A Country Club?

Introduction
My biggest advice to those considering attending Rollins is to visit us if at all possible. While the brochures and website depict us well, that presents a very one-dimensional view of campus life. It is every bit as gorgeous as it appears in pictures, maybe even more so, but there is more to this school than the Mediterranean architecture and the endless sunshine. I came to visit during my senior year and stayed the night with a student. I attended a class to experience the atmosphere of a typical classroom. You still don't see everything about the school that way, but it was enough to make me decide to attend. In short, I chose Rollins on the basis of a beautiful campus, small classes, and a fabulous scholarship (although not necessarily in that order).

Campus Life and Social Life
Campus life is rarely dull, that's for sure. Campus organizations are really diverse and really well supported at this school. If there isn't a group that meets your interests or needs, you can easily take initiative and start one. Sports - both varsity and intramurals - are pretty big as well. It seems that there is always some sporting event to watch, or people playing Ultimate or volleyball around campus. The partying atmosphere can be a little intense at times, as people tend to have a lot of money to spend and a lot of free time. The weekend definitely starts on Thursday night, with few students having Friday classes. Many people go out to the clubs in downtown Orlando, but there is plenty of partying in the dorms as well. Greek life is a big deal, too, and frat parties are frequent. I'm sort of over the endless party scene, so I find myself escaping off campus a lot of the time. Orlando may not be a cultural mecca, but there is plenty to do in the way of theatres, museums, parks, and the like.
In terms of housing and dining, this is one of the best campuses anywhere. Dormitory housing, though older, is spacious and well-kept, and the College manages an apartment building adjacent to campus for students as well. In comparison with other colleges, dining service is good. The food is palatable, there is almost always some place open to grab a bite. Advertisement
Academics
The workload, at least for most intro-level courses, seems pretty comparable to a high school workload. The professors here are wonderful: quite possibly the best thing about Rollins. Being a small school, you have access to your professors during their office hours and often at other times as well. The vast majority are willing to sit with students and discuss concepts from class, help them to explore their interests in the field, offer guidance, or just listen. The school's biggest major - by far - is the International Business major, and most people in that field seem to really enjoy it. Foreign languages, in particular Spanish, and Psychology are big here as well. I haven't really heard of any particularly awful major.

Student Body
The typical student, known as a "Rollie Collie", is from a white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant upper-middle-to-upper-class family. S/he might drive a BMW or a Hummer, pop his/her collar, and be accustomed to the good life. There is a lot of money and not a whole lot of diversity. While many students are very much into their academics, a large portion do not seem very focused on school. The college also has a reputation for having something of a "drug problem," and while this is somewhat true, it certainly is not the case that everyone is a cokehead.

In Closing...
Like any school, Rollins has its advantages and its drawbacks. I feel that, for me, the advantages of small class size, great professor interaction, and the opportunity to get what I want out of my education far outweigh the drawbacks. Good luck making your college decision!