Eastern Florida State College
Melbourne, FL, USA

Reviews

Eastern Florida State College

Emily from Rockledge, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
Most of the classes you'll take at BCC are the basic classes you'd take in the first two years of any four-year degree program, so you're not likely to find much that is specific to your desired school of study actually on the path towards your degree. As is the case with most of the freshman and sophomore course load, the classes can be a bit redundant in accordance with your high school curriculum, but it does do a good job of getting you through the classes you'd need anywhere pretty quickly and hassle-free. The classes are often very easy to pass, but as far as actual retention of information goes... don't expect a whole lot.
Am enjoying being here
Being a community college, BCC doesn't offer many of the same things a traditional college would in that there is no housing offered and the 'college town' environment is nonexistent. The array of students is great in that you may find high school students on campus just as easily as you would middle-aged students, but you will only occasionally run across a student with big ambitions. If this isn't important to you, it isn't a factor, and some of the professors are certainly fantastic and the small-school environment provides for a good experience with them, but there are also the surly group that aspired to greater than teaching at a community college that can occasionally take their passive-aggressive frustration out on their students.
Bang for the buck
There's no denying that BCC is ridiculously cheap, and the classes aren't bad at all- plus the course catalog is huge, so you're bound to find something you're interested in.
Tips for prospective students
Don't buy your books at the bookstores on campus- they can be ridiculously pricey and they make you think that it's the only place to buy them. That's not true, just jot down the author's name and the title and the edition and buy them elsewhere- there are loads of good places to get them online and usually you can get a good used one for about half the price of a well-worn one at BCC.
Great for these types of students
Financially strapped students- at $80 a credit for Florida residents, almost anyone can afford tuition.
Students without direction- for those that have no intended major yet but know they want to go to college, BCC allows for an environment to try new things and (hopefully) find your career path.
Less-than-stellar high school students- if your high school transcript isn't what you'd like it to be or you got denied acceptance at your school of choice, BCC is a great place to go to bulk up your resume. Upon graduation from BCC, you are GUARANTEED a spot at a Florida public four-year college, and your application at all schools no longer has to go through the 'first time in college' office, and the office for current students can be more forgiving in their acceptances.

Haley

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
This is a great place to begin and end your education! The wide range of classes available, different campuses, and small class sizes are a huge plus. It truly is a great investment here.
Tips for prospective students
Register for classes early! It may be a smaller school, but that means less room in each class. If you want the best times for your schedule make registration a priority.
Academic Rigor
Course rigor can vary, depending on the level of courses you take.
Dorm Life
You get to live at home, and save money!
Food and Dining
There are several places to eat on campus, and many places nearby!
What to do for fun
There's many clubs and activities to get involved in. The pavilion at the Melbourne campus always has an event going on.
Bang for the buck
You truly get your money's worth, and more, here. Put your full effort into the classes and you will see it was a great investment.
Great for these types of students
Great for students looking to get their A.A. and then transfer to a university! Great for older students, too. There's never an age limit to getting an education.

Nicole from Melbourne, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
EFSC is a great place to go to find out what you want to do.The staff is friendly and helpful, and you learn quite a bit! It's also a good place close to home!
Tips for prospective students
Take the general classes first: communications, math, science, ect. and then move onto electives. Take classes that you're already interested in to try and find out what you want to do for a career!
Academic Rigor
Some teachers can be lazy and don't really explain things, while other teachers love their job. There are many teachers that get excited about teaching and make learning fun, while keeping it challenging!
Dorm Life
It was a community college last year, so there aren't any dorms that I'm aware of. But I like it because it's close to home!
Food and Dining
Personally, I think the food is great! There are a few restaurants in a five mile radius, and there is a chick-fil-a and ice cream place on campus! And there are more restaurants all around town!
What to do for fun
The beach isn't too far from campus, and there a few movie theaters and shopping centers around. As well as the Brevard Zoo, which is about ten minutes north of the Melbourne Campus.
Bang for the buck
I was able to take 5 classes for around $2,500 last semester. Not having anything else to compare to, I think it's a great price!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
None that I'm aware of.
Great for these types of students
Students that want to stay close to home or near the beach. And if you're not quite sure what you want to do for a career yet, this is a great place!
Clubs and Activities
Tons of different clubs and activities posted all over. From art club to a club about exercise! There's pretty much everything to do!
Greek Life
I don't believe there are any sororities. At least none that I'm aware of.
Campus Safety
Security is always on campus. And they will walk you to your car if you don't feel safe enough. They're just a phone call away, and answer the phone within the first two rings.

Yanira from Rockledge, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
I have had a great experience in this college. Most of the professors are great teachers and I have learned so much from them. I would recommend this college to every person that wants to have a great education at a low cost.
Tips for prospective students
Don't give up to your dreams and just do it. Once you enroll in this college you will find that it has a lot to offer and the professors are very professional. This is the chance you have to be able to acquire an education.
Dorm Life
I don't stay in the dorms.
What to do for fun
There are many clubs, a great gym and once you make new friends you will find how much fun college can be.
Bang for the buck
This college provides an excellent education with a very affordable cost. I think it's amazing!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There is a trail that it's behind the observatory that takes you around the college with amazing views.
Great for these types of students
This college is great for the people that want to have an education that has a low cost.
Clubs and Activities
There are many clubs and activities that it would be impossible for students to not find something to be involve with.
Campus Safety
I find this campus to be very safe. They not only have it light up during the night but there are security patrols patrolling the campus at all times.

Olivia from Cocoa, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
Bang for the buck
They allow my high school to dual enroll. So, everything is free!

Ardelle from Palm Bay, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
The teachers here have a given me a perspective I have never had before, on a whole variety of topics. These teachers are, usually, experts in their field and they really care about their topic. That makes all the difference.
Am enjoying being here
The Student Government at BCC is amazing. They host events on campus several times a semester, for things like celebrating black history month or even celebrating the holiday season, and they're so much fun. You actually want to be at school and eat, socialize, and play games.
Bang for the buck
I have learned alot at BCC and every single class I have taken has been worth every cent.

Josiah from Titusville, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
Brevard Community College (BCC) harvest a certain kind of environment that motivates and inspires everyone to learn, even the teachers. The faculty really are knowledgeable and personal; they want to help me learn, as if I am in their best interest. Beside the curriculum, I am learning an array of things about myself and the world around me.
Am enjoying being here
I enjoy being a student as BCC, whether it is the campuses intimate atmosphere or just the sweet smell of pedagogy, I am always smiling and enjoying the time at school. The positive outlook is contagious, as I am always exchanging smiles with my peers and the faculty ans staff.
Bang for the buck
BCC is certainly the frugal choice. I chose BCC because it has been rated as the number one Community College in the nation (and because it is fifteen minutes away). I would have gone off to a four-year institution if it were not that I felt comfortable with the high standards of education. I am shocked to find that I can get two years of a four-year degree with the same or better standard of learning for such a fraction of the cost.
Tips for prospective students
Take the College Success Strategies for College and Life class in the beginning; your collegiate future will not be the same. This class gives one an unique outlook on one's life as a student. Other than that, the school gives one a positive attitude that keeps one dedicated and responsible, valuing the investment that one is making for one's future.
Great for these types of students
Every type: parents, night students, returning students, young students, elderly students, and unconventional students.

Kyle from Palm Bay, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
Learning different things at BCC will go as far as you are willing to go. I have mainly attended the Palm Bay campus but also Cocoa. The teachers to me are pretty good. A lot of teachers will give you busy work and make you feel like your still in high school. I would recommend going on to ratemyprofessor.com for a list of most teachers in the school, and read reviews about them from past students (since in my opinion, how much you learn also depends on a good teacher). If you wish to get the most out of your class, expect to have a good amount of homework and if applicable, essay writing. I also took the EMT program and squeezed everything into 5 months, so if you are doing a short program, you will definitely want to put a good effort forth and try to learn as much as you can.
Am enjoying being here
I don't mind being on the campus but have had enough experiences with rude staff and people who are clueless about everything that I'm much happier off campus. I'm the kind of guy that just shows up to his class so he can get his credit, and leave right away when it's over. Just the overall atmosphere of being around people (and people from high school) isn't the greatest in my opinion if you are trying to start a new life. I don't mind being on campus so much unless I have something to work out with the office. (Don't expect any help from guidance counselors, admissions or financial aid, they are clueless most of the time). Overall, the atmosphere is okay but I give it 2/5 stars.
Bang for the buck
One thing I will admit is that you do save money going to BCC. Because I don't really care for BCC, I expressed in taking my Paramedic program through Keiser University, only to find that prices are much higher going to any other college. Do NOT buy your textbooks from the book store. They are the biggest rip off and will do anything to get your money. All colleges are like this though. I highly recommend buying yours offline. If you are interested in selling your books at the end of the semester, DO NOT sell them back to the bookstore. I paid 200 dollars for my EMT book, and one of my classmates was offered $3 if he sold it back to them. If you do research on the book your trying to sell, you will succeed. I have successfully sold all of my books online ranging from $15-60. But if the prices of classes is what you are concerned about, the price is decent. Make sure you know what you want to take though, because they are still a few hundred dollars.
Tips for prospective students
As mentioned in the above box, DON'T buy or sell your books at the bookstore. They advertise rental books now, but I went in to rent a common psychology 1 book, and they said it's not available for rent. They will laugh at you if you ask for a used book (because they want your $$$). Prices at the cafeteria aren't the best either, so bring your own lunch unless money isn't a problem). Even though I'm bringing up all of these issues with BCC, these things are a problem at all colleges. Go to ratemyprofessor.com and find BCC and you will be able to find reviews on most teachers there written by their past students. This has helped me greatly in finding a good teacher. Don't expect any help from any of the administration (not just Palm Bay, all of the campuses are clueless). Decide what you are interested in doing, and look at which campus offers it. Most likely, Palm Bay or Titusville do not offer it (almost everything is at Cocoa.)
Great for these types of students
BCC is great for students who like to be social. It's not the greatest for a lone student like me, because almost everyone sitting down or hanging around is with other people. There are a lot of places to lounge around and drink some coffee, and just relax. I just get in, attend my class and get out of there as fast as I can to avoid confronting staff or a student I don't want to remember from high school. If you are like this, you won't enjoy it so much. As far as I can tell, there are a lot of clubs and things to do while being a student. You'll get access to a school e-mail account, the library and the computers, and other things. There is a small gym at the Palm Bay campus, and the larger campuses such as Cocoa have larger facilities such as a Planetarium and a Swimming Pool. You can also take little courses just for your own enrichment which I think is pretty cool. BCC is good for students who also want to save some money.

Rachel from Titusville, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
At Brevard Community College, you can learn a lot to say the least. In high school, learning seemed so tedious and boring because it was common knowledge. Here at BCC, learning means learning, not sitting in class anticipating when the teacher finally says, See you next time!. If you do not understand something, just ask! Every single teacher that I have had always asks the class, Does anyone have any questions?. For the first time it seems these teachers actually want you to learn something and really care about your learning experience. When attending a huge college full of who knows how many people, if you miss something the teacher says, well, too bad. There is a more than good chance, you will never even speak to your teacher, even if you try. I would much rather go through college knowing I learned all I could, instead of knowing I missed too much information.
Am enjoying being here
I am defiantly enjoying being at BCC. I enjoy knowing that I can freely speak to my teachers about the class. I enjoy knowing that my friends, instead of being far away from me on a huge campus, are right here next to me. I enjoy knowing that I am getting a great education only ten minutes away from me. I enjoy seeing all my friends from high school, here where I am. I enjoy attending BCC.
Bang for the buck
A person would absolutely obtain their money's worth at BCC. I myself like to take as many classes as I possibly can. For me to take five classes it costs me nothing. The price between a giant university and BCC is very different to say the least. Even if you so desired to go to UCF, going to BCC first allows you to directly transfer to this school. I receive a whole lot more than what I give to BCC.
Tips for prospective students
When thinking about the future remember your text books. Never buy them from the book store, unless absolutely necessary. Buying books online is a great way to hold onto those dollars. Another topic to think about is to think deeper into your future. When you have finished here at BCC, just remember, you can always transfer to UCF if you want to continue this long and perilous journey of education.
Great for these types of students
If you liked the size of your high school class, BCC would be perfect for you. You will never have to worry about missing something the teacher said or the class being so crowded you can not even think straight. BCC would also be great for the kind of student that does not like to be far away from home. With so many BCC campuses, it would be hard to find a way to live far away from BCC. Other then those options, BCC is really perfect for anybody.