Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Date: Feb 11 2003
Major: Political Science (This Major's Salary over time)
My Major was in the social sciences, and like the liberal arts we get no love from the university. Our departments are underfunded, and our buildings ratty. This is not so true for Architecture, Engineering, Business, Journalism, and Pharmacy. These programs focus on pre-professional training, and on getting students high paying jobs, which they do.

My program was not as academic as I would have liked, but I think that may be a good thing. I developed a broad understanding of the discipline, which I guess is what a BA is all about. The impression that I get is that the farther away from college I am, the more I will appreciate the experience. This is especially true of life at a Historically Black College. At an HBCU there is never a question of potential racism tainting things- I know that what I get is from my own efforts. Moreover, I think I was given more leeway, more attention, and more unannounced walk-in appointments than I would have at a comparable TWI.

As for social life, there are lots of things to do for the socially active student. Lots of bars, clubs, etc. There's an active Greek scene at FAMU, and there are regular poetry readings and other cultural events.

As for Tallahassee, it is a very socially segregated town. But, if you're going to a HBCU, this is probably not a concern. FSU students are three blocks away, and contact with them really depends on your desire to cross the tracks (which is essential for the library, trust me on this one). There are two malls, which makes it essentially like anyplace else; there is an indie movie theater, and several more upscale bars, and a couple of great coffehouses for those so inclined. They are serious about IDs here, though. It is the state capital, after all.

As for the Campus, there was a new building constructed every year I was at FAMU, and this trend is likely to continue for the forseeable future. But the university is situated on a hill, which is great for mythology, but bad for walking in the hot Florida sun. Of FAMU I can say this: It's a university on the rise with lots of money pumping into its pre-professional programs. If you'd have asked me while I was there, I would have hated it, but I graduated with no debt, with honors, published, well traveled, and I got the job I did because of my professors. Putting up with administrative troubles and cultural alienation were worth the confidence that being there inspired, and the few close friends that I made.