The University of Florida welcomes international students and faculty from all over the world. This brochure provides information about the university and its procedures for submitting an international application for admission. The university has approximately 36,000 students, 2,000 of whom are international students.
The University of Florida is in Gainesville, a city in north- central Florida with a population of 90,000. Gainesville is approximately 200 feet (about 61.5 meters) above sea level.
The climate is semitropical. Normal winter days are sunny and warm (70 to 80 Fahrenheit or 22 to 27 Centigrade) and nights are cool (30 to 50F or -10 to 100C). There are occasional periods of freezing temperatures, but snow is quite unusual in this part of the United States. Summer days are hot (80 to 95F or 27 to 35C) and summer nights are pleasant. During the summer, the relative humidity is high and afternoon rain showers are frequent.
International students who have not studied previously at the University of Florida must attend an orientation at UFIC. UFIC staff members are available to assist international students with their individual needs.
The academic calendar operates on a semester system. In a twelve-month year there are two semesters, each containing fifteen weeks of class instruction and one week of examinations. The fall semester begins in late August and ends in late December. Spring semester begins in early January and ends in late April. The regular summer term begins in mid-May and ends in early August. A special six-week summer term begins in mid-June.
The English Language Institute offers a noncredit, nondegree program in English as a foreign language. The program may be taken any semester of the academic year and emphasizes the oral and written skills needed by students who plan to attend a college or university in the United States. Admission to the institute does not guarantee admission to the university. Further information is available from the Office of the Director, English Language Institute, 313 Norman Hall.
Consideration of an application for admission cannot be given until ALL credentials are received by the Office of Admissions. All documents must be accompanied by certified English translations and become property of the university. Credentials of applicants who do not enroll will be destroyed and cannot be returned or forwarded elsewhere.
IMPORTANT: Send the application, fee and official academic credentials to the University of Florida Office of Admissions, BOX 2946, Gainesville, FL 32602-2946, U.S.A. You should also send a copy of all admission materials to your intended department. Financial certifications should be mailed to Admissions Officer, 123 Tigert Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-3225, U.S.A.
Each application must include a nonrefundable $20 application fee. (Money drawn from a U.S. bank. Foreign money orders are not accepted.) An application will not be processed without the application fee. If it is difficult to submit the fee because of currency restrictions in your country, ask a friend or relative in the United States to submit the fee in your behalf. The university cannot waive or postpone this fee.
Because of the time required to process an international application and the time required for students to make visa and financial arrangements, the following deadlines have been established. No applications will be processed after the deadline. Desired entrance date: Application must be received before:
All application forms must be completed in English. It is important to provide complete and accurate information. Required documentation such as transcripts, certificates, degree statements and examination results must be accompanied by certified English translations.
Students will be considered for admission in one of the following classifications: Undergraduate Student--An applicant who has not earned a university degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. Postbaccalaureate Student--An applicant who has earned a university degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree but is not seeking admission to graduate study. Graduate Student--An applicant who has earned a university degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree and is seeking admission to graduate study. The following items must be submitted for admission:
Except as noted below, all international students are required to submit satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL scores are not required of undergraduate applicants with less than junior status, but American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores are required.
Administration (MBA) program must submit satisfactory scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
TOEFL information and registration forms are available at United States embassies and consulates, U.S. information agencies, U.S. education commissions and foundations, binational centers and private organizations such as the Institute of International Education (IIE), the American-Mideast Education and Training Services (AMIDEAST) and the African American Institute (AAI). Candidates who cannot obtain information locally regarding the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT or ACT tests should write the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540, U.S.A.
If the application for admission is approved, the student will receive an official notice of acceptance for a specific term. If the student is unable to enroll for the term indicated or if the student requests entrance to a different term, the Office of Admissions must be informed immediately. Under no circumstances should an applicant make plans to depart for Gainesville until he or she is officially notified of admission. Presence on campus will not influence a decision for admission.
Applicants to the College of Law must have a degree equal to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is required. Write to the Dean of the College of Law, Box 117620, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7620, U.S.A., for information and application.
The study of dentistry in the U.S. differs from that in other countries. It does not begin immediately after secondary education. Most applicants must obtain an undergraduate degree (usually representing a total of 16 years of education) before entering dental school. Enrollment in dentistry is limited and the university must give priority to residents of the state of Florida. Thus, few students from other states or countries can be accepted. Application forms and information should be requested from the Dean of the College of Dentistry, Box 100405, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0405, U.S.A.
On-campus housing accommodations are limited. Beginning freshmen (first year bachelor's degree students) have priority and will receive a room reservation form with their notice of acceptance. After receiving a notice of acceptance, all other students may apply for on-campus housing by writing to the Director of Housing, Box 112100, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-2100. Married students with families may apply for on-campus apartments. Off-campus private housing is available; contact the Division of Housing after arrival in Gainesville.
Food is available on campus from six cafeterias and numerous snack bars convenient to residence halls and classrooms. Students are offered well-prepared food at affordable prices. Meal plans which offer three meals a day, seven days a week or three meals a day, five days a week (Monday through Friday) may be purchased on a semester basis. Student Health Care
Student Health Service provides primary medical care, preventative medicine, health screening programs and mental health consultation and counseling. These services are available to all full-time students. The Student Health Care Center, housed in the Infirmary and centrally located on campus, consists of an out-patient clinic and an in-patient unit.
A health fee is charged as a part of the tuition paid by all students. It is not health and accident insurance. This fee covers out-patient visits to the student infirmary, some laboratory tests and some medications. If more complicated diagnostic study or hospitalization is required, additional charges are made.
A medical history, physical examination and proof of measles/rubella immunization are required prior to registering for classes. In addition, a skin test for tuberculosis is required within six months of arrival in the United States.
Health care in the United States is expensive. All international students are required to have health and accident insurance payable in U.S. dollars. The policy must provide the following minimum coverages: $200,000 for each injury or sickness; $7,500 to medically evacuate the patient to his or her country; and $7,500 to pay for the return of the patient's body to his or her country (repatriation).
International students will not be allowed to register for classes until they verify proof of valid health insurance.
As of September 1, 1994, federal legislation requires that all J-1 student families have health insurance. The cost of family coverage ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 a year.
Health insurance for an individual student costs approximately $500-$600 a year. Students may choose from several plans available at the Office for International Studies and Programs. Because of the high cost of medical care in the United States, the student's entire family should be insured. This coverage can cost a minimum of $150 per month for a student's spouse and $38 per month for one child. None of the insurance plans available through UFIC covers dental work or eye examinations.
International students must be able to finance their tuition, books, room, board, other school expenses and travel to and from the United States. Before obtaining a visa and leaving their home country, students must be able to furnish the United States Consulate evidence of financial solvency. Graduate students must present proof of $22,800 to cover one year's study at the University of Florida, exclusive of travel expenses. Undergraduate students must present proof of $19,810.
A minimum of an additional $3,000 per year should be allowed for an accompanying spouse and $1,500 per year for each child. Round-trip travel expenses are not included. Approximately $5,000 will be needed upon arrival in Gainesville. These costs may increase.
The university does not award financial assistance to undergraduate international students. Graduate assistantships may be available to outstanding graduate students. For further information, please contact your department.
Upon acceptance to the university and after verification of financial solvency, you will receive form I-20 or IAP-66 for a student visa. Do not leave your country before obtaining a student visa and do not come to the U.S. with a B-2 (tourist) visa.
Upon arrival at the university, please report immediately to the Office for International Studies and Programs, 123 Grinter Hall, Gainesville. The telephone number is 352-392-5323.
Revised 12-3-1999.