Choosing between Berry College and universities in Florida

I'm in a pickle here. I got accepted to Berry College, but I'm also considering universities in Florida (since it's my home state). Does anyone have thoughts on Berry College? I'd love to hear the experiences of anyone who's attended. Also, how do Florida universities generally compare?

Berry College is known for its beautiful campus and offers a wide range of undergraduate majors. The student-to-faculty ratio is quite low (around 12:1), which often translates to more personalized attention and interaction with professors. Berry’s Work Experience Program, where work assignments are based on your course of study or area of interest, is unique and may provide you with valuable job skills and leadership training. You can learn more about the Work Experience Program here: https://www.berry.edu/ppd/lifeworks/.

In contrast, universities in Florida like the University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) are larger public schools. These institutions come with different advantages, such as a broader variety of courses and majors, more student organizations, and greater alumni networks. However, the larger size may lead to larger class sizes, especially in popular or lower-division courses.

It's worth noting that as a Florida resident, you would likely be eligible for in-state tuition at Florida public universities, so cost may be a significant factor in your decision. It would be beneficial to calculate your net cost for each institution (tuition, room & board, fees, etc. minus scholarships and grants) when making this decision.

It's hard to be more specific about the costs and benefits without knowing which Florida colleges you might be looking at. The primary benefits are likely having access to the resources of a larger university, and in-state tuition, but comparing school attributes directly will probably be most helpful in determining where you should go.

Remember, university is not only about academics. Think about where you could see yourself living for the next several years. Both environments will be different, considering Berry is located in rural Georgia, while most Florida universities are either in or near cities.

In summary, it really comes down to personal preferences such as class size, cost, location, and course offerings. Researching more about the programs and departments that interest you at both Berry College and your Florida options could help you make the final decision. Be sure to consider not just academics, but also the social life, housing, extracurricular activities, and feel of the campus.