<p>Stetson definitely has a better reputation than Rollins. I wish the best for Rollins- but it does have a party reputation. There are people there who are there for an education. Question is, what's your son's tolerance? Does he mind if 30% of the students are rich and spoiled partiers? 50%? 70%? I think that's what I'd try to figure out.</p>
<p>Sounds like S needs to see what Rollins is like on a Friday and Sat. night.
When he interviewed at Wash U after they flew him in, his question to the interviewers was about the extent of the partying there due to the presence of frats. </p>
<p>We live in a college town with a big party school, and S has not been impressed by having to do things like dodge drunk drivers even on week nights.</p>
<p>S is being recruited for consideration for Rollins' merit scholarships, and I'm wondering whether students who are either in the honors program or get merit scholarships end up providing for each other a peer group of people who aren't partiers and do enjoy class and community service.</p>
<p>S tends to hang out with a diverse group of students who aren't into materialism or partying. He found such a group even at his h.s., which had a bit of a preppy reputation.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who suggested Stetson. I'm glad to see that their deadline is March 15th, so S still has time to apply.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Sounds like S needs to see what Rollins is like on a Friday and Sat. night.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Northstarmom I would definitely recommend doing that. Aside from the girl I posted about, whose experience was recent, I also knew a boy who went there. (more like 10 yrs. ago) He was happy there, quite possibly 'because' he was from an affluent family and 'liked' to party and golf. Just squeaked by academically.</p>
<p>NSM -
My S received this e-mail today from Rollins with some info that might be of interest regarding new majors.</p>
<p>
[quote]
At Rollins College, we continue to look for new ways to expand the academic opportunities for our students. This is why we are pleased to announce the addition of two new majors at Rollins starting in Fall 2007.</p>
<p>Marine Biology</p>
<p>The Marine Biology major will offer students a broad understanding of basic biological and ecological principles, expose them to the discovery nature of science and educate them in their roles as global citizens in preserving the health of the marine environment. This major is a natural fit for the College, as there are multiple marine environments within driving distance of Winter Park. Students graduating with this major will be trained to be scientists and may pursue masters and doctoral degrees leading to careers in biological research, environmental science and education.</p>
<p>Critical Media and Cultural Studies</p>
<p>The curriculum of the “Critical Media and Cultural Studies” major will center on discourses of media and culture. Its distinctive multi- and inter-disciplinary approach will bridge the social sciences and humanities, providing opportunities for students to explore diverse but complementary perspectives across programs. The major will focus on critical thinking, written communication, media literacies and multicultural perspectives, and will provide a foundation for careers in media and communications industries and for graduate school in media studies, cultural studies and communication.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>NSM, lots of drinking and partying going on even at the more serious schools. Hard to avoid it. As to schools being a "rich kids" haven, check out the % on financial aid and taking out loans, and merit awards, and compare to schools that you know in that category. I hear this "rich kids" label a lot about private schools, but usually it's unfounded. Lots of nice cars and carry out deliveries at our state school too, I 've seen.</p>
<p>I have no ties to Rollins but I think it is getting a very unfair shake in this thread. Rollins is rated the No. 1 "Master's University" in the South according to US News...and has been for a while. Comments like "Stetson is obviously better" are unfounded.</p>
<p>I'd suggest if you are interested in a small LAC-type school in a nice area with great weather and a solid set of programs, it is worth a serious look.</p>
<p>My 0.02</p>
<p>rogracer, FWIW, Back when I was looking into MBA programs, Rollins had a sweet set up for nighttime students here in my community. The had extension classes at nearby institutions. It was very worker friendly. Not sure how many other communities around the state had the same thing, or if they continue to do this today, but that could be one reason why it gets such high ratings for Masters programs? I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it's pretty nice actually.</p>
<p>Just chiming in to say that good students can certainly find "their people" at a school with a party rep. And the Honors dorm can be a key component, in my observation.</p>
<p>My S attended Tulane, which some tar with the party lable. He chose the Honors dorm/had substantial merit $$. His friends tended to be the same. He felt comfortable immediately. He is no "goody two shoes", but neither is he a heavy partier and he had no interest whatsoever in a frat scene; considered it a big turn-off.</p>
<p>Those who have chimed in here with first-hand knowledge of Rollins have certainly informed me.</p>
<p>I know nothing of student life at Rollins, but I do know a professor there whose work is top notch and who is quite the innovator. While visiting I met some students for a Q & A and was impressed by their questions and analyses.</p>
<p>S is now off to visit Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Mich., where S is accompanying his dad who is an alum. It will be interesting to see how S reacts to this college, which, like Rollins, has a regionally high rating as a masters level college, but is sooooo darned cold this time of the year!</p>
<p>NMS my son sounds very much like your son. he will be attending the cornell compettion. I hope if they both end up there they will meet and hang out. Many of the schools he is looking and has recieved substaintial $ from seem to have a party reputation. I think academically motivated students find others like themselves. As my son stated to me " I will probably have the same number of freinds in college ( a few good smart guys similar to him) there will just be more partiers who I don't hang out with."</p>
<p>Both of my friends who went to Rollins in the 70's are in AA now, and they said it started with Rollins.....that there was unbelievable pressure to drink. I have another friend who went there in the 80's and said that it was very good academically. Alot of northern kids roll their eyes when you mention Rollins, (suntan U.) and I don't think its taken super seriously even now, but I know they're working on shedding that reputation.</p>
<p>I finally got a chance to speak in person with my young friend who went to Rollins back a few years ago now. His comments:</p>
<p>It is a place where it is <em>very</em> easy to get distracted. So if a kid is susceptible to being distracted from the academics, forewarned is forearmed.</p>
<p>For a kid who is focused, he believes it is a very good school academically. He considers it to be on a par with Bowdoin up here - very high praise indeed.</p>
<p>It is a beautiful campus and a small school, with the advantages for a focused kid that a small school can offer.</p>
<p>He does believe that the affluence of the student body, in general, is very evident. He, himself, comes from a working class background (grandparent generation) and parents who worked hard for a living in managerial/professional positions. He felt out of place and says that he and his 4-6 closest friends at Rollins were from similar backgrounds. They all transferred out. Note that he was one of the kids who, at that stage in his life, was easily distractible and not academically-focussed. So perhaps that affects how much the other aspects of the culture affected him. (EG, he said that he spent about 4 days a week at the beach. Note to parents of such slacker-prone kids - this young man is nothing like that any more; highly effective and motivated in his work, so there is hope ;) ).</p>
<p>He believes it is a very well respected school regionally.</p>
<p>Some of the comments here, re: Rollins I would think could exist at any coastal Fla college...the sun & fun can be very distracting...maybe that's why so many kids check out Fla schools!</p>
<p>It's beautiful college in a nice area. College is all what you make it. Problem for us was they use foreigners heavily on their sports teams. Geesh! Why go to college and then not be able to participate in sports! Why not be "good enough" because the foreigners have all the spots?!</p>
<p>Irishbird: No it's because Florida schools offer mucho merit money. Except Rollins, they don't give much. Very exclusive.</p>
<p>We don't live too far from Rollins, and the folks we've talked to who've had some affiliation with the school (in terms of alum or kids going there) have mentioned it as a very affluent school, in terms of the kids you'll meet. Winter Park is an affluent small town. Gorgeous! I love the central park atmosphere, with all the trendy stores, and yummy restaurants. But I'm a browser, not a buyer down there ... under most circumstances. My S visited Stetson, and he was horribly unimpressed, but he had also visited Wake Forest. Stetson was just too small for him, too much money for what he felt he'd get (if he was going to pay that much private money ... he'd rather apply to WF), a town that he felt would appeal to me more than it did him, and he hated the speaker. My husband felt the same way about the admissions person who spoke (comparing to UGA, Wake Forest, UCF, and UF). This person was horribly monotone, lackluster in enthusiasm ... and made an overall poor impression for herself and the school. My S also comes from a background of extreme volunteerism. (very active in Church projects)Both my kids couldn't understand why the stuff they've been doing all their lives they could now count as community service hours for Bright Futures. "What ... you mean this is community service?" The speaker continued to go on and on about a "mandatory volunteerism." S truly hated that. He doesn't like to think of a place where folks are vounteering because they have no other choice. Probably this lady did a disservice to the school, coming across the way she did, but both my H and S had negative reactions; although, he did say he might look at it again, if he decides to go to Law School. BTW, my S is the same as yours ... doesn't want the party scene, at all, in terms of drinking.</p>
<p>Here are some suggestions [small college] where students ca</p>
<p>Guilford College NC
Hood College MD
Ohio Wesleyan University
Earlham College IN
Wofford College SC
Westminster College PA
George Fox University OR
Willamette University OR
Also....think about these HBCUs; Prairie View A&M, N. Carolina Central University and Hampton University.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of the comments and suggestions. S did not get invited to the Cornell Scholarship weekend, so since major merit aid is important, he probably will not be going to Rollins even though it was his first choice.</p>
<p>There's a good chance that S will do a second year of Americorps and apply next fall to LACs since he knows now that's the kind of college that he wants to attend. So, please keep those excellent suggestions coming.</p>
<p>He's a black male: SAT I: 760, 780, 650, 2.7 gpa (know this is a big minus in a very rigorous academic program where he very clearly underperformed because of procrastination, a problem that Americorps has forced him to overcome due to their having no patience with late reports and grant applications!), extremely strong community service (Americorps, long, deep h.s. history of self-motivated service projects with impact. Excellent recommendation attesting to that from a supervisor who's worked closely with him for 5 years); extremely strong leadership background including being a peer educator, in a select local teen leadership program, and doing other things including being the only teen on a board of a local major nonprofit. Also National Merit commended; National Achievement semi-finalist. Best grades are in math and science including calculus and AP chemistry. Interested in majors ranging from psychology and education to the arts and hard sciences.</p>
<p>Nice, thoughtful, nonpartying (!!! Really-- By choice, the kid is either volunteering or is at home) kid who has always had a very diverse group of friends. Wants a diverse campus in which lots of kids like to do community service, classes are small, and students can have close relationships with professors. Does not want a campus with a large Greek influence.</p>
<p>Is smart enough to handle the academics at a very academically tough school, but would prefer one less demanding that allows him plenty of time to volunteer. Would consider a church-related college (he's not affiliated with any religion, and is probably agnostic), but would not want one that is dogmatic or doesn't have much religious diversity. He visited Calvin College in Mich., but found it too Christian for him. He also visited Earlham, but found the students to be too passive.</p>
<p>After visiting Calvin when the high was 17 degrees, he said that he can handle severe cold weather.</p>
<p>NSM, I'd look at the list of schools with the Bonner Scholar program: <a href="http://www.bonner.org/directories/bonnercampuscontacts.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.bonner.org/directories/bonnercampuscontacts.htm</a></p>
<p>I was glancing at the Emory and Henry website today and thought it looked promising from a community service standpoint. Your son's scores are way above their average (although his GPA is lower). It might be a contender...although it is a United Methodist college, I doubt he would find it anything like the atmosphere at Calvin, which is so very, very Dutch Reform. I have no personal information about Emory and Henry; I was just looking for schools which welcomed and supported strong community service.</p>
<p>Have the Catholic colleges been suggested? Usually very strong community service ethos. Some are universities with a LAC feel; there are so many. Ones I'm familiar with - Boston College, Villanova, Santa Clara University. Trinity College in Connecticut (not a Catholic school, not sure of its religious origin) seems to offer lots of community service opportunities - smack in the middle of a needy part of Hartford, it has really emphasized city-Uni relations, establishing an education center right next to campus for the city's K-12 students. The campus itself is quite lovely, with an Oxford-Cambridge feel to the central buildings.</p>