Day 2: The First University Visit (Jun 11)

 Our first university visit is to Lee University, located in Cleveland Tennessee. Our schedule almost got derailed because we did not realize that they were on a different time zone (EST)! Imagine two time zones within the same state of Tennessee. So, we had to make sure that we turn up an hour earlier than expected. Managed to get a quick bite at Gardners - a local sandwich place. Glad to see Eliza finally getting some of her appetite back!

Am pleasantly surprised to see Eliza's name on the welcome screen at the university's admission and welcome center.

In the summer heat of things, it was good to know that they had a buggy cart which brought us around the campus. Our guide was a graduate from the Accounting, so it was good to have a student's perspective of campus life.

The background is a fountain with the ever-burning flame which forms the logo of Lee University.

Our conclusion/findings from our visit to Lee University:

• Excellent reputation and credibility with the US News and  World Report. However, the media department does appear to be quite new and may not have the depth.
• Qualification for scholarship is straightforward. Eliza qualifies for the Presidential Scholarship ($10,000 tuition fees for the first year) and she was only 30 points short of the Centennial Scholarship (full tuition fees for the first year). SAT score only takes into account Maths and Critical Reasoning (1410-1600 for Centennial and 1250-1400 for Presidential).
• The university is well integrated with the Cleveland township (city library, police station, etc all nearby). All freshmen required to stay on campus. Well-organized and planned campus facilities.
• Main church affiliation is with the Church of God - pentecostal denomination. Chapel and other spiritual activities are designed to accommodate a variety of expressions.

As we took the 2 hr 45 min drive back to Murfreesboro, the aircon in the Nissan Altima did not work - blowing warm air after about 10 minutes. Resolve to get a change from Hertz to a Toyota Camry the next day. Both Wai Bing and Eliza slept through the journey as they are still not in the best of health. More so, for Eliza - she needs to be ready for her ICC Media Prep starting tomorrow!