Bloomingdale High School Counseling Department

Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College remains committed to providing students with a solid liberal arts foundation and exceptional signature programs. Students enjoy a bevy of academic choices, including outstanding preprofessional programs, comprehensive undergraduate research opportunities, and a vigorous study abroad program. They also appreciate the college’s United Methodist affiliation and its mission to develop well-rounded graduates.

Situated on 100 sloping acres overlooking pristine Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern features the world’s largest concentration of buildings designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The architecture is uniquely Floridian and makes use of many native materials, including cypress wood, sand, and coquina shell. Twelve of Wright’s initial designs were ultimately built—10 buildings, a 45-foot-high water dome, and a one-and-a-half-mile network of covered walkways connecting the buildings. Wright’s Annie Pfeiffer Chapel is a popular meeting and performance venue for student organizations as well as religious services. The campus also features two buildings designed by renowned architect Robert A. M. Stern, dean of the Yale School of Architecture: a humanities building and the 80,000-square-foot Residential Life Center boasting a state-of-the-art living and learning environment with meeting rooms, lounges, study rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. The 22,500-square-foot Dr. Marcene H. and Robert E. Christoverson Humanities Building opened in late 2010 and includes high-tech classrooms, a film studies theater, a state-of-the-art modern language learning lab, and an art gallery.

Florida Southern’s core curriculum is based on student learning outcomes in the following eight areas: critical and creative thinking, quantitative reasoning, effective oral and written communication, personal and social responsibility, meaning and value, knowledge of the social world, knowledge of the natural world, and artistic interpretation and expression. The college formerly followed a traditional, three-credit-hour model that included lecture courses. Most classes now meet for four hours a week, with at least one of those hours fully devoted to engaged learning techniques such as debate, small group discussions, case studies, and research. Service learning also is a central feature of the new curriculum, and most students will graduate having completed at least one service learning course. In keeping with the college’s United Methodist affiliation, all students are required to attend the monthly Convocation Series. The curriculum features a plethora of active learning techniques, in which students are guided by faculty mentors through hands-on learning experiences.

In all, FSC students may choose from 50 undergraduate majors and more than 40 minors. The most popular majors include business administration, biology, nursing, psychology, and communications, and these are among the college’s strongest programs. “The best departments are also some of the most challenging,” says a sophomore. The premed program boasts a nearly 100 percent placement rate in medical, dental, or pharmacy programs nationwide and FSC honors students receive priority admittance to the University of South Florida medical school. Speaking of the honors program, qualified students may enroll in the highly selective honors core, which offers specialized courses in cultural, environmental, artistic, and social heritage. Additionally, Florida Southern College has become the first private college in the state of Florida to affiliate with the prestigious Washington Center, a D.C.-based internship provider that allows students to study and work in the nation’s capital as well as other major cities around the world. In fact, all students are guaranteed an internship in their fields of study. Students have interned with OPEC, ESPN, Fox News, Lockheed Martin, Merrill Lynch, The Disney Company, and NASA (among others).

Academics are a priority at FSC, and “the environment is laid-back but the courses are challenging,” says one biology major. “At FSC, you have teachers that are willing to help you even though the courses are quite hard.” Freshmen are assigned a faculty mentor who meets with them on a regular basis to help them set goals and successfully adjust to college life. First-year students also take part in the Examined Life seminar, which encourages students to form close relationships with peers and professors in a small class setting. Professors are lauded for their enthusiasm and skill behind the lectern. “From the time I was a freshman I have had extraordinary professors who do their best to cover their material in depth and who genuinely want to see their students succeed,” a psychology major says. When students tire of the Florida heat and humidity, they can take advantage of the robust study abroad program, which sends kids packing to exotic locales around the globe, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, China, The Bahamas, Peru, Greece, and Turkey. The college also offers year-long study through Regent’s College in London and a popular modern language school in Spain. Approximately 20 percent of students carry out undergraduate research projects during their time at FSC.

Florida Southern students are “very down to earth and easy to get along with,” says one student. Just under two-thirds of the student body hail from Florida and roughly 80 percent attended public high schools. “The majority of students here are white, Christian, and probably middle- to upper-class,” says a junior. African Americans account for 6 percent of the population, Asian Americans 2 percent, and Hispanics 9 percent. “People are not really concerned with political issues,” reports one student. “They tend to mind their own businesses and have fun with their friends.” The college awards merit scholarships, as well as more than 250 athletic awards in 21 sports. Students from low-income families vie for the Florida Southern Grant and also receive a greater portion of gift aid than students who are not in need. 

Seventy-four percent of FSC students reside in student housing. First-year students hang their hats in one of three residence halls, Joseph Reynolds, Allan Spivey, or Hollis, while sophomores, juniors, and seniors choose from among six residence halls, including Jenkins (all-male, traditional, and suite-style doubles), Dell (co-ed doubles), and the new, state-of-the-art Barnett Residential Life Center with its stunning lake views. “If you live on campus, you get some great experiences,” says a sophomore. The cafeteria serves up a variety of “OK” fare, including special options for vegetarians. “Since my freshman year, the food has improved dramatically because of student feedback and suggestions,” says a senior. “There are many tasty and healthy options for students to choose as well as the much less healthy comfort foods.” Students report feeling safe on campus, thanks to an active security program.

The social scene is active on campus. “The college sponsors a myriad of social programs on campus such as cookouts, concerts, and sporting events that allow students to stay entertained on campus if they lack transportation,” says one student. “In addition, the school also sponsors various bimonthly wellness trips that vary from paintball to snorkeling with manatees.” Thirty-two percent of the men and 27 percent of the women go Greek, but Greek life doesn’t dominate the social scene.  In addition to the nearly 90 student clubs and organizations, FSC offers a number of traditions, including the annual Christmas tree lighting, the Fair-Well Carnival, and Founders Week.

A junior describes Lakeland as “a quaint town with a thriving indie art and music scene.” A senior adds, “Lakeland is very much a college town. It offers a lot of local dining and activities including several malls, movie theaters, and an old downtown district with many unique shops and attractions.” Many students venture out into the local community to volunteer or take part in off-campus church services. “Greek life is huge here, which allows you to get involved with the community,” says one sophomore. For those with access to wheels, popular road trips include excursions to Tampa’s sandy beaches, Orlando’s famed theme parks, or the Florida Keys.

The dominant Florida Southern Moccasins (“Mocs”) compete in Division II as members of the Sunshine State Conference. Overall, the college’s 20 varsity teams have won more than two dozen national titles and nearly 150 conference championships, and have produced approximately 430 All-Americans. The most competitive teams include men’s baseball and basketball, women’s softball and volleyball, and men’s and women’s golf, tennis, and cross-country. “Our athletes dominate Division II sports every year,” boasts one student, and the University of Tampa is the Mocs’ chief rival. Twenty-one intramural sports and activities attract 41 percent of undergraduates; the most popular activities include flag football, basketball, and soccer. Students also take advantage of a variety of fitness and recreational programs, as well as a 12,000-square-foot wellness center.

Florida Southern College has a lot going for it. Despite the ubiquitous college student laments of limited parking, so-so food, and constant construction, most are quick to point out that they have access to strong academic programs, championship athletics, and all the sun and fun a person could want. “Florida Southern College is a great community where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally,” says one senior. “It truly becomes your home away from home.”

Deadlines & Requirements

Florida Southern: Rolling admissions. Application fee: $30. Campus interviews: recommended, evaluative. Alumni interviews: optional, informational. SATs or ACTs: required. Subject Tests: optional. Accepts the Common Application. Essay question: personal statement.

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