We are proud to share the exciting news that Alexandra Abutin, a senior at River City Science Academy Middle-High, has been accepted to the University of Florida, one of the nation’s most respected and prestigious universities.

Alexandra’s high school journey has been truly outstanding. Throughout her time at RCSA, she has demonstrated exceptional academic dedication and perseverance by completing an impressive 15 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and 12 dual enrollment classes. With a remarkable weighted GPA of 4.7344, Alexandra has consistently challenged herself with rigorous coursework and has shown a deep commitment to academic excellence.

Alexandra’s success extends far beyond the classroom. Her determination, leadership, and strong sense of purpose have made her a valued member of our school community and an inspiring role model for her peers.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Alexandra for a short interview to learn more about her experiences, future goals, and reflections on this exciting accomplishment.

What was your first reaction when you found out you got accepted to University of Florida?

My initial reaction was honestly shock. Because the amount of people who get accepted into UF at our school is usually limited, I was fully prepared to see a rejection. In fact, the confetti didn’t load at first, so I freaked out and preemptively started tearing up. When I blinked a couple of times, I read the first line and saw the confetti. I reread the letter a few times before calling my two best friends screaming in joy, then going out to tell my family.

What do you plan to study at UF, and what excites you most about it?

As a Microbiology and Cell Science major on the premed track, I’m really excited about getting hands-on research experience in labs tied to cancer biology, genetics, or immunology. UF’s strong connections to Shands Hospital also make clinical shadowing and volunteering feel super accessible early on. I look forward to challenging science courses that actually connect molecular concepts to real diseases and treatments. And honestly, being surrounded by other motivated, driven students is exciting to me as well.

What activities or experiences do you think helped your application stand out?

My application was very STEM-heavy: I did Science Olympiad for four years, placing at the national level. Additionally, I worked as a neurologist’s shadow over the summer while doing an independent research project dealing with computational neuroscience. Finally, I was a co-founder of Future Healthcare Professionals (HOSA), which solidified my interest in medicine. However, I also believe that my other, non-STEM activities were important to show that I was a well-rounded candidate, like Mental Health Initiative and Multicultural Club.

What role did River City Science Academy play in shaping your academic journey?

I think the people I have met at RCSA have really helped me through my academic journey. I’ve loved being able to meet my closest friends, who have pushed me to take classes that challenged me, or helped me to start clubs. I’ve loved my teachers and coaches, who have made learning more bearable even in classes that I thought I’d hate. RCSA has just played a role by giving all these opportunities that I don’t think I could find in any other school environment.

How would you describe the learning environment at River City Science Academy?

As someone who didn’t go to RCSA in middle school, I found that entering the school in my freshman year was refreshing because of the freedom you get. I got to choose the classes and the paths I took, and got to decide that I was going to take the AP path rather than the Dual Enrollment path. I decided the rigor of my courses on my own. Also, everyone knows each other at RCSA, so it’s refreshing to have a lot of people to rely on or help.

Were there any teachers or mentors who had a big impact on you?

First, I’d like to thank all the teachers I’ve had at RCSA: they’ve all had some sort of impact on me, from my first AP with Mr. Plummer to unexpectedly enjoying Algebra 2 with Mr. Noyan, whether I mention them or not. However, I’d love to give a big thanks to Ms. Taylor, my Science Olympiad Coach, AP Bio and APES teacher, and role model. I’d also like to thank Ms. Sloan for igniting my passion for research (and for proofreading my essays when I was freaking out.) I want to thank Ms. Durmus, my CMP coach who has sat through hours of SAT practice with me and been an amazing mentor. Finally, I’d like to thank Mr. B for helping me to realize that math isn’t all too bad and showing me new ways to think.

What advice would you give to students dreaming of top universities?

Comparison is genuinely the thief of joy. Don’t dote on what you could’ve done, or what others have done, and keep pushing forward with faith that you are doing the right thing. You are the only person who can build your narrative, so focus on yourself: keep your grades up, be involved in extracurriculars you enjoy, and most of all, be honest with yourself.

How do you hope to make a difference in the world through your education?

When asked the question “Why do you want to be a doctor?”, I’m usually quiet and I don’t have a definite answer, because I’ve always wanted to be a physician. But above all, I’d hope to help people in their daily lives in the clinic, and feed my curiosity through research in the lab. For right now, I want to be a physician-researcher who works specifically in pathophysiology to study disease and disease pathways– I want to be able to discover something new in disease or human processes that could change people’s lives and bring peace to those who are suffering.

About the University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF), founded in 1853 in Gainesville, is one of the most prestigious public research universities in the United States and the top-ranked in Florida. UF is consistently placed among the top public universities nationwide, serving over 61,000 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs. With 16 colleges, more than 120 undergraduate majors, and over 250 graduate degree options, UF is known for academic excellence, world-class research, and strong student outcomes.