HELP! Need unbiased opinion on college choices!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I need an unbiased opinion on my college options. My family and friends have swayed my opinions so much that I've resorted to Yahoo Answers. First, thank you for taking the time to read this ridiculously long display of information (:</p>

<p>About me:
-I want to major in English, or somewhere in that field. Probably double major or minor in Psych. It might change, though.
-I plan to study abroad
-I enjoy meeting new people, but I don't like huge crowds. I want to have the opportunity to meet new and interesting people, but I can't see myself getting lost in the crowd or sitting in a large lecture hall- but from experience, I hear you get used to it. I guess I can, too.
-I'm into going to concerts, lectures, and getting lost in a book more than I am into partying- but I like a balance of both.
-I like being involved.
-I'm serious about my studies...while I want to have fun, I'm not looking to party my college years away. I want to be around people who feel the same, and end up in the graduate school of my choice.
-I want to leave my first four years of college with great memories, but also having had the opportunity to intern in a larger city.</p>

<p>The options:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>University of Florida
-I have friends who go there/will be going there, so I'll know a few people
-it's large (both a plus and a minus)
-I like the architecture
-It has a plethora of opportunities because of its size
-I really don't care about football and I'm not a "Gator Baby"
-I feel the school is more towards math and science, which I am not going for. But I could be wrong.
-5 hours away from home
-not the greatest housing, in my opinion, because it is an older campus.</p></li>
<li><p>The Honors College at Florida Atlantic University
-It is one of the nation's only free-standing honors colleges- all courses are honors level
-really small (about 500 students) which is both good and bad. I have visited and love the individual attention I receive (I'm even friends with an admission counselor on Facebook) but being with the same people for 4 years doesn't excite me too much.
-I will have to either intern, study abroad, or do both at this school, as it is a graduation requirement...and I really like having those options.
-an hour away from home
-the only person I will know will be my really close friend, which is great. The housing is awesome too; everyone gets their own room.
-I have received a renewable scholarship for $3,200 every year
-They don't have majors- they have 'concentrations.' These are general subjects (i.e., English, Psychology, Pre-Law..there are about 12 in all.) So, if I choose a completely different path career-wise, they may not have what I'm looking for. Though I was told that you can "create" your own major, which is kind of cool.
-I like the liberal arts approach to the school; it's not very traditional. Students also take part in interdisciplinary studies, which combine different concepts (Literature with law, Math with psychology, etc.) to have a wider knowledge.
-The campus is small and plain.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>There is also Florida State University...I haven't visited it (though I have been accepted) but I know it has a strong base in English and other areas in the humanities. Yet it 7 hours away from home, and, from what I've heard, it's really different from the city/suburbs where I live.</p>

<p>Anyways, these are my options. I just need a bit of guidance and I REALLY appreciate you for reading this!</p>

2

<p>uhhhhh got to say, 1 and 2 don’t even compare, according to your preferences. The honors college sounds more prestigious, like it has everything you want, and is financially generous, as well as having a better atmosphere and more personal touch AND being close to home. Sounds to me like you’ve already decided.
also:
“being with the same people for 4 years doesn’t excite me too much.”
It’ll pretty much be like this for any not- huge college you enter, and really, 500 people for 4 years isn’t too bad. You did it in High School, you can do it in college.
Edit: ALSO:
Just read the “everyone gets their own room” thing. That would pretty much make it a done deal for me. 2 all day.</p>

3

<p>Just looking at how short my list for University of FL is and how long it is for the Honors College makes me see more clearly what I want- thank you for the guidance.
And I definitely like the ‘everyone gets their own room’ thing, too (:</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

4

<p>Agreed - it definitely sounds like you’ve already decided.</p>

<p>I have to be honest - I haven’t heard of Florida Atlantic, but the Honors College sounds like a good deal. If you think you’ll be happy there, then I say go for it. :)</p>

5

<p>Anytime, haha, doesn’t look like I did too much though :slight_smile: think you’ll be very happy at the honors college.</p>

6

<p>The Honors College at Florida Atlantic University is a great deal! The surrounding area is very nice and it is close to everything, the beach, the mall, movie theatres, shopping and restaurants. I know several kids who have gone there and loved it.</p>

7

<p>Having grown up right near FAU, and knowing a lot about UF, I will try to give you an unbiased opinion. Unbiased, because it is not what I would do. However, it sounds like FAU Honors is much better for you. I know that regular FAU isn’t nearly as academically challenging as UF, but I also know that the Honors College is a big step up, and it sounds like the programs were made for you. Also, you don’t have anything bad to say about it, a clear sign.</p>

<p>From your description of distances, it sounds like you live right around where I just lived.</p>

8

<p>I’m trying to decide this too, except between FAU Honors and UCF. FAU Honors is definitely pulling ahead though. The area is extremely nice and convenient. It will be a very close-knit community but drive 10 minutes and you’re in a sprawling city! Are you to attend the preview day this weekend?</p>

9

<p>I’m not surprised that the OP is getting a lot of blowback for her/his interest in the Wilkes Honors College at FAU over UF. As an overall university-to-university comparison, UF would be a no-brainer - FAU is not particularly highly-rated academically. I hadn’t heard about Wilkes, so I had to look it up online. Wilkes is a part of FAU, but it’s not FAU; it’s not even really “at” FAU. It’s on a small campus in Jupiter. Unlike “honors programs” that get the high achievers together for a course or two per semester, Wilkes stands alone. It has its own dedicated faculty, its own curriculum, its own housing.</p>

<p>It sounds as if a better analogy for this decision would be UF vs. New College of Florida. That’s a contest that New College frequently wins. Aleks, if this appeals to you and you can get it for in-state tuition minus $3200 per year . . . whoa. I may have to check this out for my son!</p>

10

<p>Fishymom- I love the area, too! It’s all really clean and new, and the mall is killer. </p>

<p>Billy Mc- Thank you for an unbiased opinion- definitely needed it. The regular FAU campus I have been to and know many students who have graduated from my high school and went on there. Unfortunately, it gets a bad rap for the students that go there, but hopefully that will eventually change. </p>

<p>FLFriend- I am going to Preview Day! Are you? I guess we’re in the same boat, trying to decide between two extremely different schools…but I’ve visited both UCF and the HC and I agree that the HC will be very tight-knit, yet the city is right off the next exit on the highway (:</p>

<p>gadad-When I visited the Honors College, they actually did compare it to New College, so it’s funny that you bring up the analogy! Everyone accepted into the Honors College receives some form of scholarship- so definitely have your son check it out. I know my parents could pitch a sale for the school in a heartbeat; they’ve fallen in love with it. Thanks for the advice (:</p>

11

<p>Yep, I’m going this weekend! I’m really considering signing to them because my decision is almost made. This place is too good to pass up. Hopefully the Preview Day will be fun! :)</p>

12

<p>Good for you! (:
I’m hoping Preview Day will solidify my opinion.
Do you have a Facebook? Not to sound like a creeper haha, but it would be nice to know someone else going to the HC next year :D</p>

13

<p>Haha unfortunately I don’t, but I’ll definitely probably see you on campus Monday since it is so small! What area of study are you gonna do? Did you get the postcard in the mail that told you your host/tour guide, because I think that’s related to your concentration? Mine is pre-law studies</p>

14

<p>Have you considered New College, of the University of South Florida?</p>

<p>It sounds like it may be your kind of place.</p>

15

<p>

New College of Florida hasn’t been a part of USF for a while. It’s now the independent honors college of Florida (similar to St. Mary’s College of Maryland).</p>

16

<p>FLFriend- I did get the postcard today…I’m either with English or Psychology- I put both down when I registered to I’m not sure which area they actually put me to. My host is Amrita Gopaldas. I’m sure we’ll run into one another at some point! </p>

<p>Greybeard- I have considered it, but I need a little more rigidity in a curriculum. It seemed really cool, but not for me. Thanks for the opinion, though!</p>

17

<p>We definitely will! How is your decision coming along? :)</p>

18

<p>The decision is coming along- I THINK I’m almost at a breakthrough, haha. I’ll keep you posted!</p>

19

<p>The Wilkes Honors College is definitely part of FAU. It’s just a dedicated campus. The main (traditional) campus is the Boca Raton campus, the Jupiter campus is for the Honors College and biotechnology research, the Harboir Branch campus is for marine biology/aquaculture, the Ft. Lauderdale campus is big on architecture, etc.</p>

<p>Although I graduated from FAU, I live in Gainesville now and can definitely say the OP doesn’t sound like he’d be happy here at UF. It’s big, it’s crowded and a lot of the people here are self-involved and flaky. It’s great for certain people who want certain things… but it doesn’t sound like the OP’s kind of place (from what was stated in the original list)</p>

20

<p>Yes, do let us know!! I was sooo close to signing but then I went back to being indecisive hahah…this is so hard!</p>