Palm Beach Atlantic University

Date: Nov 20 2009
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
If you do your research before attending, you will be getting pretty much what you expect. A very large number of people arrive and have no idea what the rules- which are readily available online- will be like. This creates bitter students and people who have no interest in upholding the standards of the university. One very important thing: the school advertises 3,000+ students. This includes EVERY student: undergrad, graduate, night, part-time, one class, whatever. There are less than 2,000 traditional students with whom you will interact. Also, the retention rate is listed as in the 70s. During the mandatory freshman year experience class, students are told by professors that the four-year retention is between 25-45 percent. Even by conservative numbers, 55% of your freshmen year classmates will transfer out. They come for the location and for many students it ends up not being enough. You will NOT be getting "the college experience" at PBA. This isn't because of a lack of partying and inappropriate behavior- that is certainly present for those who choose to pursue it. You miss the experience caused by engaged students who love and are involved in their school, varied EC activities (there is almost nothing to occupy your time at PBA, even if you are involved in everything), a variety of students and interests, and school pride. Transferring to a school where I can live out my faith but still have that experience is the best decision I could have made. In less than a month at a state school, I found more committed Christians to journey through life with than a year pursuing them at PBA, where calling yourself a "Christian" is the style but not the lifestyle.