With a revamped curriculum that was launched this fall, Stetson is offering a wider variety of classes than ever. This school is designed with the goal of every student graduating with a well-rounded education, and I wholeheartedly feel this at work in me. I came to Stetson with my major already decided, but even so, have taken classes ranging from Biblical Literature, to Nutrition, to Psychology.
Stetson is good at being the small school it is, and with that comes the benefit of a friendly and effective learning environment. Every class is taught by an actual professor (not assistant) who is readily accessible--most have complete open-door policies. The courses can be difficult, but that simply means there is more information being provided. If I ever have a tough time with the material, all I have to do is utilize one of the innumerous resources that are present here and waiting to be put to use.
In addition to academics, the Stetson campus is a learning environment in itself. I have learned more in the past few semesters about how to live, how to manage my time, who to surround myself with, and so much more. There are so many outlets on campus that provide information for students about eating well, living well, and learning well that are, in my opinion, not only irreplaceable, but also one of the characteristics of this institution that makes it so unique.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
Stetson is not “school” to me; it is my home. It was hard at first to get used to the fact that my friends from high school were no longer by my side, but by getting plugged in on campus and getting to know the local community, I quickly adjusted. One thing about pricey private schools with good reputations (such as Stetson) is that the students aren’t just here to get a piece of paper with their name on it at the end of four years. Students are here to excel, to prove themselves, and to learn. The relationships I have built with my peers, professors, and teammates have made my stay here more than enjoyable. I have a long-term boyfriend at the University of Florida who occasionally (and somewhat jokingly) asks me when I’m going to transfer to UF, and although I’d love to be closer to him, I wouldn’t even consider the idea of leaving Stetson.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
So yes, Stetson is small, classes are small, professors are awesome, campus life is great…but that all comes at a price (and a rather large one at that). Being private, Stetson does not receive state funds anywhere near the extent that public institutions do. Tuition is a bit higher than most Florida schools, but not quite as extreme as many northern schools, so at least there’s that. In addition, the leaders of this University truly seek students who desire to be here, so there is an incredible amount of financial aid provided. I worked hard in high school and was fortunate enough to have a large financial aid package, and I know many students who can say the same.
But that doesn’t mean everything is overpriced. The Study Abroad options here are outstanding, with all of one’s financial aid carrying over. Essentially, I could study here in DeLand, FL, or study overseas in Scotland for the same price, in my case, close to free. Who can complain about that, especially when many institutions have additional fees for these great opportunities?
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
As mentioned many times, Stetson University is a small school, population-wise, so it is important to get involved. Fortunately, there are more than plenty chances to do so, with over 100 active organizations. From campus ministries, to Greek life, to intramural sports, academic clubs, innumerous community service opportunities, there are so many things to get plugged into, and I highly recommend it. It will take some time to learn the right balance between student involvement and academics, but I do not think anyone should ever have to choose between one or the other. Get involved, and get to know the people around you; it’s a small campus, so you’ll see them a lot!
In addition to that, I advise getting to know the community. I love food, and a great way to learn about DeLand is to visit the many mom-and-pop local restaurants (not all at once, of course). Small businesses tend to suffer in economic times such as these-- they can use student support, and we can benefit from their services, so utilize them! DeLand, although small, is a nice kind of small, with a cute main street right next to campus. Visit it, learn it, love it.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
I'm not going to lie, small schools are not for everyone. Stetson is perfect for a student who wants a personable and beautiful Florida campus. It is perfect for a student who wants to learn, who wants to get to know his/her professor on a personal level, and who wants to put in the work and see positive results inside the classroom and out.
With a revamped curriculum that was launched this fall, Stetson is offering a wider variety of classes than ever. This school is designed with the goal of every student graduating with a well-rounded education, and I wholeheartedly feel this at work in me. I came to Stetson with my major already decided, but even so, have taken classes ranging from Biblical Literature, to Nutrition, to Psychology. Stetson is good at being the small school it is, and with that comes the benefit of a friendly and effective learning environment. Every class is taught by an actual professor (not assistant) who is readily accessible--most have complete open-door policies. The courses can be difficult, but that simply means there is more information being provided. If I ever have a tough time with the material, all I have to do is utilize one of the innumerous resources that are present here and waiting to be put to use. In addition to academics, the Stetson campus is a learning environment in itself. I have learned more in the past few semesters about how to live, how to manage my time, who to surround myself with, and so much more. There are so many outlets on campus that provide information for students about eating well, living well, and learning well that are, in my opinion, not only irreplaceable, but also one of the characteristics of this institution that makes it so unique.
Stetson is not “school” to me; it is my home. It was hard at first to get used to the fact that my friends from high school were no longer by my side, but by getting plugged in on campus and getting to know the local community, I quickly adjusted. One thing about pricey private schools with good reputations (such as Stetson) is that the students aren’t just here to get a piece of paper with their name on it at the end of four years. Students are here to excel, to prove themselves, and to learn. The relationships I have built with my peers, professors, and teammates have made my stay here more than enjoyable. I have a long-term boyfriend at the University of Florida who occasionally (and somewhat jokingly) asks me when I’m going to transfer to UF, and although I’d love to be closer to him, I wouldn’t even consider the idea of leaving Stetson.
So yes, Stetson is small, classes are small, professors are awesome, campus life is great…but that all comes at a price (and a rather large one at that). Being private, Stetson does not receive state funds anywhere near the extent that public institutions do. Tuition is a bit higher than most Florida schools, but not quite as extreme as many northern schools, so at least there’s that. In addition, the leaders of this University truly seek students who desire to be here, so there is an incredible amount of financial aid provided. I worked hard in high school and was fortunate enough to have a large financial aid package, and I know many students who can say the same. But that doesn’t mean everything is overpriced. The Study Abroad options here are outstanding, with all of one’s financial aid carrying over. Essentially, I could study here in DeLand, FL, or study overseas in Scotland for the same price, in my case, close to free. Who can complain about that, especially when many institutions have additional fees for these great opportunities?
As mentioned many times, Stetson University is a small school, population-wise, so it is important to get involved. Fortunately, there are more than plenty chances to do so, with over 100 active organizations. From campus ministries, to Greek life, to intramural sports, academic clubs, innumerous community service opportunities, there are so many things to get plugged into, and I highly recommend it. It will take some time to learn the right balance between student involvement and academics, but I do not think anyone should ever have to choose between one or the other. Get involved, and get to know the people around you; it’s a small campus, so you’ll see them a lot! In addition to that, I advise getting to know the community. I love food, and a great way to learn about DeLand is to visit the many mom-and-pop local restaurants (not all at once, of course). Small businesses tend to suffer in economic times such as these-- they can use student support, and we can benefit from their services, so utilize them! DeLand, although small, is a nice kind of small, with a cute main street right next to campus. Visit it, learn it, love it.
I'm not going to lie, small schools are not for everyone. Stetson is perfect for a student who wants a personable and beautiful Florida campus. It is perfect for a student who wants to learn, who wants to get to know his/her professor on a personal level, and who wants to put in the work and see positive results inside the classroom and out.