From Jan. 22-24, juniors at Miami Palmetto Senior High had the opportunity to visit nine Florida colleges in three days. However, due to the unexpected, yet unfortunate snowstorm in northern Florida, these juniors got to see snow. Still, they missed out on the opportunity to see the University of Northern Florida, as well as Flagler College.
This trip occurs annually and is run by MPSH College Assistance Program advisor Linda Dwyer. Dwyer highly encourages students who can to participate, because it is a worthwhile experience.
“[The trip] helps juniors get into the groove and see schools, and they see it with their peers, so it makes it more fun. And the tour guide really has it down to a science, and he knows exactly what to bring the kids to on campus. Sometimes, when you go to tour a school, they show you just way too many details, and it all starts to get mushy in your brain, and this helps kids. Our kids see all the different schools, and get exactly the information that they need, so they can learn if they like the vibe of the school, or not,” Dwyer said.
Students often hear about colleges from friends and family members, but this trip allows students to see the colleges from their perspectives, without the pressure of being with biased parents or siblings. It allows them to truly get to see college life, which is what makes this worthwhile for them.
“My brother went to UF, and he always told me how great it is, so that’s why I want to go there. Then [for] FSU, my friend’s siblings went there, so that’s also one of my top choices, and then UCF. My sister goes there, and I went one time to visit her, and I just didn’t like it, but she says that if I did go see it, I would like it. So I actually saw the campus and everything, but I am staying open-minded,” junior Leo Snyder said.
Juniors have many reasons to be looking at colleges. Besides the academics part of it though, there are other reasons, which include being able to see the campus, as well as college life.
“I’m most excited to see UF and UNF. UF is definitely one of my top schools so I’m excited to see what the campus is like, but UNF is one of the prettiest campuses in Florida, so I’m curious to see it,” junior Lilah Suarez said
Though some students may be set on going out of state, looking at the options in Florida is a reliable, safe option for students. Whether a public or private school, Florida schools have some great things to offer and look at before making a final decision.
“I would encourage our students to apply to Florida schools anyway because you just never know, and who they are right now as a junior will change by the time they’re a senior,” Dwyer said. “You just don’t know who you’re going to be by the time you graduate, and also the Florida schools have a lot to offer. So, maybe someone might think they’re dead set on going out of state, but they might change their mind”
This trip also allows students to face the reality that soon they are going into college, as well as applying, in quite a short time.
“I think the tour helps to get kids into the mindset that it is their turn, that they need to start actually thinking about applications,” Dwyer said. “I know you guys think about college applications from kindergarten, but when it’s second-semester junior year, kids are like, ‘Oh, I have to do this now,’ and start to get serious, it becomes more real.”
If one is unsure if they want to go to college in Florida, this trip offers a great opportunity to explore these schools with fellow classmates and help prepare for one’s future
