Comments please on select Florida LAC's and smaller Universities

College Search & Selection
1

<p>My oldest D is interested in staying in state for college. She loves the climate/weather and, after spending a year away during high school, thinks she is living in paradise in Florida, and wishes to stay put. </p>

<p>Comments please on your opinions of these schools.</p>

<p>Stetson U.
U. of Tampa
Florida Southern College</p>

<p>D is intereseted ultimately in Physical Therapy-as Masters or DPT program. For undergrad, she can major in just about anything as long as she completes the prerequisits, 2 bio, 2 chem, 2 physics, stats, 1-2 psych, etc. But D does not want to wait 4 years to be hands on--so she really is looking for a good program as an undergrad in Health Science/Rehab or Athletic Training that will have her getting some hands on and real life experience, not just a general liberal arts type degree. </p>

<p>We are very familiar with Rollins-she would be a legacy. Alas, nothing in this "department" at Rollins, and she would be taking prerequisite classes with lots of premed majors. She loives the campus, but is not crazy about course offerings, given nothing specific like Athletic Training, Health Science/Rehab.</p>

<p>FSC and Stetson as well as UT offer this. We know very little about these schools. Anyone wish to pipe in?</p>

<p>Also, any specific info on this type of undergrad degree/personal experience with this department at USF. UF, FGCU and UM. We heard some rather stellar comments about this as FGCU, but most folks locally consider this a very second or third tier public U due to it being so young. Is it still mostly a commuter school? A recent HS student from Fort Myers though D was crazy to even consider it. </p>

<p>D is a very hard-working rising Junior, all honors and 2 AP classes this year. 3.4 ish GPA unweighted. No SAT yet, prob wants to sit for it in Oct. She trained seriously for a career in ballet, went away to conservatory freshman year, but an injury sidelined her, and she is now on track for college and not a starving artist career. She ultimately would like to work in PT with dancers and athletes. She spent every summer since age 10 away at a major ballet intensive, and since home lots of other EC's, volunteers in the ER at our hospital. </p>

<p>Thanlks for any "local" or first hand knowlege.</p>

2

<p>Hi -NY mom here. I'll try to give you a bit of info on U of Tampa. D was accepted and gave it serious consideration. She is interested in sports management and they had the program. Seeing your daughters interests, I know U of Tampa has all the programs she is interested in- as well as being walking distance to the Performing Arts Center in Tampa where I believe some internships are available. They also had a theatre across the street from the school for theatre productions.<br>
U of T was generous with merit money. If you had over a 3.2 gpa you could get merit up to $8,000 a year which would be renewed if you maintained a 2.8 gpa (?). They are really trying to get a more national reputation so they are trying to get alot of OOS kids. When we went to the accepted student presentation on Long Island, I'd say there were over 100 people in attendance. (60 students- rest parents) so this doesn't seem like a commuter school as many kids are from the NE.
I've posted or been part of discussions on U Tampa for over 2 years. Trust me this school does not get alot of play on college confidential. I always get very mixed reports. To me, I think the school seemed fine and would be a good match for my kid. But I will admit, I would have liked more info from kids who actually went there. As my d decided to stay closer to home, she decided to stay In New York afterall. But I would have really enjoyed visiting her in Tampa in February.<br>
Personally, I think the school has potential- it definitely has ALL the programs you kid is interested in and its proximity to the Performing Arts Center and your d's dance background could make it an exciting learning experience.</p>

3

<p>Marny1--that is just the info that I am looking for. We have visited Stetson and FSC. The programs at both look good, but no ballet. I forgot completely about the performing arts center in Tampa. I was in med school at USF 25 years ago, and an familiar with UT's location, and drove past it many times. The performing arts center is new (ie not there 25 years ago anyway), and has quite a good rep for training ballet dancers. We had planned a trip to visit UT ans USF. Now we know to ask if there is any formal relationship/opprtunities for internship etc. Rollins was still in the running, only because they have a dance minor, and she could take advanced ballet classes for PE credit or fine arts credit or for a minor--and that plan was a fall back since they have no direct athletic training department. But UT appears to have the athletic training dept and undergrad degree, and good ballet in close proximity, with maybe some opportunity for hands on. </p>

<p>And we will need merit aid. The financial worksheets have us looking like we will be responsible for the full ride, at least until D #2 is in college in 2 years. </p>

<p>While attending USF, I never thought of UT as a communter school, and yes, they have working to improve their academic reputation. It is now definatlely on the list to visit and get more first hand info.</p>

4

<p>anyone else?</p>

5

<p>Sunnyfla-- you may want to post again on the parents forum. Parents seem to be pretty willing to share their knowledge. I do know there are a few other florida parents on these boards</p>

6

<p>Thanks-didn't realize the difference!!</p>