Opinions on small Florida colleges?

I'm currently exploring my options for smaller colleges in Florida. What schools should I consider that have strong academics, lively campus events, and a welcoming community?

It's great that you're considering smaller colleges in Florida, as they can offer unique experiences, strong academics, and close-knit communities that larger schools may not. Here are a few smaller Florida colleges worth considering:

1. Rollins College: Located in Winter Park, Rollins is a small liberal arts college well-known for its strong academics and personalized attention from faculty. The campus is beautiful, and it offers a variety of extracurricular activities, making it an engaging place to be. The location also allows for easy access to the city of Orlando.

2. Eckerd College: Situated in St. Petersburg, this liberal arts college has a picturesque waterfront campus. With a focus on experiential learning, Eckerd emphasizes research, internships, and study abroad programs. The school is known for having an environmentally friendly approach and offers a friendly campus community.

3. Flagler College: Located in historic St. Augustine, this college offers an impressive liberal arts education with a beautiful Spanish Renaissance-style campus. Its small classes provide personalized attention, and students have ample opportunities to get involved in extracurriculars, athletics, and local community events.

4. University of Tampa: In the heart of downtown Tampa, this university offers a range of strong academic programs, an active student life, and incredible facilities with a resort-like atmosphere. Its location and small size allow for a tight-knit community that provides ample opportunities for internships and real-world experiences.

5. New College of Florida: As the state's designated honors college, New College offers a unique, student-centered education. With a campus in Sarasota, it specializes in a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum with a focus on independent research. Its idyllic campus, custom-tailored academics, and vibrant community make it a distinctive option.

6. Stetson University: Situated in DeLand, Stetson is known for its strong academics, emphasis on community engagement, and excellent pre-professional programs. The picturesque campus provides a welcoming environment, and students can enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities, Greek life, and athletics.

When exploring these colleges, make sure to research their specific academic programs, campus culture, and resources to ensure they align with your interests and goals. Visit the colleges, if possible, and attend campus events or talk to current students to get a better feel for each school's community. While they're all small and located in Florida, they can differ quite a bit in terms of overall vibe.

As you build your college list, you may also find college search engines useful, like CollegeVine's, which allows you to filter schools based on a range of factors, including not just location and size, but also majors offered, student/faculty ratio, admissions requirements, and so on. This tool can help you build a list of schools that are sure to be a good all-around fit for you.

Good luck!