2014 2015 FSU Guide book

2014 - 2015 Florida State University Guide Book

Michael Fingado B.S. 2009, M.S. 2010

Dear Florida State Alumni & Friends, These are exciting times at Florida State University! While all of us are enjoying exceptional performances on the field of play, our university is an even bigger champion in the classroom, in research and in the arts, and our prospective students know it.

We anticipate that your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors may ask you for information about how to become a member of the Florida State community. Enclosed is information that may help you answer a few of the more frequently asked questions. We hope this information will help interested students have a positive experience as they start down the path to becoming a Seminole.

You can do your part by encouraging these young adults to complete the Admissions application early (and to include all of the required documents). Students who are admitted in December are able to apply earlier for housing, orientation and financial aid, which helps to keep their best options open.

As we strive to join the ranks of the top 25 of public universities, we want to continue to attract the best and brightest to Florida State. Feel free to share this booklet with interested students and families (a copy can also be found at admissions.fsu.edu/publications), and encourage them to contact the University departments listed to answer any questions or concerns.

If you have additional questions about the admissions process, please contact the Office of Admissions by phone at (850) 644-6200 or send an email to admissions@admin. fsu.edu.

We appreciate all that you do to help our next generation of Seminoles!

Sincerely,

Garnett S. Stokes Interim President admissions.fsu.edu 2

applying to Florida State Admissions Announcing a new requirement for 2015 freshman applicants: the Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR). The SSAR is an abbreviated form of the high school transcript created by the applicant. The SSAR lists only the academic core courses and associated grades. The student creates the SSAR by entering the academic high school courses and all dual enrollment courses attempted, along with the grades earned in those courses. The student will also list all of the courses being taken in the senior year.

To begin the process, all applicants should have a copy of their high school transcript to make sure the courses taken and grades earned are accurately reflected. All decisions will be validated, using the official high school and college transcripts sent to us after the student has graduated. Admission decisions will be rescinded if inaccurate SSAR data is provided by the student.

The online application, application fee, Selfreported Student Academic Record (SSAR), and official test scores must be received by these dates in order to receive a decision: October 15 for a December 17 decision January 14 for a March 18 decision

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The academic profile for the middle 50% of freshmen accepted in 2014: GPA

ACT

SAT

Summer

3.6-4.1

24-28

1690-1870

Fall

3.8-4.4

27-30

1780-1980

Once students have applied for admission to the University, they should continually refer to their Online Status Check (OSC) to monitor the progress of their application and to see if additional information is needed.

Most communications from the Office of Admissions are sent electronically; therefore, students should be sure to include admissions@admin.fsu.edu in their address book to ensure receipt of these emails.

To track the progress of an application, visit

admissions.fsu.edu/statuscheck For additional questions about admissions, please contact the FSU Office of Admissions Phone: (850) 644-6200 Email: admissions@admin.fsu.edu

admissions.fsu.edu

Ana Ng

B.S. 2011

Alphonso Horne B.M. 2010

Getting Acquainted Visiting Campus

Orientation

The Florida State University Visitor Center encourages prospective students and their families to visit campus.

Orientation is a formal University program designed to assist new students and their families with a successful transition into the Florida State community.

Campus visits, information on admission sessions, directions to campus and parking information are found at

Orientation is required for all new degreeseeking undergraduate students in order to receive academic advising and clearance for registration. Families are encouraged to also participate in orientation, as it can be a helpful way to learn about important policies and resources, conduct University business, and feel more confident about a student’s college transition.

visit.fsu.edu

For questions about orientation, contact the Office of New Student & Family Programs Phone: (850) 644-2785 Email: orientation@admin.fsu.edu For orientation dates and registration, visit

nsfp.fsu.edu

admissions.fsu.edu 6

Campus Living University Housing University Housing provides housing to students on a first-come, first-served basis, and is determined by the date/time their contract is completed. Students are encouraged to complete the Fall/Spring housing contract as soon as available to ensure a place in University Housing and have the best chance at being assigned to a room that aligns with their preferences.

University Housing will begin accepting Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 housing contracts from admitted students in mid-January 2015 at the earliest.

Students admitted for Summer 2015 should contract for Fall/Spring housing as soon as it is available, as demand is much higher for Fall/ Spring housing. The Summer housing contract will be available by the middle of February 2015 at the earliest.

The housing contract is binding for the term(s) for which it is completed, either Summer or Fall/Spring 2015.

Students who have completed a housing contract should never secure off-campus housing or agree to live in a fraternity or

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2014-2015 FSU Admissions Guide

sorority house unless prepared to pay for both living arrangements.

It is important for students to visit the University Housing website after being admitted for current housing information.

For additional questions about housing, please contact University Housing Phone: (850) 644-2860 Email: housinginfo@fsu.edu

housing.fsu.edu

Lauren Fontaine B.A. 2012

Gustavo Munoz B.S. 2010, M.S. 2012

College Funding Financial Aid

Florida’s Bright Futures

All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year as soon as possible after January 1.

The FAFSA is the application for federal, state and institutional grants, scholarships, work­ study and loan programs, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program.

Estimated tax information may be used to complete the application before taxes are filed.

Students graduating from a Florida high school should check with their high school guidance counselor for information on their eligibility for the Bright Futures Scholarship.

Some types of aid are limited in funding, so early completion of the FAFSA is essential for students who wish to be considered for any aid for which they qualify.

Students must list Florida State as their choice of institution. Florida State does not receive eligibility information and cannot award or disburse Bright Futures if the State Application does not show Florida State’s school code (0371).

Students may follow the progress of their financial aid application online through the myFSU Self-Service Access (FSU ID must be activated). Financial Aid Application eligibility status information and notification of award availability will be emailed to students.

Florida State processes Federal Stafford and PLUS loans through the Federal Direct Loan program.

To apply for the FAFSA, visit

fafsa.ed.gov

The Bright Futures Scholarship application must be completed online by the last semester of high school (between December 1 and graduation of the senior year).

Students must be classified as Florida residents for tuition purposes to receive Bright Futures scholarships.

To apply for Bright Futures, visit

www.Floridastudentfinancialaid.org For more financial aid information: Phone: (850) 644-0539

financialaid.fsu.edu

admissions.fsu.edu 10

Connect with Florida state /floridastate

Florida state Heritage heritage.fsu.edu legacywalk.fsu.edu uphold.fsu.edu

Florida state News news.fsu.edu fsu.edu/highlights/rankings.html

FSU.EDU

On the cover: architectural detail of Dodd Hall This publication contains 10% post-consumer recycled fiber.