Comments please on select Florida LAC's and smaller Universities

Parents Forum
1

<p>I am reposting this --seems my origiinal post was in the wrong place. </p>

<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. Besides, we can also use the Bright Futures and Florida resident grants. </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 prerequisites, 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. She could minor in dance and take ballet for credit (see below) but nothing more specific re: rehab/AT.</p>

<p>FSC and Stetson as well as UT offer a degree in AT or Health Science/rehab, with practicums and internships with hands on training. We know very little about these schools other than what is available online. Anyone wish to pipe in with any persoanl experience or knowledge about the schools in general or the programs she is interested in?</p>

<p>Also, any specific info on this type of undergrad degree/personal experience with this department at USF. UF, FGCU or UM? We heard some rather stellar comments about this undergrad and master's program at 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 current 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. She is well rounded, and her essay will probably focus on her passion for ballet, her training intensively for it, and what she learned about herself and her future during her year away. </p>

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

2

<p>What's the prevailing opinion about Eckerd? Any thoughts on Nova?</p>

<p>I confess I've been out of Fla for over 20 yrs, so my info is stale....</p>

3

<p>Cannot offer you much info that's helpful. Been thru Stetson. OT & PT are terrific fields--practically always can find jobs, especially in FL. Most important to go to colleges that offer this major. I thought Lynn U in Boca has PT, as well as UCF. Have you done a search for which FL schools offer PT?</p>

4

<p>I know of someone who attended NOVA for one year and was very unhappy. This student transferred out after freshman year. She was a typical college student looking for a campus life. This is not the school for that. Apparently there are many older students and commuters. She understood this when she chose this school, but she thought she could take advantage of a specific program that they offered, and find her circle of friends, but it did not work out that way.</p>

5

<p>She should definitely look into the programs at UMiami. The kids in the athletic training and exercise physiology majors work very closely with the UM athletes, lots of hands on experience with a big time sports program. Degrees through doctoral level are awarded.
<a href="http://www.education.miami.edu/department/departments.asp?department_ID=3%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.education.miami.edu/department/departments.asp?department_ID=3&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I believe UM also offers some dance classes through the Frost School of Music. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>Another vote against Nova Southeastern -- it's definitely a commuter/adult degree school. I can't imagine why anyone would choose it for a residential college experience.</p>

7

<p>Every Eckerd grad I've ever met has been cheerfully loyal and happy with their experience there. One of my grad school housemates went there (as did all his siblings) and I've met some other graduates (entirely randomly) who had great things to say about it.</p>

8

<p>I don't know much about PT/AT, but I am familiar with the local reputations of some of the schools you mentioned. </p>

<p>As you probably know, UF is considered by many to be the most challenging/elite university in FL. Problem is (in my opinion) it's huge and harder to get into than many realize. Still, I'd research that option thoroughly. It can't hurt to apply. Annual tuition is only $3,900 (one of the lowest in the nation) and it is ranked in the top 50 schools in the nation by US News. That's a great deal and it shouldn't be overlooked. I don't know any Gator parent or student who doesn't love the school. It is the Gator Nation you know ; ) </p>

<p>University of Tampa is a lovely small private school. Many kids from our area who seek a small college environment (where you are not a number) are very happy there. I know many parents with juniors and seniors at UT who adore the school and highly recommend it to others. My sense is that UT is a great choice for kids who prefer a small private school, want to stay in FL, and were B or B+ students in HS. UT has strong D2 sports teams, so I'd imagine the AT program is excellent. I've also heard from area nurses that UT's healthcare programs are strong. Most kids we know live on campus and I don't know anyone who commutes to UT (and we only live about 30 minutes from the campus). On the down side, UT is private and expensive. Your daughter's Bright Futures Scholarship would only make a small dent in the tuition bill...though other scholarships may be available. I have heard of a few stronger students outgrow the school (academically) and transfer out to USF or UF. Many local athletes (esp. soccer players and some swimmers) get athletic scholarships. It sounds like a happy place with a comfortable private school feel (perhaps like Rollins).</p>

<p>I haven't heard many good things about Florida Southern, I'm sorry to say. I know two local kids who received athletic scholarships from FS. They both transferred out after their first year and said they hated it. I saw the campus once and wasn't too impressed. It's a little rural for my taste.</p>

<p>Of course, UCF and FSU are tremendously popular with local kids. Both are big public schools that offer almost every major. UCF was recently listed as a Great School for B Students by US News. UCF has nicer dorms and a beautiful campus. FSU has better sports teams and lots of school spirit. </p>

<p>UMiami is also considered a good choice for stronger students, especially those interested in medical careers. Of course, the city of Miami is amazing. Some folks feel it's overpriced, even with scholarships, but if your SATs are high the University provides significant scholarships for four years. It seems that most of our A students, when admitted to UF and UMiami, choose UF. I suspect cost is a big factor there, but I'm not sure. If you daughter likes the idea of attending school in Miami, I'd vist for sure.</p>

<p>Eckerd College seems small, underfunded, and costly, though the location is pretty. USF seems large, with many commuters and some problems with crime...though their education, engineering, and medical programs are notoriously strong.</p>

<p>Good luck...My best advice is to visit, apply anywhere that seems like a good fit, wait to see if your daughter is admitted...and then visit again.</p>

9

<p>look into UNF, a up and coming school about 2 miles from the beach in jacksonville. not a great academic school but gettting better, just went D1 for sports, so PT might be there.</p>

<p>i personally would give you a strong no to Fla Southern, definitely USF. UCF is nice but huge, very disney-fied architecture. FSU and UF should be looked into. Eckerd is underfunded and not a tightly run school.</p>

<p>unless cash is not a consideration, its hard to consider the big instate privates, like tampa, stetson and rollins. you can get a equal or better education instate for 10k a year or go out of state and get a better deal for 25-30 a year.</p>

10

<p>Have you made a list of the 4/5 programs, which offer direct route to masters in PT? I believe FL internationalin Miami, Keiser in Ft Lauderdale, U of St Augustine do. I would strongly recommend a state U with this program. Most only accept limited #students, so, within a large school, they can build a tight bind. Most PT's I know went the state route</p>

11

<p>Hi Sunnyfla- I am glad you reposted here. Dreamer- I just got more info from your post on U Tampa than I have in the past 2 years on cc. As a NY parent I thought the school had alot of potential for the B+ student. The tuition is around $18,000 but it did seem to be quite generous with merit money. Last years policy at U of T was to award up to $8,000/ year if you had a GPA over 3.2 and it would be renewable with a 2.8 GPA (?- or it was a reasonable GPA). Maybe because my d applied very early in the process, she was awarded the $8,000/yr which brought tuition to around $10,000. Other than the SUNY's, UTampa would have been the least expensive school for my kid. The school may be luring OOS kids, so they may be more generous to us with merit $, but you'll never know until you apply. I can say I am noticing a few UTampa decals on Long Island so I think they do get alot of kids from the northeast. Our initial impressions of the school was positive and I think it is a school to be considered.</p>

12

<p>Keeping in mind this was a few years ago, when we did our tours we did the grand tour of FL schools. While I only have our (mine and sons) impression, we were less than impressed with UTampa's science programs. It seemed to me that UT was much more "business" driven. Perhaps that has changed? The labs and classrooms in the science area's were outdated at best. Especially when compared to UMiami or UF. On the west coast we were most impressed with Eckerd, New College, and little known Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers. I'm hoping the FGCU becomes the hidden jewel I think it will be.</p>

<p>Centrally, we were not that impressed by UCF. UF is okay, certainly the highest USNWR ranking but personally I don't take much stock in those anyway. Most definitely a great school though for the whole college experience at a very large state university.</p>

<p>On the east coast Stetson and UMiami quickly got the nods. Florida Tech was a true downer. I think son could have been very happy at Stetson. They had a quality science center for so small of a university, and the people and town of Deland were awesome. What can I say about UMiami. My son adores it. He, and I for that matter, believe he has gotten a wonderful education there, and while yes it can be expensive, with scholarship dollars it has cost us no more than what was our own state university (UIUC). He loves Miami so much, and has had such wonderful opportunities that he's applying to the next level in Miami first thing off the bat. (Medical or grad/school). </p>

<p>Best wishes on your search!!!</p>

13

<p>University of Miami and the University of Florida are the two best universities in the state.</p>

<p>They are very different in terms of environment and cost. UF is MUCH cheaper and is located in the college town of Gainesville. It is ranked marginally higher than UM (although this gap appears to be reducing to miiscule differences and Miami may even surpass UF). With Bright Futures if you are in-state UF is by far your best choice.</p>

<p>UM is more cosmopolitan with the city being right down the street. It is a lot more expensive but offers superior programs in the sciences. Deciding between UF and UM if you are in-state is a no-brainer go with UF. If you are out of state decide what you want. If you want the typical college atmosphere with a lot of students and a relatively isolated location but at the same time being fun UF is your choice. If you want a more city type of atmosphere and enjoy city nightlife such as restaurants, clubs, bars, the Miami Heat basketball team then go to University of Miami.</p>

<p>Either way both are great choices!</p>

14

<p>Marny1 - What you said is true...there are LOTS of out-of-state students at UTampa. Most of them are from the northeast. Two friends from Delaware send their kids there and the kids are very happy. That's remarkable geographic diversity for such a small school...another positive! Out-of-state kids don't feel like outsiders and in-state kids don't feel like they're still in high school.</p>

<p>I also visited New College in Sarasota, another interesting alternative for a student interested in Florida schools. The location is beautiful...some of the dorms actually look out over Sarasota Bay. It's largely female, has some neat programs for gifted kids, and has (or had) very liberal grading policies (you know...focus on the learning not the grade). It's got a small school feel. I might be wrong about this but I think New College still has ties to USF...which means it is a small school with big school resources. My daughter wouldn't even consider it though...too small...ugh ; )</p>

15

<p>Thanks for all the input. </p>

<p>I did not ask for info on Eckerd as it has no Health Science/AT program. It is much like Rollins, and, like Rollins, is getting up there in the tuition/room/board totals. For the price, and with no specialized program, she will probably pass on it. The only reason we even have Rollins in the mix is that I graduated from Rollins and had a wonderful experience. But that was when college was more affordable, and being the first in the family to attend college, need-based aid and work-study paid most of the bills, with a loan balance after attending state U med school that was realistic in the end. Fast-forward 30 years, and we started the process of looking by visiting Rollins. That was when I got a severe case of sticker shock. Especially given that health care salaries have no where near risen like college tuition has. No "managed care" for tuition/college expenses. </p>

<p>We are VERY familiar with UCF/USF/UF/FSU, it is just that D is not crazy about the size of the campuses, and she is leaning more toward a smaller learning environment. I think she might flourish more easily in a smaller campus setting. And the tuition at FSC/Stetson/UT is middle ground between Rollins/Eckerd on one end, and the state universities on the other. And those three have some nice merit aid that brings them in reach for us. So thanks for the specific info being shared. </p>

<p>UM looks excellent on paper, for so many reasons: size of campus, programs available, reputation/ranking, D1 sports; but again affordability comes into play. We will not be looking at eligibility for need based aid at least until the next sibling is in college 2 years later, and I am not sure D1's grades or scores will be high enough to get automatic merit at UM. UM is the type of school you could get really excited about, but not really be able to afford. </p>

<p>I am just realizing, by following the board here, that out of state students are often offered more merit aid than instate students at LAC's and private uni's, to keep the student body more varied. But she just doesn't want to leave Florida for a colder climate. And Hawaii is just to far to be practical!</p>

<p>We have visited Rollins and Stetson and FSC. Will definately be visiting UT and USF next stop. Then New College and FGCU. U of M will be a visit as well. UF visit will probably happen very early senior year, when good friends will be freshman and she can visit with friends as tour guides. </p>

<p>We also visited Flagler, and she really likes the setting (and I liked the tuition numbers)--but no AT or Health Science. And to date, they have no ties or working relationship with the newer Health Science University of St Augustine (which does not have a 4/5 program and is a very expensive post grad PT program that is not in a traditional college or university setting.)</p>

<p>For the record we will not be considering Nova/SE. Nor Kaiser, which is also not a traditional college/university setting. Kaiser started out as a technical school, and while they may be offering post-grad degrees, their name does not carry much weight in the medical circles here. </p>

<p>The state severed New College's ties to USF--much to the dismay of many, including USF. It is an independent state college now. The setting is wonderful, the price is more than right, but again the offerings are limited, and is very very small--half the size of most of our local high schools. I don't think it is a fit given her ultimate goals and desire for undergrad classes to be hands on preparation, not just classroom prep,</p>

<p>Keep the comments coming</p>

16

<p>How about some other warm coastal schools? Is she particularly attached to the beach or the warm weather?</p>

17

<p>Such as? I think that it is more the warm weather year round, not so much the beach (but it would be nice to be within an hour away); and I think she would rather be no more than a 3-4 hour drive from home. So, when you are in South Florida, 3-4 hours keeps you pretty much in-state. When she was away at school as a HS Freshman, she was in New England. The first snow was a novelty. WInter then dragged on for months, and months, and months. And she is an OUTDOOR girl who enjoys her outdoors in shorts. So went she decided not to return to the conservatory, and in contemplating her future, she has set her sights on staying in Florida. I think she ultimately wants to settle in Florida, and just doesn't want to get too far away, then be lulled into staying by a boy/grad school/job etc. She has also spent summers in ballet intensives for 4-6 weeks at a time in Michigan, Texas, Orlando, NYC and Boston, staying in college dorms that ranged from a small LAC to UT Austin. She has tasted life (albeit just a taste) on campuses big and small in cities small and large. And she has spent time far away from family. She is very mature, and loved her experiences away, but based on those experiences, she is ready to stay put in-state. We were always close, but I was always comfortable letting her go away to follow her dream. And she couldn't wait to go. Now we are even closer as a family as a result, and I think she does not want to be a plane ride or a days drive away. SHe is also very close to her sister, and sis wants to stay in Florida. And they have heard mom and dad talk about Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid, and the Florida Resident grants. With Bright Futures and Florida prepaid combined, we would have little to no OOP expenses at state U, and combining those with the Florida Resident grant, it would not take too much merit aid to swing most LAC's. We cannot use Bright Futures or the Fl resident grant out of state. </p>

<p>Maybe it sounds corny, but she thinks she has seen the country, and is ready to stay "home" in Florida. Just not too close (wink.)</p>

18

<p>bump, thanks</p>

19

<p>just checking in</p>

20

<p>Sorry, I lost the thread after I asked the question!</p>

<p>Honestly, she has an excellent plan for what she wants as a career, and she will probably also be better served by NOT going to a highly selective college - and she has some good choices in Florida. I was thinking that if finances/size turn out to be a problem, and she needs to look outside of FL, I would suggest surrounding state unis, and the maybe tier II schools associated with medical schools. If the school has Div I sports, they usually have good athletic training, and most of the medical center associated unis have good PT programs (UAB for instance). Two very different coastal cities that she might want to consider are Charleston and Houston.</p>

<p>One thing that I would explore with her, especially this early in the process, is her interest in dance and dance related injuries. Is it strong enough to try for a program that has some degree of specialization in dance? Or is that too limiting at this point?</p>

<p>Actually she is very fortunate, her career ambitions and her location preferences mesh together nicely - a couple of kids in DD's class were like that - they wanted to be nurses, and had very stress free senior years because they knew exactly where they were going and how they would get to that point.</p>

<p>She probably should pick a program, not a size of school - even at UF after her initial classes, she should be in a relatively small group. The great thing about UF is that it has Div I sports and a top-notch medical center all on one campus - sounds like PT heaven to me!</p>

<p>I appreciate the discussion of Fla schools, because my son may be interested in these in a couple of years - although he says he's had enough of hurricanes.</p>