Stetson University

Academics

Stetson, a small private university in the heart of Florida, is "an experience-focused environment that places heavy emphasis on diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusive learning." Stetson is "all about using the tools that are given to you"; luckily, there are so many resources that Stetson offers that "you can excel in anything you choose." Small class sizes let personal relationships form and "allows students to be more involved on campus and to have a stronger voice in the classroom." "Ultimately, [the school] wants us to leave things better than how we found them," says one student.

The majority of Stetson professors are "very personable and extremely helpful" and act as students' "biggest cheerleaders." They "are very willing to meet with people outside of class," "love to help you find research opportunities or write recommendations if you know them well enough," and loop students into their work on consulting projects with the Orlando business community, where they can "gain work experience, network, and broaden [their] resume." "When someone says 'Please call/text me if you need anything,' they actually mean it." From faculty to students to staff, Hatters will all "truly put down whatever they are working on to help you with a problem." The staff in particular "does a great job at putting on events for the student body and alleviating stress in any way possible."

Student Body

Students describe Stetson as diverse, with an "abundance of culture radiating through our campus." With only a few thousand students that tend to remain mostly on campus in the "Stetson bubble," this is "a fairly close-knit" group that focuses a lot on community engagement. These are "some of the most friendly people you will ever meet": "We all care about one another equally and help each other out selflessly," says one student. People here are quite selfdriven and really "take the initiative when it comes to bringing cheer and pride on campus." There is a "huge international student population" here, which adds "an amazing viewpoint" to the already incredibly tolerant university.

Campus Life

Stetson is in a "perfect location." This being Florida, the weather is always great and there are "tons of outdoor spaces and outdoor recreation" where students often hang out with friends and relax in the sun. Most students participate in clubs and club-sponsored events; the "abundance of clubs on campus and willingness to let them all speak their minds is very much an important aspect" of life at Stetson that members of the student body hold close to their hearts. "There is a student organization for pretty much everything, and if one doesn't already exist for a specific interest, students are free to start one instead," says one. Stetson's football team has become more successful in recent years, so "homecoming week and football/ tailgating has become a very big thing on campus," and events are all well-attended by the active alumni.

The town of DeLand is a small but great asset, and students can go "downtown to weekly farmers' markets, art and music festivals, go to local bars and breweries, or even just bike around on a great path that goes around town." There's also the option to go to the beach and nearby amusement parks in Orlando.