Rollins College

Full disclosure– I’m a 2-​time graduate (undergrad and grad school) and a former staff member (while I was in grad school).
That being said, I no longer work at Rollins and I feel I can be absolutely honest about it.
LOVE. I love this college! I know first hand that the staff members at Rollins truly care about the students and their experience at the college. I’ve worked/​studied at other colleges and I was so surprised at Rollins that everyone I passed walking around campus had a smile on their face. The community-​feel of this tiny liberal arts college is so unique and special.
As a student, I know that the small class sizes suited me well. I never had a class over 20 people, even though I was in the much more affordable evening school (Hamilton Holt). This gave me the opportunity to make an impression on my professors and I’ve since had them recommend me for jobs, and been hired by two former professors (once while I was still in undergrad, once after I’d left Rollins).
The grounds are truly a thing to behold. Rollins obviously spends a lot of time, energy, and money on the landscaping and overall feel of the physical campus. It is beautifully manicured — so much so that you always see wedding photographers shooting all around campus!
Finally, the community events. The Rollins-​affiliated Winter Park Institute puts on incredible speaker events, bringing the high-​dollar guests to campus. These are always free and open to the public, so I hope people really start paying attention to their schedule (not always well-​publicized outside of Rollins). Other reviewers mentioned some of the previous speakers: Dr. Jane Goodall, Oliver Stone, Ken Burns, Dr. Michio Kaku, Gloria Steinem, Maya Angelou, etc.
TIP: The price can be cost-​prohibitive, but I always direct friends to the Hamilton Holt School, which has evening classes (allowing you to work during the day) and is a third of the cost of the day-​college.

As an alum I can definitely say I miss my time at this school. The professors were wonderful and the courses were challenging and engaging.
This reviews is based on the community and campus at Rollins.
Not only are there monthly events free to the community but this school has cultivated a great literary, artistic, scientific atmosphere and community through their various free programs and renowned guests such as Jane Goodall, Oliver Stone, Ken Burns, Dr. Michio Kaku, Gloria Steinem, David McCullough, and so many more. Events like Winter With the Writers (organized by the English Department and my fellow English majors), the Winter Park Institute, the Bach Festival, and many community events such as picnics and holiday events are open to everyone.
The campus is beautiful and you’ll often see photographers and people just walking on campus to take in the view. It’s great to visit for a few hours, walk around, chat with professors and students, catch a soccer game, walk the lake, visit the library, take a look at the archives (You’ll find so much more than Mr. Rogers memorabilia-​although he’s awesome). Finally, walk nearby Park Avenue and end your day at one of the local restaurants. You can see and feel the history all around you here and it’s wonderful.

This review is just as a community member, not a student of Rollins. The campus is gorgeous with lots of beautiful areas for walking/​running/​biking, if you’re a runner make sure you hit the trail down by the lake that goes past the docks, it is the perfect soft crushed gravel surface and your feet/​legs will LOVE IT.
I have also been to community classes there and they were well organized and presented as part of a delicious luncheon.

Went on a tour here. Wow, it seemed completely awesome! If you can afford to go here, do it! The town is super cute too, though a little snobby. The music program was full of very talented and hard-​working students and professors. Seems like there’s a lot of culture here to keep you interested in life, and yet it’s a small school. Wish I had gone here! Some photos:

During the school year, Rollins College offers free recitals put on by the faculty and students. Check their website’s music dept calendar for specifics. Usually its an hour or so performance that begins at 7:30pm. Most of the performances I’ve seen have been good to great. Soprano singing, string ensembles, piano, etc.

Address listed here is incorrect. Correct street/​mailing address is:
1000 Holt Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32 789‑4499
Main telephone is (407) 646‑2000

I can’t believe nobody has written a review yet of this prestigious school. My friends and I were here to play some basketball. We normally play outside at various parks throughout Orlando. However it is just too damn hot to do that anymore. So we hit up the gym over at Rollins. Home of the Tars. They have a pretty nice sports facility over there. They have their main court that their college volleyball and basketball teams play on. Upstairs from there is another court. Definitely worth checking out. The only catch with playing here is that you have to be a guest of a Rollins student. Sometimes the guy is pretty cool about it letting people play but just to be on the safe side.
WeatherMan Predicts: Some serious hoopage! But make sure you bring your own form of hydration. The water fountain or bubbler (new england thang) is just straight nasty!