Lamar University

Date: Mar 25 2020
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
Let me explain a few things. Of the now four semesters I have spent at Lamar University, I am nearly certain that maybe three of my professors were even remotely intelligent enough to lead the class. I had English professors that use improper forms of than/then, and I'm sorry you are a college-level professor, I expect perfection. I had history teachers that taught wrong information, and then were upset when I was able to prove their ignorance privately and not in front of other people. Again, you're a college-level professor of history; I should not be educating you. I expect perfection. I paid $20k a year to do my own education. Most of the information I received was through my own research, not from intellectuals spreading their knowledge. There are specific professors who were outstanding and deserve far better places of employment than Lamar University. Dr. Boone in the History department, and Dr. Blackwell-Starnes in the English department were by far the most intelligent women I have ever come across in my life.

Campus security? Joke. This sprawling campus is smack dab in the middle of the ghetto. And I mean section 8 housing surrounds it, crack heads on the streets leading into campus, and gunshots are heard frequently. They also posted warnings that students were being mugged just off-campus. So there's that. The emergency poles on campus? Rarely working. And they legitimately posted signs saying

if you're being attacked, press the button and wait for assistance.

Uh…that adds up.

The advising staff? Also a joke. I did my own advising the entirety of my academic career, and did it perfectly. Until I got a new advisor every single semester. They changed it constantly, because they had a revolving door of employees. They can't keep anyone talented enough to do the job well. So I got stuck with a moron who wrote my plan ON MY DEGREE AUDIT and then magically forgot that we had ever spoken in person. He made me jump through hoops just to enroll. I mean excessive.

The classrooms were old, falling apart. Ceiling tiles were missing, wires were hanging out of the walls and sconces, the carpet was torn and degraded on the steps in the auditoriums. It was absolutely not worth the money I paid. I cannot believe this place gets federal funding. It absolutely baffles me.

I am transferring away from the college because having Lamar on my resume is going to hurt when I'm up against people who went to amazing schools. When I enrolled, I was so hopeful. I thought Lamar was amazing and was so excited. But no. The curriculum is high school equivalent at best, with very little to challenge you unless you take speciality courses with the few amazing professors. Don't waste your scholarships, grants, or loans here. It's a worthless education that you don't even get in exchange for payment. Do NOT waste your time, effort, or money. Seriously. A Junior College would teach you more than this place.