Alabama A & M University

Date: Sep 26 2003
Major: Chemistry (This Major's Salary over time)
Overall, I think AAMU is a mediocre university. You must remember that it is an HBCU with dwindling and limited funds. So be aware that you might have a waterfall down your wall for a month before you repair it yourself(Thigpen Hall), your professor might have a pronouced tardiness problem (Dr. Odatula), you have no earthly idea what your physical chemistry professor is saying due to his inability to master the English language (Dr. Chang), and that there is really no meat in the amorphic slop (Chuck Wagon) they call food. No, you cannot expect to receive a Harvard or Yale education. But it's academics, student life, and overall atmosphere can proudly be compared to that of Howard, FAMU, or Southern because all HBCUs are plagued with these problems. I enjoyed my time on "the Hill" by living on campus but socializing off campus, getting involved in numerous organizations, making friends with various backgrounds, and partying my ass off to boot! And I still graduated with honors within the scheduled four years. Coming from an affluent, predominantly-white neighborhood, I did miss the technological advances I had in high school because AAMU had dot-matrix printers, delapidated buildings, a library of an impoverished third world country, and the laboratories were pathetic. Still, I loved the parades, tea socials, step shows, football games, black functions (Greek picnic, Freaknic, Magic City Classic, etc), and making out in the library (we had to give it some viable use!). Truthfully, the great friends, weird faculty, and exciting environment made the school for me. Oh, and the fact that I went on full scholarship. With an AAMU degree, I was able to parlay my free degree into admission to grad school then a great $$ job! The best advice I can give you is to enjoy your college years and don't sweat the small stuff. Something is wrong with every college.