How to Explore and Apply to Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
Updated
Start at fau.edu and use the homepage's four main entry points: Search our programs, Request info, Visit our campuses, and View Rankings and Facts. These cover the full path from first interest to application preparation. FAU describes itself as a student-centered public research university, and the homepage presents the scale of what's available: 170+ degree programs, 6,000+ undergraduate research activities, 10,000+ internship placements, and 28 combined bachelor's-to-master's programs.
Step 1: Find the right program
Use Search our programs on the homepage to browse the 170+ degree offerings. Before you search, note two things:
- Level: undergraduate, graduate, or a combined bachelor's-to-master's track (28 of these exist).
- Format and location: FAU spans 110 miles of Southeast Florida's coastline, so program availability can vary by campus. Check which campus hosts your program before going further.
Expected result: a shortlist of programs with their degree level and campus. If the list is still long, narrow it by matching your interests to the research and internship numbers above—for example, a student interested in marine science can look for programs tied to undergraduate research activities.
Step 2: Request information
Submit the Request info form to get official details sent to you. This is the right move when you want current admission requirements, deadlines, or program-specific contacts rather than general web content. Use it after you have a shortlist, so your questions are specific.
Step 3: Visit or explore campuses
Select Visit our campuses to plan a visit or explore locations remotely. FAU frames its setting as a recruiting strength: strategic relationships across South Florida connect students with relevant experience while they study, and the region's sub-tropical climate is part of campus life. A visit is the best way to test whether a specific campus fits your daily routine—commute, housing, and access to internships.
Step 4: Check rankings and facts
Use View Rankings and Facts when you need verifiable figures for comparison—program counts, research participation, internship placements, and similar data. Treat these as the baseline for comparing FAU against other schools on the same dimensions rather than relying on general reputation.
What to expect along the way
| Stage | Action | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Exploration | Search our programs | Program list by level and campus |
| Contact | Request info | Official admission and program details |
| Evaluation | Visit campuses / View Rankings and Facts | Fit check and comparable data |
| Application | Follow the admissions process for your program | Next-step instructions from FAU |
Common sticking points
- Skipping the program search: Applying before confirming your program exists at your preferred campus wastes time.
- Relying on third-party summaries: Requirements and deadlines change; confirm them through Request info or the official program page.
- Ignoring the combined-degree option: If you're considering a master's, the 28 combined bachelor's-to-master's programs can shorten the path—check eligibility early.
- Assuming one campus represents all: With a footprint across 110 miles of coastline, campus character and opportunities differ; visit the one you'd actually attend.
For context on what FAU is as an institution, see the related question on [What Is Florida Atlantic University (FAU)?]; for the full program catalog, see [What Degree Programs Does Florida Atlantic University Offer?].