<p>This is a trifle off topic, but if our D is young, small, and a bit immature, she might get a lot more out of college if she took a gap year and caught up with herself some. There are some very structured programs, if you are worried about her immaturity. And it could even be a plan where she stayed at home and worked for a few months and thereby earned the money to fund a more exotic part of her year.</p>
<p>Florida is a big state. Going out of state unless you are at the top end of the state means a pretty long drive to anywhere, even within the state. And if you are going to fly, it is more important what your airport offers in terms of direct flights. My son is 7 hours away, driving, but we are near airports that offer frequent cheap flights to his city and the duration of those flights is less than an hour and a half. In a jam, I could likely get to him faster than many people who have kids a three hour or more of a driving distance. There are some schools that are closer that are in locations that would be far more ornerous to get to, and I hear the grumbles each holiday from the parents in that there is no quick, cheap easy way for those kids to get home. Heck, in some cases, a school in LA would be an easier trip since the airlines have a lot of direct cheapies from here to there. So you might want to take that into consideration in looking at schools. </p>
<p>I am with the posters. With the Bright Futures (she may qualify), New College looks awfully good to me. Writing is a strong point of that school, for what I heard. The privates are pretty well covered, and if you go by air points rather than miles, you may come up with some more picks that are close to you time wise. The southern schools seem to be more reasonable in cost than the ones here in the northeast, especially room and board. </p>
<p>One school I liked was Mary Washington in VA which is on the DC mass transit line. Reasonably priced, an hour from DC with public transportation readily available, and a nice small school. I like Elon too, but it is a bit of a pain to get there from most places. Some of the all girls schools in the South like Agnes Scott, Hollins, Sweet Briar are also good possibilities. Randolph Macon has gone coed, and a great choice. Goucher in Baltimore (Towson) is nice, but pricey. Washington College on the Eastern shore of MD is a small college with some good writing programs, but access and price might be an issue. My sister in law graduated from Flagler in St Augustine which is a real bargain,and the most unusual school I have ever seen.. DOn't know if it would mesh with your D's interests but worth checking out in that most beautiful setting. It's small and pretty selective, and one of those schools that is either a good fit or forget it.</p>
<p>Two smaller and not-too-expensive private schools that offer a lot of merit aid: Lyon College and Hendrix College, both in Arkansas</p>
<p>Look at all the schools others said plus Flagler , St. Andrews Presbyterian in N.C., and I'm a real fan of Wesleyan in Georgia (although I've just seen their materials). You will not beat the diversity and the price at a Southern private. Seems like a very special school to me. </p>
<p>Not in the South but a wonderful little school in Missouri that is very strong is Westminster and it's quite a bargain, too among the private that is ;).</p>
<p>As to Florida publics, New College, and the Harriet Wilkes Honors College are both very interesting. Check them out first because the privates are unlikely to be able to compete $-wise.</p>
<p>D wants a more typical college experience, and FAU, new college, fl gulf coast, just dont give her, or us, a college feel at all. tampa is ok, but too close to home. rollins too $$. UNF was a possibility but have read its weak academically, and has a business focus. ( could be wrong)</p>
<p>driving out of state is a pai, already doing it to Virginia, so i know the drill.</p>
<p>Look into College of Charleston. Sounds like it fits your bill. THey are building 2 more dorms so will have more "on campus" housing available soon.</p>
<p>UNF has a very commuter feel to it with most kids living off campus. Davidson and Vanderbilt were mentionned but both are pricey and VERY difficult to get into. Check out Stetson. D's teacher went there and one of our neighbors. Both speak highly of it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
D wants a more typical college experience, and FAU... just dont give her, or us, a college feel at all.
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</p>
<p>What is she looking for in a 'typical college experience'?</p>
<p>Appearances can be decieving...</p>
<p>UNF is becoming more popular, as UF and FL State have become more difficult to enter. The kids I know there live in apartments/dorms, that are very nice (better than UCF).Does D want a large school? The privates I know best are UMiami and Lynn U in Boca; at these schools, the kids I know got merit aid.
What is D interested in studying? FAU is expanding with the medical school and relatede fields</p>
<p>I have a few suggestions not yet mentioned. </p>
<ul>
<li><p>Sewanee/the University of the South in Tenn. has a superb English program, a stunning 10,000 acre campus, and a very nuturing atmosphere. </p></li>
<li><p>Oxford College, the liberal arts component of Emory U. Students spend the first two years at Oxford's small campus, then the last two at the larger Emory campus. Good choice for kids who might need some extra support before diving head first into a large university.</p></li>
<li><p>Others with strong English departments worth a look: Rhodes in Tenn, Agnes Scott in Atlanta, Eckerd in Florida, Millsaps in Miss. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>With the exception of Oxford/Emory, all of the above schools are reasonably priced, and can be generous with merit money as well.</p>