FGCU Requirements for Admission

What are FGCU's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

  • GPA requirements
  • Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
  • Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into FGCU and build a strong application.

School location: Fort Myers, FL

This school is also known as: Florida Gulf Coast University


Admissions Rate: 76.8%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at FGCU is 76.8%. For every 100 applicants, 77 are admitted.

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This means the school is lightly selective. The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet FGCU's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.


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FGCU GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4.07

The average GPA at FGCU is 4.07.

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(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 4.07, FGCU requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.07, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.


SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to FGCU. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.

FGCU SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1110

The average SAT score composite at FGCU is a 1110 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes FGCU Competitive for SAT test scores.

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FGCU SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1050, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1200. In other words, a 1050 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1200 will move you up to above average.

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
Math551510590
Reading + Writing576530620
Composite111010501200

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

FGCU has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit.

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

How does superscoring change your test strategy? (Click to Learn)

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Section R+W Math Composite
Test 1 700 300 1000
Test 2 300 700 1000
Test 3 300 300 600
Superscore 700 700 1400

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, FGCU will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and FGCU forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1050, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.


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FGCU ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, FGCU likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 23

The average ACT score at FGCU is 23. This score makes FGCU Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

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The 25th percentile ACT score is 20, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 25.

Even though FGCU likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 20 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 20 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to FGCU, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 20.


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SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

FGCU considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require or recommend it.



Final Admissions Verdict

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Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average. Aim for a 1050 SAT or a 20 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.


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Want to build the best possible college application?

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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.


Admissions Calculator

What are your chances of admission at Florida Gulf Coast University?
Chances of admission with these scores:

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.

Pick your test: SAT ACT

ACT Score
Your GPA

Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of FGCU here.

Application Requirements Overview

  • Common Application Not accepted
  • Electronic Application Available
  • Essay or Personal Statement
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Interview Not required
  • Application Fee $30
  • Fee Waiver Available? Available
  • Other Notes

Testing Requirements

  • SAT or ACT Required
  • Scores Due in Office August 1

Coursework Requirements

  • Subject Required Years
  • English 4
  • Math 4
  • Science 3
  • Foreign Language 2
  • Social Studies 2
  • History
  • Electives 2

Deadlines and Early Admissions

  •  
    • Offered? Deadline Notification
  • Regular Admission
    • Yes March 1 Rolling
  • Early Action
    • Yes November 1 December 15
  • Early Decision
    • No

Admissions Office Information

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

Automatic scholarships are available based on your GPA and SAT/ACT, but you are encouraged to apply early in the admissions cycle to get these as funds run out. For example, there is a President's Scholarship of $5,000 per year awarded to students with a 3.9 weighted GPA or higher and at least an 1850 SAT or 28 ACT. More on scholarships at this page.

Source


Other Schools For You

If you're interested in FGCU, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to FGCU.


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Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average ACT scores than FGCU. If you improve your ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
Temple University Philadelphia, PA 1241 28
Pace University New York, NY 1173 26
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 1223 26
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 1225 26
Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT 1210 25
Ohio University Athens, OH 1174 25
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 1245 25

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Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for FGCU, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
Florida International University Miami, FL 1159 24
California State University Long Beach Long Beach, CA 1145 23
University of North Texas Denton, TX 1110 23
Washington State University Pullman, WA 1130 23
University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX 1160 23
Texas State University San Marcos, TX 1080 23
University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX 1120 22

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Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for FGCU, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If FGCU is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA 1067 21
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC 1083 21
University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX 1008 20
University of California, Merced Merced, CA 1080 20
California State University Northridge Northridge, CA 1020 19
Kean University Union, NJ 1030 18
California State University Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 985 18

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2024 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.


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Want to build the best possible college application?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.


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