Insider tips for prospective students: Get a jump on FIU admission as applications soar

Demand for admission to FIU continues to set records even as the university grows increasingly selective. Ever-greater numbers of high school graduates each year make FIU their first choice for higher education. They come to the university because they know FIU is dedicated to scholarly excellence — and they want to be part of it. 

The 2024-2025 admissions cycle saw the largest group of seniors in FIU history apply for fall entry. The number who have accepted a place for the upcoming school year represents an all-time high and should result in the biggest-ever incoming class this fall. 

"FIU is having a moment," says FIU Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and University Admissions Jody Glassman. "Students are eager to become Panthers and to take advantage of the opportunities FIU offers. This reflects national trends. We're seeing that people are truly understanding the value of public universities and their benefits to students."

"More and more, students care about experiential education and career focus, and that's where FIU really shines," she adds. "We are able to give our students more opportunities to enhance their education through hands-on experiences. And we complement that with internships and the chance for undergraduates to participate in research." 

Every application is looked at closely, and prospective students should take special care to complete their submissions to enhance their chances of admission, Glassman says. The applications period opens on Aug. 1.

Glassman offers rising high school seniors the following tips as they begin the process. 

Know your deadline. FIU has three application deadlines for students entering college for the first time. (Transfer students have alternate pathways and deadlines.) The earliest date, in November, is exclusively for those who attend high schools in Florida. “That’s the group to whom we offer scholarships first,” Glassman says of in-state students, “so we're making them the priority.” The second two deadlines include both in-state and out-of-state students. Decide which date is the best or most appropriate for you and work toward it.

Apply on time. Don't wait untill 11:59 pm on the day of the deadline, says Glassman. You want to give yourself enough time to get your application ready without having to rush and throw things together at the end. Plus, if you submit with plenty of time before the deadline, you'll make sure there are no hiccups with wi-fi connectivity or technology. 

Request supporting documents early. In line with the above, ask for high school transcripts, standardized test scores and counselor recommendations well in advance of your application deadline to ensure your submission is complete by the stated due date. “You have to connect with the boards that administer the standardized college entrance exams [FIU accepts SAT, ACT and CLT scores] to see what their turnaround time is for sending scores to your schools of choice,” Glassman says. (Even prior to that, check exam dates to ensure you take – or retake - your preferred test with enough time for delivery.) If any item is outstanding at deadline time, your application will be taken out of consideration until the next round.

Use the personal essay to your advantage. FIU uses the Common Application – an online platform utilized by many universities for undergraduate admission – which includes a personal essay. The essay gives you the perfect opportunity to tell your story, share your goals and show your personality. Take advantage of it! Glassman also encourages students who may wish to add context to a setback in their high school academics to choose the prompt that asks about a challenge or failure. 

Be consistent in the use of your name. Stick to legal first and last names – no nicknames – across all documents, including your supporting materials. If you have two last names and use a hyphen, for example, use that construction throughout. This helps avoid problems later. Documents come from many different sources and are matched to the legal name and data from your official application. In order for all of the documents to be matched correctly, the name must be exactly the same from every source. If there are any discrepancies, there will be a delay in your application being marked as complete.

Finally, those who are earlier in their high school careers can start their college application preparations even sooner, Glassman says, beginning in ninth grade.

It's a good idea for students to think ahead and consider how the courses they take in high school fit with their career goals. “They need to carefully choose the courses that will best set them up for the major of their choice later on,” she explains.

For example, if you want to pursue a career related to science, make sure you take enough science courses in high school that will give you a solid foundation on which to build once you get to college.

Glassman suggests that high school students explore careers and what might be required academically by connecting with others IRL: “Talk to people you know in various professions. Talk to your college advisor. When you're touring FIU or another university campus, talk to the faculty.”

And, Glassman stresses, students should do what they do best: Dive into research online. FIU’s MyMajor, which is open to anyone, is a degree search platform that shows the kind of courses one would enroll in as an undergraduate and can potentially make high schoolers aware of the foundational courses they should take in the years before applying. Another great resource she recommends is O*Net, which provides detailed information about occupations and the skills, knowledge and abilities needed for them. And for parents, she suggests books, podcasts and social media channels that feature expert advice around university admissions.

“I would love everyone to have the FIU experience,” Glassman says, “but most of all, I want people to find a place where they will thrive. We all want students to succeed in the life they envision.”