UNF Admissions Blog
Name: Leandra M. Bruzzone
Title: Admissions Coordinator
Region: 4
Educational Background: B.A. in Theology and Religious Studies, minors in English and Catholic Studies, from the University of San Diego
M.A. in Humanities from San Francisco State University
UNF Start Date: 08/22/2011
Time in Admissions: 7 months read more »
Name: Peter Durr
Title: Admissions Coordinator
Region: No specific region, specifically Office Support
Educational Background: BS Jacksonville University and MA Middlebury College, Vermont
UNF Start Date: Feb 2010
Years in Admissions: 3 years and 2 months
Why did you choose to go into college admissions? I enjoy working with young people and helping them to achieve their academic goals.
What do you like best about working in admissions? Working with potential students and helping them to get admitted is a real thrill. There is never a boring moment. Also, my co-workers are really terrific. We are a great team and that makes coming to work great fun!
What is one of the quirkiest things an applicant ever did with their application? Probably the quirkiest was when an applicant asked me to forward his UNF application to UF, as well.
What makes an application essay really stand out for you? I enjoy something original with the right blend of professionalism and humor.
What common mistake do you see regarding application submission? Probably the most common issue is that I have seen is that students sometimes forget that they must arrange to have their official SAT/and or ACT scores and official transcripts sent directly from the testing agencies and school(s) to us.
What is the funniest thing you’ve overheard or seen while at UNF? Probably the craziest was seeing pictures of a gator that had wandered inside the tennis courts on campus.
What is your favorite place on the UNF campus? The new Fitness Center is definitely where I enjoy being the most. It is a real gem!
What is the craziest question you’ve ever been asked while recruiting for UNF? How much is the tuition at UCF?
If you could join any club or organizations, which one would you join? Because of my passion for soccer, I would join the varsity soccer team! Unfortunately, I cannot turn back the clock.
What song or book or movie makes you think of your college days and why? I am giving away my age: “Saturday Night Fever”!
What is your “go to” answer when someone asks why he/she should choose UNF? Definitely, it is our size and student population. We are large enough to offer a large selection of Programs and opportunities, but small enough to provide a very personalized education with small class sizes!
Give us a piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you began college? Make the most of all the opportunities available, both educational and socially. These are the best year of your life and they will pass by all too quickly!
Name: Melissa Blankenship
Title: Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Education Background: BS in Communications, University of North Florida 2007.
UNF Start Date: June, 2007
Years in Admissions: 4.5 years
Why did you choose to go into college admissions? I always say that most don’t pick college admissions – college admissions picks them. This is literally true in my case. I began working in UNF’s One Stop Student Services department immediately following my graduation. After working there for about eight months, I was asked if I would be interested in the Admissions Merit-based Scholarship Coordinator position. How could I turn down the opportunity to get paid to help students fall in love with my alma mater and give them free money?! I took the job without hesitation and haven’t looked back.
What do you like best about working in admissions? It is hard to narrow down. I have a secret passion for public speaking so I always enjoying visiting high schools and giving presentations to both students and parents. Most of all, I love the atmosphere in admissions. Students and parents are nervous and excited and confused, and I get to share in all of those emotions. There really is no better feeling than telling a student “Congratulations, you have been admitted!”
What makes an application essay really stand out for you? The question is more, “What make an applicant stand out for you?” Our application is pretty standard so there aren’t a lot of variations. However, applicants are like snowflakes, no two are alike. Applicants that stand out the most to me are the ones who are both confident and humble. I always tell students that they need to know how to market themselves. They need to be proud of their achievements without being boastful. I also prefer when I am in contact primarily with the student and not the parent. It shows me that the student knows their responsibilities and the parents trust the student to take care of those responsibilities.
What is the funniest thing you’ve overheard or seen while at UNF? Well, it was not really funny at the time but during my first year in admissions, there was a bomb scare on campus. Three or four objects (boxes attached to cellphones via wires, to be exact) suddenly showed up on campus. We had to evacuate the building and the bomb squad was called in to investigate. I know, you are thinking, that is not really funny, but it is. It is funny because the boxes were an art project that a student had been working on. The student’s professor had forgotten to contact UPD to give them a “heads-up” about the project. As soon as the student realized what was going on, he called UPD to explain. What was not funny was the fact that we did not get the rest of the day off work.
What is your favorite place on the UNF campus? The Green. Well, my favorite place is actually the second floor lobby of the Fine Arts Center that overlooks the Green. You never know what you are going to see people doing. Sometimes they are playing soccer, sometimes people are sunbathing, sometimes people are having full-out Dagorhir battles (Google it if you do not know what Dagorhir is). It is the absolute BEST place to people watch, while in the comfort of an air-conditioned building.
If you could join any club or organizations, which one would you join? That is tough, but I would have to say the Surf Club. Being from Oklahoma, I have never surfed but I cannot imagine any downside to joining a surf club.
What song or book or movie makes you think of your college days and why? It would have to be “Where Were You” by Alan Jackson. This song is about the 9/11 attacks. I was in my first semester of college on September 11, 2001. I was actually in class when it happened and I remember sitting in the lobby of the dorms with my classmates and complete strangers watching everything unfold.
What is your “go to” answer when someone asks why he/she should choose UNF? My “go to” answer is “Why wouldn’t you go to UNF?” Just kidding (kind of). My real answer is simple: I went to UNF and loved it. It is small enough that you don’t get lost in the crowd, but large enough to have all of the resources and amenities you need for a great four-year education. The location is great as it is considered an urban school, yet it sits on a nature preserve. It has almost any major you could possibly want. And let’s face it, Ospreys are some pretty awesome birds, who wouldn’t want to be one?!
Give us a piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you began college? Use the resources you have available. I wish I would have utilized services like the career center, study skills and time management workshops, and my academic advisor. I also wish I would have taken advantage of study abroad and research opportunities.
Name: Kara W. Tucker
Title: Admissions Coordinator & Articulation coordinator
Region: One (The Florida Panhandle)
Educational Background:
Graduated Duncan U. Fletcher High School
Florida State College of Jacksonville - Associate of Arts Degree
University of North Florida – Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology
University of North Florida – Master of Science Rehabilitation Counseling Degree
UNF Start Date: August 2004 as a transfer student and also worked in the Disability Resource Center from 2007-2009
Years in Admissions: 2
Why did you choose to go into college admissions? I am passionate about helping people get into post-secondary education.
What do you like best about working in admissions? Meeting with students
What is one of the quirkiest things an applicant ever did with their application? Spelled their own last name wrong
What makes an application essay really stand out for you? Creativity
What common mistake do you see regarding application submission? Students accidentally using their parents social security numbers instead of their own
What is the funniest thing you’ve overheard or seen while at UNF? Canadian geese stopping traffic and taking their own sweet time crossing the street.
What is your favorite place on the UNF campus? UNF Fountain by the arena
If you could join any club or organizations, which one would you join? The Swoop Squad
Most of the majors available at UNF are open to all students that are interested without any special requirements. However, there are two types of programs that require more information from the student. These are referred to as selective and limited access.
With a selective access program, students only need to meet the prerequisites and any other requirements set by the department and there is no limit to the number of students allowed in the program. For example, Biology requires that student take General Biology 1 & 2 and General Chemistry 1&2 and pass them with a minimum of two ‘B’s’ and two ‘Cs’.
Selective Access Programs at UNF Include:
When applying for limited access programs students must meet the prerequisites and any other requirements set by the department as well as meet the application deadline for the specific program in order to be considered. These programs also only allowed a certain number of students to be admitted into the program per term.
Limited Access Programs at UNF Include:
Always make sure to pay attention to upcoming deadline and prerequisite requirements for the major you intend to declare. The main reason for a delay in a decision can be late or incorrect applications. Have questions? Contact the Admissions office at (904) 620-5555 or at admissions@unf.edu.
Common College Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applying to colleges can be a very stressful process. You have to remember what each school requires and their deadlines. Sometimes, even the smallest mistakes can have big consequences. Below are the most common mistakes we see students make while they are navigating the college application process.
Application Mistake #1: Incorrect Information
Very seldom do students make major mistakes on their applications. However, small mistakes can complicate the process as much as large mistakes. This is the case when students submit incorrect information such as the wrong social security number, date of birth, type of application, term of application, or intended major. It is also very important that when you apply to college you use your legal name. Often students will list a nickname instead of their legal name (e.g. listing “Will” instead of “William). Any of these mistakes can cause a delay in your application because the school may not be able to match your transcripts and/or test scores to your application.
Application Mistake #2: Not Proof-Reading
It never fails, each year I receive at least one email, essay or personal statement that references the wrong college. “I am so excited to be considered for the University of Central Ohio!” Well that’s great, but you have emailed the University of North Florida. We know that students are applying to multiple schools and will often use the same essay for different applications. However, we expect that students are at least taking the time to proof-read (or have someone else proof-read) your correspondence before you send it.
Listing the incorrect school is not the only problem with failing to proof-read. We see many instances of poor grammar, misspelled words, and heavy use of slang. You need to remember that you are corresponding with an institution of higher learning, not your best friend. Every email, letter, essay, and phone call should be professional in manner. Otherwise, a college may decide to give the scholarship or admissions spot to a student who knows that the word “I” is always capitalized.
Application Mistake # 3: Not Following Instructions or Adhering to Deadlines
If an application is supposed to be filled out a certain way or if an essay is supposed to have a specific format, you need to make sure you are adhering to those instructions. In some instances, a school may decide not to process your application or pass you over for a scholarship, simply because you cannot follow directions.
You also need to make sure that you meet the posted deadline. What this means is that you need to follow up to make sure your documents have been received prior to the deadline. It does not help to call the day after to see if everything got to where it needed to go, because it is too late at that point. Many deadlines are “hard” deadlines, meaning that if you do not meet them, you will not be considered. No exceptions.
Application Mistake #4: Not Following Up on Submitted Documents
You should never assume that because you have sent something, or requested something to be sent, that the school actually received it. Most school will try to inform you of missing documents, but ultimately, it is your responsibility to check on the status of your documents (before the deadline). We receive phone calls from students asking why it has been months since they applied and haven’t heard anything. A simple phone call or a quick glance on the school’s website could have allowed the student to receive a decision in a timelier manner.
Watching out for these common mistakes can take the stress out of the application process and help you receive an admissions decision in a timely manner. If you have questions regarding an application to the University of North Florida our admissions coordinators are on hand to help Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (904) 620-5555, e-mail admissions@unf.edu or live chat with a representative from the admission’s office on our website at http://www.unf.edu/admissions.
Good luck with your applications!
Name: Jessica Caywood
Title: Admissions Coordinator
Region: 5 - Southeast Florida; Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach and Broward Counties
Educational Background: Bachelors of Art with a concentration Art History from UNF, I graduated in 2009.
UNF Start Date: June 2011
Years in Admissions: .75 read more »
The Military and Veterans Resource Center is located in the College of Ed Building
One of the hardest things about being a military spouse is having to uproot your life and move. A new place means new challenges. This lifestyle can take you to a new city, state, or even country. Whatever the circumstances of the move, it’s a difficult transition and one to which I can relate.
My Husband and I moved to Jacksonville a little over a year ago from our hometown where I spent the last 23 years growing up. My only voyages outside our city limits were short vacations and last-minute road trips. So when I found myself in the largest city by area in the lower forty-eight, let just say, I was a tad overwhelmed. There was so much to do, so much to see, and I had no idea where to begin.
I spent the first three months cooped up in our one-bedroom apartment, feeling afraid of the world and completely overwhelmed. I needed a purpose: something to make me feel validated. I decided I wanted to go back to college at the University of North Florida, a decision that has continuously rewarded me.
On the first day of class at UNF I was extremely nervous. Although I had taken college classes before I had never attended a university. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I remember being pleasantly surprised that first day of the summer semester. My teacher was fantastic, the campus was gorgeous, and everyone was so helpful and friendly. My classmates quickly turned into friends. It was a great way to learn about the best places to go in the city, from the people who knew it best. I even got a great part-time job that a classmate of mine told me about.
The Military & Veterans Resource Center has also been crucial to this transition for me. They offer all kinds of assistance from counseling to tutoring. The office is warm and welcoming, and the staff really goes above and beyond to provide any assistance they can. When you first walk into their office there is a lounge with a TV, free coffee and even a refrigerator for those long days on campus when you have to pack a lunch. They conduct workshops throughout the semester that cover non-academic subjects like paid internships, mock interviews, and resume writing. I found their resume-writing workshop particularly useful in preparing me for my internship applications.
Attending college at UNF is easily one of the best decisions I have made. It has helped me meet new people. It has made me feel proud of myself. It has strengthened my relationship with my husband, and I am hoping it will help me stay strong through our first deployment. The Military & Veterans Resource Center especially, has made all of the difference. But the best thing about going to school at UNF is the way it makes me feel about myself. I feel empowered. I feel important. I know that I have endless opportunities at my fingertips and I know that I can make a difference.
Written by – Jenni Kowsh
Military & Veterans Resource Center
Location:
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32224
Building 57, Suite 2700
Phone: Phone: (904) 620-5131
Fax: (904) 620-5900
Email: mvrc@unf.edu
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30a.m – 6:30p.m.
Friday 8:30a.m. – 5:00p.m.
Website: http://www.unf.edu/military-veterans/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/UNF-MVRC/222728387751291
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/UNFMVRC
Clammy palms. Staggered breathing. Shaky voice. Anxiety up the roof. Do these symptoms ring a bell? Ever had to stand up in front of a class and deliver a nerve-racking speech and/or class presentation? I am assuming at this point everyone, of course, has. The mix of emotions that surges in the moments preceding class presentations can be great cause of alarm for college students. For some reason, standing up in front of a group of people tends to mount pressure on the vast majority. Maybe it’s the way everyone’s eyes seem to be solely on you, watching your every move, seemingly judging you. Perhaps it is simply fear of forgetting important information and coming across as unprepared. Whatever the reason, public speaking is usually listed high among college student fears.
Name: Jennifer Kubicki
Title: Graphic Designer and Photographer
Educational Background: BA in Graphic Design, Minor in Fine Art, Flagler College 2008.
UNF Start Date: February, 2009.
Years in Admissions: 3.5 read more »
