Taking the campus tour is an essential step to help your students decide where they will make their home for the next 4 years. Some students like to tour before they apply, while others tour schools after they have been accepted. When my daughter was applying to schools, we did both; however, the tours after the acceptance letters were received were very different from the initial visits. Taking the tour after being accepted helps to pinpoint the pertinent things that will help your student make their final decision as to which school to attend. Of course, my daughter loves being an Owl, but your student may have specific things that will help them weigh out the pros and cons of each college.

Go with a list of questions, but not the kind of questions that you can just google an answer to. Don’t be shy about asking your tour guide, financial advisor, a specific department, or even students hanging out at the Student Union. They can be your greatest resources.

Some of the more common questions our interns found important to prospective students are:

• What is the size of the overall campus?
• What is the size of the dorm rooms and how many people live in each room?
• What food options are available to a freshman? What does the meal plan cover and will it fit your diet?
• What are the locations of your “majors” classes?
• What type of technology is used or available in the classrooms/libraries?
• How many printing locations are available? Is it free to print or does it cost money?
• How clean is the campus/restrooms?
• How many gyms are on campus and where are they located?
• How safe are the campus and surrounding neighborhoods?
• What is the transportation system like? Are there frequent bus stops? Available parking spaces?
• What safety precautions are on campus?

Perhaps Greek life is important to your students. FAU does not have Sorority or Fraternity Housing, but you can often spot a member around campus (look out for Greek letters on shirts). Perhaps you have a friend who’s son or daughter is a member of a Fraternity or Sorority Life, reach out to them before going.  You can also stop into the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, here the Greek Life advisors or the Interns (Fraternity or Sorority members) will be happy to answer any and all questions. If your student has a health condition that makes having specific health center capabilities nearby of great importance; go check it out. Call in advance to tour the facility. PS. There is a pharmacy there as well. Learn more about their Student Health Services.

During an FAU campus tour, the student ambassadors will take you to the most popular spots on campus. Your tour will begin in the office of undergraduate admissions. From there you will spend the day like an FAU Owl, visiting the Atlantic Dining Hall and the S.E. Wimberly Library. The tour will showcase a multitude of Buildings and Classrooms. No tour would be complete without a visit to the FAU Stadium and Recreation Center. FAU campus tours do not include a visit to the residence halls. Residence halls can be toured virtually. Take a peek into student life at FAU.

If your student has an interest in a specific field of study, we recommend taking a tour of that college as well. Ask your tour guide if they have time to show you or you can pick up a self-guided tour map in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. FAU campus tours are offered Monday – Friday and select Saturdays. Every tour will start with a 15-minute info session and then a 60- 90-minute walking tour. Sign up for a campus tour led by an FAU student ambassador. Group tours are also available. You may also take a Virtual Tour of many experiences that FAU offers. If you’re religious and that is important to your student, be sure to check out the student organizations around campus. We have information on the on and off-campus religious organizations.

You may want to visit the registrar’s office to be sure that your credits would transfer from any AP, AICE, or dual enrollment classes too. Perhaps the honors program is more your student’s interest, definitely be sure to ask about this at FAU. The Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College is slightly more rigorous so be sure it will be a good fit. This program is offered at the Jupiter Campus. To Visit the Harriet L. Wilkes honor college, you can book a tour of the Jupiter Campus.

The FAU Athletics department is a huge part of campus life. From football to basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, track, volleyball, swimming, and more, FAU has it all.  And, if your student is interested in competing but at the club level, there are over 20 clubs to compete in. For more information about Club Sports. Overall, there really is no better way to get a sense of how you truly feel about a college until you step foot on campus.

Finally, while I loved FAU as did my daughter, it is important that your student love FAU. Have them make the most out of their campus tour by asking the necessary questions, visiting places you’re going to be, and getting a feel for your life as a future Owl!

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Let’s face it, these are odd and crazy times! Things look very different at FAU this semester but one thing is still for sure; we all still love to visit our Owls and they love visits from us. There are plenty of different food options that offer outside and patio seating, are operating at 50% capacity indoors, and others provide pick up or delivery to adhere to and cater to potential COVID-19 related concerns. Check out some of these places to eat.

Dining

• 2 Georges at the Cove
• Charm City Burger Co:
• Dada
• Deck 84
• Dubliner
• Kapow Noodle Bar
• Loch Bar
• Louie Bossi’s
• Max’s Grille
• Rocco’s Tacos
• Yard House

Outdoor Activities

There are also many outdoor activities to participate in to make memories in a safe and socially distanced manner.

• Gumbo Limbo Nature Center: About 4 miles from FAU, Gumbo Limbo is a must-see. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is a local favorite. Gumbo Limbo features a boardwalk, a butterfly garden, a small museum, and large outdoor tanks featuring Florida sea life and tropical fish. Gumbo Limbo is also a Turtle rehabilitation center; they rescue injured or sick turtles and eventually return them back to the wild. Gumbo Limbo also has a canoe, kayak, and paddleboarding tours of the Intracoastal Waterway.
• Tortuga Trail: Located on campus, The Tortuga Trail is a natural scrubland that is home to box turtles, owls, and various species of Florida birds and plants. There are 3 trails within the preserve area, all varying lengths.  The trail is free to FAU students and their guests.
• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens: About 15 minutes from FAU, Morikami features beautiful, lush Japanese gardens featuring bonsai trees, waterfalls, and flowers. The gardens are inspired by famous gardens found in Japan. Morikami also features several exhibits, a theater, and a café.
• Beaches: We wouldn’t be talking about Boca Raton if we didn’t mention the beach; your student is going to school only about 5 minutes away from one. There are several beautiful beaches and parks right down the street from FAU. Palmetto Beach and Spanish River Park are popular among students.
• For those feeling adventurous, take a trip out to the Florida Everglades. The Florida Everglades is home to several different species of wildlife such as birds, fish, and yes-even alligators. Taking an Airboat is basically a rite of passage in Florida and is a great way to tour this beautiful land.
• Maybe a nice stroll along a beachside pier is what you’re looking for. Head on down to Deerfield Beach, about 20 minutes from FAU, and take a nice walk along the beachfront pier. Fishermen can partake in fishing off the pier; fishing rods and bait are available for rent. The pier is a beautiful spot for taking in some of South Florida’s sights and it’s located on a popular beach.

Regardless of how you choose to visit your student this school year, we hope you make the most of your time with them in their college town by seeing their favorite places (walking or driving), meeting their friends, and catching up on all the fun times they are having. Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

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College can be challenging for all students, therefore finding ways to make connections with others who identify similarly can make a big difference. The American College Health Association estimate that at least 10% of college students identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, asexual, pansexual, or questioning. Although LGBTQ PRIDE is becoming more prevalent, the LGBTQ community often face additional pressures or concerns. FAU and its surrounding community offer resources and information to both help LGBTQ students navigate the college environment and make connections in a group setting.

Students may want to start by visiting the FAU LGBT+ Resource Center. There they will find resources and a supportive campus environment. Students may also want to get involved in Peer Mentoring. Mentors aim to support mentees through many facets of LGBTQ identity development through frank, informal, one-on-one conversations, wherein support and information are provided.

Lambda United, LGBTQIA Student Organization at 777 Glades Road, serves the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community at FAU. For more information, follow them on Instagram or Facebook or email ambdaoffau@gmail.com.

Refer to this page for listings and a map of gender-neutral restrooms throughout campus. If you are looking for a safe space to explore and talk with others about the joys and challenges of the LGBTQ community, you may want to join the LGBTQ Support Group every Wednesday at 3 pm.

Off-campus groups and organizations near FAU:

• Compass, Inc. (Lake Worth) – ay & Lesbian Community Center of the Palm Beaches
• The Pride Center at Equality Park (Ft. Lauderdale)
  Gay & Lesbian Community Center of South Florida
  Palm Beach Human Rights Council
• PFLAG – Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
• Equality Florida

FAU also celebrates the achievements and contributions of graduating members of their LGBTQ community with Lavender Graduation held in addition to the traditional commencement services.

HaveUHeard that on a scale of 1 – 5, FAU scores a 4.5 on the Pride Index? Students that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or queer should not only feel secure that they have a safe environment where they can thrive as a student, but they should also feel confident that there is a community that will welcome them to a place they can make connections. FAU works hard to be sure that happens for all its students by promoting advocacy and education as well as creating opportunities for socialization and support.

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You are going to want to know what to wear for recruitment. Welcome to Florida Atlantic University recruitment and life as a Potential New Member, or PNM! This is going to be an exciting time in your life when you get to find the chapter you will be spending your undergraduate years at. When preparing for recruitment, you’ll want to get to school prior to the Fall semester as recruitment begins before the start of classes. Over the course of a week, you’ll get to visit six chapters and get to know the sorority women who are a part of them. We’re here to give you a guide of what you can expect during this exciting time.

Orientation

Orientation happens the day before recruitment starts. Though we won’t be there to answer questions physically, you will be assigned a recruitment counselor, otherwise known as a Rho Gamma. The Rho Gamma is someone who is currently a sorority member and has been through recruitment, allowing them to better be able to assist you. They will not tell you which chapter they are a part of to provide you with a completely unbiased perspective should you have questions or concerns during your recruitment experience.

Towards the end, they typically do an ice cream social so the girls can get to know their recruitment group. During recruitment, you’ll be meeting chapter members in different conference rooms as there are no sorority houses at the university. This leads to the chapter dues being much less expensive than you would find at other universities. Prepare for your days to be busy and hectic, so refer to our list of essential items to keep with you throughout the process.

What to wear: This is super casual so girls can wear jeans and sandals or sneakers.

Round One: Sisterhood Round

Round one is known as the sister round. Sisters will discuss the sisterhood in the chapter and basically display all the fun events done all year such as formal, semi-formal, crush party, sisterhoods, socials, etc.

Round 1 is divided into 2 days and takes about 20 to 30 minutes at each chapter. Certain groups of PNMS will visit half of the sororities on day one and then they will see the other groups on the 2nd day. They do this so the PNMS and sisters are not overwhelmed. These days will be identical so it does not matter what day you attend, for example, the rooms, decor, and outfits stay the same.

This is your opportunity to ask questions about the chapters to begin to get to know them, while also giving the chapter members a glimpse of your personality so they have the opportunity to also get to know you. After visiting all six chapters, you will eliminate one sorority that you feel isn’t the right fit, and place it on your ‘non-favorite’ list.

What to wear: Sundress or romper

Outfits: Macy’s   Revolve   Amazon

Shoes: Nordstrom Rack   Revolve   Target

Jewelry: Princess Polly     Baublebar

Round Two: Leadership & Scholarship Round

Round 2 is both divided into 2 days. Certain groups of PNMS will visit half of the sororities on day one and then they will see the other groups on the 2nd day. They do this so the PNMS and sisters are not overwhelmed. These days will be identical so it does not matter what day you attend, for example, the rooms, decor, and outfits stay the same.

When heading back to the recruitment location for the second round, you will receive a list of what sororities you will have on your schedule for the day. This is based on mutual selection – just as you eliminate a chapter, chapters also will release PNM’s if they feel like it is not a good fit. Chapters will showcase their leadership opportunities and the benefits of joining a sorority. Many will discuss their chapter’s GPA, study schedule, study hour requirement. Plan on spending about 40 minutes at each chapter.

What to wear:  With this round, you can wear a casual skirt, romper, or dress paired with wedges or platform shoes. Make sure whatever you choose, you are comfortable and confident for the day ahead.

Outfits: Lulus     Lulus    Shein

Shoes:  Lulus     Nordstrom Rack    Nordstrom

Jewelry: Baublebar Free People    Anthropologie     Nordstrom

Round Three: Service & Philanthropy Round

Before you start the day, you’ll again receive a list of which chapters you will return to. At each chapter, you’ll learn more about a non-profit organization the chapter aligns itself with. Chapters have events and fundraisers throughout the year to raise money and awareness for said organization. You’ll also be speaking to additional members of the chapter to further get to know them and see if you can envision yourself in that chapter. Plan on spending about 40 minutes at each chapter.

What to wear: Round three wardrobe is a lot like round two, but think a step dressier. A nice sundress or romper is appropriate for this round paired with platform shoes/wedges. This could be something you would wear to a graduation party or daytime wedding, but again just make sure you are comfortable.

Outfits: Show Me Your Mumu   Revolve   Lulus

Shoes:  Nordstrom Rack   Revolve   Target

Jewelry: Nordstrom   Baublebar   Baublebar

Round Four: Preference Round (Prefs)

You made it to the last round of recruitment! Round Four is referred to as Preference Round as you will be making a decision of which sorority you want to be with at the end of recruitment. You’ll visit up to two houses on this day, and will speak to chapter members for longer than the previous rounds; about one hour. You’ll want to share more details about your values and where you envision yourself.

Make sure you get all the information you feel you need and share everything about yourself that you would like to, as this is the final day before bid day. These conversations will give you a better idea of what the girls are like and their reputation. It will also give the sororities a better idea of who you are and your values since they are trying to bring girls in that match the sorority’s values.

What to wear: This is the fanciest round, so we recommend a semi-formal black dress paired with platforms/wedges. Compare this to a dress you would wear to a fancy dinner or graduation ceremony.

Outfits: Lulus   Lulus   Lulus

Shoes:  Lulus   Nordstrom   Bloomingdales

Jewelry:  Nordstrom   Baublebar   Baublebar

Bid Day

It’s finally here, the day you’ve been waiting for! Today you will receive a bid to one of the chapters you visited during the preference round. Once you open your envelope, you’ll head over to your new sisters and celebrate!

What to wear: You will receive a shirt from the sorority you are selected for and can pair that with jean shorts and comfortable shoes.

Outfits: Lulus    American Eagle

Shoes: Revolve   Amazon   Nordstrom Rack

Find more great outfits, shoes, and jewelry at the stores below. We hope you will look them over.

• Nordstrom
• Nordstrom Rack
• Show Me Your Mumu
• Lulu’s
• Revolve
• Macy’s
• Amazon
• Francesca’s
• American Eagle
• Etsy
• BaubleBar
• Princess Polly
• Shein
• Bloomingdales

Congratulations and welcome to Florida Atlantic University Panhellenic!

Lindsay Fine and Catie Kuter, FAU

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Students usually choose a major over a period of time. I have always been a fan of taking a variety of classes until you find the ones that you enjoy most and choosing a major around that. Every school, including FAU, has its more popular majors as well. However; in these unprecedented times students might want to take recent events into consideration when choosing or changing their major.

As with any major event, such as a recession, war, or, in this case, a pandemic, there is a shift in what type of degree a student may want to consider pursuing. Certainly, the job market will look different in the future. Contemplating what jobs were sustainable throughout the pandemic may also help in the decision-making process. For instance, public health which can include hospital management, infectious disease, and clinical research, among other things, was already a fast-growing major, but may continue to grow due to an upcoming need. Similarly, we definitely learned the significance of our health-care workers.

There are many avenues that can stem from majors in the Health Sciences; including, but not limited to, degrees that can lead to careers as a physician assistant, biomedical engineer, occupational therapist, microbiologist, and nurse. Under the Health Sciences umbrella students can study Behavioral and Mental Health, Women’s Studies, Public/Global/Environmental Health, and Geriatrics (Aging Studies). FAU uniquely offers various majors in regard to Geriatrics. Students can study Gerontology or Healthy Aging.

Majors in Exercise Science and Health Promotion teach students to help people live healthier lives through exercise, rehabilitation, and nutrition. Students are groomed for careers that will undoubtedly take on a new look post-pandemic but will remain necessary. Graduates often pursue careers in fields, such as physical therapy, sports medicine, cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation, corporate fitness, medical school, allied health, coaching, and other industry positions.

Teaching has undoubtedly taken on a new lens, aside from many having a newfound respect for the value of a good educator. FAU offers degrees to prepare students for traditional and non-traditional avenues through their College of Education major. However, while the look of education has also been altered, teachers will always be needed and now could also benefit from a background in computer sciences.

Politics in one form or another, particularly since politicians and government seemed to have become an integral part of our daily lives, could be worth considering. FAU’s Political Sciences major prepares students for careers in law, government and non-government organizations, politics, and the private sector.

Wellness in mental health has taken on new forms (particularly those that can be done remotely) and have increased in popularity, so a major in psychology or social work, can lead to varying careers in this realm. A Bachelor of Science in psychology is widely sought in business, education, and mental health fields.

Majors in engineering range from Environmental, Civil, to Geomatics engineering; with an opportunity to enter a joint BS/MS degree program allowing students to complete both degrees in five years, it provides many positive choices for students long term.

Finance, as well, which can prepare students for careers in financial management, investments, and insurance; among others, are also available and will continue to be needed. Economics majors are taught skills and training for careers in business, law, government, politics, teaching, research, and a variety of other areas that lead to stable, higher-paying jobs that will undoubtedly remain popular. However, in today’s climate, it can’t hurt to consider what jobs can be done remotely as well.

In addition to choosing a major, students may want to add some skills like mastering Photoshop, Google-drive, Zoom, data analysis, computer programming, proficiency in a second (or third) language. There are many certificate programs that can be done outside of college classes that can only enhance your employability. Increasing your knowledge escalates your value to potential employers.

Some college majors may be changing and many are offered almost solely online. New ones may be added and others may disappear. Find out what major programs are of interest to you and how FAU can help you decide. Encourage your student to visit the Career Center or Career Advising and Consulting. They offer seminars and meetings to not only help find them a job but to educate them on the careers out in the working field; and for now, it is all offered virtually. And, for those students that are truly undecided, Major KnOWLedge is an early exploration tool that helps students identify personal interests to guide them to career pathways.

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Owl-always love football! I love going to FAU football games- there is nothing like game day. HaveUHeard how FAU got its colors? In the conference room of the second floor of the Weir Plaza, it was suggested by Adelaide Snyder, the first employee and Vice President for University Relations that blue and tan for the sea and sand be FAU’s colors. Roger Miller, then the top administrative officer had just retired from Army JAG as a colonel and he said he never wanted to see the color tan again. So Adelaide brought the chart of colors in again and got the men (at that time there were no other women) to approve French Blue and Silver Grey.

I’m all about the Red and Blue on game days and I am somewhat about the fashion. But I also want to be comfortable especially on those Florida humid days when you are packed in a stadium and it is more than 90° out and the humidity is stifling. Here are my suggestions for what to wear to the game for parents.

You can wear officially licensed Owl wear or just dress in their colors. Here are some great suggestions for us Moms and Dads from cotton tops and t-shirts to comfortable dresses for the moms and collared shirts, polos, or jerseys for dads or just a super comfortable, breathable tee. Throw in some accessories including a regulation stadium bag and a logo-ed skin for your cell and everyone will know you love the Owls.

As Game Day gets closer, FAU will announce what colors students are expected to wear. For example, they may announce that a game will have a “white-out” or a “blue or red-out.” This means Owl students should wear a blue, red, or white outfit! Want to know the actual primary colors- FAU gives you the graphic versions.

We think the best in authentic college clothing, accessories, and fan gear is Fanatics. They carry brands such as Jordan Gear, Vineyard Vines, Stance, Columbia, Dooney & Bourke, Tommy Bahama, Vera Bradley, Orca, Southern Tide, College Row One Shoes, Johnnie-O Clothing, and Peter Millar Clothing. Add in everything you need for tailgating including NCAA tents, tables, and chairs, waterless face tattoos, eye black, jewelry, and more.

For shorts or jeans (only if it is cool out- even ’70s will still be hot), I like American Eagle’s mom jeans or denim shorts.

If wearing a comfortable dress is the way you want to go, definitely check out some of these fun Game Day dresses from Redbubble.

If you are like me and more about ‘repping the school’s colors, just look for red, blue or silver. Throw in some accessories including a regulation stadium bag from SCORE! The Official Game Day bag (you even get a 15% discount- get code by clicking on the link), cute red and blue earrings and everyone will know you love the Owls!

We would strongly recommend leaving the high heels at home as you will be walking to the stadium and climbing stands. I love wearing Converse sneakers or Adidas Stan Smith, depending on my outfit. For cooler weather, I even have worn flat boots.

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With an undergraduate enrollment of over 25,000 spanning across the Boca Raton Campus, FAU can feel huge. The large size of the campus means students should find a place where they feel at home. Some students will choose to rush a sorority or fraternity but others will not find Greek life their cup of tea. No worries; there are many other possible ways to get involved on campus.

Some of you may believe that your student’s first job is school, and I couldn’t agree more. That said; being involved in some way is rather important too. Firstly, joining a club will help your students build a community. Since they’re leaving their family and sometimes their friends behind, getting involved helps them to discover new friends with similar interests. It only takes a few friends to make a large school feel smaller. Joining clubs or organizations allows students to discover their passions and strengths.  It also helps them to discover what they don’t like, which can be just as important. Clubs and student organizations only enhance a student’s time at FAU.

Academic and personal growth often occurs in places other than inside the classroom. I would love to give you a list of all the different places your student can get involved, but FAU has a wide variety of recognized student organizations on campus covering almost any interest from dance, religion, politics, recreation, research, culture, music, adventure and more.

Below is a list of some popular clubs/organizations.

By far one of the most popular Student Organizations on campus is the Resident Student Organization. Students who live in FAU’s dorms run this organization. While they often create initiatives to make dorm living better, they also plan events to make dorm living fun and enjoyable for the students.

• Student Government– Perhaps a voice in FAU’s student government is of interest to your student. This is a great way to hone those leadership skills.
• OwlThon, or Dance Marathon as its commonly known, is wildly popular amongst sororities and fraternities, but truly there are many others who love to get involved. It is a yearlong event of planning and fundraising culminating in a dance marathon. When else would you get the chance to dance for 13.1 hours straight while raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network? It’s pretty awesome.
• Church groups – There are over 15 religious/spiritual organizations on campus.
• Hillel– Offers holiday and Shabbat dinners and a whole lot more. This is a great alternative since it can be difficult for kids to get home for holidays. Hillel also holds a variety of events throughout the semester for students to get involved in.
• Intramural Sports– are a great option. It can be fun and it provides exercise and stress relief. The sports choices change each semester.

It’s not necessarily what they do, but rather that they find their place. Encourage your student to get involved in one or more student organizations. It is too easy to feel lost at a large campus and getting involved will most definitely make the campus seem much smaller. Getting involved will also look good on their resume when they go to apply for internships or a job upon graduating.

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Campus diversity amongst students has grown considerably over the years and most colleges acknowledge the need to honor various minority groups. Colleges also propose to create campuses that maintain an inclusive atmosphere; allowing all its students to gain exposure, perceptions, global awareness, and a willingness to collaborate peacefully and freely. College campuses strive to support their black organizations and students.

Students are supported through varying resources at each school. While there are quite a few national associations, often colleges have localized branches that provide a more personalized experience. While each groups’ overall goal may differ somewhat, the overall goal of all the on-campus organizations is to encourage a welcoming space for black students to make connections. Some organizations for students of color are sponsored by professional societies, while others focus on diversity, mentoring, networking, college achievement, and other types of support.

There are many multicultural groups available for both undergraduate and graduate students at Florida Atlantic University. They range from academic groups to cultural and social groups to spiritual groups and more. I encourage you to explore all the options to see what is available to you. Among the organizations, clubs, and groups on campus; students may also be interested in joining one of the sororities or fraternities that are part of the nine African American National Pan-Hellenic Council. These social organizations provide students with the opportunity to network, volunteer in local communities, receive leadership training, access member-exclusive career boards, and participate in professional training. Not all of the national Greek organizations have chapters at Florida Atlantic University, but many do. Their missions and membership requirements vary, but what they stand for is clearly stated and you’ll be sure to find something of interest to you. That does not preclude joining any of the Greek organizations on campus.

One thing is for sure, and that’s that it is easy to get involved. The University encourages Black Student Involvement to support and create community. They advocate for the educational, social, and cultural needs of students. Whether serving as a forum for communication amongst diverse students and faculty, to help minority students build strong social networks, serve as an official voice for the black community, searching for scholarships, or simply in pursuit of a welcoming space amongst other students of color; your college undoubtedly has a place where you will find your connections. Florida Atlantic University is proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the state of Florida.

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Volunteering in college gives students the opportunity to give back to the community while doing what they love. It is important to give back to your community for a variety of reasons. Not only will you be helping others, but also students can discover a passion for their future and increase their chance of standing out within a sea of grad school applications.

Why should the graduate program pick you over another person? Graduate schools look for more than just the book smart student. They look for well-rounded students who want to make a difference. Being altruistic is such an important quality to have. Another great quality graduate schools look at is being able to balance your time. If you are able to take rigorous classes, be involved in extracurricular, have a job or internship AND volunteer, they know that you will be able to handle their program. (Is this sounding like your application to get into undergrad?)

While volunteering, you might have a life-changing experience. If you have some idea of what you want to do in the future, it may be a good idea to volunteer in that field. If you are interested in making a difference in the medical field, volunteer at a local hospital. Maybe you are aspiring to be a teacher; a youth center might be the perfect fit for you. Students who are undecided should not be deterred; volunteering is a great way to find your passion.  There are so many options to make a difference and have the experiences impact your life.

But you may ask, how do I find these experiences? FAU has incredible resources to help find volunteer opportunities. Check out FAU’s Wepner Center for LEAD & Service-learning. You find information on several volunteer opportunities on and off campus including Elite Owls and Owl Breaks. The Wepner Center for LEAD & Service learning also presents a Volunteer Fair each fall. The Volunteer Fair features 25 local community agencies looking for volunteers.

Other Volunteer Opportunities include:

Volunteer for OwlThon

Alzheimer’s Association of Southeast Florida

American Heart Association

American Cancer Society

Boca Raton Regional Hospital

Deaf Service Center of Palm Beach County

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Quantum House

Big Brother Big Sisters of America

The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County

Boca’s Helping Hands

Feeding South Florida

Habitat for Humanity

Tri-County Animal Rescue

Major-specific volunteer opportunities can be found here.

Interested in helping to aid the local environment? 4Ocean is a group started by FAU alumni that sponsors beach cleanups around the world in an attempt to improve to the condition of the Oceans.  4Ocean’s headquarters is in Boca Raton where they often hold beach cleanups. For more information, click here.

Another option students who are majoring specifically in medical, engineering and Physical Science may find volunteering opportunities through is research. This is often a great option because research and volunteering are often two large portions of an application that a student can complete at the same time. To find research positions, click here.

If you have a passion for art, consider volunteering at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.

Political science majors also have several opportunities to get involved in Florida and Boca Raton Politics. Click here to learn more.

For the history buff, Boca Raton and the surrounding cities are a part of Florida’s rich and deep history. One of its most famous residents, Henry Flagler, had a winter estate that has become a museum.  Click here for more information.  The Historical Society of Palm Beach is also filled with volunteer opportunities.

And, some students will participate in FAU’s Owls Break program, which can be international, or within the country. These trips provide a great opportunity to give back to communities in need while having some fun. These trips are available in the fall, during Thanksgiving and winter break. They are also available during spring and summer break. Check it out here.

There are so many opportunities to volunteer in and around FAU.

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For all students, being able to continue to worship, pray, and adhere to their religious beliefs is extremely important for several reasons. The most important thing is for them to be able to follow their faith. But having a place to worship on or near campus allows them to meet other students and have a Rabbi, Minister, Bishop or Priest to turn to should they need spiritual guidance. FAU is a very diverse campus. At or around FAU, there are places to worship, regardless of your students’ faith.

During the spring semester of my daughter’s freshman year, the Easter season was rapidly approaching. Being that we are Catholic, this time of year is very important to our family. The first holiday of the season is celebrated on a Wednesday, so she was unable to come home. So, she did what many other students do; she sought out the help of the Catholic student organization on campus and attended mass with them. To keep the family traditions of worship there are many religious and spiritual organizations at FAU.

Here is a list of those organizations:

Catholic

• Catholic Newman Club: Located next to the Student Union, The Catholic Newman club holds 2 Masses a week and confession times.
• St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church:
  Located at 370 SW 3rd Street. St. Joan of Arc is a popular Catholic church in Boca Raton, holding several mass times each week. St. Joan of Arc also has a young adult ministry, geared toward college students, called “The Light”. The Light meets every first and third Monday for fellowship and worship.

Christian

• Connected Life Christian Church:  2500 NW Boca Raton BLVD. This nondenominational church has an on-campus club, Connected Life Christian Club.
• The Journey Church:  336 Spanish River Blvd. The Journey Church holds two services on Sundays at 9:30 and 11 am at Grandview Prep School (address above).
• Disciples on Campus: The Disciples on Campus are a registered student organization that is committed to living a life for Christ on campus. They participate in various service and discipleship projects each year.
• Intervarsity Christian Fellowship: Non-denominational registered student organization found on several college campuses across the US. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship is dedicated to spreading the word of God, discipleship with others, and participating in missions around the world.
• Calvary Chapel 1551 W Camino Real. Calvary Chapel is a large church with many locations across South Florida. Calvary has a College Student Ministry, Eikon, which meets weekly on Wednesdays at 8:30. Calvary Chapel is also partnered with the registered student organization CalvaryFAU.

Episcopal

• St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church: Located at 100 NE Mizner Blvd. Services are held Sunday mornings at 8 and 10 am.

Jehovah’s Witness

• There are a few places of worship Jehovah’s followers can attend in Boca Raton and the surrounding cities; some are a distance from FAU. The closest one to the FAU campus is 2001 NW 5th Ave.

Jewish

• Hillel-A non-profit  50©(3) organization catering to Jewish students. They run Shabbat services at 6:30 pm followed by a free dinner. They hold services during the High Holidays, Passover, and other Jewish holidays.
• Jewish Student Union- The Jewish Student Union is designed to serve Jewish students who wish to connect with other Jewish students and learn more about the cultural and ethnic experience of Jewish Life.

Islam

• For FAU students that are Muslim, there is a student organization called the Muslim Student Association. There are several centers in town where Muslims can practice their faith.
• Islamic Center of Boca Raton: 3480 NW 5th Ave. Located just minutes from campus, offering daily prayers. They have a Facebook page with events and information.

Lutheran

• There are several Lutheran churches located near FAU. However, the closest is St. Paul Lutheran. Located about 2 miles from campus at 701 W Palmetto Park Rd. St. Paul Lutheran They have 3 worship times, Saturday evenings at 6 pm, a contemporary service on Sunday at 9 am and finally a traditional service at 10:45 am.

Methodist

• First United Methodist Church: With a special group for young adults, the group meets weekly. Sunday worships are held in their chapel at 625 NE Mizner Blvd.

Mormon

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – There are three locations in Boca Raton, the closest to FAU is located at 1530 West Camino Real.

Presbyterian

• Spanish River Church 2400 Yamato Road. They have partnered with the on-campus student organization Reformed University Fellowship. In addition to this partnership, they have their own college ministry for undergraduate students and young adults that meets weekly for fellowship and monthly for group dinners.
• Grace Community Church 600 West Camino Real. Grace community church has 3 services each Sunday, 2 contemporary and 1 traditional. The church has several different ministries for young adults to join.

For a complete listing of all the spiritual organizations on campus.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

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