FAQ - Freshmen | Florida Atlantic University

How soon can I apply to Florida Atlantic?

You can apply to Florida Atlantic starting on August 1 before your 12th grade year.

Which majors do you offer?

View our academic programs.

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 .

Does Florida Atlantic accept the Common App?

Yes. First-time-in-college (freshman) students may apply via the Common App or the FAU Online Application.

However, students interested in applying for Spring entry term may only apply via the FAU Application . Students cannot utilize the Common App to apply for Spring entry.

Students interested in applying to Florida Atlantic's Wilkes Honors College should apply directly via the Wilkes Honors College Common App.

Students should only submit one application for admission to Florida Atlantic. View the steps to apply.

Does Florida Atlantic offer Early Action or Early Decision?

We do not offer Early Action or Early Decision. We do have a priority deadline of November 1. Florida Atlantic University offers rolling admission, which means that there is no set date that students receive admissions decisions within the timeframe that our application is open.

I already have earned several college credits. Should I apply as a first-year or transfer student?

If you have obtained 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.

What does Florida Atlantic look for in their applicants?

View our student profile.

Is Florida Atlantic test-optional?

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.

Can I self-report my SAT/ACT/CLT test scores or should I send them directly from the testing agencies?

Nursing applicants must send their official test scores directly from College Board and/or ACT. All other applicants may self-report their SAT/ACT test scores on their Application Portal after applying to Florida Atlantic.

Please note that the CLT organization must send us the student’s score report.

Does Florida Atlantic super-score standardized test scores?

Yes, we will super-score your test scores, meaning 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.

Can I send in my letters of recommendation and personal statement as part of my application?

Florida Atlantic does not require an essay, personal statement, letter of recommendation, or resume for evaluation purposes.

If you wish to submit supplemental information, you can send the documents to admissions@fau.edu . However, there is no guarantee that this information will be utilized in the evaluation process.

When will I receive an admissions decision?

Decisions for first-year applicants for summer and fall terms are expected to be released beginning in October and will continue on a rolling basis through May 1.

Students who complete their application by the November 1 priority application deadline will be considered for all pathways and entry terms.

Waitlisted students will receive an admissions decision by May 31.

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.

Are freshmen required to live on campus?

Students attending our main Boca Raton campus are not required to live on campus.

However, 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?

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.

I have food allergies. How can Florida Atlantic accommodate me?

Contact our FAU's Dining Services for more information.

What is the difference between the Explore FAU and Choose FAU events?

Explore FAU 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. Explore FAU events are held in both the Fall and Spring.

Choose FAU 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.

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).

What is the difference between the Wilkes Honors College and the Florida Atlantic Boca Campus?

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.

How can parents stay involved with Florida Atlantic?

FAU’s Office of Family Engagement encourages families to support and participate in their student’s college experience. From Owl Family Weekend activities to Family Orientation, we invite parents to become part of our community of Owls.

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.