Melbourne or Miami??

[Cartman89]

Well it comes down to florida tech and Rosenstiel school for marine and atmospheric sciences. My parents are really wanting me to go to florida tech in Melbourne FL but I want to go too Rosenstiel. The reason my parents say no to Miami is because of all the crime. I'm nervous about Florida techs marine biology program and I know that Rosenstiel has a fantastic marine bio program... plus a scuba diving club! But if I went to FLorida tech I would help run my dads business and it pays high. If I went to Miami I would have to find a job but I may have a really good chance of finding a job that will help me in my major. So what should I do? I'm caught in this pickle. Sorry about any mispelled words and grammer, I just haven't typed in two weeks and I'm tired. Thanks

[billyr98]

can't go wrong working with Dad... at least its the only guarentee in the options..

[jkhalliday76]

I say do what you want to do. Yeah, working for dad is cool and cushy, but it doesn't allow you as many experiences as you'd get on your own. As far as Miami having crime...I live in Memphis, crime is outrageous, but as long as you're smart, you'll be fine. Knock on wood, I haven't been a victim of any crime yet and I've been here almost 5 years now. Crime happens everywhere.

[Witfull]

work for dad and take your basic courses at a community college, transfer to a a degree college of your choice later. saves money and allows you bank some as well.

[lcstorc]

Well for starters I don't really know anything about either school, but I do know both places pretty well.
I grew up in Ft Lauderdale, then Miami for about 10 yrs as a young adult and have been in Cocoa (just north of Melbourne) for about 10 yrs.
I would do Melbourne easy.
Crime in Miami is no worse than any other big city. You just need to learn where not to go and pay attention etc. The thing I did not like there was that people were just generally not friendly.
I am a very outgoing person and this was an issue for me. Also unemployment in Miami is bad particularly for someone starting out.

In Melbourne everything is a lot more laid back and people are much more friendly. Your timing is going to be everything as far as job market in Melbourne. (I am assuming you may not want to work for dad.) Right now jobs are pretty available but the shuttle program is shutting down in 2010 so lots of people will be out of jobs at that point. (Including my husband. ) You may think this doesn't matter to you, but the Cape has jobs doing everything you can imagine including being a wildlife refuge. That part may still exist, but everybody from rocket scientists to cafeteria workers will be out of jobs in a couple of years.
One additional piece of info is that one of the on-line fish companies just opened a 10000sq ft building in Ft Pierce which is less than an hours drive from Melbourne. They are soon to open for retail/walk-in business but are running their on-line out of there as of now. Certainly sounds like a possible job opportunity to me. If you want to know who, pm me and I will respond. They are not a sponsor so I don't want to advertise for them. Once they open I'll try to get them as a RS sponsor then I can send them business. LOL
Well, if you have any questions about either city just let me know. Wish I knew more about the schools in question, but I agree with Wit on this one. Get the basics wherever (Community College sounds great) then worry about the best school for your major etc.

[iluvzigz]

i can agree with lynn..ive lived here (in south fla) all my life so im pretty familar with all of mid to south fla ..and i love miami but i wouldnt want to live there ..its getting busier and busier..i do however go to melbourne frequently for work at the airport ..and let me tell you its actuallly not that bad there i was actually talking to my buddy when we were up there ,that it'd be a nice place to move...

Lynn-they dont call it the space coast for nothing.i cant wait for that info lynn pm me about that FS

[MarbleShark]

What about Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton?

When I went there they were ranked 3rd in the nation in Marine Biology behind only Miami and Berry.

Not as far as Miami and could possibly commute to work or something along those lines.

[FateX8]

I guess I should chime in since I go to Florida Tech for Marine Bio and Aquaculture. To start off, there isn't much to do in Melbourne so if you're looking for a party city deffinately not Melbourne. As for the school itself, there's some professors I'd rather not have but that's with any school. Dr. van Woesik is world renowned for research on coral bleaching, mainly sps. Last year he was in Mexico with grad students doing some research with coral bleaching. In terms of Aquaculture, we have a facility in Vero Beach that's in conjunction with MariTech (aquaculture company). Some of my friends are interning at Epcot's aquaculture department and ORA. The campus is small. There isn't a diving club but people go diving together all the time. There is an aquaculture club but not much gets done.
If you have any other questions let me know and I'll answer them to the best of my ability
Mike

[Witfull]

there ya go,,,the inside scoop~

[boozeman]

lmao...talk about FATE stepping in

[iluvzigz]

Originally Posted by boozeman

lmao...talk about FATE stepping in

NICE! LOL

[Cartman89]

ah, thanks for all the info!