Help me decide!

Colleges and Universities A-Z New College of Florida
1

<p>Dear Awesome CC People,</p>

<p>I have the great fortune of deciding amongst several schools by May 1st. Most people have a few clear favorites at this point, but I’ve find myself extremely enthusiastic about no fewer than six different schools. I’ve visited them all but not at great times – for example, I was at New during January when there were no students there. I am considering all of the significant differences amongst them and still not finding any one that stands out above the others, so now I need to consider all of the little nuances. I was wondering if anyone, especially current students, alumni, or parents, could tell me a little about the following things (which normally wouldn’t make or break a college decision) in relation to New:</p>

<li> Professor-student interaction</li>
<li> How politically and socially activist are the students?</li>
<li> What’s the “feel” of the campus? Community-like? Friendly student body? Any clique-ishness? What are students like in general (in other words, what’s the “kind” of person who would feel comfortable at New)?</li>
<li> How is the administration, as far as efficiency and responsiveness? Are there a lot of problems with them?</li>
<li> How much time do people spend off campus, and what do they do there? How is Sarasota? What does it have to offer? Also, I know a large proportion of NCF students lives off campus. Why is that? Is there not enough dorm space?</li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry if some of these questions are vague, but I want as much info as possible, so I’m avoiding specific questions! I would so much appreciate answers to any of these questions. Thank you in advance!!!</p>

2

<ol>
<li>Professor-student interaction </li>
</ol>

<p>My son is a first year student at NCF and has already been asked by a professor if he wants to participate in that professor’s research project. Each of my son’s classes fall and spring semesters has had six or fewer students, though I understand that is not the norm, and all of his professors from this semester and last semester know him by name, talk with him about what he’s doing and planning to do when they see him around their department building, and have invited him to attend seminars and presentations in which they think he would be interested.</p>

<ol>
<li>How politically and socially activist are the students?<br></li>
</ol>

<p>There is a lot of discussion about politics and social (in)justice, but people aren’t disrespectful of dissenting views.</p>

<ol>
<li>What’s the “feel” of the campus? Community-like? Friendly student body? Any clique-ishness? What are students like in general (in other words, what’s the “kind” of person who would feel comfortable at New)?<br></li>
</ol>

<p>The student body is the antithesis of cliquishness. People are who they are and they aren’t afraid to be themselves, even when they don’t conform to traditional social norms. It’s an extremely welcoming community and the only people who might feel uncomfortable are judgmental people.</p>

<ol>
<li>How is the administration, as far as efficiency and responsiveness? Are there a lot of problems with them? </li>
</ol>

<p>Since students are part of the administration of NCF, they come to understand the challenges with which the administration contends. The administration is very transparent and students are invited to air their concerns. Everyone I know at NCF is extremely satisfied with college administration, including its efficiency and responsiveness.</p>

<ol>
<li>How much time do people spend off campus, and what do they do there? How is Sarasota? What does it have to offer? Also, I know a large proportion of NCF students lives off campus. Why is that? Is there not enough dorm space?</li>
</ol>

<p>Most students don’t spend a lot of time off campus. When they do leave campus it’s generally to shop, go to the movies, eat out, etc. Sarasota is a vibrant community, somewhat upscale, with a long tradition of fostering the performing arts. You can Google Sarasota to see if your off campus interests can be satisfied.</p>

<p>Living off campus requires permission, and that permission has been harder to come by over the last couple of years since the new dorms have been completed. Unless you live locally with your parents you will likely be required to live on campus. Those who are finishing their theses are also often afforded more flexibility in where they live. Before the new dorms there wasn’t enough space to accommodate all students, but NCF is now a residential campus.</p>