Carver students Chantel Williams and Joanne Jean Baptiste report on their College Tour visit to Alabama State Univerity

By Chantel Williams and Joanne Jean Baptiste

Alabama State University was founded in 1876, in Marion Alabama as a school for African Americans. We were surprised to learn that the school was founded by freed slaves. These slaves were know as the Marion Nine.  At the inception there were five hundred students and today more than six thousand students have selected Alabama State University (ASU). ASU is home to the Hornets and is located in Montgomery Alabama.

As our bus driver navigated his way through the city of Montgomery, we saw neighborhoods that were in need of revitalization, a thriving downtown and beautiful farmlands along the highway. We felt that students who choose a college so far away would need strong support to help them through their college journey.

Our tour guide eased our minds when she explained how the upper class students make an effort to invite freshman to family dinners and other activities. Freshman students cannot have a car on campus because they want each freshman to experience the ASU culture to the fullest.

Alabama State University has 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. They have an 85% graduation rate; there are more than 5,600 students who attend ASU. There is a 20 to 1 ratio for student to faculty. For every 1 teacher there are 18 students, for every 1 male there are 12 females. In order to gain admission to Alabama State University you must have a GPA of 2.0-2.49 and 18 or higher on your ACT. Alabama State offers many different scholarship programs including, The Presidential, The Deans, The Incentive, The Athletic, and ROTC scholarships. There are specific requirements for each scholarship.

The campus life described by our guide mirrored what we observed on campus. The mood is laid back, friendly and welcoming. At Alabama State University you’re not just another face in a crowd of people.