<p>Hello everyone, just a few days ago a received my acceptance package from New College. As I was flipping through the paperwork they sent me, I began to think about what life at New College would really be like, and then I realized I hadn't a clue. What is New College like beyond what it says on their website or their paperwork? Is there anything you might have wanted to know before you attended New College? Is there anything I should know about the school that may not have been covered in the paperwork? I guess what Im asking is: what is the real New College of Florida like?</p>
<p>The following thread should be useful. By comparing and contrasting NCF with Rollins, you’ll get a good sense of what sets the former apart. Just bear in mind that it’s a very untraditional school in just about every sense, so make sure to visit and get a feel for it before enrolling. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1028551-rollins-college-vs-new-college-florida.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1028551-rollins-college-vs-new-college-florida.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks for the link, this is very helpful. I was wondering if you had any opinion as to how New College compares to Bennington College?</p>
<p>I knew someone who graduated from Bennington College. My sense, from him, is that it’s strong in the fine arts. It seemed as though there was a lot of overlap in terms of student culture, but the setting couldn’t be more different. Sarasota has great weather year round and is less secluded. Bennington is even more alternative in its curriculum in that it has no exams in addition to no grades. </p>
<p>From what I understand, Bennington College once had a great reputation, but its endowment was squandered by bad leadership. It’s safe to say that it’s no longer an elite school. It is also expensive and has abysmal financial aid. New College is extremely inexpensive and has fantastic merit scholarships.</p>
<p>For the price, New College is a better bet. I’d only counsel students to go to Bennington if they were 100% sure they wanted to go to an alternative type of school and needed a safety for places like Reed, Bard, Wesleyan, and Oberlin. But I’m sure it provides an excellent education nonetheless.</p>
<p>Joshnewcollege: thanks for posting and the link. We visited, DS is accepted and will attend. I agree with your suggestion about visiting - they could not have been more clear about the contracts, narrative evaluations, and thesis requirements during the presentation. I also am concerned about the low graduation rate but think part of it is the kids getting to junior year, looking at the thesis and bailing. Best to be forwarned.
While it’s still a “relative” bargain and a great deal for instate kids, for out of state the tuition has gone up rather sharply. Plus, there is no increase in the merit scholarships for next year, and we still have not seen any cost of attendance figures for 2011-12. Son got a very nice merit award but it will still cost more than our instate flagship.
All that being said it suits our kid to a T. He’s the first from our large high school to go there so is blazing a new trail! We think he will have a great experience. Best of luck in grad school!</p>
<p>ahappymom: </p>
<p>People bailing out because of the thesis is certainly one of the reasons for the relatively high attrition rate. But there are some other noteworthy periods when people leave:</p>
<p>1) Within the first several weeks. Many people get overwhelmed with the student culture right from the get go and conclude that they’re not going to fit into the environment. </p>
<p>2) After the first semester or during the second. The people in this category, in my experience, left due to not being able to hack it academically. </p>
<p>The freshman retention rate is about 80%, which suggests that about half of those who leave do so within the first year. The rest are probably evenly sprinkled throughout the remainder of the time.</p>
<p>Have to agree with joshnewcollege, above^^: I don’t believe the thesis knocks the students out (if they can make it that far, then they are in it for the ride). I think in the first few weeks you either find your niche at NC and like it; don’t fit into NC and are okay with being a loner; or absolutely hate it and bail out. </p>
<p>Even more so, I believe that being unable to hack it academically is a challenge for most students who have been in a “normal” school setting, where you are told at the outset what to do and exactly how to make a good grade : there is no ambiguity in the outcome. But being self-directed: how much should I do? Is this enough to pass? can rattle even the best student. Hence, by the end of the first semester a number of students transfer out to the comfort of a more traditional academic setting.</p>
<p>I tried making a new thread, but I couldn’t figure out how, haha.
I was recently accepted to New College of Florida and I’m really excited about the school, from the academics to the general air it gives; I’m going to try to go on a campus tour within the next two weeks. However, I still have a few questions in mind and I’m still considering attending State University of New York: College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF). </p>
<p>• Will the fact that the school is new or the no-grade system affect my career chances in the future? I’ve heard that the curriculum is based on graduate admission, but what if you don’t attend a graduate school? Could the absence of a GPA hurt me in any way?
• Is New College a good school in terms of environmental studies? Tthis is my main argument for SUNY ESF, I think the overall education of New College will be more engaging but SUNY ESF has a lot of professionals in that specific field, a lot of internship opportunities, and a great commitment to the environment.
• What exactly is it that makes NCF so academically prestigious? (apart from the small student to teacher ratio and Fullbright scholar rankings) Most specifically, what are the classroom discussions and overall academic environment like? Are the teachers inspiring and are they all dedicated in their personalized reports?</p>
<p>poughkeepsie,</p>
<p>I’m the mom of a graduating 4th year, so though I haven’t had the actual student experience, I’ll try to help answer your questions best I can.</p>
<p>First of all, just because it’s called New College doesn’t mean it’s a new school. They just celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. So far, the no grades has had no negative impact on my D or her friends. They are doing just fine getting into all the other elite post grad programs as are other top students from good schools. I think the way the transcripts get sent out, there is a bit of an explanation about the system there and passing all your contracts should be considered equivalent to an 4.0 or something close to it. You also will graduate having written a very impressive thesis (pretty much equivalent to a Masters level thesis). This is something you can hand to prospective employers or post grad programs and they will see that you have good writing and research skills.</p>
<p>While my D didn’t take environmental studies courses, I believe the program should be good. Professors give you quite a bit of latitude to pursue your own interests and while I wish I could say that the NCF has a good career center…it is very weak. But, most NCF students are very proactive (and successful) in getting prestigious internships, etc. Most of the professors are helpful if a student shows interest in getting one. I know that many NCF students and professors are very active in support of environmental issues and organizations.</p>
<p>Besides the factors that you listed that makes NCF academically prestigious, I honestly think it’s the intellectual environment there. Students must be very self-motivated to succeed, the ones that stay and do well are there because they enjoy learning.</p>
<p>Environmental studies is not among the strongest areas at New College. It’s known as one of the easier areas of concentration, and the more talented students do not tend to flock toward it. </p>
<p>Generally speaking, I do not recommend New College for those who do not plan on attending graduate school. The entire experience is geared toward preparing one for further study-- and very little else. </p>
<p>New College has a thoroughgoing hyper-intellectual culture that breeds intelligence. Just interacting with people inside and outside of class makes one a smarter person. It’s an intense experience. Visit and do an overnight stay before enrolling.</p>
<p>Also-- New College evaluations are NEVER converted into grades and ARE NOT “considered equivalent” to a 4.0. One can pass a class with a glowing evaluation, or with a lot of room for growth. Some do amazingly but still end up with critical comments on evaluations. Employers may be suspicious of the lack of GPA, but we do quite well with graduate school. I’m currently at Cornell, and there are at least 5 other Novo Collegians pursuing graduate studies there with me.</p>