Tampa

<p>anyone here go to the University of Tampa? If so, what do you think of it?</p>

<p>UT is just across the river from downtown Tampa. Lots of students from the NE. It has a boathouse on the river and hosts many college crews from colder climates. Although I've been on the campus many times for community events, I don't know much about the academics.</p>

<p>I also live in Florida.....but from what I'm hearing its alot of northern kids who aren't particularly academically minded.....Suntan U.?</p>

<p>haha well I don't know about that, I am from New York and I love the warm weather. I just don't want to be depressed you know? or don't you since you love in florida?</p>

<p>Gta255 if you like the warm weather, why not try UF or Fla. State?.....or if private appeals to you, Rollins?</p>

<p>My son, who was an underachiever in high school, applied to Tampa as his safety school, and it was his only acceptance (a real learning experience for all of us).He spent his freshman year there. I agree with the previous posters that there are many students there from the Northeast.
The school seems to be making some real efforts to upgrade its image and its academics. However, as he "grew up" he realized that it was less academically challenging than he wanted. He subsequently transferred.
It's an attractive campus, and we were impressed with the orientation program and the faculty, staff and administrators that we met.
Even though it is in the city of Tampa, the public transportation options are limited for students to take advantage of the area unless they have cars.
If you have any more specific questions, I'll try to answer them from a parent's perspective.</p>

<p>what school did your son transfer to? were there other reasons he did not like Tampa?</p>

<p>kmom, my daughter is thinking of transferring into UT next year. Specifically, she's interested in the English/Writing Program. Do you know anything about that? Thanks.</p>

<p>Hi! I'm also trying to find more info on Tampa, so I guess I'm trying to "bump" this post back up. I saw your other Help! post so I'm going to respond to that too. D is 11th grader on Long Island. Good grades and she'll probably make National Honor Society (we'll know after next marking period) but my educated guess is that she'll get 950-1100 on SAT's based on old test. We received brochure for U of Tampa a few years ago for d # 1. That definitely won the award for nicest brochure and the school looked great. I've been on the website and the info, feel of school seem fine. D also hates cold weather so the choice of SUNY Brockport vs Tampa will be a no brainer based on her criteria. She may apply and then we'll definitely visit the school to get a clearer assessment. Now I am going to agree with Wyogal from your other post. It's not the school you go to but how you go about taking advantage of all the opportunities it has to offer. Now I am a graduate of SUNY Oswego -not exactly a powerhouse of a school. But one of my fellow "Oswegonians" was able to get a week-end job at the television station in Syracuse while going to Oswego. He took full advantage of his situation. You probably see him most days on TV as I'm talking about Al Roker. So for all those who think they're only going to make it in the world because the degree is from HYP etc. think again. If you take advantage of the opportunities your college has to offer, including Interships etc. and you're determined to succeed you should do fine. Good luck to you. And if anyone can add more info on Tampa, it would be appreciated. Thanks</p>

<p>Hi and thanks for responding. My daughter is a homeschooled senior with several community college credits behind her. She wants to finish her 2 year degree here before transferring into a university in the fall of 2006. She has looked at schools in the northeast, but has decided that she can't deal with the cold. She's decided that she wants a school in a warm weather climate with easy access to beaches and the airport. She also wants a more politically liberal climate and ethnic diversity than what we have found here in NC, however, she is considering UNC Wilmington if she decides to stay instate. Though we live in NC now, we are actually from Tampa so I can give you some information from my point of view. I had always heard that UT was a good school with a lot of prestige (spelling?) We visited the Henry Plant Museum many times over the years. The campus and buildings are beautiful and we visited it last year in July when they weren't in session, so we were able to look into classrooms, etc. My daughter disappeared for 45 minutes looking at framed historical photographs of old Tampa on the walls, climbing a set of spiral stairs, and other features. We are attending an Open House there on March 20. Since she's been interested in UT, I called some of my friends who are still there and asked them if they'd ever heard any horror stories or bad press about the school and they said no, that it was a very good school. One had a sister who went there in the last twenty years and loved it. As far as the area, there is a lot of business traffic that can be quite slow (especially on I-85) in the late afternoon/early evenings. My daughter will need her own transportation, so we will have to look for a car. The school is approximately 5 minutes from the airport, 45 minutes from the beach, and maybe 45 minutes to an hour to Orlando with all the theme parks. There are unlimited places to eat, see movies, and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is nearby. Over the years we had seen concerts, the ballet and other shows there. I agree that you will get out of a program what you put into it and I think that UT offers a lot of opportunities and really I think my daughter will do well wherever she goes. At UT, she will have the advantage of being familiar with the area and having family support when she needs it. Anyway, sorry to ramble on like this. I'm glad to have found other people interested in this school.</p>

<p>If you are in the area, visit Eckerd College also. It's just over the bay in south St. Pete, with a waterfront campus, & listed in "Colleges That Change Lives."</p>

<p>Thanks, I think we might try to visit Eckerd on the day before UT's Open House. I think the website said that tours are available on Saturday mornings. It's a little pricier, which can be scary but we may as well visit and just keep pursuing scholarships:o) It's brochure and prospectus are beautiful!</p>

<p>Does anyone have personal experience with Eckerd College. My son has been accepted but we have not been able to visit as of yet. He is interested in Environmental Science and the warm weather is appealing not only for the usual reasons but also the thought of doing field work in the sunshine as opposed to snow and ice. My major questions are the quality/level of the academics, how the Presbyterian connection and the Academy of Senior Professionals affects the "culture" of the school, and any other information gleaned from personal experience.</p>

<p>Additional info on Tampa as it relates to UT:</p>

<p>Around here, considered a good school, though not overly difficult to get into.
5 minutes from the Bucs stadium. 5 minutes from airport, and from International Mall (upscale, very nice mall with a few bars/resturants, but might be too pricey for the college crowd). 10-15 minutes from Ibor, which is the party central. Can be wild down there, but for the party people, it would be heaven. I can't see how a student would really enjoy UT without a car. It is in the city, and the city is dead at night, other than the things someone else listed like performing arts center, etc., but those aren't places college kids would go to on a weekly basis. Lots of resturants, etc around though. Krispy Kreme down the street (haha, couldn't forget to mention that). Really pretty campus, and I have a friend that went there-he was from PA, and loved it. Just my two cents.</p>

<p>but wouldn't i be kind of the b**ch if i drove my car there, wouldn't everyone be asking me for a ride?</p>

<p>To Zip100...
My D and I have just returned from a campus visit / overnight at Eckerd.<br>
I hate to tell you that she was really disappointed and has taken it off of her list (actually, I'm glad she's starting to pare it down!).</p>

<p>It is a lovely campus, and the waterfront facilities were great; but there just doesn't seem to be the emphasis on academics she is looking for. The kids in the dorm were friendly, but all seemed to be coasting (i.e. partying) through - no passion for their studies. They were all juniors and seniors and had no thoughts/plans for after graduation. She sat in on a soph level psych class and was disappointed at the level of discussion - her HS AP class is more advanced.</p>

<p>She went there ready to hand over the deposit - it was a lesson for her in how important 'fit' is, and how an overnight visit gives you a perspective the tours just can't.</p>

<p>CTMom, In the old archives of CC, there is a report from another mother whose daughter felt the same way about Eckerd. I believe her daughter chose U of Miami over Eckerd.</p>

<p>Gta255- They would all be asking you for a ride to Krispy Kreme for hot doughnuts.</p>

<p>Carolyn is right on the discussion about Eckerd vs. UM. I was part of that discussion, because my son chose UM over Eckerd as well. He was also accepted to UTampa, but cut it off his list after a visit also.</p>

<p>haha kriket i don't want to be the driver. I am the oldest in my grade and got my licensce first so I know what I'm talking about.</p>