Hello, I’m currently deciding between the University of Alabama and Rollins, here are some notes before I begin: I pick biology as my intended major though I’m most likely going to change it, I’m quite indescisive on what I want to do. I intend to go to graduate school.
My current thoughts: I absolutely love the location of Rollins, Winter park FL is very beautiful and interships seem to be much more accessible than Alabama which concerns me greatly. Rollins is a small liberal arts college and I’m not sure if I like how small it is. I do like the idea of having my professor know me on a first name basis and at Rollins that would happen. I don’t like the idea of seeing the same student faces everyday, I feel like there would be a lot of cliques established already at Rollins which concerns me. School spirit is big for me, which alabama absolutely has over rollins and the campus is beautiful as well. I would like to join greek which alabama is famous for, I’m not going to school to party but I would like to have some fun. I’ve been checking rankings and I see that rollins and Alabama are ranked really closely, atleast from my findings. I want other peoples opinions and thoughts on this, is one school more well regarded than the other? Thanks so much.
I am not a Rollins grad, but I do live in Orlando. I pass the Rollins campus while driving down Aloma all the time. I will only weigh in on one of your issues, where you wrote, “I would like to have some fun.” Don’t worry about lack of fun at Rollins. There is no shortage of fun to be had there.
I also attended the U. of Alabama for one year (as a fine arts graduate student), and while it is a very nice school, it is a different experience than a much smaller school. That’s what you need to decide, ultimately. Where do you see yourself? Do you see yourself at a large school, sometimes sitting in large lectures, but also getting to scream with 100K fans, “Roll Tide” on football Saturdays? Or do you see yourself at a smaller school, where the national spotlight is lesser but your education is more intimate?
There is no right answer. Do realize, however, that the acceptance rates for graduate/professional school are often much higher at smaller schools, probably because students are able to work closely with faculty, obtain research opportunities, not have to compete with graduate students, etc. Of course, if you do well in college, you’ll get into graduate school no mater what.
I know. I know. I haven’t really helped you. Good luck.
Thank you for your response @Hapworth, it was very helpful. I have to really think about what type of enviroment I want to be in the next 4 years. If anyone else has any other additional information or thoughts about this, it would be most appreciative.
If you are interested in research and working closely with faculty you should check into these programs at University of Alabama. Undergraduates certainly have the opportunity to participate.
Randall Research Scholars
https://honors.ua.edu/programs/computer-based-honors-program/
Emerging Scholars Program
https://undergraduateresearch.ua.edu/emerging-scholars-program/
Alabama has about 30,000 undergraduate students. Rollins College has about 1,900 students.
Seems as if you could decide on that basis alone.
Of course you like the location & setting of Rollins College as that is why folks vacation in Florida.
Are you in state for Alabama? Do you receive merit aid? What is the cost difference? They are two totally different schools - one large, one small, one private, one public, one a research institution, one not, etc. Fun to be had in both places 
Agree with @UVAmom23.
Hard to offer guidance or suggestions between these two. Typically, might be between Flagler College & Rollins College or Alabama versus Auburn.
@ChannBrad: Did you apply to other schools ? If so, where ? That info. might help posters wanting to offer suggestions. Also, what was/were your first choice school(s) before decisions & financial aid were released ?
Thank you @AlbionGirl, much appreciated.
@Publisher Yes, I do indeed like the setting and location of Rollins a bit more, I feel like internships are far more accessible than Alabama. For the concern of undergraduate population, I do feel like Rollins might be too small for my liking.
@UVAmom23 I’m not in state for Alabama or Florida, Rollins would be around 20k more a year, which is something to think about. I would not need to take out loans, although typing it out I don’t feel like Rollins is worth 80k more than Alabama. Is the private, liberal arts education worth it at Rollins? Thanks so much.
@Publisher I did indeed apply to other schools, I’ve also been accepted into the University of Arizona and Cu Boulder, my number 1 choice was Syracuse, I did not however get accepted. I currently reside in Colorado, Both Alabama and Arizona cost the same as Cu Boulder. I would prefer to go out of state though. Edit: I’ve also been accepted into Manhattan College and Depaul, I practically ruled those out already.
Try Alabama & see if you feel comfortable & excited by your undergraduate experience. Vacation in Florida.
I have visited Syracuse University many times, though not recently. The City of Syracuse is a bit depressed & depressing. Was there a particular program or major that attracted you to SU ?
@Publisher I would eventually like to live in New York, I do enjoy the snow and cold weather although that would only be a bonus, not a con if a school didn’t have seasons. I’ve heard really good things about Syracuse, from both current students and alumni, the Greek system and school spirit really caught my eye. I don’t have a “dream” school. Edit: I currently don’t know what I want to do, One moment I want to go into the biology field, another moment I want to major in psychology.
@Publisher I appreciate all of your input, thanks so much.
Since the two possible majors you mention are not known for having high-paying job prospects directly out of undergrad, saving a considerable amount of money by going to Alabama gives you more flexibility postgrad. The UA alumni network could lead to lots of internships; the larger size of the school means you may have to dig a little harder and take more initiative to find them.
Why do you assume Rollins is better for internships?
Why do you eventually want to live in NY?