admit students who think critically and want to challenge the status quo, so this paragraph is a great way for admissions officers to see that this is the type of student they want. This isn’t to say that you need to disparage your school and teachers, but a good essay should reveal some insight into the way you think and value learning.

What Could Be Improved

The biggest thing this essay needs to work on is showing, not telling . The author tells us that they created an environment where people could share ideas. The author tells us that they helped members of the club strengthen their speeches. The author tells us the training they provided helped their team win a medal at the championship. But they don’t show us anything. 

The way the essay is currently written, it reads more as a resume description. Admissions officers will learn the same information from this essay as they will from reading the activities section of the application. The point of this essay is to humanize these accomplishments and highlight key traits of your personality or growth. 

Rather than telling us what occurred, this student should show us the conversations they had with struggling team members to display their leadership skills. Rather than telling us they created a safe environment, they should show us unlikely friendships being made through their club and the joy they felt. Rather than telling us they won, the student should describe what it felt like to hear their school’s name: “ The world stood still. All I could hear over the thunderous thump of my heart were gulps of excess air. Wait, what did they say?! We won!”

Show, don’t tell is old advice, but it really can make all the difference in an essay. If this student rewrote the story so the reader was actively placed in the moment, it would be far more successful.  

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay 

Do you want feedback on your University of Florida essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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University of Florida Supplemental Essays 2024-25 — Prompt & Advice

August 12, 2024

At the turn of the millennium, the University of Florida welcomed 63% of Gator applicants to Gainesville and functioned as a fairly accessible and highly affordable option for residents of the Sunshine State. However, by 2024, while still extremely affordable, the task of becoming a Gator has become far more difficult. They now receive over 67,000 applications and accept roughly 25% of those who apply. Incoming freshmen now possess an average unweighted GPA of 3.93 and SAT scores of 1320-1470. Another commonality amongst accepted students is that they write an excellent University of Florida supplemental essay.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into UF? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Florida: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

When applying to an institution like the University of Florida that rejects more than 7 of every 10 applicants, you’ll need to put maximum effort into every area of the application, including the Common App and supplemental essay. Below is the University of Florida’s required supplemental prompt for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing a winning essay.

University of Florida Supplemental Essay – Required

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words)

The University of Florida is not necessarily asking you to write about the activity where you earned the most prestigious awards or held the highest position of leadership. The university is going to see all of your activities in that section of the Common App. As such, you want to ask yourself which of your entries is crying out for more explanation and detail. Which one is closest to your heart and most representative of your unique passions? Pick the option that will allow you to deliver additional detail that may be memorable to the admissions reader. Start this process by asking yourself, “What is the most interesting and consequential moment that I have experienced in one of my extracurricular activities?” If you can identify one clear-cut moment, that is likely the activity worth sharing with the UF admissions staff.

University of Florida Supplemental Essays (Continued)

At the core of this essay prompt, the UF admissions officers are really trying to figure out what you will bring to the Gainesville campus community . Again, what you achieved in a particular extracurricular activity will already be viewable in your Common App Activities Section and the Common App Honors Section , so you don’t want to make that the focus of this essay. Instead, you may want to touch on some of the following areas related to your role as a community member:

• How you function as a member of a team.
• Your leadership ability.
• Your passion, commitment, and drive.
• A commitment to social justice and equity.
• How you respond to challenges and obstacles.
• Illustrate how you have demonstrated maturity and dependability.

How important are the University of Florida supplemental essays?

The University of Florida lists six factors as being “very important” to the admissions committee. They are: GPA, standardized test scores, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, and the rigor of your secondary school record and most relevant to this blog—the application essay. It’s important to keep in mind that UF places both the essays and extracurricular involvement in the top tier of importance. Therefore, this essay is something of a two-for-one. Further, the essay is rated as being of greater importance than class rank, standardized test scores, or your state residency status.

Want personalized assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your main Common App essay and University of Florida supplemental essay, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Looking for additional writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Write Personal Insight Question responses that reflect you

Tips from admissions on how to craft authentic answers.

• by Devon Bohart
• November 12, 2024

College applications demand time and effort. To some, they feel tedious at best and miserable at worst. You work to recount everything about your life to multiple strangers who decide your admission fate. It’s tough and many agree that the written portion poses the greatest challenge.

About Devon

Devon Bohart is the Associate Director of First-year Evaluation at UC Davis. She brings six years of experience with Undergraduate Admissions and enjoys demystifying the UC application process for prospective students. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama and is a UC Davis alum . Devon spends her spare time with her two cats and loves to read, run and bake.

Every application season, I hear the same question, “How do I write a strong Personal Insight Question, or PIQ, response?”

A common misconception suggests that strong applicants need to stand out on the writing portion. This goal shouldn’t guide your focus — it’s too difficult and unnecessary. Instead, focus on authenticity.

Let’s break this process into four steps to help you craft genuine and impactful responses.

Step one: What makes you, you?

Brainstorm aspects of yourself that define who you are before you even look at the provided questions. Perhaps it’s a mix of activities, a personal achievement or an obstacle you overcame. Ignore the questions at this stage and reflect on your story. Anything works and if you feel stuck think about what occupies your time and thoughts.

Step two: Match your answers to the questions

Review your answers from step one and match them to the PIQs they most align with. We provide eight questions but only require four responses (if you’re a transfer, you’ll get one mandatory question). This gives you the chance to tailor what you share. Many topics fit multiple questions so choose the ones that work best for you. These questions guide you — they do not test you. This is not an essay.

Step three: Write your first draft

Forget the rules from English class about thesis statements, catchy hooks and detailed examples as you write. Let your experiences and emotions carry the main idea. Write how you talk. This is your chance to tell us your story in your voice. I empower you to write about anything you feel is important to understand who you are. It may feel personal, even difficult, but the readers’ role is to learn, not judge.

Step four: Review your work 

Once you finish your draft, begin to polish it. At a minimum read your response aloud to yourself to check for flow and clarity. Use this step to ensure your responses are casual, personal and reflective. For example, explain why soccer matters to you. Describe what being an Eagle Scout means to you. Share why you started a Women in STEM club and how it shaped you or your community. These types of reflections create a rich response that strengthens your overall application.

Write with purpose

PIQ responses may challenge you, but remember they offer an opportunity to show who you are beyond grades and scores. I hope these steps make the PIQ process a little less daunting and help you to stay authentic to who you are. Good luck and happy writing!

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