FAQ - Freshmen
How soon can I apply to Florida Atlantic?
You can apply to Florida Atlantic starting on August 1 before your 12th grade year.
Does Florida Atlantic offer Early Action or Early Decision?
How can I receive an application fee waiver?
If you believe you're eligible for an application fee waiver, please coordinate with your school counselor to submit it on your behalf. Fee waivers may be issued through organizations such as the SAT, SCOIR, NACAC, ACT, or directly by your school counselor. Please note that universities do not provide fee waivers directly. Please contact your school counselor for assistance. If you work with your counselor and have a waiver to send, it can be completed and sent as a scanned PDF to admissions@fau.edu.
How do I indicate that I am interested in double majoring and/or adding a minor?
You can only select one major on your application.
If you are accepted to Florida Atlantic and would like to add another major and/or a minor, you may speak with an Academic Advisor during your onboarding process about the possibility of adding another major and/or a minor
.
What is the difference between the Wilkes Honors College and the Florida Atlantic Boca Campus? If I am interested in both, should I submit two separate applications?
The Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic is a highly selective,
all-honors college located on our Jupiter campus. Wilkes Honors College students benefit from an average class size of 16 students, personal attention from faculty, and exceptional opportunities for experiential learning and research. Many students participate in internships at the world-renowned scientific institutes on the Jupiter campus, including the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.
The Boca Raton campus is Florida Atlantic’s main campus, which provides a dynamic learning environment for more than 70% of our 30,000 students. Located just 1.8 miles from the beach, this campus features everything you’d expect from a modern university: suite-style housing, Division 1 athletics, brand-new recreational facilities, and more. High-achieving students on the Boca Raton campus are invited to join the University Honors Program, which offers advanced Honors seminars, small class sizes, and special advising and registration.
If you're interested in both the Wilkes Honors College and the Boca Raton campus, apply directly to the Wilkes Honors College through the Common App. If admitted, you’ll also be accepted to the Boca Raton campus. If not admitted to the Wilkes Honors College, your application will automatically be reviewed by the Boca Raton campus admissions team for consideration.
What are your pathway programs and how can I apply for one?
Pathway programs at Florida Atlantic are designed to help students transition successfully into degree programs by providing academic support and foundational coursework tailored to their needs. Students cannot apply directly to a pathway program. However, all applicants are automatically considered for all available entry terms and pathway options during the application review process. View pathway information.
I have already earned several college credits. Should I apply as a first-year or transfer student?
If you have earned your college credits (including an AA) while in high school through AP, AICE, IB, or Dual Enrollment, you should apply as an incoming first-year student.
If you are accepted, you will be placed in the
appropriate courses
.
If you have completed 12 or more college credits
after
graduating from high school, you should apply as a transfer student.
When is the application deadline?
Application dates vary by term of entry.
View deadlines.
I just submitted my application. How do I get my login credentials for the Future Owl Portal so I can submit my STARS/test scores?
If you have just submitted your application, you should receive an email with a PIN and next steps soon. It can take a few days to receive the email with your information, as it takes a few days for applications to populate in our systems. After receiving the email, you can then log in to your student portal to complete your application.
What does Florida Atlantic look for in their applicants?
Can I send in my letters of recommendation and personal statement as part of my application?
Florida Atlantic uses an academic rubric to determine admission and does not require or consider students' essays, personal statements, recommendation letters, or resumes for evaluation purposes. View our requirements.
Is Florida Atlantic test-optional?
No. Florida Atlantic University, 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.
Does Florida Atlantic require the ACT Science section?
Starting in April 2025, the ACT exam no longer requires the Science subsection, though the 1-36 scoring scale remains unchanged. Beginning with the 2025-26 application cycle, Florida Atlantic will no longer require a Science score to be eligible for admission. The ACT composite score (or, if using multiple test attempts, the composite superscore) used by FAU for admissions will now only include the English, Mathematics, and Reading subsections.
Guidance from the state of Florida is:
Florida Board of Governors: The ACT Science subsection is not required for admission to Florida public universities under FL BOG 6.008.
Florida Department of Education:
Starting with 2025-2026 graduating class, the ACT Science section is optional for Bright Futures.
- Students that have already reported
ACT with Science scores to Bright Futures, will have all 4 sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) added together and divided by 4 to calculate the composite score.
- Students that have already reported
ACT without Science scores to Bright Futures, will have 3 sections (English, Math, Reading) added together and divided by 3 to calculate the composite score.
How do I submit my SAT, ACT, or CLT standardized test scores?
After applying, self-report your SAT, ACT, or CLT test scores in your
Future Owl Portal.
Nursing applicants and applicants who have already graduated high school must submit official test scores (instead of self-reported scores). Official test scores must be ordered directly from the College Board (SAT), ACT, or CLT testing agencies. To submit official test scores, visit the following websites:
Does Florida Atlantic super-score standardized test scores?
Yes, we will super-score your test scores. This means we will accept your highest sub-scores from different test dates for a newer, higher super-score. Please do not super-score your own tests. If you want us to consider your super-scored test scores, please self-report all of them, and we will super-score them on our end.
Does Florida Atlantic consider my AICE scores, AICE diploma, AP scores, or IB scores when reviewing my application?
Florida Atlantic does not consider AICE, AP, or IB exam scores or whether a student will earn the AICE diploma as part of the admission evaluation. Please note, however, that these courses are recognized as more rigorous, and this level of rigor is considered during the evaluation process.
I was deferred. What should I do now?
What is Florida Atlantic's FAFSA code?
Florida Atlantic's
FAFSA code is 001481.
If I’m not admitted as a freshman, is there any other way to attend Florida Atlantic in the future?
Yes. If you’re not admitted as a freshman, attending Florida Atlantic is still possible through our two transfer pathways:
Link2FAU. This innovative program allows you to earn your AA degree at one of our partner state colleges, then receive guaranteed admission* to Florida Atlantic to continue your bachelor’s.
Direct Transfer Partnership with Verto Education. This program allows you to begin your college journey by studying abroad. Upon fulfilling the program’s minimum requirements, students receive guaranteed admission* to Florida Atlantic.
*Guaranteed and priority admission based on meeting FAU transfer admissions requirements.
I missed a deadline. Now what?
We encourage prospective students to review our Application Deadlines and Housing pages to ensure timely planning.
If you miss a deadline for a specific term, we invite you to apply to for the following term, as we cannot accept applications after the posted deadlines.
All required application materials must be received by Florida Atlantic by these deadlines. It is the student's responsibility to verify that everything is received on time. We recommend monitoring your Future Owl Portal, which will indicate when items are received by the Admissions Office and highlight any outstanding requirements.
Are freshmen required to live on campus?
Students attending our Boca Raton campus are not required to live on campus. Housing in Boca Raton is available on a first-come, first-served basis for admitted students who submit their tuition deposit and complete the Housing Contract by the priority housing date.
Students attending our Wilkes Honors College in Jupiter are required to live on campus for their first two years. Learn more about student housing in Jupiter.
I am interested in living on campus. How do I apply for housing?
Students must be admitted and have submitted their tuition deposit before applying for housing.
To learn more about living on our main campus in Boca Raton, please visit FAU Housing.
To learn more about living on our Jupiter campus as a Wilkes Honors College student, visit FAU Jupiter Housing.
Does Florida Atlantic offer a pre-law major?
FAU's
Pre-Law University Services supports students interested in law.
Instead of a specific pre-law major, students have the flexibility to choose from majors like political science, business, social work, and more – whatever fits their career goals.
Our pre-law students find community in our Mock Trial and Model UN teams, publish in our Undergraduate Law Journal, and enjoy dedicated, one-on-one advising from an attorney.
Get the inside scoop from our pre-law advisor in this quick video.
Does Florida Atlantic offer a ROTC program?
I have food allergies. How can Florida Atlantic accommodate me?
Contact our
FAU's Dining Services for more information.
Can I study abroad?
Yes, Florida Atlantic students can earn academic credit while studying abroad. Whether you choose a short-term, faculty-led program or a semester-long experience, our allow you to travel the globe while working toward your degree.
What is the difference between the Explore Florida Atlantic, Choose Florida Atlantic, and Discover Florida Atlantic events?
Explore Florida Atlantic is a campus-wide event welcoming all prospective students – high school juniors, seniors, transfer students, and their families – to tour our Boca Raton campus and learn more about Owl life.
Choose Florida Atlantic is a campus-wide event exclusively for admitted students and their families. Choose FAU is not the same as new student orientation; rather, it is an optional opportunity for admitted students to visit campus and learn more about our academic programs, student organizations, and support services. Choose events are held each February and March.
Discover Florida Atlantic is a mini open house experience welcoming all prospective students and families to explore our Boca Raton campus. Discover events are held during the summer.
The Wilkes Honors College on our Jupiter campus also hosts prospective student tours and admitted student events.
Does Florida Atlantic offer accelerated B.S./M.D. programs?
Yes. Florida Atlantic offers programs that allow outstanding students the opportunity to achieve their B.S. and M.D. degrees in 7-8 years. Students admitted into these highly selective programs will be offered conditional admission* to the Schmidt College of Medicine provided they maintain the required program standards.
Programs are available at both our main Boca Raton campus (Med Direct) as well as our Wilkes Honors College campus (Wilkes Medical Scholars). Learn more about these dual degree programs.
*upon completion of program requirements
How do dual enrollment credits work? Do these credits affect my FAU GPA?
Dual enrollment courses will be calculated into your overall FAU GPA. Once your courses are complete, please have your official college transcripts sent to the Florida Atlantic Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
View instructions on how to submit transcripts.
How can I obtain college credit for my AP/AICE/IB credits?
Visit our Exam Credit page for detailed instructions on how to submit your scores for exam credit.
How do I apply for scholarships?
All first-year students who submit a completed application by January 15 will be automatically considered for merit-based scholarships.
Students can also apply for additional internal and external scholarships, which may require supplemental materials. Learn more about scholarships.
Students must meet all criteria to qualify for a merit scholarship. New test scores will be considered if they are received by our merit scholarship deadline. Test scores received after our merit scholarship deadline will not be considered for merit scholarships.
Note: all FAU-specific scholarships require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
My application shows that I am not a Florida resident, but I am a Florida resident.
You will have the opportunity to complete residency forms to verify your in-state residency if you are accepted and decide to attend Florida Atlantic as part of the onboarding process.
My grandparent lives in Florida. Can I receive in-state tuition?
Students with grandparents residing in Florida may be eligible for a tuition and fee waiver of the Non-Resident (out-of-state) fee. Policies for the Grandparent Waivers are maintained by the Florida Board of Governors of the State University System.
Students must meet all admission requirements, including the minimum test score requirement, to be considered for the grandparent waiver. Learn more.
How can I make changes to an application I have already submitted?
Click here
to update your home address, date of birth, social security number, email address or the spelling of your name.
In order to make any other changes to an application that has already been submitted, please email us at admissions@fau.edu
and indicate which changes you would like to make. Please do not submit another application.