<p>Daughter just got accepted to IA. She's thrilled. We liked the "smaller college" idea, as she has ADD, and also, this seemed to provide a sort of "gap semester," and we had considered the idea of a gap year. She is not particularly interested in football or sororities, so missing those things isn't a big deal for her.</p>
<p>One question I had: Does anyone know whether IA students would be permitted to enroll in community college (or whatever they are calling community colleges now) classes during the fall before freshman and, perhaps, sophomore year, the way traditional students are able to take them in the summer and transfer? It occurred to me that that would not be a terrible way for her to get her math out of the way. I see that IA students are allowed to take online courses, but an in-person class would be better for her.</p>
<p>On the website it talks about how before the first Spring term of when we actually “go to UF”, we are considered non-degree seeking students. So therefore, we are limited to some activities until we start. For example, I am sure we aren’t allowed certain discount to UF games, Homecoming, etc. It just says that we can’t use most on-campus services while in the pre-enrollment stage (the Fall before our first Spring). So, I’m guessing it’s a no because they seem pretty adament that IA students take online classes. However, I know that some schools offer summer programs that you have to pay for but the credits could transfer over to your degree. It’s a tough call since there really is no other IA out there. You might want to call them tomorrow and ask.</p>
<p>Thanks. I bet they’ll be getting a LOT of calls tomorrow, particularly since it seems like they only put half the application statuses up. Probably, I’ll wait.</p>
<p>I seem to recall reading something about being able to take classes at Santa Fe, but I can’t figure out where I read that. We’re in Miami, so she’d be more likely to take a class at Miami-Dade College. Anyway, it will be a while. She’s really happy. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Okay, I have people I know in IA, they tell me EVERYTHING. When I heard of the program, I did my research hardcore, so feel free to ask me questions. IA students CAN go to Gator Growl their first fall. Your proposition on taking classes at a CC and transferring credits IS allowed. The online classes, unless they changed it this year, are a choice of 2 classes from a list of, I think it’s like 10? And it’s only 600 bucks. There were a lot of recommendations to do microeconomics and marriage/family.</p>
<p>I have friends who were enrolled in Fall connection and were able to use SouthWest rec center (for the ones that stayed in G-Ville for fall). Now I don’t know if they changed that, but all I know is inaugural class with fall connection were able to use a number of facilities since they showed up as enrolled. For the most part, there are a lot of fall limitations for this pre-enrollment semester, because well…you’re daughter won’t be enrolled yet. Fear not, every Fall afterwards is a playground. Seriously, IA students for example, don’t need to be enrolled in the Fall, PERIOD, to get football tickets. They can Rush without needing to be enrolled in Fall. They get several compensations that I kinda would like to have because well…it sucks to go to a game then worry about class monday. Or worse, an exam lol.</p>
<p>I’m going to get my friends to get into this College Confidential scene because they know IA well and they have a huge love for it. A lot of speculation and confusion came up last year with IA (though this year, admissions and the IA team seem to really get the info. out and direct). The only ones that hated it are those who applied and never wanted it before; those who didn’t care about the innovative or small college aspect (which is weird, why would they even apply to it? It’s like an honors student hating honors because of all the extra work to do, even though they legitimately chose to be in it themselves).</p>
<p>Thanks. Unfortunately, I’m not even sure if she really got in now, due to the glitch with admissions last night, but I hope she did, and it sounds great.</p>
<p>You are able to enroll in community college during the fall. That is what some people decided to do before officially enrolling in the Spring. Just be sure to talk to an advisor and see what classes would be best for you to take.</p>
<p>I would have her go to the Innovation Academy website and pull the tracking for the intended major. In the fall (or summer, if she is really motivated) she can go to any other Florida College or University, and take the courses available with the identical code, such as CHM XXXX. The course number must be the same.</p>
<p>Remember that you cannot use Bright Futures for the fall, or it will not work for the summer semester. Last year, they allowed IA students to take 2 courses online, up to 6 credits, for $600 (which is a good deal). Taking those classes, along with one or two classes at another college, is a good start.</p>
<p>What kind of classes are available online? I think it was up there when we applied, but now, it’s not because, of course, the classes are over. I admit I’d rather her take some in-person classes rather than online because I think it would prepare her better for starting real school. She took online classes through FLVS, and it was an easy A, but not much of a learning experience! Maybe if it was something like English comp that would be okay because she already knows how to do that, and it would just be handing in assignments, but I couldn’t see taking a science class, for example (She is going to be an agriculture major).</p>
<p>I know there was some Entymology and other agricultural courses that can be used for those majors. There is quite a selection, and when she takes the mandatory preview program (at UF, but they provide dorm rooms) she will meet with a guidance counselor that can help her pick courses that can go towards her core curriculum or her major.</p>
<p>My son took the Macroeconomics and Intro to Chem. The tests can be taken in Miami (MDCC-North was a location, I think), where she will get a chance to talk to other IA students (and others who are taking online while interning or whatever other reasons).</p>
<p>Since I am come from Miami, my son stayed at my parents while also taking classes at MDCC-South. This gave him a fall experience away from home (the hardest part of IA is watching your friends go away to colleges in the fall).</p>
<p>UFBonita, when your son got to IA, did he find that most people knew one-another, or was he okay with his decision to study in Miami? My daughter will likely not be going to Gainesville in her pre-enrollment fall, and we’re sort of worried that that is the norm. Thanks.</p>
<p>At least with last year, it was not the norm. </p>
<p>During Foundations, the one day on campus Advising and Course Registration Session (final component of the IA Orientation experience), they announced how many did different types of experiences, and while some started at Sante Fe, others did the fall semester abroad and others went to other colleges, such as MDCC.</p>
<p>My son knew a few people from Facebook chats, including one girl in the elevator who started talking like they had met before, and I was surprised to learn it was their first face to face meeting. </p>
<p>UF is a really big school (as most land grant schools) and there are always new people coming and going. The IA students will have some classes with the general population at UF, but at least one which is IA specific (for freshman, creativity). Most likely, through the orientation program and living in the dorm, she will know a student or two in each class (if not, there are ways to meet to create study groups).</p>
<p>Also, she will most likely have a friend or two who started in the fall - - they can give some tips.</p>
<p>Oh, thanks! When we went to the IA meeting in Gainesville, they made it sound like what you really needed to do was move to Gainesville in the fall and join 100 clubs at UF. Since I lived in Florida during Danny Rolling and had friends at UF then, that is all I think about when I picture getting my 17-year-old, 90-lb daughter an apartment in Gainesville. She’s not going until she can live in the dorms! But, obviously, I want her to get acclimated when she does go.</p>
<p>Yeah, meeting people online seems more her speed. Thanks!</p>
<p>I was already in the workforce during the Danny Rolling murders (I was taking Man’s Food when Professor Appledorf was murdered), but I know how you feel about wanting to protect your child.</p>
<p>Miami has more to do than a small town, so she will be fine during the fall. The main thing is to pay for her tuition at MDCC because she cannot use Bright Futures for payment.</p>
<p>I think the orientations may be more overwhelming than in prior years. I did not even know there was one until after I was there a full semester (I started summer). We did not even attend one until the final (“Foundations”) but took 2 tours (the general student one and the one for the College of Engineering, which is his interest).</p>
<p>Some of the stuff my daughter has gotten talks about a second orientation in late December or January, when they actually sign up for classes. Does anyone who has been through this before know when it actually was last year? Obviously, I want my daughter to be able to get her classes by being there the earliest possible date. However, “late December and early January” is basically between Christmas and New Year’s, so I’m hoping to know sometime in the very near future, and hopefully not early December. Previous experiences would be helpful.</p>
<p>Cool. When I go there, it only tells me about the previous Preview, which she already did and paid for. Does that mean we cannot yet sign up for these dates, or is there some glitch? Thanks!</p>