http://www.autism-society.org/news/the-parents-guide-to-college.html

http://www.autism-society.org/news/the-parents-guide-to-college.html

Day Nine--Eckerd College

Yeah! The marathon is over. We got to spend a morning in St. Petersburg. This wonderful area has many things to explore--beaches, shops, museums. The Dali Museum was a worthwhile cultural experience.

This is my second visit to Eckerd College. The campus looks very similar. Now there is a new science building under construction and five pet dorms, instead of one.

Marine science is still their strong major. The Eckerd Edge allows recent graduates to come back and take four additional courses at no charge if it will assist them with gaining employment or admission to graduate school. Their freshmen orientation program of three weeks in length has won awards.

Writing portfolios are mandatory for all graduates. General education credits are fulfilled through their prospective groups. Community service learning, study abroad, and green initiatives define this campus. Students are also required to attend 16 program series events. These are a variety of cultural events.

Traveling the campus is done on a yellow bike. Need one, just pick up the closest one that you can find.

Saturday proved to be a good time to visit and see a large student body on campus involved in many activities from a rugby game to waterfront activities. I really liked what I saw and heard on this campus. They have a vision to specialize in undergraduate education with a goal of producing a well-rounded, involved global citizen. They are succeeding quite well! They really do live up to the label of one of the Colleges That Change Lives.

ThinkOUTside is their motto and it is certainly true. The unique large white tented pavilions are used for many things including outdoor dining and recreation.

If you don't need Greek, and you want to have some life-altering educational experiences, consider Eckerd .

DAY Eight --Saint Leo University and University of Tampa

Saint Leo's University is the epitome of a campus with Florida architecture with its lakeside setting and widely-spaced red tiled roofs on its buildings. This would be a good choice for a student who needs few distractions. Basically there is very little around St. Leo's except a beautiful view. It is the largest Catholic college in Florida and it is also the oldest college in Florida.

They are generous with their financial aid. For non-Florida residents, you receive $2,000 each year.

This is a good option for an average student who needs academic support and few distractions.

It is test optional with about 1800 undergrads on campus and a hope to grow to 3,000. They are also trying to grow from 35% out-of-state to 50%. Their biggest majors are business, education, criminal justice, biology, and a variety if pre-professional programs.

With enrollment you are given a new laptop. LEAP is their program for at-risk students. They have two professional staff members to assist LD students.

New construction includes a business building. The interiors of the building are refreshing, clean, and up-to-date.

University of Tampa

Tampa is set in a small urban setting. Since my visit several years ago, no remarkable changes were apparent to me. My campus tour offered the opportunity to explore parts of the campus that I had not seen on my prior visit.

All 50 states represented on this campus. Strong majors are marine science, education, nursing, film and media arts, dance and musical theater. Dance will soon become a major with the addition of additional staff.

Things that identify UT are experimental learning, travel abroad and research.

I had several good experiences on this campus. I got to explore the fine arts facilities and meet s dance professor. After dinner a small group of us stayed on campus to attend a dance program. It offered a variety of dance numbers, each of them excellent. The house was packed. Footloose was the final number. I'll always remember this inspiring event.

The bad experience was the professor who sat at my table at dinner. Everything revolved around him. Their was no conversation with the other five seated at the table. Pity the student who gets him. Compassion and understanding was never mentioned.

Does Applying Early Mean a Better Chance of Acceptance?

Does Applying Early Mean a Better Chance of Acceptance?

Day Seven-- Stetson University and Florida Southern

Stetson University wins the prize for most improved. It is amazing the transformation that has occurred since I last visited. The grounds are well-manicured with beautiful landscaping. It reminds me of Elon in appearance.

The primary emphasis at Stetson is to produce citizens who are not only engaged in research, but involved in the community. They want to produce students who will make a difference in the world.

Having met faculty, students, administrators and the President, each seems truly dedicated and excited about their learning community.

Some unique opportunities include music scholarships to non-music majors, the Bonner Scholars Program, student participation in the service-dog program New Horizons.

Pet friendly dorms are now available on campus. The next big new thing is Division I non- scholarship football coming in 2013.

Florida Southern College in Lakeland is truly by a lake. You can get a dorm room with a vista lake view. Their campus was named "The Most Beautiful US Campus" by The Princeton Review. The oldest part of the campus was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Many of the newer buildings also reflect this same architectural style.

Their motto is " Learn It, Live It, Own It, Love It. " There is a four-year residential requirement. Each student is guaranteed an internship and a study abroad experience. They describe their curriculum as transformational. Self-designed majors are the norm .

They have a diverse population. Lots of school spirit is evident in their gym with " The Viper Pit." Greek houses are on campus. Student Greek participation is 30-40%.

Strong majors are business, education,, nursing, fine arts.

Day Six -- Flagler College

Flagler College earns the crown jewel of colleges for the tour at this point. Situated in America's oldest city, Saint Augustine, it has breathtaking interiors in its historic buildings. Tiffany windows and a Harry Potter-type dining facility are some of the wonderful historical elements found on this campus.

This is a good fit for your middle-of-the-road student, not only academically, but socially. If you are a history buff, this place would be paradise. Also it is only 5 minutes from the beach.

Flagler is one of the few campuses that I have visited recently with no coed dorms. It is also a dry campus. If you are looking for the party scene, this may not be the place for you.

Some strong and unique majors: Business, communications, education, deaf education. This is not for science or math majors.

The best part of this the price tag--$22,500! WOW!

Day Five Embry-Riddle and Jacksonville University

Do you want to fly the skies? Then Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is for you. It is situated adjacent to the Daytona International Speedway and the Daytona Airport. There has been a lot of new construction since my last visit five or so years ago.

"Harvard of the Skies" is the place to go for aeronautical engineering and aeronautical science. There is a small number of females, a good number of non-traditional students, and quite a few foreign students in attendance.

The facilities are modern and up-to-date. Labs that you will see on no other campus are here.

Jacksonville University has an abundance of resources in the city and on the river. With it's new state-of-the art facility for its marine science program, it's a winner. New enhancements along the river include a beach, running track and more to come.

They have an aeronautical major in the School of Business, nursing with a gigantic lab, a school of fine and performing arts, just to name a few. New with the freshmen class of 2012 is a guarantee to graduate in 4 years.

If you want a diverse campus, with a small undergrad population (2400) in a small urban setting, with a variety of majors, consider JU.

They are forming a marching band. Do you play and can you march?