Junior College Tour 2017
March 9, 2017
Photos and brochures only tell part of a college’s story – seeing one for yourself is an experience that nothing can match. In February, forty-nine of Miami High’s top juniors had the chance to do exactly that as they traveled to the University of Florida (UF), University of Central Florida (UCF), Florida Polytechnic University (Florida Poly), University of South Florida (USF), and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).
Guides led the juniors around each school, shown here at USF, to teach them important information about college.
Background
“The main goal of the trip was to expose students to the college experience and show them what to expect in the future,” said chaperone and science department chairperson Dr. Hueck. “Also, for kids who have only seen local colleges, this was an opportunity for them to get a better idea of what schools outside our city are like.”
The juniors were chosen based on various criteria. Having a high GPA was an important factor, but attendance, behavior, and school involvement were also looked at.
This wasn’t the first time that Miami High has visited colleges. According to chaperone and English teacher Ms. Puentes, our school has had similar trips for at least the past five years, but what makes this year’s trip unique is that it is the first one to travel to five colleges instead of the usual three or four.
The juniors and their chaperones (Dr. Hueck, Ms. Puentes, Ms. Meikeljohn, and parent Mr. Silva) just after arriving at FGCU.
Road Trip
The long drives across Florida gave way to lots of sightseeing, conversations, and fun. One of Britney Alpizar’s favorite parts of the trip was all the singing that happened on the bus.
Stops were made between the college tours to enjoy some nice meals. Each day, students ate at a university for lunch and a restaurant in the evening – UCF and Golden Corral, then USF and Cicis Pizza, respectively.
The Quality Suites Hotel at Lake Buena Vista was where everyone stayed overnight, and roommates were made from groups of five. “Getting to room with my friends at a hotel in Orlando – how often do you get to do that for free?” said Gina Martinez. “It was a lot of fun and I would not hesitate to do it again.”
Looking beyond a university’s surface can reveal many interesting features.
Favorite Colleges
Each student had a college that stood out to them. Azhar Moihdeen was most interested in Florida Poly in Lakeland because of its research-based curriculum and its focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), a group of fields he plans to pursue.
Alvaro Espinoza-Hueck said he is interested in both FGCU in Fort Meyers and UF in Gainesville since they offer great political science courses.
One of the most popular schools among the group was UCF in Orlando. “It makes you feel at home,” said Natalie Mandado. “On campus, everyone is super friendly and always willing to help.”
Nataly Cancio said, “UCF fits my personal interest in the sense that the average class size is smaller than universities such as UF. Also, the campus itself is smaller, which makes life easier.”
What Was Learned?
With so much done over two days, a lot was discovered during the trip; student life, admission requirements, and academic programs at each college were just some of the things that got students thinking about their future. “I learned what type of college I want to go to,” said Britney Alpizar. “I’m in between colleges that aren’t as big as UF but bigger than Polytechnic. I also learned that not every school offers the same majors and programs so it is important to do research on where to apply.”
Alexander Lorezana learned that college is no joke. “A lot of teachers don’t care what you do inside or outside the classroom, and you’re old enough to decide whether you want to pay attention or not to go to class,” he said.
“I learned that I prefer very small class sizes, but a huge campus with a ton of student life,” said Helen Acevedo, who was impressed with UCF. “I want a bigger Miami High.”
