Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Executive Secretaries And Administrative Assistants
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Miami Dade College, Valencia Community College, Broward College, and Tallahassee Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Trinity Baptist College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Miami Dade College, Broward College, South Florida Community College, and Valencia Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider College of Business and Technology-Hialeah Campus, College of Business and Technology-Flagler Campus, Rasmusssen, and Indian River State College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Hobe Sound Bible College, Clearwater Christian, Trinity Baptist College, and Gulf Coast Community College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Clearwater Christian, Hobe Sound Bible College, Trinity Baptist College, and Chipola.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Hobe Sound Bible College, Trinity Baptist College, and Clearwater Christian.
Spotlight Schools Search
Study from Anywhere at Online Schools Related to This Career
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Doctorate
- Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Diploma
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Sheridan Technical Center • Hollywood, FL
Studying Accounting Applications And Business Management (completion in 2004)
• 8/10/2011
"Overall I'm very satisfied with the education I received at this school. My teachers were very helpful and encouraging. It was a very nice and enriching experience."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would definitely recommend this school to others. I think it is a great place to get your certificate, get into the workforce, and then pursue your bachelor's or master's degree in the field of your choice. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I think that Sheridan Technical Center has a very good reputation when compared to other similar institutions. I also think that there are better schools out there that offer the same certificates for a more affordable price. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Sheridan Technical Center's educational programs are very helpful and complete. They offer a lot of hands-on training and it makes it easier for students to obtain a job after graduating. |
| Instruction | 10 | The programs were very educational, and we did a lot of real life simulations in the accounting program. The business management program covered every area of running a business. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I would say that the accounting program was definitely more challenging because there were a lot more concepts to learn and memorize. The business management program was a little bit easier and more flexible. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I would say that this school is a mix of both. It offers a lot of activities in which you have to apply everything you learned in the book to a hands-on project. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The school is extremely flexible - they have all kinds of different schedules and options for students who work. Also, they have a child care center in the school which is really helpful for mothers. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Classroom size was very reasonable. The classrooms are well equipped with computers, printers, and projectors. They also have a library which is kind of small and a computer lab. For the price and the type of certificate, it is really all you need. |
| Social Life | 10 | I never participated in any extra curricular activities so I'm not sure if they were even offered. I imagine they have some sort of athletics or sports program, but I was never really aware of it. This is a center that is more focused on adult education. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I never received any job placement assistance while in the program. I did have a close friend who applied for a job that was recommended by one of our teachers and was hired right away, so I guess it depends on your luck and how smart you are. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I personally was never assisted by any alumni network. There were counselors available but I never really got any help from them in terms of job placement or course selection. |
Pasco-Hernando Community College • New Port Richey, FL
Studying General Studies (completion in 2008)
• 8/16/2011
"I really enjoyed going to school there. I feel that I got a well-rounded education, and that I had a good experience at that school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would definitely recommend that school to others. Especially if they want a good, but cheap education, and they do not care if they have to live off campus. It was a great school to attend. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | The school I went to has a very good reputation. The students are there to learn and most of the teachers do a great job teaching the classes. The school is very clean as well which makes you feel better going there. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I liked the school a lot, and for the most part the teachers were good. However, as a Christian, I would have liked a Christian school better. The community college was cheaper, so I went there. |
| Instruction | 8 | Some of the teachers were not very good at teaching, and I left the classes very confused. Most were good and I learned a lot from them. |
| How Difficult | 3 | Since it was only a 2-year degree, the classes were fairly easy. The only problem classes were the ones where the teachers did not know how to teach properly. Then it was hard because I didn't know what was going on! |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of my classes were book classes. Marine biology was the only class that I took that was hands on. It worked well for me, since I prefer book work. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I liked that I could take summer classes, and that there were many options to choose from. I was always able to schedule my classes together, which saved time and gas money. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I was able to use the library. It always had the books I needed on hand. The library was fairly large, which was very helpful. I did not need tutoring, but that was available. The classrooms were pretty large, which was nice. You didn't feel claustrophobic. |
| Social Life | 6 | Since it was a community college, it did not have as much school spirit as a state school. However, they did schedule some events that students could attend. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I didn't need much help with career placement, but the lady in charge was very kind and helpful with the few questions I asked. They had a lot of tests you could take to see what you would be good at, if that was what you needed. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I really haven't heard much from the school since I graduated. However, I don't really have much school spirit, so it doesn't really bother me. |
BizTech Business School • Clearwater, FL
Studying Microsoft Applications And Programs (completion in 2011)
• 8/17/2011
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | They were very reasonably priced and also offer some tuition-free courses. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | They are accredited. They also offer grants through local businesses. |
| Program Quality | 10 | They provided one on one training and hands on training. They encouraged success! |
| Instruction | 10 | They provided ALL Microsoft materials. They offered both in class study and online study. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It's as difficult as similar programs are. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | ||
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I don't know what to say here except that they had no problem with students who came in late or had appointments. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | They provided all necessary equipment and Microsoft training materials. |
| Social Life | 10 | I felt like I had a second family. |
| Placement Services | 1 | One sentence: It's a very bad economy in this area. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | They allowed us a good two months after graduation to look for a job. They looked within their own network to set us up with interviews. |
Florida Southern College • Lakeland, FL
Studying Business Management (completion in 2006)
• 8/20/2011
"I believe I got a great education. The only downside is that I also have a large amount of student loan debt due to the high price of tuition. I could have gotten a similar education for less money and maybe with a few more student activities."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It has a great business program. I am planning on applying what I learned to get to a higher level in the business world when I get the opportunity. I would recommend others use their degrees to go for a higher business position. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | It seems to be well known when people ask me where I attended college. It is a highly rated private college. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I believe the education I received was sufficient. I do think that it was overpriced, and I could have had the same education from a lower priced school. |
| Instruction | 9 | The class sizes were very small which increased the interaction the professors had with students. Some classes such, as religion, were irrelevant to my career. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I believe this was a typical business management program that had all of the typical required classes. The workload was evenly distributed over the 4 years. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Small class sizes created a very hands on environment. The teachers were very big on group and interactive learning, although books were very important for specific tests. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | As a private college, it offers less than a large university. But I never had a problem getting the schedule of classes that I wanted. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Teachers were always on hand for additional help or questions. Most classes had tutors available. The facilities were more than adequate during my 4 years there. |
| Social Life | 4 | As a private college, we had a limited number of sports and other school spirit events. We did have frats and sororities, but if you didn't join one, you were a little bit of an outsider. |
| Placement Services | 4 | I never received any assistance, but then again, I never asked for any. I don't recall them ever offering or advertising these services. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I have only been contacted one time in the 5 years since graduation regarding my life, which was via a facebook group. They do send letters asking for money, which bothers me because they aren't at all concerned about my experience at the school. |
University Of Central Florida • Cocoa, FL
Studying Psychology (completion in 1999)
• 8/21/2011
"I believe I received the best education I could possibly have gotten. I was encouraged and mentored by one professor who helped me with my Honors in the major - I graduated top of my class and that was because of the personal involvement of my professors. I am truly thankful for their interest in my life!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The psychology program at UCF Cocoa Campus will give any student who is willing to work a universal education in this field. They will have plenty of opportunity to get involved in hands on projects. There are ample resources for any learning problems one might encounter. It's a small campus so friends are easy to make and support is a hairsbreadth away! |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I'm not really sure what the national opinion of this school is, to be honest. I just know my opinion and those of my classmates. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I had the best Professors and because I was on a small campus, I got to know the faculty and students very well over the two years I was a student. I also enjoyed the classes extremely well - I was a Psychology Major with a minor in Mathematics so I was taking classes I found interesting and satisfying. The atmosphere of this campus was very friendly and congenial as well as very beautiful - it made for a positive academic setting! |
| Instruction | 10 | Many of my professors used creative techniques to teach us - many of the classes involved films or group dynamics. The faculty was very interested in all the students personally and invested their time in everyone, whether it be by encouraging us to participate in projects or clubs or just chatting in the student/faculty lounge. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors in the Major, but I WORKED for this! I did an undergraduate thesis and my mentor really challenged me - he made me perform for my grades! All of the teachers expected excellence from the students. There was a lot of memorization involved as well as group participation - none of this very easy. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Our professors used lots of media to help us learn our subjects - films, extra-curricular books, magazines, newspapers, group projects, etc. facilitated our learning experience. It seemed that whatever we learned in the books really supplemented many of the "real life" experiences we had. We had guest speakers and visited other facilities - we interviewed other Psychologists and Counselors as well as participated in surveys and field studies. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I was able to take classes at the campus I desired without any problems. I never had to put off a class because there wasn't a time slot available. Since I had to travel about 30 miles to Cocoa, I wanted to double up on classes and take those that were once or twice a week as much as possible so my travel would be limited. I was able to successfully limit my travel because their scheduling was very flexible. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | UCF at the Cocoa campus actually used all the facilities of the Community College - everything the county school had to offer was available to us. BCC (Brevard Community College) has a wonderful campus in Cocoa and truly helps students in every way possible. I think my experience with BCC both as a student and as a UCF student on their campus was extremely positive and memorable. |
| Social Life | 6 | I'm not one for parties and such but I was President of Psi Chi for several years, even after I graduated. Because there were lots of group projects requested by our professors, I did get to know many of my fellow students personally. I was an older student and wasn't interested in sports or pep rallies - that just wasn't my thing. I preferred a smaller social circle. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I never used this service - at the time, jobs were plentiful and I knew of a position at the firm I am working at because of a friend's recommendation. I didn't need help with job placement. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | I was on a first name basis with the faculty. I think UCF Cocoa Campus has the best professors - they are professional, but reachable and personable. They aspire to teach all their students the best that they can - they challenge everyone to meet their potential. They all seemed to want to continue learning and were not affronted when someone challenged their thinking or beliefs. They truly created an atmosphere of learning. I know I did not go there for the job I am in now - but I had lots of secretarial skills before my education and prefer this environment over social work. I would need a masters in Psychology in order to actually become a counselor. |
Miami Dade College • Miami, FL
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2013)
• 8/19/2011
"I have no complaints. Like I've mentioned, class scheduling is very flexible. The only problem I would say is the massive issue with parking, but the campus I attend is in the downtown area. But besides that, I love my school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Teachers are helpful. There are several campuses which makes it very convenient. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | I believe it is a very reputable program, especially since it prepares you for a business career. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I was very happy with the school's ability to provide a wider range of classes available at later hours for students who are working. The advisers are very helpful in guiding you to select the right courses. |
| Instruction | 9 | As mentioned before, the advisers are better than excellent at helping guide you in selecting the classes that best fit your career goals. In addition, many programs are offered to help students enter the work force, such as job fairs. |
| How Difficult | 7 | There is a heavy work load, but I find that if you study the material as required the program is not that difficult. It is challenging, but achievable. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | For the program I'm taking, it is very diverse. It really depends on the professors teaching the course and how they tackle them. I've had 3 professors that have been book learning only, which is not my preference since I feel it does not give you a better insight on the real world, in my opinion. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | This is one of Miami Dade's excellent qualities. Like I mentioned before, I work during the morning and it is very difficult to attend school. The wide range of classes provided at night make it much easier to complete and get your degree. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Professors are also accessible - they are quick to respond to any concerns I've had with any of my courses. The campus I attend has a large library and computer resources that have made it easier to study and help me with my program. |
| Social Life | 5 | Unfortunately, like I've said, I have not had the opportunity to really enjoy the college "social experience" as a working student. I tend to stick more toward completing my academics. I have not attended any school social events, but I have seen and received flyers and invitations. |
| Placement Services | 9 | Very good! They have held a lot of job fairs that are not only learning experiences but are also very good networking opportunities. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | Unfortunately, I am not very familiar with the alumni network since I have not graduated yet. |
Miami Dade College • Miami, FL
Studying Accounting (completion in 2013)
• 8/21/2011
"I'm very satisfied with the quality and price of education that I'm getting. I do not believe that you need to spend a fortune in order to get a quality education."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend enrolling for the first two years of the bachelor's degree and then transferring to a university. You can also take advantage of the transfer scholarships they offer. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | MDC, like all community colleges, does not have an excellent reputation due to the fact that the classes are so affordable. I believe it is very helpful to complete the first 2 years of your bachelor's degree which is what I'm working on, and then transfer to a university. |
| Program Quality | 10 | MDC offers a lot of different major programs and they also have Bachelor's degrees. I'm very satisfied with the major I chose because it really focuses on hands-on training. |
| Instruction | 9 | I have not had any bad experiences so far, although I did have an English class where I believe the grading style was unfair. We were being graded on how the teacher thought we should write and we were not able to really express our personal opinions. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I think that, just like at any college, you do need to put in some time and effort, but the classes are not impossible to pass. If you are consistent with your work and complete all assignments, most likely you'll pass. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Online classes and face to face classes both offer a mix of hands-on training and book training. Of course online classes are much more book than hands-on, but they do include some activities, like museum visitations, that are mandatory and are a little bit more hands-on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | At the moment I'm taking online classes, but there are Saturday and night classes as well. The schedule is very flexible to accommodate almost every student. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The resources are kind of limited. There is a small computer lab and library that you can use, but it is nothing fancy or enormous. |
| Social Life | 3 | I have not been involved any clubs or teams and I'm not really aware of any that are available. MDC is more for adult students who have jobs and families. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I have not tried the job placement service, but from what I heard it is not very helpful unless you're lucky and land a job. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | There are offices that can help you with almost everything you need. The only downside is that there are only a few employees working so you usually have to wait a long time in order to see someone who can help you, such as counselors or financial aid advisers. |
University Of Central Florida • Orlando, FL
Studying Psychology (completion in 2008)
• 8/23/2011
"I'm satisfied with the education I received. I'm also satisfied with the support I still receive from them."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a great, affordable school to attend. There are many clubs and options for everyone. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The school has a great reputation for psychology because of its professors and programs. It is a great place to go to school. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The professors are very supportive. There were also a lot of different clubs related to the program. |
| Instruction | 10 | Professors knew what they were talking about. They offered as much help as they possibly could. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The bachelor's degree level of psychology is pretty basic. You just need to keep up with the work load. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school is a mix of hands on and book learning. I think this is a great approach to learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | There are weekend and evening options. In addition, there is a wide selection of online classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The library is large, and has any book you could possibly need. The labs are nice and provide great help. |
| Social Life | 10 | There is great school spirit. There are fun pep rallies, and people support the sports teams. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I did not have to use the job placement assistance. But I do know they offer help. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | There are monthly publications sent to the alumni which keep you up to date. They also send e-mails alerting you of job positions. |
Valencia College • Orlando, FL
Studying General Studies (completion in 2002)
• 8/26/2011
"I was satisfied with my education. I was dissatisfied with how long it took me to finish based on the fact that there were not enough classes to go around."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I definitely recommend the school overall. I feel that I cannot recommend it for my specific career field because I did not study that major while there. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | In the years since my graduation, this community college has turned into a 4 year institution. This has given my degree some extra clout. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I did not major in any kind of business or administrative field, but the degree I did receive has still helped me a great deal. My overall experience at VCC was a positive one. |
| Instruction | 5 | What I learned did not prepare me a great deal for this career because I did not major in this field. With that said, the quality of curriculum I did receive was top notch. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Compared to other community colleges I looked at during that time period, my program seemed like the most well-rounded and challenging. The school took pride in producing successful students. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I definitely had a traditional learning experience. I was also given opportunities to test what I had learned through real life projects and situations. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | There were plenty of online classes to choose from. Unfortunately, the school's population is a bit much for the number of courses offered. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The school provides adequate computer resources and classroom space. I do not have first-hand experience with tutoring or advising programs, but I was always made aware of their availability. |
| Social Life | 1 | Being as this is a local commuter college, little is done to enhance school spirit. It seems the school caters more to the older adult population. |
| Placement Services | 10 | There were great career resources at the school at the time of my graduation. Resume writing, job fairs, etc. were all offered. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The alumni network provided me with job placement services. I am also frequently kept up to date on happenings at the school. |
Saint Petersburg College • Clearwater, FL
Studying General - AA (completion in 2004)
• 9/8/2011
"If I could've afforded a more expensive college, I would've gone. However, I don't think my education would've differed significantly."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | You get out of college what you put in to it. I could've gotten a passable education online or in a library. The piece of paper is the only real goal. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | It's basically a 2-year commuter college. Not a lot of prestige there. |
| Program Quality | 9 | Any education is beneficial, and some of my creative writing classes (electives) led me to the practice of editing the work of others. Editing is what I'd like to do with my life. |
| Instruction | 6 | You get out of college what you put in. I definitely learned to better organize my scattered thoughts, and how to gently manipulate authority figures (teachers). |
| How Difficult | 3 | SPC is a former junior college and most of the other students were much younger and inexperienced than I expected. I'd like to think my work experience gave me a leg-up on the competition. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I was allowed a lot of creative freedom in writing classes. Lectures were very loosely structured, allowing for a lot of class involvement and discussion. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Probably half the classes were offered at night - very convenient for people who work during the day. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The school had ample computer facilities, I used them often. I don't have Macintosh equipment at home, which was available on campus. |
| Social Life | 5 | I was (and remain) much older than the average student for that school. There was a minor Greek system, but I didn't participate. |
| Placement Services | 5 | There were definite job placement counseling areas though I did not partake. I've always been a self-starter. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | Alumni of SPC generally go on to become alumni of more prestigious schools. I don't see a lot of bragging about having attended this school, it mostly prepares people for a four-year school like USF or FSU. |
University Of Central Florida • Orlando, FL
Studying Accounting (completion in 2010)
• 9/9/2011
"It got the job done and I have a reputable school on my resume."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Whether or not I would recommend the school depends on the field of education they prefer and proximity to the school. A lot of fields are offered for less money and are more accessible at community or tech schools. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | It is one of the top schools for business administration. There are multiple large corporations who support the hiring of new graduates from the College of Business. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I wasn't much for the college scene, just wanted to get it complete. Did I learn more than I already knew, definitely, but do I ever use any of it, not really! |
| Instruction | 9 | I do not put my degree to full use. If I did more with taxes or auditing than simply managing the daily routine of one office, I would say that my school completely prepared me for successfully moving into an accounting or tax related position. |
| How Difficult | 9 | I do not believe my education was too difficult. If you paid attention to what you were supposed to be doing, followed directions, etc. you did just fine. I worked full-time while going to school part time. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The majority of the classes I took were more about the books, since a lot of the math/accounting stuff couldn't really be taught hands on. The computer, auditing, etc was more hands on. We used real-life scenarios and case studies in the teaching. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I worked full time. All of the night classes started at 6 and ended at 9:45. There were online classes that started later, as I was accustomed to at my community college. However, the university was good at offering almost all classes at least one semester at night. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The libraries were huge and provided internet access. They included all of the expected resources and there was always a place to sit. The classrooms were good too, all chairs were circled so everyone faced the instructor, rarely any obstructions. The classrooms were different sizes based on the number of students attending. Large enough when necessary and small enough when not. |
| Social Life | 5 | I did not network, did not try to meet new people. I went for the paper on the wall. I did happen to meet new people along the way, in class groups, etc. but nothing that really stuck after the class was over. |
| Placement Services | 8 | Though I did not use the Career Services, the company I worked for previously did look into my college's website to hire graduates and current students. We, as students, received constant notices of events for jobs fairs, etc. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I wasn't all about the college scene. I already had work and wasn't planning on getting a CPA, so the networking and alumni associations my college had weren't of interest to me. |
University Of Miami • Coral Gables, FL
Studying Film Production (completion in 2003)
• 9/19/2011
"I don't have anything bad to say about UM but I feel my school is very average. In some fields, it is exceptional. In other areas, it is only average."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I did not study for what I'm doing. For anyone pursuing a career in administration, a small school would be just as good. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | There's nothing special about it. They had a decent program but aren't known for it as much as other schools. |
| Program Quality | 3 | UM is not the best school for film but my parents wanted me to go there. I originally wanted to do Graphic Design or Computer Animation but neither were offered at my school, so I went with film. |
| Instruction | 8 | I had some excellent professors at UM. Most of them were very knowledgeable and approachable. |
| How Difficult | 5 | There was a lot of physical labor. I did not handle the kind of studying that consists of many multiple choice tests. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It depends on the subject. For film production, it was very hands-on. For science classes, it was more book learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | There were definitely some options in choosing a schedule. Though, most flexibility was limited to those with seniority. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The school had a nice library with a big computer lab. I graduated in 2003 and even then they had a large number of available computers. |
| Social Life | 5 | There were some activities that I attended. As I got older, I attended fewer of them. |
| Placement Services | 1 | They did not help me with any career or job possibilities. I moved to Los Angeles and started working on my own. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | They are often asking for money but rarely contact me for other things. Additionally, I don't live near my school so I can't attend the local events. |
Florida State College • Jacksonville, FL
Studying English (completion in 2014)
• 9/25/2011
"I got my degree and learned what I needed in order to move on."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is inexpensive. Now that it is a four-year school it provides even more opportunities to further your career through a flexible education. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The school has a mediocre reputation for all programs. It was a junior college that has just recently become a 4-year school. |
| Program Quality | 7 | It was a good, inexpensive education. The classes needed were offered with flexible times. |
| Instruction | 7 | Because it was an Associate's degree, the focus was on the wide variety of required courses, with very few specific courses. Additionally, my degree wasn't intended to prepare me for this career. |
| How Difficult | 3 | The expectations for most classes were low. There was not a heavy workload in most classes. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There were few hands-on opportunities. Even in a chemistry class there were not many chances for experimentation. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Flexibility was the best part of this school. There are a lot of weekend and evening, shortened semesters, online and hybrid classes offered. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The library and laboratories were great. Tutors were readily available. |
| Social Life | 2 | There were no real sports teams and very few organized social activities. |
| Placement Services | 1 | I am not aware of any job placement services. Even their job openings do not have preference for alumni. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I am unaware of an alumni network. I do not know of any events or programs or ways for alumni to remain involved in the school. |
Palm Beach State College • Boca Raton, FL
Studying Business Administration
I Am Currently Working On My Bachelor's Degree. (completion in 2012)
• 9/22/2011
"I am very pleased with my college. I am currently getting great grades and professors are always there to help."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I have nothing but good things to say about my college. The classes are great (if you are willing to do the work) and I am completely content. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Palm Beach State College has a great reputation. I am transferring to FAU next year which also has a wonderful reputation. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I love my college. Right now I am taking three classes online and I am able to work, take care of my 5-year old daughter and go to college at the convenience of my home. |
| Instruction | 10 | The instruction is awesome! I have three great classes right now and I am excited to continue my Business education. |
| How Difficult | 3 | I am taking Literature, Art and Psychology right now and found them all very easy. I am enjoying them very much. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My one night class was a mix and my online classes have been a mix as well. One of my professors now has recordings of him talking that we listen to as well as the book, handouts (online) and library assignments. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | My school is very flexible. I took one night class on campus in the winter, two in the summer online and now I am taking three online. This college is extremely flexible. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Their library is very accessible and I have had to use it. As I am taking online classes, I have to use the online library which is also easy to navigate. |
| Social Life | 5 | I can't answer because I haven't been there long. But, I am always receiving emails on my school account about events they have. I have never attended one though. |
| Placement Services | 5 | From my research, though, it seems like it has great job placement, though I've never used it personally. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I can't really answer that because I just went back to college last January after being out for fifteen years. I don't have any experience with the alumni yet. |
Miami-Dade College • Miami, FL
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2010)
• 9/22/2011
"I would have love to complete my degree faster, but I couldn't mostly due to personal reasons. Miami-Dade College made it very easy for me to find what degree I wanted to complete, the courses I had to take and greatly facilitated the communication with the teachers."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I had a good experience with this college. It provides a non-expensive and sure way for someone to work on a degree of their choice. Right now they are offering even more options on degrees that can be completed at Miami-Dade College. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | I'm not aware of any exact ratings for this program at Miami-Dade College, but I do know many people who have enrolled in and completed this program. This college serves as the first stepping stone for most students who are working on a career to be administrators. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I did part of my studies in what Miami-Dade College calls "Open College." I was not able to finish and get my degree faster because they closed that program and I was forced to take my last classes in person because they were no longer offered online. |
| Instruction | 7 | I received little to no guidance from any of the counselors available at the college. It was very difficult to get an appointment with a counselor. Thankfully, much of the information and guidance I needed was found on the Miami-Dade College student website. |
| How Difficult | 3 | The teachers are very aware that most of the students have outside jobs. I was able to organize my workloads to complete them a couple nights a week. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | In my experience it was very much book learning oriented. I did not have any projects where the learning experience was hands-on. I believe that has a lot to do with the instructor of the course. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Most classes are offered at multiple campuses. Classes are also offered at many different times, including weekends and evenings. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The facilities at Miami-Dade College are very well equipped. I personally had to use the library and media sources for different projects. Their classrooms can accommodate a large number of students without feeling crowded. One has great access to professors since they are all available via email. |
| Social Life | 1 | I was not involved in any of the social activates at the school. I mostly just completed my courses to get my degree. I was not interested in participating in any of the social activities they offered. |
| Placement Services | 8 | They work very closely with the students to find the best jobs available. They also help students build their resumes and create a job search. This department is also equipped with computers for students to go and practice job search. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | Students at Miami-Dade College are able to find almost all the information they need on the student website. They have campuses all around Miami in case you have to visit the office for additional help. |
NOVA Southeastern University • Ft. Lauderdale , FL
Studying Business Administration/Hospitality (completion in 1996)
• 10/5/2011
"I was very satisfied with my school. The only portion I would have wanted more assistance with is the job placement after completing my studies."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would definitely recommend NOVA Southeastern University to other students interested in completing their studies there. It is a great university!! |
| Program Reputation | 6 | NOVA Southeastern University has a high number of graduates who are actively developing their careers in their fields of study. |
| Program Quality | 8 | My school had professionals in the field of Hospitality Management teaching the courses. This is extremely beneficial. |
| Instruction | 8 | The relevance of materials presented in each course was beneficial and up to date. This is what students need and are looking for. |
| How Difficult | 5 | Not too easy or too difficult, but meticulous work was required for each class. It was helpful in the long run. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Because the school brought in hospitality management professionals for the program, I would have to say that the program was very hands on. This portion was well appreciated and enjoyable. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Not all classes were held right their on campus. I found that to be helpful, because some classes were actually held at major hotel chains, and this is exciting when your focus is on hospitality management. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The facilities were up to date, clean, inviting and comfortable. I enjoyed them very much. |
| Social Life | 5 | The activities were there but I did not participate in them. I was working full time and studying at the same time. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I really wish they were more aggressive about placing students in good-paying careers and did the follow-up required. This would also help students in paying off their student loans. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | Although I do not actively participate in the alumni network, I often receive emails, newsletters and updates regarding the alumni network. |
University Of Tampa • Tampa, FL
Studying Government And World Affairs (completion in 2011)
• 10/3/2011
"I enjoyed the time spent at the University of Tampa. I also feel that I received a high-quality education."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The University of Tampa is an excellent educational institution. I believe they give students the tools they need to succeed, regardless of their field of study. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The university is more well known for their business school. The social science department has a decent reputation. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I loved attending the University of Tampa and I believe I got a high-quality education at the institution. |
| Instruction | 10 | I was well prepared for my current position. |
| How Difficult | 5 | My field of study was challenging, but nothing was too hard. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It depends on the instructor. Some instructors are very book oriented while others like to engage the students and take us to offsite places to learn. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The school does offer night and weekend classes. Night and weekend classes are not varied, however, and they are usually 4-hour classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | There are many resources available to students. There is a wonderful library, a center for academic excellence that offers tutoring, and a university writing center. |
| Social Life | 10 | The school always has fun stuff going on for the students. A weekly email is distributed that lists all of the student events of the week. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The University of Tampa career center is excellent, as far as assisting students secure employment. I have also used the system to help my employer find new employees. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The University of Tampa has a very active alumni network. I receive emails at least weekly about events. |
ITT Tech • Jacksonville, FL
Studying Business (completion in 2010)
• 10/5/2011
"The price is outrageous, but I feel I got my money's worth."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Perfect school for someone looking for a school that cares about your success. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | ITT Tech has a high reputation for program completions. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I believe that ITT Tech was the perfect school for me. It's not all about the school's track record. It's about finding a school that is a perfect match for your learning style. |
| Instruction | 10 | My instructors were amazing. They all knew what they were talking about. Some of my instructors even graduated from ITT. All of the instructors at ITT currently work in the field, so they know what skills are necessary to learn to be successful. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The program was not difficult at all. The workload is distributed evenly through the entire program. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was the perfect balance of hands-on learning and book-learning. Class was split between lecture and lab. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | The school offers morning and evening classes, but you do not have the flexibility to attend the morning class if you are unable to attend the evening class. You can do this probably one time, but they do not give you the flexibility to do it more than once. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | We are provided with various study materials. There is a virtual library and access to unlimited software (pertaining to your program of study). There are tutors available daily, and professors are always willing to help. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I am always receiving phone calls and job offers via email pertaining to my degree. Career Services has been very helpful. |
Pasco-Hernando Community College • New Port Richey, FL
Studying A.A. (General Degree) (completion in 2010)
• 10/18/2011
"I was very satisfied with this school. The only thing I didn't like was that they teach the theory of evolution, and as a Christian, I do not believe we came from blobs. Other than that, I had a great experience at that school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | This school has flexible classes, friendly teachers, and, most of all, you learn a lot. You won't have to compete with just out of high school kids, because a lot of students are laid back, working people. It was a very good school. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | The school has a good reputation, but it is definitely not ivy league. I would definitely recommend this school to others. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I really enjoyed going to school at PHCC. The teachers were very friendly, and I really learned a lot. |
| Instruction | 8 | I really enjoyed my accounting and typing classes, which I feel really helped me land this job. The teachers were very informative and helpful to those that needed help. |
| How Difficult | 3 | Since I only have a 2-yr degree, the classes were fairly easy. I learned a lot, but they were not difficult for me, personally. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of my classes were book classes. Very few were hands-on, which would have been nice. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Being a 2-yr school, a lot of people that were students there held day jobs. The school was very flexible with the classes and times they had available. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | They had a new computer lab, and a very well stocked library. I used both of those resources pretty much on a daily basis. |
| Social Life | 4 | Again, being a 2-yr school, there was not a ton of school spirit. That was because the students wanted to learn and leave. We had families and other obligations. |
| Placement Services | 4 | I did not use this service of the school, however, I know someone that has used it in the past. They were somewhat helpful, but no more than if you looked for a job on your own. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I have not heard one thing regarding my school alumni network. Since it is a 2-yr school, perhaps they think it is not important. |
Broward College • Coconut Creek, FL
Studying Administrative Support (completion in 2011)
• 10/10/2011
"I owe a lot to Broward College, my professors and classmates. Best four years of my life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I chose "maybe" because this career path is not for everyone, and any degree is what you make it. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | I suppose it's great, because I still talk to my whole class (even having monthly parties), and we all have jobs, though not everyone got an administrative assistant position. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Broward College not only helped me get my bachelor's degree, but also found me my current job. |
| Instruction | 10 | Broward College helped me find a job and my teachers took me under their wings. I was an all-star student. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I rated it five for in-between, because most of the studies came right to me, but there were difficult tasks I overcame. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My first two years, there was a lot of bookwork. However, by my 3rd year, I was in an intern program, which later became my new job with a recommendation letter from the former office manager. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Broward College has a very flexible schedule. They have part-time, full-time and online classes, including day classes, afternoon classes and night classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | My teachers helped me dramatically while taking courses. We had weekly labs and media classes. Study groups were held once a week, every Thursday night. |
| Social Life | 10 | I loved attending Broward College. The girls were beautiful and always organized local charity events. The parties were also something to remember. |
| Placement Services | 10 | They helped me find my current position as an officer manager. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Honestly, its great! It has an international travel program and deals with AAA, and it even allows you to get dental and vision checkups on campus. |
Fortis College • Miami, FL
Studying Computer Software (completion in 2003)
• 10/12/2011
"I have no regrets, because I learned more than what I already knew. I was rewarded a diploma for showing what I've learned."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | There are so many schools out there. I left school spirit in high school, meaning in order for me to recommend a school, I would have to know almost everything about the school, be more active with events, and follow up so I could pass on info to others. |
| Program Reputation | I have no idea how the school's reputation is, regarding its programs. | |
| Program Quality | 8 | I wish that at the time, my curriculum had extended set courses. Professors were absolutely awesome and knowledgeable. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors, at any time, had 1-on-1 lessons if needed. Students were able to learn life as well as get an education. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It wasn't that difficult at all, just as long as you study. The main thing is passing exams. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was a mixture. First, you hit the books and get quizzed. Last, everyone gets hands-on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | I had day and evening courses, which worked out for me. I wish that at the time I was attending, they had online courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The school had everything you needed in that career field. |
| Social Life | 6 | I was all about getting my education and going to work. I didn't have time for school spirit and events. |
| Placement Services | 9 | That department was excellent. Many students were placed in high-demand careers. At the time of my graduation, my current job at the time was receiving many updates from the school, letting them know my education status has upgraded. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I haven't heard from our alumni network. |
University Of Florida • Gainesville, FL
Studying Psychology (completion in 2009)
• 10/13/2011
"I loved the atmosphere and the environment. I hated paying out-of-state tuition (expensive) and getting a degree I can't even use. If I could do it again, I would just move to Gainesville and go to community college."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It depends. If they just want the degree, then no. If they can afford to blow a lot of money on a piece of paper, then yes. It's a great place, but not worth the money. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Students inside the school know it's an easy way out. Outsiders seem to have a lot of respect for us, though. |
| Program Quality | 5 | I didn't really go to school to do this; it's just one of the only jobs available. However, I do not think that my school prepared me to be a more employable person. |
| Instruction | 6 | Some professors really wanted us to gain real-world skills. Others glossed it over and assumed life would be all good, when it's not. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Some classes were hard, but I chose to take easier ones. The requirements were not too serious, though. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Books weren't too necessary. Most notes were online and only math classes had problems out of the book. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I was able to take many classes online, which was helpful. I never had to attend class early in the morning if I didn't want to. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | There are tons of libraries, student centers, free printing options, etc. I heard there were tutors, but never went. Professors were jerks or were never around, but most lecture notes were online. |
| Social Life | 8 | I went to a lot of parties. Football and basketball games are huge, and tailgating is a really big deal. I would always watch the football games and either tailgate or have a party. |
| Placement Services | 1 | You have to go to a special career center and get brochures. You have to make an appointment with someone who gives you very vague ideas about life. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | They constantly call asking for money, even though I tell them every time that I'm broke. They never send anything helpful or career-oriented. |
Tallahassee Community College • Tallahassee, FL
Studying General Transfer AA And Civil Engineering Technology AS (completion in 2011)
• 10/6/2011
"It is a decent school, but needs improvement."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a small class size, enabling us to receive more one-on-one time. Besides how they handle the financial aid, they are a fine school. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | TCC has linked with a four-year degree program to be completed via distance learning, to enable students to go all the way. Being a working mother, any classes that can be done via distance learning is helpful! |
| Program Quality | 10 | A rating of a 10 should explain it all. The general transfer AA was only in case I could not finish the AS in Civil Engineering Technology. |
| Instruction | 6 | Not all teachers are meant to teach. Example: My current teacher teaches by reading from a PowerPoint presentation. I have been able to read since kindergarten, and it is very hard to learn forces and moments without breaking it down. |
| How Difficult | 7 | You must be proficient in trigonometry and geometry. Seeing as I work full-time (40 hrs/wk), volunteer for the local fire department and have a family with children, any additional load is difficult to juggle. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Some classes make you create drawings; others use the book to teach you the definitions, components, etc. I prefer more hands-on, but I understand when the need is not there. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Some classes are only offered at night that should be offered during the day and vice versa. Currently, I must take a class on Saturdays, which takes time from my family. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Having three colleges in this town opens up the amount of resources available to you. TCC makes all resources accessible to everyone. |
| Social Life | 5 | Being a returning student after over ten years makes you a little "old" to hang out. Being social with classmates is not a big deal. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I have never seen anything about the alumni for TCC. Not really sure if I would even participate if they did have something. |
Tampa College • Lakeland, FL
Studying Associates In Accounting (completion in 1995)
• 10/8/2011
"It gave me a small edge in the business world, but not much. Had I continued my education, I would have had to stay there, because I doubt my credits would have transferred."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | Basic learning. Not a "real" education. They just teach you the bare minimum. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The accreditation was questionable, but they are now a university. |
| Program Quality | 6 | They taught us the basics, but nothing more. They could have delved deeper into the subjects. |
| Instruction | 6 | The subjects were taught in a very generic way. There was no real enlightenment. |
| How Difficult | 4 | The work was very easy. Not challenging at all. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | All the teachers had at one time worked in the field that they were teaching. Everything was taught from a book. No real-life applications. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | They had classes nights and days. They did not have weekend or online classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 2 | Not a traditional environment. The school was located in a strip mall. |
| Social Life | 4 | It was a very generic experience. No sports or clubs, just basic learning. |
| Placement Services | 2 | They posted jobs on a board. There was no real help finding a job, though. |
Tampa Vocational-Technical School • Tampa, FL
Studying Administrative Assistant (completion in 1995)
• 10/9/2011
"I went there to learn and I did that. I was happy with the outcome of my learning, as I am still working."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | A good foundation of learning skills such as typing, accounting and office tasks is the first step to a good job. It also helps if you do not go broke in the process. This school is both affordable and good at teaching what you need to become an administrative assistant. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | This is a vocational school, which means it is more affordable than a university. In my opinion, the programs offered are compatible with those offered at a community college level. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The school provided good, knowledgeable teachers. The classes were structured to cover many aspects that pertain to the program of choice, in this case Administrative Asst. |
| Instruction | 9 | The instruction provided was thorough and interesting. The instruction also covered many of the tasks performed by an administrative assistant. |
| How Difficult | 2 | Except for the math classes, the classes were easy. Having some previous knowledge of typing, accounting, etc., helped to make the classes more enjoyable and easy. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of the programs offered are hands-on. Books do help with knowledge, but hands-on is better when learning the nitty-gritty. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I consider this school to be very flexible, since it offers both full-time and part-time schedules. Evening classes are offered. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | Classrooms are well stocked. Libraries are accessible to students. |
| Social Life | 4 | The school spirit was one of learning. The majority of students were older and had families, so as far as I knew, there were no social events planned. |
| Placement Services | 10 | This school provides career planning and placement. All students are encouraged to contact their advisors for help with finding jobs after completion. |
Broward Community College • Pompano Beach, FL
Studying Pre-Law (completion in 2014)
• 10/9/2011
"It will give me what I need right now."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is easy and will allow you to get to the next level. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | It's not considered to be a fine university. |
| Program Quality | 5 | It is a good school with good teachers. |
| Instruction | 5 | I learned something from every class. |
| How Difficult | 5 | A little harder than high school. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school is acceptable in this category. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | It is sometimes hard to get a class that you need to fit your schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | It has all the resources for students to do the work required. |
| Social Life | 1 | This school is not big on social events. |
| Placement Services | 5 | It is good in that regard. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | There really isn't vast alumni interaction. |
University Of Florida • Gainesville, FL
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2006)
• 10/31/2011
"I would do it all over again in a heartbeat and I hope my children will go to school there."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend my school to a friend. The school is one of the best in Florida. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Gators have the best reputation for football and having smart graduates. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I am very satisfied with Business Management degree. I am able to apply what I learned in every day life. |
| Instruction | 10 | The professors at University of Florida are amazing. |
| How Difficult | 5 | College is easy if you put your mind to it. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | They teach you with all types of tools, online, book, lectures, reading other people's work. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The school offers online and televised courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The library has the latest technology and computer labs. |
| Social Life | 10 | Tailgating before football games is a huge social event. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The school has a website that is networked with all local colleges. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The alumni are an excellent source of knowledge. Each class has a website where you can get help from a TA or your peers. |
University Of South Florida • Tampa, FL
Studying Public Administration (completion in 2009)
• 11/17/2011
"Like any school, you will always have your runaround when trying to call the school to rectify or clarify any issues. Sometimes you have to physically go see people to get things moving along with your individual case, but I think that is average for all institutions of higher education."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | USF is a great school and I would definitely go back for more degrees, simply because, hands down, they hire very qualified teachers for their faculty who know their material very well. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Since this is one of the very few schools that offer an accredited master's in Public Administration (one of three or four in Florida, I think), its reputation is rather high, due to the popular alumni that represent the people in local government in Florida. |
| Program Quality | 8 | It was a great program for those who are already in Public Administration, particularly geared to those in Government. However, there were those like myself who did not fit into the program as well; people who wanted to be administrators in schools and in the nonprofit sector, who did not get as much out of the program. |
| Instruction | 9 | They have the most qualified teachers and made sure of that. No issues there. They were extremely experienced and knew their content well! |
| How Difficult | 5 | For a master's degree, I would say it was average. Unlike most in my class, I did not have a Political Science bachelor's background nor any work experience in governmental administration, and I struggled through the master's classes and made it! |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | From my experience, there is a less than average mix of the two, since we could do with a lot more hands on for my program of study. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | For my program, it is not very flexible, since most of the students are working professionals who take classes at night; so almost all of the classes are catered to them - the majority. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | USF is a top research university, though most of the research is in Science and Technology. However, we get to take advantage of the technological side of things, and with our highly educated faculty, we get a great investment of expert brains to pick from. We could do a lot more research projects and mock experiments to develop our skills more. |
| Social Life | 8 | The school on a whole has very good school spirit, as evidenced in our recent football pride. |
| Placement Services | 9 | The career services are very good for current and past students. Even in my department (as I am sure it must be the case with all other departments in graduate studies), we received DAILY updates on career opportunities as they came up from our faculty. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | They were not very visible in my department, but in other departments that did not interest me, they were. However, I think they could do much better. |
New College Of Florida • Sarasota, FL
Studying Foreign Languages (completion in 2007)
• 11/28/2011
"Almost everything was perfect with my school. There was a nice balance of educational and social opportunities."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I really enjoyed the programs at my school. I would recommend it for anyone who is ready for an intensive learning experience. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | My school was far better known for other subjects. The program I studied in is just not very well known. |
| Program Quality | 9 | My school's educational strategy trained me how to research and problem-solve independently. They also instilled in me a strong work ethic. |
| Instruction | 10 | My professors were highly knowledgeable. They were also very helpful and accessible to their students. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The difficulty of my study program was mostly high because there was so much to learn. However, the assistance from professors made my workload and subject matter much more manageable. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We were provided with both literature and real life conversational opportunities to practice foreign language. There was a fairly even balance between the two. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | There were no night time classes offered. My school also did not offer weekend or online classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | My school offered ample resources at the library for research concerning my major. My school also encouraged study groups to work together. |
| Social Life | 4 | There were many activities and clubs at my school. Unfortunately, there were no sports teams or intramurals. |
| Placement Services | 7 | The career services office provided many opportunities and connections to students. Moreover, they offered online resources for job hunting and resume tips. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | My alumni association is close-knit and regularly has local events to bring alumni together. There are also online networking resources. |
University Of Everest Online • Brandon, FL
Studying Business Management (completion in 2010)
• 11/27/2011
"I think it is a pretty good school, but I also think there is room to change."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I am not sure if I would recommend this school to anyone that I know. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | I am pretty sure that the school's program reputation is a little above average. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I like that I am able to log on at any time of the day or night. |
| Instruction | 5 | The instructions are sometimes hard to understand. I have to reread them a couple of times. |
| How Difficult | 4 | I would not say that it is extremely hard but I would not say that it was extremely easy either. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Before any of my classes start they mail me books. I would say that half of my time in class is reading in my book and the other is online. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I love it, it is very flexible, which is good because I have a son and a full-time job. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | I guess it is average, they have a few resources that I can use online. |
| Social Life | 5 | There is not really a social experience for an online school. |
| Placement Services | 4 | I did not get much help when it came to job placement. I think that they definitely need to work more on job placement. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | It is a little difficult on the communication part. |
Flagler College • St. Augustine, FL
Studying English (completion in 2010)
• 12/16/2011
"I absolutely loved being at Flagler College. Academically, I was challenged, and socially, I was surrounded by people of the same level of drive and intelligence that I had."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I had a wonderful experience there, as well as all of my friends. Flagler College establishes a fantastic liberal arts education. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | We have a very good reputation, especially in Florida. Many English majors from other schools transfer to us. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Flagler College is an excellent private liberal arts college; one of the best in the Southeast. Our English department is extremely knowledgeable and personable. |
| Instruction | 10 | As we did not have any graduate programs, I was taught only by department members with PhDs in the subject matter. This gave me a much higher education than those programs supported by TAs. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Our coursework was challenging, but any good student could rise to meet the expectations. I had challenging and numerous coursework, but nothing impossible. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I was an English major, so I do not know how you could make that hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | Flagler College is an extremely traditional school with extremely limited summer and online offerings. However, I believe this made the program better. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Fantastic. Our library and database access were wonderful. Classrooms were well designed and friendly, professors were always available, and our professors were our advisers. |
| Social Life | 8 | Flagler is a small school with limited focus on creating social events, because they tend to happen naturally. As the school is small and most buildings are within the same block (and most classrooms are in the same building), it is easy to make friends, especially within your major. |
| Placement Services | 6 | It was good, but it could have been better. I disliked how it was run. |
| Alumni Network | I don't use the school's alumni network, as I have my own group of friends I stay in contact with on my own. The school's network is not necessary for me. |
Miami Dade Community College • Miami, FL
Studying Accounting (completion in 2014)
• 12/12/2011
"I'm studying accounting and I've learned a lot, which is what I'm looking for, so I can't complain."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | They are very flexible with the schedules, they are very affordable, and as for curriculum, I can't complain. I've also heard that the other teachers are great. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I actually did a lot of research on the school before making my decision, and the school had a good reputation for its accounting department. |
| Program Quality | 9 | Miami Dade has a very good accounting program, and even though I am not that great at math, they simplify the study, which helps a lot. |
| Instruction | 8 | I think their quality of instruction is great and I've learned a lot. I like that I've been able to use a lot of what is being taught in class at my job. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I am not good at math, so it is a little hard, not to mention the workload. Lots of reports. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I can only speak for the accounting program, and I must say that it is a lot of out-of-the-book work, but that is understandable. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | I work full time and go to school on weekends, so I am extremely happy that they offer weekend classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | I know they offer tutoring, as well as library resources and many academic books for assistance, but I haven't taken advantage of any. |
| Social Life | 3 | I would say that maybe because it is a community college, they lack a little of the social activities that you may encounter in a university. It would be nice if they had more activities. |
| Placement Services | 3 | I'm not sure that Miami Dade offers job placement. |
| Alumni Network | I can't say much about the alumni network, because I haven't reached out to them. |
University Of North Florida • Jacksonville, FL
Studying Financial Services (completion in 2003)
• 12/26/2011
"It was overall a good school to go to. I have no other university to compare it to, but I'd say I had a positive experience."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | This question depends on what people want out of a university. I don't know if they will be able to find jobs or careers within their respective fields; I haven't. |
| Program Reputation | I don't know what reputation the school has for this major. I really don't keep up with that type of information. | |
| Program Quality | 8 | The campus provided a comfortable learning environment. Classes were challenging. |
| Instruction | 7 | Most teachers were easy to understand. A few did not adequately prepare for exams. |
| How Difficult | 9 | Statistics and financial classes cover a broad amount of subjects. Exams could be very challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Book learning was essential at this university. There were some projects and labs, but not a lot. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | There were not a lot of weekend options. There were also less afternoon classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Library had lots of computers. Tutors were available, but I never utilized them. |
| Social Life | 5 | Not a lot of school activities to speak of at the school. I believe these types of activities may have increased in recent years. |
| Placement Services | 3 | I once tried to get in contact with career services. I never received a reply to my e-mail. |
Kaplan University • Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Studying Administration (completion in 2009)
• 1/6/2012
"The financial aid department at Kaplan is one of the worst that I've come across. All of the negative comments that I have about the school go into the financial aid department."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | Although Kaplan is highly ranked among online schools, the cost of attendance is extremely high. This coupled with the lack of career services bring Kaplan's rating far down. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | This is a fairly new program. Because of that, there isn't a lot of funding going into marketing it. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The administration program at Kaplan was ranked among one of the highest in the country. |
| Instruction | 10 | Kaplan University offers real-world instructors to help students learn at their own pace. The instructors take time to understand and help students explore alternative ways of thinking. |
| How Difficult | 10 | The classes at Kaplan University were all offered online. Because of this, there weren't any instructors to help one-on-one. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Online classes do not offer much in hands-on training. Much more training could be given to online students. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Kaplan offers the best online programs. This allows students to learn at their own pace. |
| Academic Facilities | Kaplan's online programs do not use campus facilities. | |
| Social Life | There isn't a lot of socializing when taking classes online. Everything is focused mainly on learning on your own. | |
| Placement Services | 1 | Because Kaplan has an online department, the career services are extremely limited for online students. Kaplan could do a much better job at providing these services for online students. |
| Alumni Network | There is none offered. I hope that in the future, Kaplan alleviates this issue. |
Florida Metropolitan University • Tampa, FL
Studying Criminal Justice (completion in 1998)
• 1/7/2012
"I paid too much for a degree that gave little benefit. What positives I have I could have gotten much cheaper by reading a few books. I am still paying off loans, and probably will be for the rest of my life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | A community college and online courses are a much more cost-effective option. However if you have the money and are looking to simply buy a Master's degree, this is the place for you. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | The reputation is poor. |
| Program Quality | 5 | Even though I am not working in criminal justice, the techniques and basic law concepts have been good for me to draw upon in my current position. I have a good understanding of many legal terms which helps when editing contracts. It also gave me a basic computer education, which I have been able to build and expand. |
| Instruction | 5 | Most of the classes I took don't relate directly to my field, but the general education does. The instructors were all part time, which means they had day jobs in the real world, which enhanced what they taught. |
| How Difficult | 1 | The work was not difficult at all. If you came to most classes you got an A. However, you get out what you put in. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The teachers' experiences outside the classroom were just as valuable as the book learning. It was hands on in that we talked about real things happening in the real world, not always case studies. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | They cater to a working adult, so the class times were very flexible. Many online classes, and weekend hours. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Since the course work was not difficult, resources were not really needed. I can't even remember if they had a library. |
| Social Life | 5 | It was a school that catered to adults with kids and jobs. There were no social events because they were not wanted. |
| Placement Services | 2 | They had a nice bulletin board with help wanted signs. That was all. |
| Alumni Network | I didn't know if we even had an alumni network. |
University Of South Florida • Tampa, FL
Studying Philosophy (completion in 2007)
• 1/3/2012
"USF provided everything I needed to reach my educational goals in a timely manner. Although my degree does not directly relate to my current work, I feel it has definitely enriched my life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | USF is more well known as an engineering and research university. They do extensive cancer research, but comparatively little in the way of business programs. |
| Program Reputation | Since I live out of state I do not hear much about USF, however I know many of the same professors I had still teach there. I am confident that USF is still a great school for philosophy. | |
| Program Quality | 10 | The philosophy program at USF was amazing, I was very fortunate to have encountered many well-known names in that field. I felt that my tuition dollars were definitely well spent. |
| Instruction | 4 | The curriculum was very well done, and varied so much that I could always find something worth studying within it. It did not prepare me for a career though, and as a result I work outside of my educational background. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Difficulty depends on what kind of learner one is. Philosophy education relies heavily on extensive paper writing and discussion of ideas, so if those are one's strong suits, they will succeed easily. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Philosophy relies on reading original materials, and discussing or writing about them and their greater meanings. As far as "hands-on" goes, the discussions and papers require much thought on the part of the student. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | My particular major offered classes only during the day, on weekdays. Other classes outside of my major had much better availability, including night classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | USF in general had many resources available to me, including libraries, media centers, and classroom space. Within my major, there were always tutors, advisors, and study groups available. |
| Social Life | 8 | I did not participate in any Greek activities, but there were always Student Activities Board parties, clubs, and tailgates. Philosophy offered an Undergraduate Philosophy Organization, of which I was a member. |
| Placement Services | As stated above, I did not use my university's job placement services. After I graduated, I moved from Tampa to Orlando and found employment on my own. | |
| Alumni Network | I do not associate with the alumni association, although I do receive many emails from them asking me to join. USF also did not assist me in finding a job. |
St. Pete College • St. Petersburg, FL
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2012)
• 1/14/2012
"Overall, I think for the money I've spent and the time I've invested, I have received a good education from the school. I have recommended it to many others."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Yes, I would and have recommended my school to others; not just to those pursuing a similar career, but to anyone interested in furthering their education. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I'm guessing that they are average. I know this is the oldest school in Florida, so they are well known. |
| Program Quality | 6 | The courses I've taken have been helpful. I find the faculty to be underqualified to teach and apathetic. |
| Instruction | 6 | The courses have been helpful. The faculty, however, seem underqualified to teach. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Overall, the classes have been academically challenging. I think some classes that were required for the degree were completely pointless. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My opinion is that the program is much more book learning oriented. Of course, I took most of my classes online, so that would really be the only option. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I think they are very flexible. I have taken almost all my courses online. They offer a good mix of venues, as well as locations. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | I would rate the facilities quite high. The library at the campus nearest me is outstanding. The classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and it has been that way for several years now. However, I would rate their tutors and study group support much lower. Of all the classes I've taken, I can think of two professors who actually made themselves available outside of the normal class hours. |
| Social Life | My interest in school is purely academic. | |
| Placement Services | I have had no experience with their job placement and career services, but I'm guessing they are average. I know the school does work with the local workforce board for training, and they are helpful in that area. | |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I have had very little experience with the school's alumni network. I find people generally hard to reach, and when I do reach a human at the school, it's never the correct person. |
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