GO:This college is a gem in beach paradise where you graduate with a degree that gets you immediately employed or into the Ivy League.
It's super-low cost for Floridians, not bad for out-of-state and has an Honors College; the programs are strong with great adjunct professors and e-learning; and as a city college associated with the State system it doesn't have some of the sillier State U. limitations ( they penalize you for going over 120 credits, for example).
This is the only college in the US that is committed to lowering their already low tuition and was recently praised by the Obama Administration.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
REMEMBER: If you're from out-of-state remember this is Florida: Life is courtly, s-l-o-o-o-w, and you have to ask nicely for everything a few times. Make sure you walk everything through with the administration people and keep copies of everything, especially if you're getting a waiver on something. The mentors help.
Make sure you interact with teachers and take advantage of the excellent mentoring and support programs.
Also, there're fantastic free College-provided cultural activities: Concerts, public debates and town halls with distinguished experts, quickie seminars from experts in the field, art exhibits. Also: A study-abroad, Model UN, and co-op/internship program.
The Bachelor majors are designed for things in high demand in Florida--Special Education, Biology, Nursing, Tech/Computers,etc.-- and have internships and hours requirements beyond those of many more famous universities, so people have an edge in employment.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
SMALL SERIOUS CLASSES: Teachers will work overtime with you to get an A and the evaluation is very standardized and ongoing to keep down the subjective factor. No grading on a curve from what I understand: Their position is you either know it pretty well or you don't.
The AS programs are varied and designed to lead right to a job or transfer into the State Unis--theater, video, computers, arts and sciences, game design, medical technologist, X-Ray, etc.
They also have a post-BA Teacher 30 credit certification program that is low-cost.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
CHEAP HOUSING: No dorms, but campuses around the county with plenty of cheap student housing nearby.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
YUM! No dining halls but snack bars at several campuses are excellent, including an organic place at the downtown campus.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
PARADISE: St. Petersburg (and the surrounding county of Pinellas) is a tourist magnet with beaches, environmental parks, fantastic multi-cultural cuisine always being featured on the Food Channel, antiquing, a walkable downtown, the famed Pier, the Dali Museum, and is near attractions in Orlando and Hillsborough ( Disneyworld, Busch Gardens, etc) , with cofeehouses, an annual art festival and racing event, sailing, plus low-cost local theaters and film festivals.
The college has purchased the city theater, shares library space with the county library, and has a museum.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
BACHELOR DEGREES WITH SMALL PRIVATE SCHOOL CLASSES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL PRICE: Classes are considered getting large if they have more that 15 people. Free support tutors, mentors, and professors that will give extra personal meetings galore. The professors are primarily dedicated educators, not some spaced-out reseracher who mumbles to the blackboard. Most majors have co-op/internship requirements or opportunities, so your learning is hands-on.
If you are a Florida student of modest income who has the Bright Futures scholarship, FAFSA, or gets one of their generous cash scholarships you basically go for free.
In-state credit cost (2013) is $107 USD.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
FREE LUNCH! They have a student day off, and numerous information festivals through the year with plenty of snacks.
Like Pizza? The Provost meets with students for free Pizza through the year to find out what needs to be done.
They serve food like crazy at various free seminars from visiting experts, informationals and group-support activities, so if you're not getting free lunch 2-3 days a week you're not trying.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
TEENS TO RETIREES--AND HAS A GRAD SCHOOL OPTION: They work with you whoever you are with a serious mentor program and teacher support. People who do well here walk into jobs, start businesses, or are accepted at top universities for graduate study.
While it has open admission the college is demanding with a serious Honors College program. It has a diverse student body from 14 year-old geniuses in their dual program to returning adults. They encourage you to take extra interdisciplinary and other classes which have very qualified teachers.
If you like e-learning they have excellent e-learning classes in most subjects.
If you're interested in ROTC they have it.
The college has a nationally famous department in applied philosophy and ethics. A course is required, and people say it does wonders for critical thinking and clarifying professional ethics, personal goals and decisions.
Finally, though formerly only an undergraduate level college, they have agreements with universities around the US that teach their courses there so you can continue to graduate and professional degrees as: Doctor of Pharmacy, Chiropractic, Dentistry, and advanced management, science or other studies.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
YOU NAME IT! Clubs cover about everything.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
HONORS: Strictly academic honor societies.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
GUARDED: Campus security has guards going about in their go-carts plus regular drive-bys by local police and sherriff. Guards will walk you to your car and emergency numbers are posted.
Plus this is Florida, where folks are super-polite but about everyone has a concealed-carry weapon. A kind word...
GO:This college is a gem in beach paradise where you graduate with a degree that gets you immediately employed or into the Ivy League. It's super-low cost for Floridians, not bad for out-of-state and has an Honors College; the programs are strong with great adjunct professors and e-learning; and as a city college associated with the State system it doesn't have some of the sillier State U. limitations ( they penalize you for going over 120 credits, for example). This is the only college in the US that is committed to lowering their already low tuition and was recently praised by the Obama Administration.
REMEMBER: If you're from out-of-state remember this is Florida: Life is courtly, s-l-o-o-o-w, and you have to ask nicely for everything a few times. Make sure you walk everything through with the administration people and keep copies of everything, especially if you're getting a waiver on something. The mentors help. Make sure you interact with teachers and take advantage of the excellent mentoring and support programs. Also, there're fantastic free College-provided cultural activities: Concerts, public debates and town halls with distinguished experts, quickie seminars from experts in the field, art exhibits. Also: A study-abroad, Model UN, and co-op/internship program. The Bachelor majors are designed for things in high demand in Florida--Special Education, Biology, Nursing, Tech/Computers,etc.-- and have internships and hours requirements beyond those of many more famous universities, so people have an edge in employment.
SMALL SERIOUS CLASSES: Teachers will work overtime with you to get an A and the evaluation is very standardized and ongoing to keep down the subjective factor. No grading on a curve from what I understand: Their position is you either know it pretty well or you don't. The AS programs are varied and designed to lead right to a job or transfer into the State Unis--theater, video, computers, arts and sciences, game design, medical technologist, X-Ray, etc. They also have a post-BA Teacher 30 credit certification program that is low-cost.
CHEAP HOUSING: No dorms, but campuses around the county with plenty of cheap student housing nearby.
YUM! No dining halls but snack bars at several campuses are excellent, including an organic place at the downtown campus.
PARADISE: St. Petersburg (and the surrounding county of Pinellas) is a tourist magnet with beaches, environmental parks, fantastic multi-cultural cuisine always being featured on the Food Channel, antiquing, a walkable downtown, the famed Pier, the Dali Museum, and is near attractions in Orlando and Hillsborough ( Disneyworld, Busch Gardens, etc) , with cofeehouses, an annual art festival and racing event, sailing, plus low-cost local theaters and film festivals. The college has purchased the city theater, shares library space with the county library, and has a museum.
BACHELOR DEGREES WITH SMALL PRIVATE SCHOOL CLASSES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL PRICE: Classes are considered getting large if they have more that 15 people. Free support tutors, mentors, and professors that will give extra personal meetings galore. The professors are primarily dedicated educators, not some spaced-out reseracher who mumbles to the blackboard. Most majors have co-op/internship requirements or opportunities, so your learning is hands-on. If you are a Florida student of modest income who has the Bright Futures scholarship, FAFSA, or gets one of their generous cash scholarships you basically go for free. In-state credit cost (2013) is $107 USD.
FREE LUNCH! They have a student day off, and numerous information festivals through the year with plenty of snacks. Like Pizza? The Provost meets with students for free Pizza through the year to find out what needs to be done. They serve food like crazy at various free seminars from visiting experts, informationals and group-support activities, so if you're not getting free lunch 2-3 days a week you're not trying.
TEENS TO RETIREES--AND HAS A GRAD SCHOOL OPTION: They work with you whoever you are with a serious mentor program and teacher support. People who do well here walk into jobs, start businesses, or are accepted at top universities for graduate study. While it has open admission the college is demanding with a serious Honors College program. It has a diverse student body from 14 year-old geniuses in their dual program to returning adults. They encourage you to take extra interdisciplinary and other classes which have very qualified teachers. If you like e-learning they have excellent e-learning classes in most subjects. If you're interested in ROTC they have it. The college has a nationally famous department in applied philosophy and ethics. A course is required, and people say it does wonders for critical thinking and clarifying professional ethics, personal goals and decisions. Finally, though formerly only an undergraduate level college, they have agreements with universities around the US that teach their courses there so you can continue to graduate and professional degrees as: Doctor of Pharmacy, Chiropractic, Dentistry, and advanced management, science or other studies.
YOU NAME IT! Clubs cover about everything.
HONORS: Strictly academic honor societies.
GUARDED: Campus security has guards going about in their go-carts plus regular drive-bys by local police and sherriff. Guards will walk you to your car and emergency numbers are posted. Plus this is Florida, where folks are super-polite but about everyone has a concealed-carry weapon. A kind word...