TYPE OF SCHOOL: Private, Liberal Arts
LOCATION: Waterfront campus on 188 acres in city – St. Petersburg, FL
25 miles from Tampa Bay Int’l Airport
YOU NEED TO KNOW…
- Only 20% of their students are from Florida
- Eckerd students travel an average of 998 miles to get there
- Their Search and Rescue team, a volunteer student group, is recognized by the Coast Guard read more… FUN FACT:
They have a pet dorm, and over 50 cats and dogs live with their students!
COUNSELOR COMMENT: “Think Outside. All of their academic hallways are sidewalks and all classrooms open to the outdoors.” Mrs. Kempton – Feb. 5, 2014 SIZE: 1,849 undergrads No grad students 80% of students live on campus MIDDLE 50% RANGE: ACT – 25 SAT – 1670 GPA – 3.3
TOP / BEST MAJORS: Marine Biology Environmental Sciences International Studies Self-Designed Majors Anthropology ATHLETICS: The Tritons NCAA Division II ESTABLISHED: 1958
MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW …
- They were started by the Presbyterian Church and continue to be related by covenant - They offer a scholarship for members of the Presbyterian Church
- They have an Autumn Term – three weeks before school starts – for all freshmen - The average class size is 20, with a student to faculty ratio of 13:1
- Seniors take a comprehensive exam covering their major in their spring semester - They have a bird sanctuary in the bay
- They have wireless internet all the way to the water’s edge - All of their food is local – some of it grown on campus - They have a nationally ranked sailing team
- They are adding lacrosse in 2014-15 - Service learning is common
- Their academic schedule includes a J-term during the month of January - You have to submit a writing portfolio to graduate
- You can go barefoot everywhere except the food service areas - They offer merit based scholarships for international students
- International students can submit a paper instead of an ACT or SAT score
- They own study centers in China, London, and Peru in addition to other study abroad options
A NOTE FROM MRS. KEMPTON …
The student who would be successful at Eckerd will be independent yet collaborative. It is not a competitive environment, but it is an open, creative place where students don’t have to wear shoes and
90% of your day is spent outside. Study abroad and community service are not the exception but the norm. They also offer a number of opportunities to grow in your spiritual life including two services each
week, Bible study and a weekly bonfire and worship time called Fire By Night.
VALOR ALUMNI HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. CHECK WITH YOUR COUNSELOR FOR DETAILS.
TYPE OF SCHOOL: Private, Research Institution
LOCATION: Urban, contained campus – Ft. Lauderdale, FL 9 miles from Ft. Lauderdale Airport
YOU NEED TO KNOW…
- Started as a grad school – with undergrad programs added 10 years later - Undergrads here have good opportunities to go on to NSU grad programs
read more… FUN FACT:
NSU student Esau Simpson swam in the 2013 Olympics for his home country, Grenada! COUNSELOR COMMENT: “There is an obvious focus on grad students here but this offers some excellent resources for undergrads.” Mrs. Kempton – Feb. 4, 2014 SIZE: 22,800 students 5,700 undergrads 17,100 grad students 1,000 freshmen live on campus MIDDLE 50% RANGE: ACT – 23 SAT – 1557 GPA – 3.66
TOP / BEST MAJORS: Business Pre-‐professional – Osteopathic medicine Pharmacy Dental Oceanography Law ATHLETICS: The Sharks NCAA Division II
MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW …
- Class size is a definite plus – they cap classes at 30 – average is 22 - Professors are all currently active in their field
- They have an awesome, huge library that’s open to the public - The leisure pool is a salt water pool
- Michael Phelps was the first to swim in their new swim team pool - Undergrads are definitely involved in research
- They offer Dual Admission Programs in over 30 graduate programs that reserve a seat in one of their graduate schools while a student is earning their bachelor’s degree
- Their cost of attendance is very reasonable at around $34,000 including room and board - Great scholarship opportunities
A NOTE FROM MRS. KEMPTON …
This is a large campus located in a part of Ft. Lauderdale that has a number of colleges right next door to each other. It has an urban, commercial feel. They offer some great graduate school programs including MBAs from the H. Wane Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship. I feel like the student who would like this school will be more focused on academics and their degree and career than on student life.
They do have a lot to offer, and it appears they are currently focusing on building up the undergrad population and student life experience, but the number of students who live on campus is less than 1,000.
The facilities are in great shape, and if you’re interested in Oceanography and Marine Science, this is an excellent opportunity.
TYPE OF SCHOOL: Private, Interdenominational Christian
LOCATION: Urban, campus blended with city – West Palm Beach, FL 3 miles from Palm Beach Int’l Airport and 50 miles from Ft. Lauderdale Airport
YOU NEED TO KNOW…
- They have 20 annual mission trips led by students - They have a program called “Workship” that is similar
to our Valor Services with Heart and S.O.U.L.
- It’s a definite advantage to get your bachelor’s here if you want to go to their Pharmacy school
read more… FUN FACT:
The Christian contemporary band 10th Avenue North was started at PBA!
COUNSELOR COMMENT: “PBA has a strong missions programs both locally and globally.” Mrs. Kempton – Feb. 4, 2014 SIZE: 3,660 students 2,800 undergrads 860 grad students MIDDLE 50% RANGE: ACT – 22 SAT – 1550 GPA – 3.6
TOP / BEST MAJORS: Pre-Pharmacy / Pharmacy Missions Biblical Studies Marine Biology Graphic Arts ATHLETICS: The Sailfish NCAA Division II ESTABLISHED: 1968
MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW …
- Their acceptance rate into the Pharmacy school for grad students is 5% - This is one of the few Christian schools with a Dance program
- Freshmen can brings cars, but parking is tough
- The campus is spread out through a number of blocks in downtown West Palm Beach - The student to faculty ratio is 13:1
- Music and worship bands are very popular here
- They’re building a new athletic complex that will be ready in Fall 2014 - They offer Film and TV majors
- They have great connections for business internships as they are located in the highest income per capita zip code in the country
- Students must attend at least 24 chapels a semester – over 80 are offered
- Students are required to serve 45 hours of “Workship” service, which could include a mission trip
- They have a strong nursing program
A NOTE FROM MRS. KEMPTON …
This is a comfortable, open campus located along the Inter-coastal Waterway on the west coast of Florida. It’s situated in the heart of West Palm Beach right next to the water. It’s a safe secure area, but also convenient for students to get out into the neighborhoods to serve. A student who loves global missions or
worship and praise bands will want to take a look at PBA. New bands start up every year and often travel the country on tour.
VALOR ALUMNI HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AND ATTENDED. CHECK WITH YOUR COUNSELOR FOR DETAILS.
TYPE OF SCHOOL: Private, Christian (Assemblies of God) Liberal Arts
LOCATION: Urban, contained campus – Lakeland, FL
43 miles from Tampa Int’l Airport or 54 miles from Orlando Int’l Airport
YOU NEED TO KNOW…
- Their current president has been there for three years - The school has doubled in size over the last 10 years
read more… FUN FACT:
Professors eat for free in the dining hall to promote building relationships with students! COUNSELOR COMMENT: “The spiritual atmosphere is vibrant here – and the sense of community is very strong.” Mrs. Kempton – Feb. 6, 2014
SIZE: 3,100 students 2,400 undergrads 700 grad students 1,200 live on campus
MIDDLE 50% RANGE: ACT – 21 GPA – 3.34
TOP / BEST MAJORS: Ministry Education Film Nursing ATHLETICS: The Fire NAIA ESTABLISHED: 1935
MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW …
- All of the facilities have been renovated since 2004 - Their new Nursing RN to BSN program begins in Fall 2014 - They added a football team in Fall 2013
- They’re adding two new majors in Fall 2014 – Graphic Arts and Political Science - Students are required to attend 30 chapels each semester – 80-‐90 are offered
- Scholarships are offered for academic, athletic, music, theater, film, pastor’s children and more
- Study abroad is offered in China, Oxford, Russia, Uganda, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East
- They open up their chapels to two other nearby colleges - The number one denomination on campus is Pentecostal - All majors include a minor in Bible
- They have a dress code that promotes modesty but isn’t too restrictive (shorts are definitely allowed, and it didn’t seem overly conservative to me)
- They offer over 30 mission trips led by students each year
- Athletic teams include basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, cheer, volleyball, soccer, softball, cross country and football
A NOTE FROM MRS. KEMPTON …
I feel like this campus would be a great fit for a student interested in studying ministry, education or film. The admissions staff are all alumni and have a deep love for their school and for Christian education. The recent addition of a football program has completely changed the make-‐up of the student body – moving
it from a male to female ratio of 1:4 to 2:3. The students are very welcoming. I feel a student would choose SEU predominantly for its spiritual atmosphere.
TYPE OF SCHOOL: Private, Catholic (about 57% of student body)
LOCATION: Urban, contained campus – Miami Gardens, FL
10 miles from Miami Int’l Airport or 17 miles from Ft. Lauderdale Airport
YOU NEED TO KNOW…
- They share a 2+2 nursing program with the U of Miami, and it provides full-‐tuition scholarships for all four years if accepted – direct entry – requires a 3.3 GPA and a 23 ACT
read more…
FUN FACT:
This school originated as an all male school in Cuba called the College of Biscayne. They moved to the US after the revolution in the 1960’s. COUNSELOR COMMENT: “The 2+2 nursing program is a great opportunity to get a degree from the U of Miami.” Mrs. Kempton – Feb. 3, 2014
SIZE: 5,330 students 3,500 undergrads 1,830 grad students 60% of freshmen live
on campus MIDDLE 50% RANGE: ACT – 19 SAT -‐ 1290 GPA – 2.90
TOP / BEST MAJORS: Biology / STEM Nursing Sports Admin Pre-‐Law Leadership ATHLETICS: The Bobcats NAIA
MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW …
- They were the first school in the country to offer a Sports Administration program - They have a lot of connections for internships
- All STEM students conduct research
- They receive substantial funding from NASA for research - They offer scholarships for international students
- They offer scholarships for cheer, dance and step
- Their law school is ranked the third best for minorities and best in South Florida - They offer a joint BA/JD 3+3 program for law students
- Mass is offered daily but not required - Student to faculty ratio is 14:1
- Students are from 46 states and 70 countries
A NOTE FROM MRS. KEMPTON …
This is an A+ school for B students. This campus would be a good fit for a student who likes a smaller, tighter community. It’s a fairly large campus with heavy participation in athletics. The pace of life is definitely slower here. The pre-‐law track offers great opportunities to get directly into their law school, and the nursing 2+2 program with the University of Miami gives a student who may not be able to get into
the U of Miami a chance to receive their degree from the U of Miami after spending two years at St. Thomas. They also offer some great scholarships.
TYPE OF SCHOOL: Private
LOCATION: Urban, contained campus – Coral Gables, FL (Miami) 6 miles from Miami Int’l Airport or 31 miles from Ft. Lauderdale Airport
YOU NEED TO KNOW…
- Their student to faculty ratio is 11:1 with the largest class on campus at 35 - Miami is the third largest broadcasting market in the US
read more…
FUN FACT:
Their school for Marine Science is located in Key Biscayne! COUNSELOR COMMENT:
“Their Engineering program and research opportunities are top-‐ notch.” Mrs. Kempton – Feb. 3, 2014 SIZE: 15,582 students 10,000 undergrads 5,582 grad students 4,300 live on campus MIDDLE 50% RANGE:
ACT – 31 SAT – 1340 GPA – 4.20 weighted
TOP / BEST MAJORS: Engineering Entrepreneurship Architecture Broadcasting Nursing ATHLETICS: The Hurricanes NCAA Division I
MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW …
- The “Launch Pad” is a center for entrepreneurs to start up their businesses - They offer a music engineering program
- No cars for freshmen – but subway and zip cars are close by and readily available - 80% of their graduates have employment or grad school enrollment within 6 months - The nursing school has a 95% passing rate on the NCLEX
- Business students begin taking business specific classes right away to determine whether or not they like their chosen major (ie. Accounting)
- The university offers 9 schools with hundreds of majors
- Application deadlines include Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision
- They offer a joint nursing program with the University of St. Thomas requiring the first two years at St. Thomas and finishing with the last two years at U of Miami
A NOTE FROM MRS. KEMPTON …
The University of Miami has many excellent academic programs. Although it’s highly selective, students who are accepted have some great scholarship opportunities. A student who goes here needs to be independent, hungry to learn, able to engage in a new community and build relationships -‐ mature in their
faith. It’s a strong school academically, with a lot to offer with respect to potential careers, but a student needs to be deliberate in seeking out a faith community (and there are many nearby).
TYPE OF SCHOOL: Private
LOCATION: Riverfront campus on 100 acres in city – Tampa Bay, FL 7 miles from Tampa Bay Int’l Airport
YOU NEED TO KNOW…
- 50% of their students are from the state of Florida - They have students from 160 countries and all 50 states
read more… FUN FACT:
Babe Ruth signed his first baseball contract here! COUNSELOR COMMENT: “They have experienced a lot of growth over the last 10 years, opening up many opportunities for students.”
Mrs. Kempton – Feb. 5, 2014 SIZE: 7,200 students (grad and undergrad)
65% of students live on campus MIDDLE 50% RANGE: ACT – 25 SAT – 1110 GPA – 3.3
TOP / BEST MAJORS: International Business
Film and Media Art Criminology Forensic Science Nursing ATHLETICS: The Spartans NCAA Division II ESTABLISHED: 1931
MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW …
- This school has doubled in size over the last 10 years - Their desired size is 7,500-8,000
- The iconic Henry Plant building was originally a hotel at the end of his railroad line - The original hotel had a speakeasy in the basement, which is now a student pub
- The Vaughn Center is a high rise that contains freshman housing, the bookstore, a dining hall and Honors housing on the top three floors
- All floors are coed in all housing buildings
- Besides study abroad they offer UT travel courses and Semester at Sea - The average classroom size is 21
- Freshman are allowed to bring a car, and it costs $50 to register it for parking - They have over 1,300 international students
- Students have a 95% success rate in applying to grad school
A NOTE FROM MRS. KEMPTON …
This university is similar in size and feel to the University of Denver - with excellent facilities and many options for majors. The campus is beautiful, and a student can find many options for clubs and extra-curricular experiences here. They have a vibrant internship program with over 600 internships offered. In
comparison to some other Florida schools, the pace seems a bit faster here. It’s location, in the heart of downtown Tampa, gives students opportunities to engage in work and activities off-campus, as well.
VALOR ALUMNI HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. CHECK WITH YOUR COUNSELOR FOR DETAILS.