As a mom you will likely be very involved in the college admission process with your child.  Early planning and accurate information is key.  I have done a little research regarding admission to the University of Florida, and one site I think gives the most well rounded information is http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/.  This site gives a wealth of particulars pertaining to what a student should consider before applying to UF, what to do when a student applies and what to expect after being admitted.  It also includes video interviews with real students regarding various aspects of campus and academic life.  In addition, it supplies a virtual tour of UF and the ability to apply online.  Whether your child is seeking entry to UF or a different college there is some helpful information at this site for all potential college freshmen.  Below I have included some excerpts from http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/ regarding when to apply to UF, some of the qualifications for UF and a planning guide for highschool students to help prepare for college.

When to Apply

One of the most exciting considerations about applying to UF is the term you identify to enter the university. The standard entry point is the fall semester in late August. However, many freshmen now choose Summer B in June, when there aren't as many students at the university. Beginning freshmen sometimes need the slower pace of summer to acclimate themselves to college and campus life.Summer B is no different from fall in terms of competition, for all freshman applicants are evaluated as a class; there is no distinction between terms, so there is no admission advantage or disadvantage to choosing summer or fall entry.

Freshman applications will be available online in early July. The preferred application period is July 1 through November 1.

Admission priority is provided to qualified applicants whose applications and supporting documents are received by the Office of Admissions during the preferred application period -- July 1 through November 1. Applications received outside this period will be considered on a space-available basis only.Please keep in mind that if you want to live on campus, applying early is a good strategy, for on-campus housing is limited and is first come-first served. The later you apply to UF, the later you receive your housing application.You should check the status of your application online two-to-four-weeks after submitting it to make sure all application materials were received by the deadline. Remember, no application is considered complete (and no decision can be made) until all required materials have been received by the Office of Admissions. Checking your application status online makes sure everything is in order with your application, especially since UF may not notify you of missing materials.Other items associated with admission such as an application for oncampus housing or an invitation to the honors program do not occur until after you have received your notification of admission. 

Qualifying

The Office of Admissions considers your total high school record, including grades, test scores, educational objectives and courses completed, and personal background and experiences. The Office of Admissions must also compare all the information contained in your application to the size and strength of the applicant pool. The number of qualified applicants exceeds the number that the university can enroll in a given term.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or state-approved secondary school or the equivalent (G.E.D., etc.).
• Fifteen academic units, distributed as follows:

• A cumulative C average in the academic core, as computed by the university, at all institutions attended, high school and college.
• A record of good conduct. Major or continuing difficulty with school or other officials may render an applicant ineligible regardless of academic qualifications.
• A combined score of at least 950 on the critical reading and mathematical reasoning sections of the SAT with a minimum score of 440 on each. At this time, the university will not consider the new writing component (multiple choice grammar and usage questions and the written essay) in its admissions process.
• On the ACT with writing test, a composite score of 19 is required with a minimum of 17 on the English subsection, a minimum of 19 on the math subsection and a minimum of 18 on the reading subsection.
• All applicants must submit the SAT or the ACT with writing test. While UF cannot mix scores from old and new tests, the university will accept the highest subscores from the new SAT if you took the new test multiple times. The university cannot mix or combine any ACT subscores.

Non-Accredited and Home Schools

Any student who does not graduate from a regionally accredited secondary school must provide, in addition to a transcript and the SAT or ACT with writing results required of other applicants, results from the SAT II examinations in mathematics (Level II-C), foreign language, science and social science. For admission decision purposes, the university will use the result of the SAT writing subscore if the applicant has no dual-enrollment or virtual school English composition coursework, since the SAT II in writing is no longer offered. Applicants who present G.E.D. scores must also present secondary school records and standardized test scores.

Admission Offers are Tentative

All offers of admission are tentative if you have high school or collegiate course work in progress. Final admission is dependent on receipt and review of your final transcripts. Admission offers are subject to cancellation if your final course work does not meet admission requirements.Few students are admitted purely on academic merit. While the potential for academic success is a primary consideration, UF's comprehensive holistic application review also considers personal essays, academic awards, extracurricular activities, family background and home community. All information in the applicant's file, academic and non-academic, is considered in relation to the size and strength of the applicant pool for that class. 

College Preparation Guide for High School Students 

9th and 10th Grade:

• Arrange your class schedule so you will complete the following college preparatory classes during high school:

• Explore careers and jobs you find interesting. Talk with professionals in those fields and find out what kind of education as well as what colleges offer those majors.
• Talk to your parents about your plans for college.
• If you are a Florida resident, ask your guidance counselor for information on the Bright Futures scholarship. If you qualify, Bright Futures can pay your tuition, and more.   

11th Grade:

• The eleventh grade is often the most challenging academically. Take honors, AP, IB or AICE classes if they are offered.
• If you did not take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test at conclusion of the 10th grade, take the PSAT early in the junior year. The PSAT is a great way to begin preparing for the SAT, and if your scores are high enough you may be eligible for National Merit and National Achievement scholarships.
• Attend a college fair to gather information and talk with representatives from several schools. Ask you guidance counselor for a schedule of college fairs in your area.
• Begin your college research. Where would you like to go? What would you like to study? Consider admission requirements, tuition, facilities, degree programs and the student body profile.  Visit each college's web site.
• Register for the SAT and ACT in the late spring of the junior year; consider taking both tests before your senior year begins. The SAT and ACT are very different types of assessments; study the web sites to help you determine which test might be better for you and to help you make important decisions about your college search.
• Continue your extracurricular activities and assume additional responsibilities and leadership roles. Explore opportunities in your community; part-time employment and volunteer activities can influence your college admission.

Summer After 11th Grade:

• Visit several college campuses to learn as much as you can about each college. UF conducts daily information sessions at 10:00am and 2:00pm, Monday-Friday.

12th Grade:

• Take a full load of academic classes, including honors, AP, IB and AICE classes. Even if you have completed your graduation requirements, any admission to college is tentative until your final transcripts have been received.
• Arrange to take the SAT and/or ACT again early in the year if you have not already done so or if you wish to improve your score before you start applying.
• Make plans to attend a college fair or a UF admissions presentation. UF admissions officers visit each fall, so ask your guidance counselor about the date.
• Submit your application early in your 12th grade year. Be sure to include all required materials and pay close attention to deadlines.
• If you are taking AP or IB classes, be sure to take the exams for those classes at year-end.

Admission is Tentative 

All offers of admission are tentative if you have high school or collegiate course work in progress. Final admission is dependent on receipt and review of your final transcripts.  Admission offers are subject to cancellation if your final course work does not meet admission requirements. 

Some other good websites to help you and your child with UF Admissions:

http://www.ufl.edu/admissions/http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/ - Registrar and Student Services

or Contact UF Office of Admissions (352)392-1365.