Florida State University Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Jesse

There is a good racial and religious distribution (although there are always majority and minority-- we are still in the South), little to no LGBT presence on campus at all. I don't know if anyone would feel completely out of place at FSU, but someone looking for the type of atmosphere that schools like Sarah Lawrence and Brown promote (liberal, gay friendly) would not be the happiest here. Most people dress casually, according to weather. A vast majority of girls wear high heels that make it really amusing to watch when they trip and eat pavement. Just sit in the Union long enough and you'll see at least one go down. The campus is strongly Republican, quite a few from high socio-economic backgrounds, and very, very Christian.

Blake

I don't have many experiences with many groups on campus. I don't think many students would feel out of place...there's a group for everything. Students mainly wear clothes that fit the weather..if it's extremely hot outside, they wear summer clothes. Different types of students definitely interact, but I don't know if they would hang out outside of on-campus situations. Most backgrounds seem to be somewhat well off. Not many of the students seem to be politically aware.

Jack

it's very diverse, and most of the clothes are informal (see PJs and sweatpants). there are many demonstrations and often protests to go with them, but all peacefully operated. it's quite a political campus, (appropriately as it is in the state capital) but is never forceful of any one ideology.

Ashley

One of my favorite groups on campus was a religious group. I quit attending meetings and stuff because they way they taught the bible wasn't for me, but I still talk to the people to this day (I stopped going 2 years ago). They still remember my name and I stop and talk to them every time I see them outside their house or doing something on campus. I actually don't think any student would feel out of place at FSU. If you like to party, it's definitely a school for you. If you don't like partying so much, you can find stuff for you to do too. Most FSU students are from Florida. FSU is more of an upper class school. FSU is more of a liberal university.

Alex

I'm an African-American female, so when it comes to diversity I know what I'm looking for. It's not necessarily seeing a lot of faces that look like mine, but knowing that people will be accepting and understanding of all types of differences. Because it is a State school, FSU attracts a multitude of different races, socio-economic backgrounds, and religious beliefs. It's all the differences, and all of the tolerance, that makes FSU a great place to be. The real world is full of different folks, FSU allows you to grow and learn in a similar atmosphere where anyone and everyone is recognized for the individual they are.

Emily

FSU’s population is incredibly diverse. Students come from all over the state, nation, and world. I know in high school, everyone belonged to a clique and people were excluded, but college is incredibly different. You will go to class with Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, African-Americans, Caucasian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, individuals from china and Afghanistan and France, people with visual and hearing disabilities, etc. I once sat in class next to a man with a seeing-eye dog who would sit under his seat and give me cute little puppy eyes, it took every ounce of concentration and determination not to break down in class and cuddle and pet the dog!

Justyn

I don't think any student will feel out of place on FSU's campus. There are many organizations that are welcoming and friendly. Most of the students on the campus are from Florida, though there is definitely extreme diversity. The diversity extends not only to the locations the students are from but to their ethnicity, race, sexuality, and social class. I don't notice one group that stands out any more than another. We have mock debates on campus, where students can take part to express their opinions or just attend to become more politically aware. There are also plays that demonstrate female liberation, such as The Vagina Monologues. I have met so many different types of people and it is refreshing to learn from them and hear different perspectives. You realize that not everyone came from a background similar to yours and it makes you more open minded to realize the differences between people.

Evan

Little experience with those groups. No student would feel out of place. There is really, truly something for everyone here. Most students are casually dressed in class. Different types of students interact frequently. Greek, scene, music students and normal people. Range of financial backgrounds. Many people involved in Bright Futures but many trust fund babies as well. Students are politically aware and active if that suits them. Most college campuses are predominantly left but this is in the south so there are a good number of conservatives as well. Sometimes.