Stillman College

It is in a small city, so there are good things and bad things. One good thing about Stillman is that it is a small school so your Professors know you by name so it is a lot easier to get recommendations, help, etc. and most of them want you to succeed. They are always willing to help and TRY to come up with ideas to help their students succeed.

The reason why the enrollment drops every year is because tutition cost rises every year. Over $10,000 a year. I didn't feel that the education I was receiving was worth $10 G's.

Stillman had a deal with Apple so were were supposed to get laptops for free, but when I enrolled I was told that the program ended and that I would have to pay $1500. So that was an unexpected fee that I had to scrape together.

Stillman is a "teaching" school. So if you don't plan on becoming a teacher/professor, than this is not a school for you. I am a marine biology/photojournalsim major so the science classes that are offered, the labs are ok but as everyone knows with science you need to know the material and know how to apply the material that you learn. My Biology teacher tried to set up something for me with the University of Alabama (which is close by) but the president of the college (Mcneely) ended that so the relationship with the Univ. of Al. is no longer an option.

Because it is a Christian school there are mandatory religion & orientation classes try to avoid these if you plan on transferring.

Another thing I didn't like about Stillman was the advising. When you choose your major, the head of that dept must approve your upcoming schedule for the semester. My advisor discouraged double majors to the point where she would not approve my schedule, would not sign off on it, and told me that one was more important to the other and that I should" stick to that".

As I mentioned earlier Stillman is a small town. I didn't have a car so at times it was difficult to get to Walmart & places like that. The buses only run Mon- Fri from 8-5 once a hour every hour.But If you live in a dorm, everyone was really friendly so I was able to get where I needed to go. There is a Sonics (fast food) down the street, gas station and a small grocery store & dollar store close by.

As far as life outside of campus, in Tuscaloosa there is "The Strip" which is really where all the students from University of Alabama party. Lots of clubs/bars/restaurants. I'm from Cali so this was a little different from what I'm used to. There is one black-owned club on the strip and thats about it. There are other hip hop clubs close, "The Orchid" and a couple of others. Like all clubs be careful when you go. Univ. of Alab. is a good option for events because there are more frat & so. parties there and more music acts come there because the school is bigger.

The library hours were bad because there were only 2 or 3 librarians. usually it closed at 9 or 10 and the weekends it was only open from 10am-2pm.

There is only 1 math tutor and 1 english tutor. and they are only available Mon - fri 8-12 & 1-5.
Me being somewhat a health fanatic never ate in the cafeteria. everything was fried, greasy, full of butter etc. I know I'm in the south but they didn't offer any other options. I never ate in the cafeteria but still had to pay for that meal plan because I was in the dorms!

Also like all schools make sure to stay on top of your financial aid situation.
Don't go to the school during the summer try to go during the school year and look at everyday campus life. Talk to some students that go there to get an idea. I transferred back to Cali & am now at CSUS (which I hate) but will be transferring to another HBCU in the fall 07. probably FAMU, Savannah State, Alabama State, or somewhere in Lousisana. Good Luck.