Florida State University, Tallahassee

Florida State University used to be a women's college and University of Florida was a men's one, and you can still feel this a little today. FSU has a strong feeling of Southern hospitality. You are in the South now, whereas the rest of Florida feels more like a tropical version of the Northeast. It seems like a lot of effort is made to make sure students are taken care of at FSU. An example of this is the CARE program for low-income, first-generation students who start their freshman year early (in the summer)-  as a result, this student population has a good retention rate.

Students at FSU who have not decided on their major are called "exploratory" not "undecided" and there is an advising program for them that is very hands-on and takes them through the steps of deciding on a major. This program won a NACADA (national advising society) award. FSU has lots of sports that students can be involved in, as well as its own circus, which was created when the college became co-ed as a way to solidify the relationships between the students. Come and watch a circus performance on campus!
The very exciting thing about FSU for out of state students who are adventurous is that they can get in-state tuition for all four years if they spend their first year on study abroad. Wow! I wish more universities had this program!
FSU has brown brick buildings with cream trim and a very impressive entry building called Westcott Hall. Ruby Diamond Concert Hall is dreamy and beautiful inside. And the Suwannee Dining Hall looks like it is out of Harry Potter, recently restored to how it was in 1909 when FSU was a women's college. The campus is fairly pretty though a little plain in spots, and there isn't much shade. An important thing to do along with tour the campus is stop and ask students about their experience, including their dorm experience. Also check out the town of Tallahassee to make sure it's where you want to be.
You can do some good hiking 7 miles south of town at Leon Sinks Geological Area- come in early spring for flowers, avoid summer hiking (too hot and many mosquitoes). In summer have a swim at Wakulla Springs State Park, which is full of beauty and atmosphere. Drive one hour for a memorable visit to Florida Caverns State Park to see a cave full of stalactites and stalacmites!

Directions

Florida State University is located at 600 W. College Ave, Tallahassee FL 32306, call (850) 644-2525.

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