Florida State University Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Cinthia

My classmates for the most part seem friendly and attentive.

Kristin

Many of the students at FSU are involved on campus. Tutoring and community service is really big on campus. Many students work to pay for college and almost everyone receives some sort of financial aid.

robert

Everyone is friendly and excited about success. They are very smart and informed. They love to party and have fun, and are always very involved with the campus. Students love to study together and go out on the weekends.

Kaitlyn

Students on campus are very relaxed, I have not heard of or seen any types of discrimination anywhere on campus, but FSU is very diverse with people of all races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, etc. Most students are from different cities and towns within Florida but come from all backgrounds. Most students wear whatever they feel comfortable into class that's suitable for the weather, it rains a lot so it really just depends on the day. There are not many cliques that I have noticed, everyone just hangs out with friends, and make new friends in classes.

Amanda

The students at my school may not be as exposed to many varying cultures, as the students from where I am from are. That was the biggest shock to me, to have many obvious differences between different cultures and races be pointed out and questioned. As a hispanic student, I have experienced these questions and faces of reactions several times

Kristin

The students are mostly respectful and friendly at FSU. I have had a few experiences with fraternities in which they were not as respectful or well-mannered. I do not think anyone would feel out of place at FSU because it has a place for everyone. Even though everyone gets wrapped up with football during the season, people who do not enjoy football can still fit in. In the dining hall I go to, everyone interacts with each other and we all know each other. Most of the students are either from South Florida or from Jacksonville, FL.

Halsey

My experiences have been positive with the student organizations on campus. They are respectful to you if you are respectful to them. I feel that the student body offers a diversity that makes all students feel like they belong. Students typically wear jeans and a t shirt to class on normal days, but people can be seen in dressier clothes for the business school. Students tend to stick to their groups. Most of the students are from the different areas of Florida, but low out of state tuition also means there are many people from out ofo state.

Kristen

My classmates are very diverse. Most students are a part of school organizations. There are many opportunities for classmates to become advocates but taking action on campus. Mostly everyone has a group they fit it whether it is to become a human rights advocate or even a computer game user. There are many opportunities for classmates to meet each other.

Catalina

Most students at Florida State are hard-working individuals. There are students from many ethnicities, though most come from white middle-class families. The university has so many students that no student should ever feel out of place here. There are organizations directed for any idea you can think of. Students are very active members and most are involved in at least two organizations on campus. Some of the biggest organizations are politically-based and there are many debates on campus. Most students plan on attending graduate school and work very hard toward that goal.

Lauren

Every kind of person goes to FSU. There are college republicans and college democrats. There are human vs zombie games every semester, and it isn't strange to find students toting nerf guns wearing arm bands in your classes. Some students dress nicely, some wear jeans and a t-shirt, and some roll out of bed in their pajamas - it's a big mixture of all kinds of people at FSU.

Tim

Students at FSU are generally more liberal than the average person. They are free spirited and like to have fun. There are people of every possible background and affiliation so there is plenty to experience. I don't think anyone would feel out of place. There is plenty of interaction between different groups as well. There are plenty of large school groups or clubs involved in politics. Income is not something people discuss much. People usually wear casual clothing, sometimes wearing school shirts or colors. A table of girls, usually gossiping, a table of guys, talking about sports or guy things, a table of liberal arts type people, and possibly a table of jock/sports type guys with girls. Most students are from Florida.

Rachel

I think all students are accepted at this school. In regards to different groups of people, students here do have very strong opinions about their beliefs and group themselves accordingly. Students do react between groups but sometimes this causes tension. I think just as anyone with a strong opinion would be, these people are tolerant of other world views.

Marilyn

Determined individuals with realistic professional goals and (for the most part) level heads on their shoulders.

Julia

There are so many different students here at FSU. From blacks to hispanics to indians, you will always find someone new and interesting to say the least. There is a very prominet greek life here at FSU so there are many Frats and sorority girls around. There is also a very large amount of geeks as well. Walking around campus you will find some people with very werid outfits and different color hari but that always keeps things interesting. Most students are from Florida around the jacksonville, tampa, and south florida area. There are always many advertisment around campus trying to get you invovled with a club or organization, after a while it gets really old. Overall the students are very interesting but friendly every seems to have a similar understanding of why we are here.

Kelly

All interesting individuals that are always friendly and helpful.

Alexandra

My classmates are intelligent people who are full of personalities that are quarkie in their own ways.

Nicole

A unique group of people that are here to learn what they need to succeed in life.

Marie

There is an array of personalities and ideals throughout my classes that expose themselves in understanding and eclectic ways.

Natalie

The majority of people here are from Florida which doesn't mean much since Florida is a pretty big state and has a lot of different cultures embedded in it such as southerners and Hispanics. But I have also met a lot of people from out of Florida-- I've met people from Boston, Chicago, and even from the Middle East and Greece. It's very nice to have such diversity. There are a lot of different religious, racial, LGBT and other personalized clubs and groups that are quite popular here as they become a supportive group but the different groups also mix well together. Everyone is pretty friendly on campus regardless of race, gender, orientation, or religion. There are also a lot of political groups that have displays and meetings but everything is pretty relaxed-- everyone is respectful and not in your face.

Kelsey

I simply cannot emphasize the diversity of Florida State's student population enough. I see new people walking around campus every day. As I walk by, I wonder what their stories are, what their majors are, what their family is like. I never see the same person twice, even if I walk the same route! There is a place for everyone to fit in - being a loner is an impossible feat here! Students wear everything from high heels to sweatpants when they go to class. A lot of students are from the state of Florida, but I have met students from Maryland, Georgia, New York, and even California!

Anais

I have seen so many different kinds of students at FSU. And there is a club or organization for nearly all of them. I, personally, am part of the Latino/Hispanic organization, LGBT (Pride) group, and an FSU knitting circle. Students tend to wear comfortable, relaxed clothes, as this is Florida, and flip flops are seen on nearly everyone. Even students who take the time to dress up or put on make up tend to have on flip flops. Most of the time, students at FSU are from all around Florida: Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, etc. But there are many international students, so its often that you meet people from half way around the world. I have never personally heard students talk about how much they may one day earn, but I'm in the English department, so that isn't a topic we discuss. Students tend to be politically aware, and I would guess many would say they were 'left.'

Lauren

My classmates are of awide variety of ethnic background, personality, and style. Most that I jave recently gotten to know are very friendly, but as a student my-self it's easy to see we all have one thing in common and that is our grades. We're all very dedicated, and from my perspective the proffessor is everyones focus during class. My classmates are nice and personal to a point, but it's all business so to speak.

Carolina

Most students are interested in study groups and will email whole classes when there are groups meeting.

Elisa

Most of the students in the university are progressive minded. There are student organizations that try to incite interest in LGBT rights, national problems, and much more. Students respect the beliefs of other people and try to accept everyone on campus. The students show they are laid back by the things they say, act, think or dress. The campus is very diverse with students from different national, socioeconomic, educational backgrounds.

Jaimi

My classmates overall were supportive, interesting young adults each on their own personal path towards college and career success and happiness, albeit some faster and more succesful than others.

Ashley

The students at FSU are of very diverse backgrounds and cultures, but all generally coexist quite well within the campus. I feel like no student would feel out of place at this school in that there is a place for everyone. A wide variety of religious organizations, LGBT groups, ethnic minority associations and traditional Greek sororities and fraternities are just a few of the many groups that bring life to the student experience at Florida State. Groups have there niches on campus and tend to stay together, but all types of students come together to show their school spirit on game day and during Homecoming. Students tend to dress casually for class, and interact in the same manner. In my nearly four years at FSU, I’ve never seen a negative situation transpire between students due to a difference in socio-economic class, race, or sexual preference. I think overall, FSU is a widely accepting school that enjoys being active in politics, due to its close proximity to the state legislature. Students are also active in social justice as well as progress, and commonly discuss future plans to make the world better.

Stephanie

There are so many different kinds of people on campus, it's a bit unbelievable. But if I'm honest, you'll find lots of stereotypical college students here. I've learned how to spot a Greek from a mile a way, but I've also learned better than to judge a person by their letters. Our band, the Marching Chiefs, can be seen making the trek to their practice field with their instruments and water coolers everyday, rain or shine. But the cool thing about the people at Florida State is that they always tend to surprise you. No matter who you think you might click with, chances are you'll randomly meet someone that will turn out to be amazing. It can happen in the line for Starbucks, or on the green, or they might be standing behind you in Doak Stadium cheering with you. Also, there are more people here than is comprehensible, but don't believe anyone if they tell you that you'll never see the same person twice, because that one person that saw you at your most embarrassing moment, you'll see them all the time.

Kali

As mentioned in one of my other answers, I believe our campus eminates and protects the diversity of our students. I've had religious organizations approach me during office hours, asking if it would be alright to invite our LBGTQ students to a barbeque and bible study. I've never once heard a racial slur go uncriticized on campus, which is wonderful. If someone does, for some reason, turn over a racist comment in conversation, other students will immediately (but not unkindly) chide them, or simply say something little, like "hey, not cool." It's not an issue, and our students are not agressive by any means, but almost all of them will stand up against prejudices, which is amazing. Becuase of this, I don't think it would be easy for a student to feel our of place here. There are so many special interest groups and events, that it takes less than a semester to become involved and create a friend group that matches your own interests and beliefs. Many of our students come from middle to upper middle class families, but those on loans are never made to feel inferior for it. I've had my semesters of losing a job and not having money during the last month, and it's amazing the generosity of fellow students. In most circles, students wouldn't assume to be rude or judgemental based on income or family background. I have a friend who is actually a millionaire, and others who own bikes for transportation and live paycheck to paycheck. All students are respected here. There is a fairly large tilt toward the right wing, but again, politics are something that students can agreeably disagree on. Students may talk about how much money they'll make one day, but for the most part, the focus is on action. Students are of course, interested in making a living, but most students I know are interested in fields for many more reasons than that, whether it be philanthropy, an economic change, or creating a product or business (or even a piece of art) that will be helpful or useful to humanity, in small degrees and large ones. Our students are driven and excellent, and many of my peers and their goals have challenged me to lift my own expectations of myself.

Connor

Where do I even start with the students at Florida State University. We definitely are a unique lot. We stem from all sorts of backgrounds and have all sorts of ambitions. the one thing I have gathered from my four years at my school is that we all take pride in the fact that we are Seminoles. even if you go to a random party in a random neighborhood you will be welcomed in and you will likely have a great time. I am not a person of conflict at all and I rarely get in quarrels with my fellow classmates because we are all just looking to have a good time with one another. I have interacted with all sorts of students throughout all sorts of settings. Whether I am at the pool, the club, the IM fields, the football games, the student life center, a random party, etc I have a good time and I usually interact with people I have never met before. The only sort of people that at all get on my nerves are the frat boys. they just seem like they have so much to prove so they sometimes step on others toes. But other than that the student body at Florida State is a supportive group of people that will ensure you will have a good time. i have been to plenty of other schools to experience the night life in a different area and I can honestly say the people at Florida State University are some of the most welcoming.

Lindsey

Florida State is diverse in every sense of the word, from racial diversity to religious diversity. However, because this school is such a spirited school, diversity is never an issue, because we are all rooting for the same team. Perhaps a Muslim student might feel out of place, simply because there is not a large percentage of Muslims at this university. Most students wear jeans and a t-shirt to class, unless required to dress professionally. Interacting with different types of students is not a problem here, some of my best friends at this university are different than I am when it comes to race and religion. I'd say the four tables at the dining hall would be the frat guys, the biology majors, freshman, and jocks. Though they sit at different tables, it's not uncommon for them to interact with one another. Most students at this university are from Florida, since Florida is a huge state. However, we do have students from other states, and even other countries. Most students here come from a middle class financial background, or a slightly wealthy one. The majority of the students I know are here on scholarships and loans. The students are indeed politically aware and active. We have several clubs here for democrats and republicans, and they are continuously advertising on campus. Students here ten to enjoy the "now" in life, and don't often talk about future salaries.

Scott

Being from Miami, I was a little worried to come to Tallahassee because I thought it wasn't going to be a cultural melting pot like back at home. I was so wrong. FSU is home to a mixture of students of every race, religious background, sexual orientation, and students from other foreign countries. The great thing about the mixture of students is the large amount of acceptance that is spread around. Everyone on campus spews auras of positive energy that is very welcoming. And since the school is very student oriented with social events and activities almost every day, it is extremely easy to meet new people and spark new friendships. It's very cool to meet new people with different views of life. The mix of students here creates an atmosphere where majority and minority don't exist. We are all Seminoles.

Marli

The student population at FSU is very diverse. You will see people of all races and cultures that it becomes part of the norm. Being able to go to class, and befriend people that are not from your area, or even from this country is what makes FSU so great. There are even multicultural sororities and fraternities that they have on campus, where students can either expand their knowledge of other cultures, or make them feel more at home. For examples, my sorority itself is very diverse. We have Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites, and we all have a strong sisterhood bond with one another. I would have to say that most of the student population attend class in comfortable clothing such as sweat pants, FSU logo clothing, and even very stylish attire. Class attire is anything that you feel comfortable in basically. I myself will have days when I wear "frat tanks" and sweatpants, but then again there are days when I want to dress up nice for class.

Abigail

One of the best things about Florida State is the diversity of the student body. I came from a high school graduating class of 55 students, so I was beyond excited to have so many new, interesting people to meet. At FSU, you can find every "type" of person: Greeks, dancers, musicians, "nerds", etc. People are from all kinds of demographics and ethnic backgrounds, which is proven by the various multicultuaral organizations. The downside about FSU being so large is that there are enough of every "type" of person to have a club or organization that reflects them. This is great in that there's something for everyone, but it also makes it easy for people to stay in their comfort zones. The best outlets I have found to meet different kinds of people are by joining philanthropic clubs. Participating in events like Dance Marathon and organizations like Habitat for Humanity, are great for bringing people together from different interests and backgrounds.

Car

The student body at Florida State University is very diverse. You will see all sorts of people when you walk through campus. We have foreign exchange students, local students and students from all across the United States. Many people who attend FSU come from all over Florida, as it is one of the best schools in the state. Florida State has many financial aid options, such as grants, loans and scholarships. People from all financial backgrounds are able to attend due to these excellent opportunities. Similarly, people of all age groups attend FSU, as it has both graduate and undergraduate programs. Being an FSU student means you get to meet many different kinds of people. There are always events happening on campus that make it easy to meet new people. There are plenty of clubs and associations available. Everyone should be able to find something to satisfy their interests, regardless of political or religious affiliation. There are two major political associations on campus: the College Democrats and the College Republicans. Both hold many events such as panels by guest speakers, debates, rallies, protests and fund raising events. Overall, FSU has a laid back environment that welcomes anyone regardless of background or affiliations.

Katherine

Since FSU is one of the largest universities in Florida, there is a huge variety of students. I can honestly say that no student would feel left out; there are groups and communities for every kind of person. There is a strong LGBT community that frequently participates in campus events like Homecoming Week. There are two groups for the College Democrats and the College Republicans, and each group meets once a week. There are also numerous religious groups. The financial background of students covers a wide rang. There are students driving $80,000 cars and students who are working part-time to put themselves through school. I have also found that most FSU students are very accommodating and understand of groups different from themselves. When protests are taking place, most students are respectful of the other students, even if they don't particularly agree with what is being said. Students are very different from each other, but there is a mutual respect that binds the community together. Class attire depends on what type of group you belong to. The two biggest divisions are Greek and non-Greek students. Non-Greek students wear a variety of things to class, depending on the weather. Dress is still casual; for example, you might wear shorts, a casual tank top, and cute sandals. It is easier to spot out the Greek students because they typically have a type of "uniform." Fraternity men will be wearing khaki shorts above the knee, some kind of polo, sunglasses with croakies, and Sperry Top-siders. They will be holding one notebook in their hand because they are too cool to bring a backpack to class. Sorority women will be wearing some kind of sorority/fraternity tank top over leggings with Nike running shoes. They will be carrying a Longchamp bag, which are available in a variety of colors. Lots of students are very politically aware/active. Student Government Association (SGA) is one of the most predominate groups on campus. Tons of students are involved in this massive group, and the students who are involved are very passionate and serious about it. SGA makes most of the decisions around campus, and they work directly with FSU administration. Student Alumni Association is also huge. These students coordinate many events like football game tailgates and community service projects. They also work directly with alumni to bring new things to FSU while continuing old traditions.

Gabriela

When I came to FSU I knew I was coming to the American South and to a part of the bible belt. As an atheist and a Cuban-American, this was something that I thought about quite a bit: would I be comfortable here? While Tallahassee is still "the South" and still part of the bible belt, while you will hear people with a drawl in their speech and preachers are a regular fixture on campus, I have never really had a bad experience here. Instead, I have found a great deal of diversity. Through groups I've joined and classes I've taken I've met people from Venezuela, Panama, Armenia, Korea, France and Germany. The university, with its exchange programs and magnet lab, is a huge draw for people from all walks of life. There is also LGBT representation on campus--they hosted an awesome Harry Potter marathon last year. I think that the only kind of student who would truly feel uncomfortable at FSU is an intolerant one. Students at FSU are by and large accepting of and interested in the cultural diversity of the university.

Gabriela

When I came to FSU I knew I was coming to the American South and to a part of the bible belt. As an atheist and a Cuban-American, this was something that I thought about quite a bit: would I be comfortable here? While Tallahassee is still "the South" and still part of the bible belt, while you will hear people with a drawl in their speech and preachers are a regular fixture on campus, I have never really had a bad experience here. Instead, I have found a great deal of diversity. Through groups I've joined and classes I've taken I've met people from Venezuela, Panama, Armenia, Korea, France and Germany. The university, with its exchange programs and magnet lab, is a huge draw for people from all walks of life. There is also LGBT representation on campus--they hosted an awesome Harry Potter marathon last year. I think that the only kind of student who would truly feel uncomfortable at FSU is an intolerant one. Students at FSU are by and large accepting of and interested in the cultural diversity of the university.

Ryan

FSU students are diverse. You certainly experience all different cultures here. Every Wednesday at the student union there are performances by the black fraternities and sororities. There are also pro-gay rights organizers, as well as anti-gay rights religious organizers. I don't think there is any student that could feel out of place. If you look, you will find a group of people who share your same interests and beliefs. Politics and financial backgrounds are split fairly even down the middle. Most students are middle class or above. Not many students talk about future earnings. Most people are living in the moment and focusing on today.

Gian

There are all kinds of students here at FSU and for almost every kind of student, there is an organization or club. There are clubs for all races, for LGBT, for people who love salsa, for people who play sports, and there is even Humans vs Zombies (a game where humans have nerd guns and literally run around school hunting for students who are tagged as zombies). As far as clothing goes, students wear anything. I've seen guys go to class in their PJ's, girls looking like they are going clubbing, gym outfits, and one time this guy on a bicycle in a bunny suit. I wear a t-shirt and a pair of basketball pants almost everyday (i like being comfortable).

Catalina

Some students wear pajamas to class, while others dress up more. Dining halls feel more like your kitchen at home; you can eat alone, eat with friends, or sit with a stranger and strike up a conversation. There is a variety of student political groups on campus, though the most active ones seem to be more conservative, such as the FSU College Republicans and the Occupy movement. There is a College Democrats group as well, though they seem to hold fewer rallies on campus. I don't think anyone would feel out of place on this campus, as there is such a diverse variety of types of people here.

Kestrel

Diverse. Spirited. Smart. Open-minded. Accepting. Forward thinkers. Trend-setters. Aware. Dreamers. Thinkers. Doers.

Kestrel

Diverse. Spirited. Smart. Open-minded. Accepting. Forward thinkers. Trend-setters. Aware. Dreamers. Thinkers. Doers.

Elizabeth

I am a an active member for our campus Pride Student Union and the Pagan Student Association. There's a group, club or union for just about any interest or background. I don't think there's any student who WOULD feel out of place, unless you're an alien. I'm not sure how we would handle aliens. Most students are pretty relaxed with their clothes, though many girls make the extra effort to dress up. I go to class in jeans and a T-shirt, since usually the weather is so extreme my makeup runs from sweating it off. There aren't any cliques at FSU per say, but a lot of students like to keep to their own. I like being around all kinds of people, from conservative Baptists to Chileans to vegans to meat-eaters. Most students are from Florida, but we get a lot of international students as well, which is great if you want to talk to someone with a different perspective. Most students are lower middle-class, like myself, and rely very heavily on financial aid. The majority of the campus is very politically active, with a lot of tables and different college political parties recruiting all the time. Most of the students are liberal, next being center, and the rest are moderately conservative. We love to speculate about how much we'll earn one day, but in this economy, we're feeling it's more talk than reality.

Chelsea

Florida State truly promotes diversity within its student body. We have strict all-encompassing non-discrimination policy. Personally, I have been involved with volunteering for the LGBTQ Pride Student Union and they have a great presence on campus. The Wesley Foundation (Christian) and Hillel (Jewish) are the largest religious organizations on-campus. And the largest SGA-funded student organization is the Black Student Union. The best time to see diversity in action is on Market Wednesday. Every Wednesday, our Union allows student organizations and local stores to sell products for cheap, they play loud music, and lots of organizations, especially the multicultural ones, have fun dance-off's.

Monica

On Florida State's campus, you can find any and all types of students. Over the past three and a half years I've become friends with students of various different religious backgrounds, different skin colors and ethnicities, international students from places like Kuwait or Saudi Arabia, gays and lesbians including a drag queen, people of different financial backgrounds, different parts of the country, and at the end of the day there is always someone to hang out with. I don't think any student would really feel out of place here; I know students who participate in games like "Zombies vs Aliens" in which they dress up and shoot each other with Nerf guns and run around campus. Generally, people don't especially talk about their money situations because it's not really relevant or a comfortable subject. No one wants to make someone else feel bad for having a lot or not enough money. Everyone interacts just fine; in my clique of friends we have Jews, Catholic/Christians, a lesbian, asians, extremely wealthy people, less fortunate people and people from all over the state of Florida as well as other states. I think this is one of the more diverse and accepting schools I've ever been to.

Jena

Overall there are various types of students enrolled at Florida State. There are some that are very studious and would love to join as many extra clubs they can and talk about what they learned long after class is over. Then there are students who care more about skipping class and just getting by rather than overachieving. I would say that is bound to happen at any school but for the most part students care about their future and success. I have come across a large amount of students being originally from parts of south Fl. However, the campus is demographically equal when it comes to ethnicities and nobody would feel left out. From my experience students are genuinely financially secure and a part of the middle class.

Samantha

FSU takes pride in welcoming a very diverse student population. There is a great LGBT club and presence on our campus. Many races and religions are accepted because FSU has a blossoming International Student program. I do not think any students would feel out of place here. There is a niche for every type of student. Students wear a wide range of clothes to classes. But most of the time, unless they are giving some sort of presentation, students dress casually in jeans or shorts and a shirt. There is a large population of wealthy or well off students at FSU. However, as a student not from that financial background I do not feel held back by that difference. Students often talk about what they want to do after college and internships or jobs they have or have had. Some classes talk about the expected salaries of certain careers but students do not often talk about it one on one.

Samantha

FSU takes pride in welcoming a very diverse student population. There is a great LGBT club and presence on our campus. Many races and religions are accepted because FSU has a blossoming International Student program. I do not think any students would feel out of place here. There is a niche for every type of student. Students wear a wide range of clothes to classes. But most of the time, unless they are giving some sort of presentation, students dress casually in jeans or shorts and a shirt. There is a large population of wealthy or well off students at FSU. However, as a student not from that financial background I do not feel held back by that difference. Students often talk about what they want to do after college and internships or jobs they have or have had. Some classes talk about the expected salaries of certain careers but students do not often talk about it one on one.

Bret

The students here are widely varied, from sorority girls to frat guys (who make up the predominant population closer to campus) to the trickle-down hipster cyclists, to the wacky but extremely talented theatre kids, to the quieter but equally talented film program grads, to the pompous English Department major (yours truly), and on and on it goes. The thing about FSU is that it is so big, with so many students, that you could never really get to know all the variations of people. The one thing that seems consistent is - people are laid-back for the most part; they like to have fun, be productive, and stay in shape (huge exercise/fitness zone).

Yanelis

On campus you can find a student that's German standing right next to a Puerto Rican student. Everyone here is different, but that does not stop anyone from interacting with each other. There is a club for at least every race and/or ethnicity on campus making it easier for the few that do feel out of place or just want that familiar feeling of understanding. Everyone dresses completely different to class, from those coming in pajamas, to those in sweats, and those dressed in heels and a dress. There are also many political groups and clubs that try to make policies and things going on in the world aware to others.