University of South Florida

Day four- University of South Florida.

The USF Bulls

University of South Florida (USF) is located in Tampa, Florida on the same exit as Busch Gardens.  USF is a relatively young university which opened its doors in 1956.  Since that time, it has grown into a behemoth with 46,000 students.  To accommodate this many students, USF has amassed a sprawling campus, seemingly the largest in land mass of the schools visited to date.  Being closely linked to Tampa, many activities both on and off of the campus are available for students.  Pictured in this blog entry is the recreation center where students have access to one of the finest workout facilities that they will probable ever have access to as an adult.  Much of this university’s offerings are quite similar to the others I have written about this week, so I will refrain from talking about those things.  Instead, it is of better use to look at the things that USF seems to do very well.

Study abroad programs are more than just a trip when taken through USF.  Offering faculty-led and individual options around the world, students are channeled into making the study abroad experience a learning and networking event.  When doing a study abroad program, students pay tuition and travel expenses.  By completing a study abroad program, students will earn college credits which will apply towards the ultimate degreehe or she is working.  The bad news is that students will pay both tuition and travel expenses; the good news is that out-of-state students are afforded in-state tuition rates for the study abroad trip.  Additionally, students are offered numerous funding grants for these experiences.  When the trip ends, the learning does not.  USF hosts reentry events for students to make meaning of the incredible experience that they just had.  Additionally, students are placed into an ambassador program where they will use the experiences gained abroad to work on solutions to world problems.  USF’s tag phrase encourages students to “live a story worth sharing.”  Study abroad can be that experience which can completely blow out the border walls of a kid’s life and makes him or her grow as a person.

so many dining options

An important consideration that I have failed to mention with other schools is the meal plan.  Food services on every college visit should be a part of the consideration.  Meal plans can range from camp food all the way to three star on a four star scale.  Dining halls can offer wide variety of choices in a walk-up buffet plan to point systems where students can redeem points for meals at widely recognized national chain restaurants.  USF has taken into consideration students with food allergies and has constructed a self contained food prep station that does not use 7 of the most common food allergens.  Cross-contamination is eliminated because only "allergen-free" cooking takes place there.

USF boasts, yet another, impressive engineering program which caters to students with a high potential for solving problems, yet do not possess Georgia Tech quality test scores.  If you are considering engineering and do not think your SAT/ACT will be in the top 10%, you need not change your plans; you may just need to look at other schools.  USF is also ABET accredited.  Students in the engineering program are inventing things which require patents.  USF ranks number 5 in the nation among public schools for the number of patents being issued.  For students who are several years out from graduating, USF offers a pre-college program in engineering (www.usf.edu/innovative-education/programs/pre-college/programs/2015-aspx). 

University of South Florida Profile
GPA 3.9-4.4
SAT 1220-1350
ACT 27-30
Total cost for out of state: $29,322 per year

student center

fitness center

University of Florida

Century Tower chimes the hour

Last stop for the day: University of Florida.  University of Florida (UF) is located in Gainesville, Florida and serves almost 55,000 students.  As you might expect from the State’s flagship university, there are tons of majors and students can work all the way up through a PhD.  UF has inviting campus and is tied to a city with plenty of great options for dining and entertainment.  On campus, there are over 1000 different student groups and clubs that are available to students. With all of the great things to do at UF, the academics opportunities are boundless.  UF was determined by US News and World Reports to be the 9^th best public college in the United States.  This respectability is bringing applicants to UF to the tune of 32,000 this past year, 13,700 were admitted for an acceptance rate of 43%.  It is easy to see that this is a desirable place for students who are wanting to extend their education.  In order to help students and parent better understand UF’s and many other schools’ admissions practices, a deeper look into the process is helpful.  The following terms are integral to the UF application and to many others:

Coalition Application- The Coalition Application just finished its second full year of existence, and it is a common application that is meant to increase access for all students.  The Coalition Application includes tools that can be used by students as early as the freshman year to help prepare for college application process in the senior year.  140 college and universities from around the United States participate in the Coalition.  UF uses this application exclusively.   To learn more about this free tool, go to www.coalitionforcollegesuccess.org.

 Demonstrated Interest- This is a set of statistics that colleges keep on prospective students.  Whenever a student “touches” a university in the form of a campus visit, a stop by the table at a college fair, registering for the admissions twitter/email list/facebook page/blog page, emails a question to the admissions office, these are deemed as a student demonstrating interest.  For colleges (many times private) this can be a great way for them to tell if the student is interested in going there or if the student is just fishing.  If a college offers admission, they typically want a student to accept and demonstrated interest can be a predictor of that likelihood.  Because UF is overrun with applications, they do not take into account this statistic when making an admission decision.

Holistic Review- A holistic review is when the college looks at the GPA and test score of a student AND takes also into account the activities, leadership, community service, and learning experiences that went beyond the classroom.  In short, they are looking at the “whole” student.  UF looks at students holistically, so resume activities and essays are a very important part of the consideration, along with the GPA and scores.  Many other schools also are holistic reviewers.

Context- Students are put into context of where they got their high school education.  UF looks at and judges a student by the opportunities that were available in that student’s local high school.  If 5 APs are offered at SCHS, then UF cannot hold a Redskin to the same consideration as a student who went to a school where 20 were offered.  GPAs are recalculated to level playing fields for all students, so local weights, like our 10 points which are added to final grades for AP and Dual Enrollment are removed and reconsidered with the college’s weighting system.  It is important to note that this idea of context is NOT universal, and schools, as much as the students who come from those schools, are judged.  This is why SCHS’s relentless push for excellence is not to be compromised.  It puts students at a disadvantage when the high school is not deemed to be a rigorous high school.

If you are interested in attending UF, be aware that 17% of incoming freshmen are from out of state.  This can increase competition if plenty of students from out of state are applying as well.  With all of this said, UF is a great school with many great opportunities.  Notable alumni from UF include Tim Tebow, Steve Spurrier and our very own Ms. Erin Claridy received her training from this reputable university.  Scooters, bikes and skate boards are immensely popular at UF.  The roads have been modified to accommodate these vehicles and automobiles at the same time.  Bike racks outside of the dorm are pictured to give you an idea of the scope of this campus' love for these single-rider vehicles.

University of Florida Profile

Recalculated GPA 4.3-4.6

ACT- 28-32

SAT- 1280-1430 

Downtown Gainesville

main thoroughfare on campus 

Florida State University

Florida State University- Stop number seven was in Tallahassee, FL at Florida State University (FSU).  This beautiful campus serves over 41,000 students degrees ranging from 101 different bachelors degree, to doctoral studies in many of these same disciplines.  Of course, we are all familiar with the sports programs at FSU, where there are 18 different Division 1 sports offered.  Their mascot is the Seminole.  FSU is a major research university providing students with many opportunities for research.  Professors and students have cutting-edge research “toys” at their disposal.  Unique to FSU is a magnetic lab that possesses the ability to generate a magnetic force 1,000,000 times stronger than the earth’s gravity.  Using the technology there, they were able to levitate a frog using the iron in its blood stream.  Levitating frogs- could lead to the ability to levitate humans.  Very cool toy that is the only kind in this hemisphere of the world!

First glance at this campus, one cannot question that it has been voted as one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States.  Moss laden trees create a canopy that provide shade to Legacy Walk, a bricked pathway that meanders through the academic   Many students and faculty are able to find places to study, rest, relax or generally socialize.  Picking pictures to post with this article is proving very difficult!  Notable alumni from FSU include our very own Coach Justin Drew, Ms. Michelle Spell and Mr. Terry Spell.  I have often wondered why they did not choose to go to one of the great Universities of America (UGA, my alma mater…), but after one visit, I get it!  It is a truly high quality university.

and housing buildings of campus.

lobby of dorm

To many students, quality of housing is the preeminent condition that a decision about what college to pick is (wrongfully, but understandably) based upon.  The two newest dorms at FSU are the finest that I have seen on any campus.  They have to house 6200 incoming freshmen, and these students are offered sit-down restaurants in the lobbies of these two new dorms.  The furniture and appointments are incredibly nice.  Housing and food costs are $10,458, making the total cost of out of state attendance at $32,000, a price tag that was named #4 to Kipplinger’s Personal Finance, “Best College Value” for Out of State Students.  The average salary of an FSU graduate is $48k per year.  A way to save on the cost of a Florida State University education is to take advantage of a special program that they offer where out of state students can study abroad for their freshman year in one of their programs and receive in-state tuition for the remaining three years.  This is a cost savings of $14k per year!  What a wonderful way to save money- traveling the world! 

lecture hall

When talking with a current student at FSU, I asked what it is that she liked about this university.  Her reply was what I enjoyed about my college experience 30 years ago. “It is the perfect blend between hard academic work, opportunity to develop and realize your dreams, and having fun.”  Florida State has all of this and more.  They are eager to help students with whatever they need.  It is an academically minded university that can find moments to enjoy life.

FSU is currently accepting about 58% of applicants.  This means that they are a selective university and students’ grades, difficulty of rigor in class choices and test scores all play an important role to gaining entrance.  The moral of this story is that if you want to attend this or any school, you have to work harder than you want to by studying and challenging yourself.  FSU was great, now on to University of Florida. Pray for me. ;)

FSU Profile

GPA- 4.1-4.5 recalculated, weighted academic GPA

SAT- 1200-1400

ACT- 28-32

Student Learning Center

Integration

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Florida Agricultural Mechanical University (FAMU) is a Historically Black College in Tallahasee, FL which sits atop the highest of the seven hills that make up Tallahassee.  Though FAMU is a Historically Black College (HBC), they serve students of every race and nationality.  FAMU is widely known for its marching band, The Marching 100.  With over 53 undergraduate majors and 12 PhD programs, FAMU is setting the bar as the #1 Historically Black College in the United States, according to US News and World Reports.  Students in every major have extensive opportunities to participate in paid internships.  These internships often times lead to jobs after college.  We had a chance to learn some highlights from several of their programs that are worth noting:

FAMU Charter School

• ·        Architecture + Engineering program is ABET (www.abet.org) accredited.  This signifies the quality of these programs.
• ·         Agriculture Food Sciences Comes with an automatic scholarship. 
• ·         College of Education- There is a teacher shortage.  FAMU runs a Charter school for high school students off of its campus grounds where students can learn first-hand how to serve younger generation students.
• ·         FAMU Offers a Music Industry Program.  Will Packer (https://willpackerprods.com/) is a famous alumni from this industry.
• ·        Medical Scholars program- auto acceptance into FAU Medical School for very highly qualified incoming freshmen.
• ·          School of Business incorporates “unconscious competence” into the development of its students. What this means is that students are drilled on soft skills and particular knowledge and work skills that they do not have to think about it.  It naturally flows out of who they are.

FAMU has a rich heritage, and right in the center of campus is the Carnegie Library and Black Archives/Research Center.  This is an exceptional museum of African American History and a celebration of the ingenuity displayed by African Americans.  In this museum, one can be exposed to the rich heritage that generations of African Americans have built.  I learned a great deal through our tour guide, a senior from FAMU.  We were treated to details that explained the significance of many of the various artifacts.  I wish that we could have had more time in this museum and would like to return for a future visit.

Greek life is incredibly important to the life of FAMU, and their system is made up of colleges from the Divine Nine.  Affiliation to these sororities and fraternities lasts for the duration of four years and throughout life.  Campus is decorated with numerous signs and displays of pride in these organizations. 

fraternity and sorority pride

FAMU offers 14 competitive sports in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and is an NCAA partner school. Multiple ROTC Programs are available to students as well.  FAMU offers different Living/Learning Communities where students in similar majors will live, study, and go deeper in their educations together.  All of these wonderful experiences have created an undergraduate program that is the number 1 university in sending African American students on to ultimately earn their PhD.  They are creating a rich heritage today that will be chronicled in the Carnegie Library in later years.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s Profile

Total cost is $27,500 per year, with lots of scholarship and financial aid programs available.  Apply by Nov. 1^st to be considered for those.

Acceptance rate is 33%.  This means the 64% of applicants do not get in.

Minimum GPA is 2.75*

SAT- 1000*

ACT- 19*

*Remember that they are a competitive university and making the minimum does not guarantee admission.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

brand new student center

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- This school’s preoccupation is with flight.  Almost every major points back in some way to the flight industry and flight science.  Whether it is pilot training, aircraft maintenance, or business, everything relates and ultimately prepares a student for employment in this industry.  Of course, a student could come to Embry-Riddle and qualify for work outside of the aviation industry, but make no mistake, this is their forte.  A major that I have never heard of before, Human Factors, incorporates the study of ergonomics and designing systems that reduce human error.  This degree has applicability to industries like computer operating systems design in addition to aeronautics.

Students in the pilot program have a wonderful set up. 

pre-flight prep room 

Student pilots can roll out of bed, walk to the flight center to prepare for their flight, and go for a training flight right there on campus.  Most colleges that offer pilot programs require students to leave campus to go to an airport for this training.  It is all included in the campus at Embry-Riddle.

AMT lab with jet engines

No matter the major, Embry-Riddle takes a very hands-on approach to instruction.  A great example of this is in the Aviation Maintenance Technician program.  Students in this program will disassemble a jet engine completely, reassemble it and as the final test, fire that bad boy up!  In many other similar programs, students may have one engine to share with a larger class.  As you can see from the picture, students in an AMT lab at Embry Riddle have enough engines to enable them to tear down an engine with a fellow peer.  This type of experience makes Embry-Riddle students a hot commodity in the job force; 97% of graduates either find employment in their field of study or went on to graduate school.  Pilots and aviation mechanics are in high demand as there is a huge shortage, which is driving up the salaries.  There is a high rate of return on one of these degrees.

Aviation engineering class

Cost of attendance is in line with many of the schools I have visited this week.  The total cost of attendance is $47,000 per year, with added expenses related to the pilot program (extra $15,000 per year.  These are four year programs, which is longer than other programs that will train students to fly or fix planes/helicopters, but the great thing is that this type of degree can open up opportunities for later on in a student’s career.  The good news is that 90% of students receive some sort of financial aid, females automatically qualify for a $5000 scholarship that is renewable for up to four years!  This is meant to be an enticement to raise the enrollment of female students (25% to 75%).

Embry-Riddle is a Division 2 NCAA school that offers 22 different sports.  This and being located in Daytona Beach, FL give students hundreds of fun options to studying, but make no mistake, this is a demanding school.  There is a sister campus in Prescott, Arizona, which offers the same programs.  Both campuses are well equipped for a meaningful education both in and out of class.  

For a student who is interested in aviation, a visit to Embry-Riddle in Dayton Beach would be a great idea.

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Profile

5700 students

Average GPA of incoming freshman- over a 3.0 if you want any merit-based scholarships

SAT- (test optional) 1150

ACT- (test optional) 26

Florida Institute of Technology

Day two of the college tour grind: Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) started the morning off right!  This innovator is located in Melbourne, Florida, a Mecca for high tech industry.  This ease of access makes FIT a wonderful place to connect to technological and aeronautical cutting edge developments.  There is a reciprocal relationship as students are able to design applications that these industries need.  The relationship of industry with FIT allows this school to have incredible access to research implements.  FIT engineering students have launched projects into space to test the tensile strength of a wire repair kit.  Students have engineered a model plane that is capable of speeds of 350 miles per hour!  The FFA restricts its speed to 150, though.  The relationship of industry ushers in numerous internship opportunities.  70% of students will work in a paid internship at some point in their college career.  This is all to say that a student who has a mechanical interest can go crazy at FIT. 

entrance to botanical garden

FIT was started by three astronauts (as it is very close to Cape Canaveral Space Center) in the aftermath of Sputnik (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputnik_1).  A humorous fun fact- the area code for the Melbourne area is 321. (think about it…) This puts this institution at 60 years old.  2900 students enjoy the multitude of outdoor opportunities and plenty of summertime temps.  Located on campus is a botanical garden that boasts over 200 types of palm trees, one being so rare that Walt Disney Corp. offered 3 million dollars for the tree for their Animal Kingdom park.  The answer was No. 

At FIT, there are 83 majors, and over 95% of students receive scholarship or financial aid money to offset the cost of this excellent education-approximately $58k per year.  FIT offers a four year degree in being an airplane pilot that leads to a commercial license. With financial aid

350 Mile per hours

opportunities and the understanding that certain majors at FIT will be incredibly lucrative later on, makes this price tag seem to be a smart choice option.  I know that Georgia Tech is a huge magnet in the state of Georgia for engineers, but that are other options that students can explore.  FIT offers a lot real-world, hands-on learning for engineering students!

Florida Institute of Technology Profile:

GPA 3.75

SAT 1060-1260

ACT 24-29

Stetson University

You may have heard the name of my next stop- Stetson University.  For the baseball fans, and even more specifically, college baseball, you will no doubt recognize this college from the Super Regional   The baseball team helped this school take a step towards the goal of becoming a college that has wide reaching name recognition.  Not only do they want you to know them for athletics, but also for outstanding academic opportunities.

Playoffs where they came up just short of a trip to the College World Series.

Stetson sums up its desire to help students in one word- significance.  At Stetson, students find their own significance in the world by mastering the discipline of being a life-long learner and then applying that knowledge to accomplish goals.  Stetson University is ranked in the top 5 universities in the South by US News and World Reports.  This high ranking is due in some part to the number of instructors who possess the highest level of excellence in their own specific areas of discipline- 95% have PhDs.

science lab

Stetson has an extensive Honors Program.  The Honors Program waives all of a student’s general education core courses.  This will allow students to take more electives toward the design of an individualized degree.  This type of freedom is not limited to students in the Honors program; any student coming in having a firm grasp of what it is they are interested in will find a faculty interested in helping build an education that will accomplish this goal.  Honors students receive on average of $25k to $38k in institutional scholarships.  On campus, a program known as the Bonner program seeks to enhance community service ideals in students.  This program brings students who share this common interest together to live in a common dormitory and participation in this program will cover all a student’s financial need.

 ROTC is offered at Stetson.  It is open to every freshman with no obligation until you accept a scholarship or enter into your junior year.  Full tuition, stipend ($25 per month), full room and board, and all fees are covered.  Ultimately, it will cost a scholarshipped cadet $1000 per year to attend Stetson.  Eight year military service requirement follows graduation.  The Stetson Army ROTC is looking for the following basic requirements: 24 on the ACT or 1150 on the SAT, 3.0 GPA, athletic ability and demonstrated leadership potential.

One of the oldest Financial Investment programs in the nation can be found at Stetson.  A large endowment has funded a 3.5 million dollar (real money) sum that each group of seniors in the program will manage for the year.  This real money (good or bad) will go back into the endowment to be used again.  As a point of pride, each class wants to do better than the last, and this creates a real-world, skin-in-the-game experience for the seniors.  Their "war-room" is pictured.

One interesting fact about Stetson’s admissions practices is that they are a “test optional” school.  What this means is that they will make a decision about a student without that student submitting an SAT or ACT score.  This means that Stetson depends heavily on high school grades, the high school resume of activities and the student’s ability to articulate clearly how Stetson is the school of choice.

Stetson's profile:

3089 undergraduate

3.8 GPA

SAT/ACT optional-

33% pell grant students

56% white/44% students of color

$59,202 total cost (financial Aid opportunities can be found at Stetson.edu/financial-planning)