Florida State University Top Questions

There are different stereotypes at my school. One is that "frat boys and sorority girls" party all the time and make t-shirts for every single event. But what people don't always recognize is that they do participate in meaningful activities, like service projects.

It's inevitable though, I suppose, that this will be a question most inquiring students will ask. To be forward, the blatant stereotype of an FSU male student is to be a 'frat kid.' For females, it's to be not the brightest, and in a sorority! Now, to restate a very important fact about the prior statements: they are stereotypes. The obvious reasons for these being stereotypes, is that these are the primary students that visit other universities. Fraternities and sororities here will rent buses to drive to neighboring schools like UF for big football games and stay with their brothers for the weekend. Your average college student with a solid group of friends that goes to every other home game and focuses more on their school work etc. doesn't visit other schools as often and obviously isn't as open to a majority of the campus. The truth of the matter is that FSU is extremely diverse and you'll find plenty of those stereotypes all around campus, but you'll find just as many students having picnics out on Landis Green or over at the Strozier Library reading a good book!

Florida State is organized by subject matter. There are four main quadrants: English and art, business, science, and sports. Each section attracts different aspects of the social register. The English students are recognizable by their chain-smoking, reading on the steps, and general dislike of backpacks. Towards the business section, things get more professional. You see heels, suits, and presentations. The science and sports section look similar, with workout gear on and bulging backpacks, although the backpack size decreases towards the stadium. The stereotypes at FSU are aligned with these visible changes across the campus. There are many of the typical assumptions: jocks are rich, dumb, and want to get laid; sorority girls want to take advantage of these things, and are also rich, dumb, and want to get laid; English and art majors are hipsters who hate everyone except Kafka; science majors don't think deeper than their next grade, etc. There is also a school stereotype: it's easier to get an STD than a parking spot. This calls attention to the approximate 6,000 spots for 45,000 students, but don't believe this, parking is not that bad. After 2:30.

Florida State is a huge blend of different people, and yes, what you've heard is true - it's a big party school. There are always different events going on over the weekend, whether campus hosted like the concerts at Club Downunder, a frat party at Heritage Grove or a house party, there's always something going on. If partying isn't really your scene, there's a pretty big art scene at Florida State - the music department has lots of preformances, there are poetry slams both on and off campus, and a lot of free movies. Florida State also has a pretty big portion of students who are rabidly into Humans vs Zombies, which is a campus wide event that happens several times a year, and you're just as likely to run into a typical bro as you are someone who's carrying a nerf gun, loves Dr. Who and is way more into mythology than the latest sports scores.

Before I came to FSU the first stereotype of Florida State students that I ever heard was that the students like to party and drink almost every night. While this is true for some students, my response to this stereotype after two semesters here is that Florida State students just know how to have a good time. There is always something going on here and that gives off a huge party college atmosphere but its really just an average, active university. Another stereotype that I've noticed and have to say, is very true is the amount of nerds that attend Florida State. You can't go anywhere without seeing or hearing something to do Doctor Who, Harry Potter, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The school even has a Dungeons and Dragons club among other things.

When you think of FSU, you might immediately think football. The truth is, Florida State offers exceptional programs in the fine arts such as creative writing, dance, film, and music. The creative writing program, for example, is the best in the state. With distinguished writers such as David Kirby, R.M. Berry, and Robert Butler, it's no wonder this program is considered one of prestige, not only in Florida, but on a national stage as well. For sure, this university is more diverse than what the typical 'college town football' stereotype might have you believe.

In recent popular culture magazine polls, Florida State University (FSU) has ranked in the number one spot for top party school in America. As of late, though, that prestigious title has slipped from this university and has been bestowed on another proud place of higher education. In the aftermath of loosing the title of number one party school in America, it could be hypothesized that the stereotypical FSU students can be found in an introspective party state. Wearing comfy flannel, flip flops and dark Ray Bans (all ready-to-party-clothes) at all times of the day can be expected of FSU students. This stereotype is fully accurate. Even the most advanced molecular biology classes are littered with five o'clock shadows and walk-of-shame clothes from yesterday.

Funny you should mention this. I was walking down this long pathway that kind of look like the trail to see the wizard of oz, when I notices the princesses(the girls that are rich, belong to a sorority, and have the best clothes), the scarecrows(the skaterboys/girls that are kind of scruffy looking, but still dateable by memebers of their own clan), and the "jocks"(boys that walk around with no shirts to attract the princesses, but probably did not pass MAT1033). At first, I was like, "no way these people happen in real life?". But it is true. You do however, have those in betweens, where you do not know exactly what group they belong to-- thats me.

There are two common stereotypes on the FSU campus. One, Florida State has been voted as having one of the “hottest student body” for the past few years. While this may be true in some cases, the campus is like many others; it is filled with people of all races, sizes, colors, and most important of all, interests. Even though the campus has a reputation of having attractive students, it is all in the eye of the beholder. What I find attractive may be completely different than what you do. Secondly, Tallahassee in general has a slight cloud over its head. And by cloud, I mean marijuana smoke. The city is home to three universities which teach anywhere between 20-40,000 students at each one. In the typical college life, there will be your groups of people who decide to experiment with drugs. However, that does not necessarily mean that you have to. Yes people do illegal things in the city and on campus, but it is ultimately your decision whether or not to get involved in those events.

Florida State Students are some of the most spirited kids you'll find on any campus throughout the US. Not only in the sense of our devote policy to party every night of the week, celebrating every victory of our Seminole student body (weather it be small or significant) but also in the way of involvement. Students here at Florida State are not your typical go to class, sign in, space out and leave campus immediately as you are dismissed group of people, we stay on school grounds from sun up to sun down, participating in fundraisers, friendly protests, student events, working out at The Leach (FSU's gym) laying out in bikinis or playing frisbee on Landis Green, or reading under the shade of a tree. Bottom line, the students here at Florida State take pride in their school, and enjoy every activity and opportunity it provides. There is never a dull moment, or a indifferent school fan at Florida State.