Florida SouthWestern State College
Fort Myers, FL, USA

Reviews

Florida SouthWestern State College

Angelica from Fort Myers, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
Most of what we talk about in class, you should already know in high school. However, with the more advanced classes (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Composition), they take you into a deeper world, seeing as you have more to explore certain topics.
Am enjoying being here
While there are clubs, they're a bit selective (2nd year students, Honor students). Also, if you have a hectic schedule, most clubs aren't flexible enough for you to join. There are some marathons and walking events for good causes (March of Dimes, Cancer Cure,etc). They do offer free ice cream almost every month. And, they have interesting plays and musical concerts annually.
Bang for the buck
Very cheap. Attend this college if you want to save money! Don't just jump into universities. Take the time to save money while you go to classes at Edison State College. Depending on which classes you take and how many, tuition can cost up to $2,000. If you have Bright Futures or any other scholarship, it will help tremendously with these expenses. Night and online classes are almost too convenient. Some professors have pdf files of their textbooks (depending on which professor you have), others don't even use the assigned textbook.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you get all your paperwork in on time. The financial office tends to be a bit sloppy with your paperwork, so have copies of everything just in case. Financial aid seems to come in a couple weeks late (sometimes 1 month flies by), so brace yourself. Also, academic advisors tend to be extremely busy most of the time, so schedule a meeting with them well in advance (weeks ahead). If you have morning classes, come to school 30 minutes to 1 hour earlier so you can park closer to your classroom. Try not to fool around a lot; it's easy to get lost in your material.
Great for these types of students
Anyone who wants to save money instead of heading right to universities.

Angela from Naples, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
It really depends on your seat to butt ratio. What are you bringing to the equation? I don't recommend Statistics.
Am enjoying being here
I have not had a dull moment since I've been here!!! Always fun stuff going on!
Bang for the buck
Extremely worth it!!! Dont waste money at a big university when you can pay less. I have had classes with 6 and 7 students. Talk about individual attention.
Tips for prospective students
Always talk to the professor before taking the entry level class to see if you can skip it or test out.

Daniela from Lehigh Acres, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
Edison is a friendly environment with a diverse group of people. While attending I felt welcomed by both the student and staff population. It is a really good place to start if you've struggled with understanding material in high school because of all the resources offered to help you succeed.
Food and Dining
The cafeteria has Subway, PizzaHut, and among the normal burgers and fries, they serve sushi!

Jesula from Fort Myers, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
I have a great time. This is the place for me. I wouldn't leave here for anything.
Tips for prospective students
Learn each and every building, get to know the teachers and staff. Become the school, make your time the best time.
Academic Rigor
Basic normal academic exspectations; as fast and as simple as you can make it for you will be the best for you.
Dorm Life
No dorms
Food and Dining
The best meal is best enjoyed inside the cafeteria where you are surronded by peers.
What to do for fun
Volley ball is the game for fame. The arts are well spent in the Barbra B Mann theatre the best in town.
Bang for the buck
buy and sell books back at Edison for a great price!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
By the lake right in the center of it all, where the alligators dont bite they just wear bookbags.
Great for these types of students
Reserved, family oriented, spontaneous and also diligent
Clubs and Activities
Join the club the most achieeeeeeevement club!
Greek Life
To be or not to be GREEK. That is the question!
Campus Safety
Get this police they have there own station at the school with real police. WOW!

Jessica from Lehigh Acres, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
I took dual enrollment classes at Edison in the past, and now that I've graduated, I'm enrolled full time. Based on the classes I've already taken, I can honestly say that I have learned new things that I'm going to keep with me for a long time.
Am enjoying being here
There are lots of clubs and activities happening all the time, which is great - I was worried that I wasn't going to get that whole college experience that I was expecting. The campus is pretty and the people at the registry are really kind, but I don't really know if I enjoy Edison as of yet. Based upon what my friends who managed to get their AA's through dual enrollment at Edison told me, Edison tends to lose track of information; they're not exactly organized. One of my friends actually had to fight with the school for her credits. She had received enough credits to get her AA, but they were trying to tell her that she was a few credits short. Oh, and this is personal experience - I'm supposed to be getting money from Bright Futures but I apparently am not going to get ANY of it until September 6th, but by that point I'll already have been in class for two weeks and have payed for my tuition and books...I'm really upset that I might have to pay out of pocket for my tuition and books when I HAVE money from Bright Futures I can use! Other than that, I'm still remaining a bit positive about school. It could be worse, honestly.
Bang for the buck
Very inexpensive, great for someone who doesn't have much money. With Bright Futures and financial aid, you really should have much to worry about when it comes to money...even though Edison doesn't always process that information right away.
Tips for prospective students
Apply, turn in paperwork, and register for classes as early as possible. It's harder to take certain classes with the best professors and at good times if you wait too long to register for class. And if Edison tries to tell you you're missing credit when you know for certain that you're not, fight for yourself until the very end.
Great for these types of students
Those who want a decent education without spending all that money.

Former Student from Naples, FL

a past student here
Categories Comments
Did learn a lot
If you were in honors courses in high school the lower level classes are an in depth review of what you've already learned. As you progress and if put effort into your studies you will most definitely learn a lot. Take advantage of the Learning Lab as well as your professor's office hours. They are there to help. If the book assignments are not required to be turned in do them anyway! Professors don't assign something for no reason. It could show up in the Final exam. Have you ever taken an exam and said when the heck did we do this?.
Did enjoy being here
During my time at Edison I enjoyed myself. Joining a club or working for the school really makes it a much more pleasant experience. Plus you'll meet new people that way.
Bang for the buck
Most definitely. Why pay the university rates for the same classes being offered at Edison? Get you AA from Edison and transfer to a University later. You'll need the money later for something else.
Tips for prospective students
* If you need to take remedial classes complete them ASAP!! They will prevent you from getting into your important classes. Get them out of the way and take advantage of the Learning Lab if you need help.
* Get you papers/transcripts/FAFSA stuff done EARLY!
* Keep copies of everything you've turned in.
* Certain campuses run out of classes faster than others. Find out what the popular classes are and if you need one of them try to get into them as soon as your eligible. Especially if one is a prerequisite for another!
*See an advisor wayyy before the first day of any registration date. Otherwise you'll have to wait in line for awhile. If it can't be helped, bring something to do.
*Financial Aid is hectic towards the beginning of a new semester. You can check to see if your FAFSA has been received and processed through your Portal.
*Read your E-mails.
Great for these types of students
Recent High school graduates, Undecided majors, people who want to save $$, transient students, transfer students.
If you work full time there are lots of night/online classes but, that doesn't necessarily mean all of the classes you'll need will be available at night or online.

Nicole from Cape Coral, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
Edison (now FSW) is a really awesome school! I was an early admissions student from the high school on campus and I loved it! It's a great place for a nursing, education, or law degree, but if you want to pursue something else, I recommend coming here for your general degree (AA) then transferring (much cheaper doing that, too!).
Tips for prospective students
Always ask around about professors, you can get an awesome teacher or a really inadequate teacher for the same subject. The great teachers really are great, they really want you to learn succeed and do well. The not-so-good teachers, well, you should just avoid them completely. Also, get involved with clubs and organizations, it's really fun, you make good friends and it looks great when you transfer to another school! Phi Theta Kappa is an honors society on campus that gives scholarship opportunities to transferring students!
Academic Rigor
It depends on the class you take, but I didn't find the classes to be too difficult. Just study hard, focus on learning and pray while you take the exam! :D
Dorm Life
I have no idea what dorm life is really like here as I didn't stay in the dorms but I hear from others it's pretty good and convenient. There's a basketball court right outside the dorms.
Food and Dining
The food here is excellent but expensive! Stick to subway and be on the lookout for end of the week free food opportunities.
What to do for fun
You should join clubs and get to know people! I was in martial arts and gamer's club, I had a blast!
Bang for the buck
You definitely get a good education at a great price! So worth it to go here then transfer, saves you tons of money!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Barbara B. Mann performing arts hall is located on campus providing awesome shows (students get discounts). They aren't just student productions either, national tours perform here like Les Mis and Phantom of the Opera. Right next to BB Mann is the Bob Rauschenberg art gallery featuring famous works of art along with receptions. We even had Yoko Ono (John Lennon's widow) with us once!
Great for these types of students
If your a nursing, education or law major this is the place for all your schooling. If you want to major in mathematics, a science or arts then get your general degree and transfer, the school is a great value for your education!
Clubs and Activities
The clubs are pretty good here, but because it's only a community college there aren't that many. The ones they have are good. There are volunteering clubs, a scuba club, Christian clubs, and pretty much something for everyone.
Greek Life
Only one Greek here: Phi Theta Kappa. If your a high achieving student join because when you transfer there are scholarship opportunities for being a member!
Campus Safety
We're always alerted when something seems amiss. There are safety buttons all over campus you can press if you feel threatened. Security guards are always patrolling campus to make sure it's safe.

Alexandra from Naples, FL

accepted here and planning to attend soon
Categories Comments
Academic Rigor
Academics at this school will challenge you and at the same time will help you play up your strengths.
Dorm Life
The dorms at this college are like tiny apartments. They're beautiful compared to some of the others I have seen and are even nicer than some apartments around the same price range.
Food and Dining
The food at this school is affordable and if you use a Buccaneer Card, you can save 10% on your purchase.

Misty from Stuart, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
Student oriented, challenging, and fun.
Tips for prospective students
Get your financial aid in as soon as possible.
Look up the classes you plan on attending.
Academic Rigor
I gave this three stars because the core classes (for biology/nursing majors) are difficult. Electives and other core classes like English and whatnot were easy.
Dorm Life
I'm currently staying in the dorms, and they are great.
They are under 24hr security, so its very safe.
The dorms are fairly new, clean, and have a lot of space.
The dorms are an apartment style like dorm, so we have a kitchen equipped with a large fridge, microwave, and 2 burners.
Food and Dining
The food is okay. We have a pizza hut and the pizza is not so good, but we do have a subway and diner so they sort of make up for it.
What to do for fun
Ft.Myers is known for their beaches. Also, there are a bunch of parks and whatnot in the area.
There are a lot of clubs to get involved with.
Bang for the buck
If you apply for in state tuition then it is cheap compared to other colleges.
Clubs and Activities
There are a bunch of clubs, from student government to scuba club.
Greek Life
No greek life
Campus Safety
One of the safest campuses I've seen. 24 hour security.

Sarah from Lehigh Acres, FL

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
An aesthetically beautiful campus with myriad outdoor locations where students can can and do express themselves artistically. Our professors vary from whimsically creative to liberally traditional. No students are chastised here for any expressed individuality; instead, students are praised and celebrated for their outstanding uniqueness.
Tips for prospective students
The students here seem shy, but do not be fooled. Talk to anyone and they will happily invite you to converse at length. Be bold, if you will, for at Edison you are amongst a multitude of soft-spoken (as well as multi-talented) innovators.
Academic Rigor
This school is far from perfect, but many of its professors have decided to teach here so that we may learn from their uncanny wisdom. Learning does not occur in an atypical way, and in this way there are quite often some challenges to face and overcome. Here at Edison we are learning not only for today, but for our unilaterally personal strengths in the future.
Dorm Life
I have yet to live on campus but from having constantly visited, the dorms are immaculate. Very securely built and carefully organised, students are provided a high privilege while living here. The only complaint some students have living on campus is that there are many restrictions on how long and when people may visit. Some with boyfriends/girlfriends off-campus have been known to be uncomfortable with this policy.
Food and Dining
This is the only lacking feature of our school. The food is quite varied, fortunately, but it does not provide options for particular diets such as vegan, vegetarian, and/or gluten-free. Any individual who is either of these three much carefully inquire of what may be removed from the initial meal offered, which for some proves tedious for many.
What to do for fun
There are thankfully many clubs on campus. If and when there are students who wish for a club that is not presently offered, there have the open opportunity to begin their own. A recent example of this is a Hip-Hop dance, art, and music club that has only just become official this Spring 2014 semester. In this club, some students often breakdance, rap, beatbox, and sometimes observe and encourage each other towards further artistic expression. Besides these many clubs on campus, we have an Art Gallery (Bob Rauschenburg Gallery) that has open exhibits for most of the year. There is also the Barbara B Mann performance hall which shows a variety of plays, live music shows, and some other quality performances. From time to time, students are invited to free meal or snack events on campus to either celebrate certain organisations, raise awareness, or celebrate a particular event.
Bang for the buck
Again, there is no perfection here but for the inquisitive and open-minded young scholar this campus is a secure foundation to build one's academic experience upon.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Wacky Wednesdays tend to offer free food as well as playful social integration exercises on campus. There is a garden area beside the Rauschenberg gallery that has a pond with koi fish and lotus flowers that are in full bloom very often.
Great for these types of students
Self-taught and/or school taught artists, Nursing majors, expressive introverts, LGBTQ+, first/second/third/etc.-generation immigrants, and any undecided majors with a strong will to decide on their major.
Clubs and Activities
As I have described, our clubs are constantly evolving and expanding due to the open opportunity for students to start their own clubs whenever they please.
Greek Life
This is another aspect of life at Edison of which I am unfamiliar. From what I have seen and heard, this is not as prominent here as in large-scale universities.
Campus Safety
Amazing high level of security. There is heavy surveillance during the evening to night times as though something has occurred in the past, but currently nothing has gone wrong. Students are well-mannered and our public security department contains diligent professionals.