Florida A&M University (FAMU)

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) offers a total of 98 degree programs across its 14 colleges and schools, covering everything from agricultural namesakes like food sciences, to arts, public health, and education. That’s why some regard it as “Florida’s Opportunity University� and others believe it to be the best public HBCU. What can’t be denied is that it’s a premier doctoral research institute, recognized by the National Science Foundation as one of the top HBCUs in the country for research and development.

Nearly one-third of incoming students declare majors related to S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics). Engineering students in particular have the opportunity to develop and utilize innovative skills in diverse, real-world environments as part of the school’s partnership with eight research centers and a national laboratory. There’s also an Undergraduate Student Success Center that promotes Living Learning Communities, which group first-year students by career interests, hoping to make them mutually successful in and out of the classroom.

Student descriptions of a typical Rattler: "Someone [who] was [in] the top of their high school class" and "one of African-American descent with extensive ambition and a very outgoing personality." The "typical students at FAMU love to party, but they also know when it's time to crack down and hit the books." But across the board, students say, "The typical student is always looking for ways to stay involved and to give back to the school and to the community." "Fitting in at FAMU is as simple as being involved on campus," and "students are always actively engaged in the various clubs and organizations," of which "there are too many…to count, so there is a club for everybody to join." While FAMU is highly ranked among Historically Black Colleges and Universities, "there is a growing population of all different races and minorities, which is great." There are also a lot of legacy students here.

School spirit is everything at FAMU! Students take a lot of pride in both their personal endeavors and their collective identity as a "FAMU-ly." "Homecoming time is the best time!" one student says. "It feels like a family reunion. Alumni reach out to students and vice versa." Football games here are well-attended, and the school's band, the Marching 100, is one of the top in the nation, making for un-missable half-time shows. But athletics are hardly the only extracurricular activity getting attention at FAMU; Students say, "We take student elections very seriously, and many campaigns at Florida A&M University could go head to head with national campaigns." "People participate in extracurricular activities such as modeling troupes, dance troupes, organizations in your major, Greek organizations and community service organizations." The Set, the school's student union, is a major social hub, and is home to the weekly party Set Friday, "where the student body has a great time starting off the weekend with all the perks of…college social life... All of the organizations showcase something, [and] there are music, food, [and] vendors." School pride translates to academic achievements as well, and studying in groups in the library is a popular past time. Students assure us, "We play hard and do schoolwork harder!"