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Florida State University
usindo | 2013-06-18 11:55
History
Florida State University State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida. There are branch campuses located in Panama City and Sarasota in Florida, and an international branch in the Republic of Panama. Florida State University was founded in 1851 as a small public institution., became a 4-year school in 1901, and received university status in 1947. The University has existed in many different forms prior to becoming a university, including a separate male and female colleges. The University now awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. With a total enrollment of nearly 40,000 in the fall of 2004, it has grown to the size of a small city.
Florida State University State University defines its mission as one of serving “as a center for advanced graduate and professional studies while emphasizing research and providing excellence in undergraduate programs.” It is a Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Extensive institution. The University is also committed to international education, and offers study-abroad programs in several countries in Europe and Central America.
Florida State’s beginnings date as far back as 1823, when the Territorial Legislature began discussing plans for a system of higher education. Much of the University’s history took place in various legislative and government sessions, and it went through many names and missions before officially becoming Florida State University in 1947. After World War II, the Tallahassee campus saw much growth and maturity, with the addition of physical and academic assets to round out the University’s character. After such a long history, today Florida State University consists of seventeen different independent colleges.
Florida State University Academics
The University is composed of a number of different schools and colleges. There are seventeen academic divisions, including the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Communication, Education, Engineering, Human Sciences, Law, Medicine, Music, Information, and Social Science and Social Work. Schools of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Film, Nursing, Theatre, and Visual Arts and Dance are also part of the University.
An associate of arts degree is awarded. With seventeen different colleges, the numbers of baccalaureate and graduate degrees awarded is extensive. Florida State University offers bachelor’s degrees in fields as diverse as classical civilization, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, meteorology, finance, education, engineering, exercise science, music performance, social work, and graphic design. By far the largest number of majors is offered in the College of Arts and Sciences, which encompasses fields common in the humanities and liberal arts. There are a limited number of combined BA/MA programs as well.
Graduate programs are offered in all seventeen colleges and school, including professional program in law and medicine. Post-master’s specialist degrees (Ed.S.) are also offered in several fields. There are also dual degree programs offered in fields such as urban planning, law, social work, and public administration.
Florida State academics have a strong foundation in the sciences, with biology, chemistry, and meteorology ranking among their best programs. The arts are also well represented within programs of music, dance, and drama. The performance arts “leak” some of their talent to the University’s School of Motion Picture, TV, and Recording Arts. Eligible students have access to a highly rated honors program, providing close interaction with faculty and accelerated study.
Unique Programs
Florida State University offers research opportunities for students at all levels, in multiple fields. There are several graduate and undergraduate degree programs available through on-line study, though the number is still small.
Any institution with such a broad history is bound to contain a diverse array of academic offerings, and Florida State is no different. Some of their more unique programs include the Seminole Reservation, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and the Marin Laboratory on the Gulf Coast.
Florida State’s Medical School specializes in serving the elderly and disenfranchised and is among the University’s newest programs.
The Directed Individual Study course gives undergrads the opportunity to perform unique research projects.
Florida State University Admissions
Applications to the undergraduate programs are recommended as soon as possible after the summer prior to the applicant’s senior year, with an application fee of $30. In addition to the application form and fee, students must provide transcripts, test scores, and a written essay. Students generally should have at least a “B+” average and have taken four units of English, three of mathematics, three of natural science, three of social science, two of a foreign language, and three of electives. Students applying in music, dance, or theatre must audition. Applications can be submitted on-line.
Graduate students must provide the following for admission to the graduate school: college transcripts, test scores, and required departmental materials and applications. A graduate application has an application fee of $30.
Satisfying the basic requirements of a high school graduation and test scores of 24 on the ACT or 1100 on the SAT do not guarantee admission to Florida State. Non-Florida applicants are held to higher academic standards. Florida State also requires a written essay accompany each application. The University’s website also cites “other important attributes” as positive factors related to admission. Auditions are required for those who wish to major in any of the performing arts. And the School of Motion Picture, Television, and Recording Arts has limited access; those interested should contact the School directly.
Financial Aid
In-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students were $3038 in 2004-2005. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.
Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Merit-based scholarships are determined using students’ admissions applications; there are no forms to complete. need-based financial aid requires a FAFSA be filed for the appropriate academic year. Florida State encourages all applicants to file a FAFSA as early as possible, starting on the first day of acceptance, January 2 of each year. They make the process fairly easy, offering a link to the online FAFSA system through their Financial Aid website, as well as other applications. Florida State’s Financial Aid office also offers student loan counseling, and “Loan Entrance Counseling” is required for all borrowers of Stafford loans at Florida State.
Florida State University Students
In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, and administration buildings, Florida State University has recital halls, theaters, a fine arts museum, and auditoriums.
The Florida State University State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. There are special libraries for law, medicine, and library science, a music library, and an art museum library in Sarasota. The main library has numerous special collections of rare books, manuscripts, and other materials.
Dormitory life at Florida State is characterized by older dorms and newer dorms with less space. Typically, most mid- and upper-classmen choose to move off campus. Regardless of where they live, most students find the relatively small campus easy to navigate. Attractive architecture and shady landscaping makes a walk along the campus a pleasant trip. While many students drive to and from class, there are plenty of skaters and cyclists rolling through the grounds.
The student body is obviously diverse, reflecting the makeup of the state itself. While ethnic diversity may not be most prevalent at Florida State, socioeconomic diversity is extremely prevalent. Students find classes made up of students from low- and high-income backgrounds, rural and urban populations, and every political affiliation in the spectrum.
Athletics
Athletics is an important part of Florida State culture. Florida State University State University is an NCAA Division I school, with baseball, basketball, cross-country, diving, football, golf, swimming, tennis, track & field for men and basketball, cross-country, diving, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball for women. The team nickname is the Seminoles. (The University website offers a direct link to the website of the Seminole Indian tribe.) There are four spirit teams to support the State University Athletics. There is also a university mascot, and outside groups can request performances by cheerleaders or mascots at their own event.
Sports facilities include a large football stadium, a basketball arena, a swim center, a golf course, a gymnasium, a softball field, and track and tennis facilities.
Florida State has long been a powerhouse of NCAA football, and their state rivalry with Florida has long intrigued the nation like few modern gridiron rivalries can. The Seminoles won two national football championships in the 90s. Obviously football plays an important part in the social life of all FSU students.
Other sports offered a FSU include men’s baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, swimming, tennis, and track & field; and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
Florida State University Traditions
One of the most dynamic traditions in all of college sports is the portrayal of the Florida State mascot before each home game. Osceola, a famed Seminole chief, is portrayed by a student and seen riding upon a horse, Renegade, as he gallops into the stadium. The chief plants a flaming spear in the center of the field to kick off every home football game.
Florida State also has a lesser-known but similarly unique tradition: The Sod Cemetery. Begun after an amazing road victory over Georgia in 1962, the Sod Cemetery contains pieces of turf taken from memorable road victories during the course of FSU history.
Local Community
Tallahassee is located in northern Florida, not far south of the Georgia border. It is the state capital and has a population of 156,000. The city has a number of museums, art studios, theatres and galleries, and there are regular cultural events, festivals, and other activities. There are several state parks, recreational areas, and historical sites in the countryside around it.
Tallahassee offers beautiful scenery and access to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Like most of Florida, it offers pleasant weather and a temperate climate. Tallahassee is also Florida’s capital. This beautiful city offers a lot of natural beauty through numerous state parks, the Apalachicola National Forest, Lake Jackson, and Falling Waters Recreational Area. There are a good number of fishing charters and tours, and numerous golf and tennis facilities. The Gulf of Mexico provides countless beaches for volleyball or just sunbathing. And many of the nation’s oldest and most historic townships can be found within a few miles’ drive.
