New College of Florida
Reviews

Mind Your Pleasures..

it is up to you how to exist. you wont be pressured, you wont be hounded. police patrol the campus in cars&golf carts watching out for the safety of all-- they are there when you need them [as police should be].

"Guys and Girls at Your School"

I've met some really amazing people here, friends I will have for life. When I first moved here, I was overwhelmed by how many smart and interesting people I met immediately. By fourth year, though, my circle of friends is pretty small. A lot of people are annoying.

Environmental Studies Major

My AOC, environmental studies, seemed like a very promising, interdisciplinary track when I chose it my second year here. Since then, however, the program has lost most of its best faculty. As a result, I feel a lot less is expected of me as compared to other AOCs. I feel challenged by the classes I choose to take, but not my AOC as a whole. If you are interested in Environmental Studies, please choose a disciplinary AOC and do Environmental studies as a slash.

Pretty Decent Parking

Permits are a little expensive, but if you purchase a ncf license plate for your car you don't have to pay for a permit. There are reduced cost permits but they are farther from the dorms. Driving to class is not necessary, although some students drive anyway. Having a car to get off campus is pretty vital though. The county bus system has on campus stops, and students ride for free, but it is timely and the buses do not run very late.

Varies

The athletic center is not very large but probably sufficient to meet the student body's needs. The student center is very reminiscent of a summer camp activity room, giving it a mysterious charm. The library is pretty terrific considering our size - in my experience, a hardcover edition of any reference I've been interested in has been available, and the e-journal databases are near complete. I think their staff could've been picked at a higher standard. The architecture is notably uninspired.

Not Bad for a Retirement Community

There really isn't much to do off campus after 8 PM for the 21 and under crowd, and public transportation after these hours is nonexistent. Walls are a reliable option on weekend nights; depending on your persuasion, they might be anything from a religious commitment to a severe annoyance for you. My advice is to settle in with a group of 3-10 like-minded alcoholics so that you have someone to share your boredom with when the time comes.

Reasonably Safe - Have a Doctor on Call

As has been publicized in the past, the campus is no stranger to bike theft. I haven't heard of any recent incidents in which a student was harmed by someone other than themself. The police are very smart about handling large events, such as PCP (sometimes to the chagrin of older, more bitter students), in such a way that only invited guests attend; they are a positive force on campus overall. No shortage of blue emergency towers. The health and wellness center could use some work; I've often heard that they're understocked and that their employees are less than qualified.

Challenging, in the Best Way

My classes have been engaging and challenging, with professors that care about your mastery of a subject. They respond well to effort, and compare your work to your work alone. So far, I have learned a great deal, and have fostered great relationships with my professors.

Parking Is Incredibly Non-Stressful

Permits are easy to get, there is plenty of parking close to academic centers and the dorms, and there are no permit zones or 24-hour tow zones or anything - it's truly unparalleled.

Freedom in Dorm Living

Cool things about the dorms: 3/4 of freshmen dorms have balconies, some as large as 25sq feet. Rules are very loose and the RA's won't get you in trouble about minor things (alcohol, pets, etc.) There's a lot of space and private bathrooms- it's pleasant.

The 'housing process' is a little iffy because of restructuring in res life management, and some people find it frustrating.

Annoying things: some of the buildings are kind of worn, and the common rooms are usually pretty unappealing.

Living on campus is great because of the access to social life and ease of getting to class.

Arts in a Small City

Because of the large uppper-middle class elderly population in Sarasota, there are far more cultural events and activities than I expected. Right next door to school (literally), is the internationally renowned Ringling Museum and Arts complex, for which NCF students have free entry. I go at least once a week! There's also the Asolo Theater, the Opera House, and the Van Wenzel Performing Arts Center- all of which have 5-15$ rush tickets with a student ID.

Technology on-Campus: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The wifi tends to be very hit or miss: My first year there were maybe two outages the entire year, but my second year, there were outages two or three times a week. I'd suggest getting an ethernet cable, especially if you live in Pei (which most freshmen do), since it's particularly weak there.

Printing on campus is very accessible. The library is open from 8am-1am, plus there's a student-regulated printing center that is open 24-hours, though it's often broken. Also, there are plenty of students who have personal printers who are happy to let you use them - we're a very friendly, community-centered campus.

The IT department is effectively useless. If you have any trouble with your personal computer, you're better off taking it to (a very reasonably priced) store about 5 minutes off campus.

Center of the Universe

New College is what you make of it. Most people I know not only like it, but love it. You can make a ton of friends easily if you try, most everyone is friendly and outgoing, and it's easy to have both a social life and still get your work done.

Almost None

We don't have much in the way of inter-collegiate athletics except for flag football, and we only play the art school down the road. We have a variety of inter-murals and some other options. Plus if there is something you want to do its easy to start it up yourself.

White, but Improving?

New College is undeniably a WHITE college, but the admissions office and administration seem committed to bringing in a greater diversity of students.

Pretty Awful

Although they try to provide vegan/vegetarian options and pretend to cater to student desires - campus dining is usually fairly gross, unhealthy, and extremely repetitive. Unfortunately, first years are stuck with a big meal plan and only one dorm complex even offers a real kitchen. Students have to use illegal hot plates to get by.

Peer Pressure

While drugs are quite prevalent at New College, I know a huge number of people who don't participate in that scene, are completely comfortable with that, and have numerous friends who are into drugs. Drugs are considered more of a personal experience, and less of a social obligation. New College can be incredibly fun sober, and while there will always be someone to judge anyone, most students are very open to all levels of abstinence.

Not That Diverse

Diverse in gender and sexual orientation (extremely LGTB friendly). But when it comes to race, NCF is not that diverse. Very few blacks and international students. Nevertheless, there is a good amount of Latinos (I am one myself).

Vigorous Learning

Superb academic institution. Although it's not as flexible as one might think (no grades and whatnot), one is able to maximize their learning potential. Workload is intense but do-able (7 contracts, 3 ISPs and a thesis). Professors are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Classes are small (avg. 14 students per class) and lots of alone time with professors. Large majority of students are thoroughly involved and participate extensively in the classroom. I recommend this place to anyone who is absolutely committed to learning. Nevertheless, don't come here if you're interested in: linguistics, architecture, engineering, or sports (NCF doesn't offer any of these).

Quality Education

If you want to get a quality education, New College delivers. The professors are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. The workload is pretty intense, but that's the point: we work hard and are rewarded later (usually in the form of an acceptance letter from Harvard, Yale, Berkeley, CalTech, Princeton, Cornell, Johns Hopkins... the list goes on ad infinitum).

Need to Be up Graded

they are to me a older kind when they can be the top of the line compters.

Overpriced to Say the Least.

Housing on campus is overpriced, and generally the new dorms were poorly designed and corners were cut while building them.

Very Visible.

Let me start off by saying you will never be pressured to do drugs. Let me then state though if you are uncomfortable with your next door neighbor doing them this may not be the place to you. The drug scene for the most part here is pretty visible and it ain't just smoking.

That being said like most colleges drinking and smoking are the most popular drugs on campus

Great Parking Setup

There is enough parking for students and faculty. You can walk to most spaces easily, if you need to drive, with a pass you have guaranteed parking

Located in a Diverse City

Located in Sarasota, there is a lot to do for young and old. It appears to have a good life on campus and a great diversity off campus. Arts, Galeries, hangouts, beaches, swimming etc.