<p>I'm sure, NSM, that you are aware of Occidental's commitment to community service. In many respects, this college sounds like a good fit. Check out the titles of classes to see how inovative they are.
I think your S sounds terrific, and his recent bx truly cancels out earlier years of blase approach to academics. At least that's how I would feel if I were reviewing his application.</p>
<p>I'm guessing he'd get a nice aid package from Elon. Elon is in the same grouping as Rollins (#3 vs #1) of southeastern masters universities but has a higher graduation rate. Sounds like your son could vie for a Leadership fellows bid. They recently won awards for service learning, student engagement and study abroad.</p>
<p>Be aware that Emory and Henry is a very conservative college in Virginia and is not known for diversity, ideological or otherwise. Clearly this is a broad statement, and in fact, I knew a independent, intelligent and broad thinking fellow at graduate school who was a E&M alumni. However, another E&M alum in residence at our [southern] school was widely known as particularly obnoxious bigot.</p>
<p>Be aware that, unfortunately Elon doesn't give a lot of "major" merit aid. The good news is that the sticker price is somewhat lower than you might expect, but within the Fellows program I think the highest award is $6000 (which can be supplemented by a Presidential Scholarship). So while Elon is a good value, free rides or near free rides are not in the picture.</p>
<p>Northstarmom,</p>
<p>There was a significant -- in terms of space alloted -- article in today's Orlando Sentinel on a young man who attends Rollins College and the impact he's had with regards to community service. The article specifically highlights a campus organization the young man started related to community service and the variety of ways students from that school are getting involved. It's in the Good Living section of the 3/11 Orlando Sentinel. Because it also gives the young man's background (history of volunteerism in his life), I thought you might find it interesting. </p>
<p>Motivated To Make A Difference</p>
<p>zebes</p>
<p>Sorry about the error in my abrreviated spelling. I meant "E&H."</p>
<p>Zebes,
Thank you so much for the link to the Orlando Sentinel article about the student who's doing such impressive community service. I'm sharing it with S.</p>
<p>My home is in Winter Park, and I have spent my entire life in central FL. Rollins was never on my radar, but I can tell you the reputation of it at my high school...</p>
<p>Decent education, lots and lots and lots of rich kids, huge party scene mainly because of the huge amount of rich kids...</p>
<p>All of the kids I know going to Rollins are kids who I don't think could get into our state flagship (UF)... that being said, I don't know many people going to Rollins. My group of friends was the top of my class, and almost all of them ended up either out of state or at UF.</p>
<p>So I guess I'd say the biggest downside to rollins is the education to cost ratio, followed by its huge party school rep. The biggest upside is probably the campus and surrounding area. Winter Park and Maitland are absolutely beautiful and the community is a wonderful place to live (when I'm not at college I live about ten minutes away from Rollins)</p>
<p>S today got his Rollins acceptance and an invitation to compete for the $10 k a year Dean's Scholarship. He is thrilled as Rollins is his first choice! I am worried because even with $10 k a year in scholarship money (if he is lucky enough to get that), and even with some need-based aid, Rollins would still be far more expensive than his alternatives, which would cost us next to nothing.</p>
<p>congratulations to your s!</p>
<p>Please keep us posted! Very interested to hear your experiences no matter what happens.</p>
<p>My jr S also has an interest in Rollins, esp now that they've added the communications major and his sport. We have heard some of the ups and downs posted in this thread, but he still wants to visit to see for himself. Could handle the self-discipline issues just fine - this one will get his sleep no matter who else is headed out to a party! The lure of a warm campus is also strong for this Shore Boy . . . .</p>