Enrollment: 1739
Average SAT: 533
Average ACT: 23
Most Popular Majors: Biology/Biological Sciences, General,Marketing/Marketing Management, General,Psychology, General,
Regular Application Deadline: 03/01
Student Faculty Ratio: 12:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 61
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $6,576.00

Election? What Election?
Students Study the Least

School Says - Student Body
The Student Government Association represents the student body in matters involving the College administration, faculty, and student body and is responsible for coordinating student government. Each full-time student is a member of the association and has a vote in its affairs. The subsidiaries of the association are the Association of Campus Entertainment (ACE), the House of Representatives, the Student Senate, and the four classes: freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior.

School Says - Academics
All degree programs require the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Grading is traditional, with a pass/fail option available. The College operates on the semester system with two 15-week semesters and three four-week summer sessions. The average course load is 15 hours per semester. Students are required to complete a core curriculum of liberal arts and science courses in addition to their major course work. Credit by examination is awarded on the basis of successful scores on Advanced Placement tests, the International Baccalaureate (I.B.), and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. Florida Southern has a Career Center that assists students in clarifying their career and life goals and that provides opportunities for them to explore these goals. Approximately 20 percent of Florida Southern graduates go immediately on to graduate work. Internship experiences help to place the vast majority of other graduates in field-related jobs within a few months of graduation.

School Says - Admissions
Florida Southern looks for two things in applicants: performance and promise. The majority of applicants who have been admitted as freshmen have had a grade of B or better in college-preparatory courses (including four courses in English, three in mathematics, and the balance divided among science, foreign language, and social science), have ranked in the upper half of their graduating class, and have earned scores of at least 500 on each of the verbal and math portions of the SAT I or a composite score of at least 23 on the ACT. Nevertheless, the Admissions Office is committed to reviewing individual applicants on their own merits, based on the level of challenge attempted, patterns of grades over time, recommendations from appropriate references, and an applicant's own assessment of the learning environment ideally suited to his or her needs. Applicants must graduate from an accredited high school with a minimum of 19 credits, 16 of which must be academic. Qualified high school juniors may apply for early admission if they have the recommendation of their secondary school and have had a personal interview with the Director of Admissions. Applications from transfers are welcome, as are those from students resuming their education and from older students who have delayed their entrance into college. Transfer applicants should have a minimum 2.5 grade point average and be graduates of or eligible to return to their former institutions. Transfer students with fewer than 25 semester hours must submit high school transcripts and standardized test scores. Applicants who hold Associate of Arts degrees from regionally accredited two-year institutions are typically granted junior standing. One reference (academic) is required. All applicants are encouraged to interview; an interview may be required for some candidates.

School Says - Campus Life
Florida Southern's campus consists of approximately 100 acres on the shore of Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, Florida, a pleasant community of about 90,000 residents in the heart of central Florida's high tech corridor. Lakeland is 45 minutes from Tampa and an hour from Orlando. Within an hour's drive of the state's major recreational attractions, including Walt Disney World and major beaches, the College is ideally situated for internships and job opportunities with leading corporations that tap into one of the largest markets in the U.S. Members of the community come to the College campus to attend Fine Arts Series performances in music, the Child of the Sun Jazz Festival, dance, and drama; to hear distinguished speakers; and to participate in College and business symposiums. The Lakeland Center also offers many cultural and entertainment opportunities.

School Says - Cost Aid
The comprehensive cost for 2006 07 is $27,315 ($20,175 for tuition and standard fees and $7,140 for room and board). There are additional fees for individual music instruction and the use of practice rooms. Florida Southern estimates that another $1000 is adequate for books and supplies, and an additional $1000 should cover personal expenses, exclusive of travel to and from home. Members of fraternities and sororities have additional expenses related to membership in these organizations.The Student Financial Aid Office offers students its counsel and assistance in meeting their educational expenses. Aid is awarded on the basis of an applicant's need, academic performance, and promise. Ninety-three percent of the students at Florida Southern receive financial assistance. To demonstrate need, an applicant is required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Various forms of aid, such as scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment, are used to help meet students' needs. Merit scholarships are available, and awards are based on academic promise; performance ability in music, theater, or art; or athletic ability in baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, or volleyball. Applicants for aid must reapply each year. Florida Southern participates in the Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study college-based programs. All applicants are expected to apply for any entitlement grant for which they are eligible, such as a Federal Pell Grant and, for Florida residents, a Florida Student Assistance Grant and the Florida Tuition Voucher. The Federal Stafford Loan Program is also available. There are extensive on-campus employment opportunities. The completed FAFSA and the College's financial aid application must be filed with the Student Financial Aid Office by April 1. Early application is encouraged for students seeking academic scholarships.

Students Say - Academics
Florida Southern College offers "a fairly strong liberal arts core," a total community atmosphere," and a throng of degrees and majors. Standout programs include business, music, and the sciences. There is "an incredible education program," too. "Extremely exciting" study-abroad programs will take you to England, China, Australia, and many other places all across the globe. Class sizes are "small." FSC's "hands-on" administration "is very open to student ideas and easy to contact." The faculty is "a big mix." "Most of the professors are deeply committed to the students and will go to great lengths to help." "Teachers care when you miss class," says one student who appreciates the extra attention. "We don't have teaching assistants so the relationships are directly with the professors." "It is very uncommon" to have professors who don't "know you by name" "even if you only had them one time." Some professors "aren't so good," though. "A lot of professors are the only one teaching a particular subject, especially when you get to the upper-level classes in your major," one student told us.

Students Say - Campus Life
Florida Southern's lakefront campus is home to the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture on earth. As such, it's no wonder that students describe it as "very beautiful." Life here is "interactive" and "comfortable." The Greek system is somewhat big. The Wellness Center, the campus pool, and activities on Lake Hollingsworth are popular hang-out spots for students. There are fairly strict rules regarding when males and females can be "in each others' dorms." Also, FSC is "supposed to be a dry campus" but "everybody drinks, anyway." While it's theoretically possible to "go out every night and party," "It's not your typical Animal House scene" here. "It's more laid-back." The surrounding city of Lakeland "isn't too thrilling." A few "hole-in-the-wall bars" are the big draw on "Thursday nights" ("which makes Friday the most interesting class day"). For real off-campus fun, "Students often go to Tampa or Orlando," both just "short" rides away.

Students Say - Student Body
"Everyone knows each other and gets along," notes one student. It's "one big community." "You can really be yourself here," says a sophomore, so just "being silly with [your] friends" isn't looked down on. "The majority of the campus is female," and from Florida, though about one-third of the students come from out of state. FSC students are "hardworking" and "energetic." Many are "rich" or, at least, "from a decently well-off family." Many others "act rich." Most students are "very friendly," though you will find a few "snotty" types. One student noted that "nearly the entire population is preppy." With a 15% ethnic diversity Florida Southern has one of the highest minority enrollments of any private institution of its size in the state. However students say that the presence of minority and international students remains an area in which the school could continue to grow. There are many "very religious" people on campus. "A lot of students" are "involved in Christian ministries." Politically, you can find "both conservative and liberal extremes" on campus.

Eckerd College
Florida State University

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