We are proud to share the exciting news that Cole Carin, 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.

Cole’s high school journey has been truly impressive. Throughout his time at RCSA, he has demonstrated exceptional academic dedication by completing 12 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and 2 dual enrollment classes. With a current weighted GPA of 4.6154. Cole has consistently challenged himself with rigorous coursework and worked hard to achieve this outstanding milestone.

Cole’s success extends beyond the classroom as well. His commitment, maturity, and strong sense of purpose have made him a valued member of our school community and an inspiring role model for his peers.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Cole for a short interview to learn more about his 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 first reaction when I got to UF was a sense of relief. Beforehand, I was a little nervous thinking about the possibility of me not getting accepted. Receiving the acceptance letter rounded off all of my college results and let me rest easy.

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

Right now, I am planning to dual major in statistics and sociology. Statistics excites me because I like math, and statistics allows me to apply math to many other subjects, as well as having its own interesting characteristics of its own. Sociology excites me because I wish to learn the inner workings of society.

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

Activity wise, I spent a lot of time playing chess and volunteering at chess places during my high school career. This made the bulk of my extracurriculars. In my essay, I used my experience writing an AP research paper on an unorthodox topic to demonstrate my willingness to push the boundaries of academia.

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

I find that this school does a good job of supporting its students in classes. The teachers are, on average, pretty good at their job, and have equipped me with the tools to excel in classes. The wide array of AP courses allowed me to take many college level courses and get credits for college.

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

The learning environment is overall good. There certainly exists more socially oriented situations within the classroom, but lessons are still taught and work is still completed. A level of departure from pure lectures is near guaranteed within schools, and this one certainly could be worse

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

I would say that Mr. Baktir in 9th grade had a big impact, he was a good teacher and nice. 

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

First point would be to get good grades. Also, being able to get high scores on standardized tests is also really important. A lot of top colleges really care about a strong set of extracurricular activities, so try to get on that early on.

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

I wish to learn truths about the world and further human understanding.

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.