<p>@florida It’s somewhat complicated, but if by “food” you mean a meal plan, then yes BF can indirectly go to the student’s meal plan. If by “food” you meant stopping by McDonalds or going to get groceries, then, no, BF cannot pay for groceries.</p>
<p>Is FGCU poorly regarded in Florida? I have a son (sophomore) who also wants to play college soccer. We live in the northeast, but he wants to go to college somewhere warm. He is an average student. I have been looking at southern state schools that have DI soccer teams, including FGCU. I went to FSU in the late 1970’s, and think that he would love a school of that type with a big sports atmosphere but alas no mens soccer there or at rival UF. I lived in Miami for years and never had a positive impression of FIU. We will undoubtedly be full pay with little to no merit money. So, back to the original question, how is FGCU thought of in Florida?</p>
<p>Tyberius-I just spoke with the principal at my son’s school yesterday about FGCU. My younger son is an average student (he has some issues and is only 16 so not quite ready to start the process) but wants to have that university experience. He actually wants to go to FAU which I turned my nose up to. She said that FAU is actually a pretty good school for average kids who don’t test well but want to go to college and WORK. FGCU has a reputation as being the school for average/below average kids who don’t test well but just want to go to college. She also suggested looking at Florida Northern (something like that-I’m really unfamiliar with it) up in Jacksonville, that it is an up and coming option. This was her analysis of how FGCU is seen among educators-the only person I know who went to FGCU ended up boomerranging home after 1 semester. I don’t know much about it but among my older son’s friends it is not highly regarded and I don’t know anybody who is planning to attend next year.</p>
<p>FGCU is okay. It’s not the best. It’s looked at as a college for kids who don’t really know what they want to do and have to go to college in the mean time.</p>
<p>Tyberius: </p>
<p>The only state universities in FL that are well regarded are UF, FSU, UCF and USF. The other universities serve a purpose for local kids but for and out of state student those 4 are the only state universities worth attending.</p>
<p>I think New College should be added to Proudpatriot’s list. It doesn’t have a soccer team, though.</p>
<p>So he wants to play on a college team (recruitment) or just be able to play on a regular basis? Intramural sports are really big at UF (and you can play soccer plus a ton of other sports). UF just offers so many more opportunities than most of the other colleges that it would be hard to turn down based on just wanting to do soccer.<br>
As to how big it is–yeah, it’s big but can become small very fast–you only interact with smaller groups of friends, study groups, clubs. Not all 50,000 students at the same time (except at the football games).
As for living in G’ville and wanting to go elsewhere–I can understand that. BUT if he lives on campus as a student independently from you, he’ll be getting an experience that he does NOT have now. And being a student with the ability to join campus activities and get involved is MUCH different than being just a resident of the town.</p>
<p>Eckerd college is division II soccer. You can use BF, Fl. Resident Access Grant and Florida Pre Paid. They also give generous merit and financial aid as well as sports scholarships. It is a great LAC, listed in Colleges That Change Lives and Fiske’s Guide.</p>
<p>There is also something to be said for going to school in the city you grew up in. I just realized today that kids who are leaders have an advantage if they are “in town” and have that support system. So many of my friends’ kids are at U of Cinti. and when they (through their fraternity for instance) want to organize a charity event, they can call on their parents & parents’ friends for help. (THEY organize the event, but if they want a great turnout for a dinner/silent auction that is not just for students…built-in network is at hand!) They also know the city and where to find goods and services they may need. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, they are living on campus and having the “away from home” experience. Win-win.</p>
<p>To the OP: Definitely consider FAU. It has a soccer team, intramural soccer clubs that play on a new $4.2M track’n’field complex and it should be about the right size for your son. The south Florida beach lifestyle is also a marked departure from life in Gainesville (trust me, I know both areas very well) and the drive between the two is very easy.</p>
<p>Regarding FAU as the school “for people who don’t test well”, we were actually the most selective university in 2012 (35%) so we have some luxuries now to start taking mostly people who do test “well.”</p>
<p>A high-stats, minority, student-athlete interested in math and science will be an attractive candidate for merit aid at a number of schools. </p>
<p>Don’t forget about club sports. Unlike intramurals, club teams play for their school against other schools. Great way of continuing your enjoyment of the sport, without the time commitment of varsity. Besides, if he is not already being recruited for D-I soccer, he will be unlikely to make the varsity team at a large school. Walk-ons are pretty rare. If he really wants to play varsity soccer, focus on D-III schools.</p>
<p>I get the desire for a Gainesville kid to want no part of UF. My son’s roommate at Alabama is from Gainesville. His parents both work at UF. He says going to UF would have been like 13th grade for him.</p>
<p>BTW, speaking of Alabama, you might want to look there. Amazing scholarships for good out of state students, not too big, and they have club soccer.</p>
<p>I totally agree with your reasoning. There is no way I would take out 100k in loans for Rollins. Save that for grad school if he chooses to go. If he is absolutely against UF (due to location) and FSU (due to no soccer), I would look at UCF or USF. If he doesn’t want to go to any of those four schools, then I would cast a wide net at good out of state schools that he likes.</p>
<p>Also, I assume he hasn’t taken the SAT yet. If he does very well, he may be able to get some merit aid (or an athletic scholarship) at some decent out of state schools. Then you can add your FL Prepaid $ to that.</p>
<p>Best of luck to him and you!</p>
<p>Don’t forget Lynn U for soccer. They recruit internationals to play on their team.</p>
<p>I also know someone at Rollins on full financial aid. I also know a girl there on generous merit.</p>