Georgia State University

As an alumna, I must say I am biased! GSU #therealgsu #statenotsouthern is hands down the best university ever! I graduated a few years ago. At first I wanted to attend an HBCU, and I did. But GSU offers something awesome. To be in Atlanta as a college student, you know you’re attending one massive HBCU anyways. Everyone goes to everyone’s events. But the cost is cheaper than a private institution. And the student population is so diverse!
Since I’ve graduated, I only come to my sister’s dorm or to events, but the school has done major upgrades to the campus, facilities and programs. GO GSU! #bleedblue

GRADUATION CEREMONY, (SHOULD I GO OR SHOULD I STAY)!
As soon as we realized that we would have to actually travel to the heart of Atlanta to attend our daughter’s graduation we started whining. While we dreaded the travel and the parking, we were more concerned with having to sit through a long and boring ceremony. No matter what, we were going to attend because our baby was graduating. It didn’t matter that we had to leave home at 5:30 and get their quite early. We made sure that our baby had a great start to her day, was supported by her family and arrived on time. She actually pondered taking Marta down to her graduation ceremony so as not to inconvenience us. Such a thoughtful yet misguided little Knucklehead. If her ceremony had taken six hours, we would have endured.
However, this was so not the case and I have never been so excited to be so wrong! This was the best graduation ceremony we have EVER attended and I strongly recommend that if you have any doubts, toss them to the wind. Every aspect of the program was handled very efficiently and the program ran like clockwork. The speaker, (Mayor Evelyn Wynn-​Dixon of Riverdale), was absolutely phenomenal. She kept it personal, relevant, entertaining and engaging. It was great and she received a much deserved standing ovation. Now, I could have listened to her all day!
This particular ceremony was for those graduating from the Andrew Young School only so it was more intimate. The entire ceremony was done in less than two hours, (1.5) and we were on our way. Loved it!
***The ceremony was held at the World Congress Center and parking is $ 15 but very close.
***Please don’t forget your tickets or you will not get in. They do ask to see your tickets. One graduating student actually didn’t think she needed her tickets for her parents and left them at home. They were about to be turned away before my daughter offered her spare tickets.
SO YES, YOU NEED TO BRING THOSE TICKETS!
***My daughter enjoyed her time at the University but enjoyed a more personal experience because she took many of her classes at the Alpharetta campus with very small classes. She did take an advanced language course downtown this summer and that was crazy because of the parking situation. She just parked right across the street from her class because it was most convenient, but it also cost $ 11 a pop. She loved all of her instructors and one of them was instrumental in helping her to get advanced standing in her graduate program at UGA via a glowing reference. As parents we were happy because our daughter was happy and she thrived!
*** My daughter’s classmate also attended the general commencement and said that it was a mess because people were blocked and could not easily exit due to throngs of people stopping just outside of the exit doors. Remember this and exit all the way out of the building and have a designated place to meet your party so that this sort of incident is avoided.

Do you think prospective students or parents check Unilocal reviews prior to choosing a school? I hope not but it takes all kinds to make up our society.
That said … here’s a review of one of my alma maters. GSU probably — no, definitely — doesn’t have the best reputation as an institution of higher learning. But I’m here to tell you, it ain’t quite that bad. Many schools in the university are quite good, in fact.
The law school, for example, may not be first tier (Harvard, Yale, etc) but it’s right there with second tier schools, particularly if you’re a working student who can only take night classes. GSU Law fully supports their evening program — it isn’t an afterthought or a half-​hearted attempt to address the needs of adult students. The professors are pretty awesome too — as a group, one of the most intelligent, thoughtful and helpful faculties I’ve been associated with.
The School of Art & Design also is very good, although maybe not as well funded as the law school. If you’re interested in expanding your talents and horizons in the area of high art, this could be where you want to be.
Some of the other schools are probably similarly well regarded but I have no personal knowledge.
GSU is a downtown campus and many people are a bit hesitant to venture around downtown Atlanta in the first place, much less go to school there. Once again, it ain’t that bad. Sure, just as you would in any large city, you have to keep your eyes open and be smart, it’s hardly dangerous. being downtown has some advantages. Better walking-​distance lunch options, for example. MARTA is right there.
If you like college sports … well, there’s always Georgia Tech.
For a large, state university, GSU rates higher than popular opinion in my book.

At the GSU v. UTA women’s bball game to see my 8 yr old perform at the half. Tough to park down and around here. Not in the best of areas, but the arena staff and other folks around the crowd were extremely friendly. Overall facilities were a little outdated.

the best part about this university is that they sell ice cream in the book store, yea thats it
I had a hard time with the admissions, registration, financial aid and advisors, if you are going to gsu you will need to constantly be trying to fix your problems by yourself because if you don’t bug them then they will forget about whatever is that they say they will do. They loose papers, never reply to emails or don’t answer calls, are not CLEAR on certain aspects, you’ll be spending lots of time trying to get them to help you.
I like my major classes and the teachers are okay, the courses are super condensed but with time management and no procrastination you can get an A
the students here think they’re so cool smoking their little cigarettes, smoking isn’t cute, you think this is cool??? your ADDICTED you are HARMING your body, why do you even go to university then if you’re just going to die from cancer in a few years? you guys need Jesus if you are stressed anxious and feel like you need to smoke, you do not need to harm yourself with toxins, you need Jesus, surrender to your Creator. Evolution is false, you guys are NOT a bunch of evolved worthless hairy gorillas, it’s unscientific and unobservable to involve millions of bagillions of years, you need faith for that. search 100 reasons why evolution is stupid-​Kent Hovind
Don’t try to censor me if you claim to be open minded and tolerant

I’m BAAAAACK! Sorry GSU, when you lie, deceive and back stab the students the way you did, you don’t get to just wish away your low Unilocal!ratings. SAVE WRAS!!!
Georgia State University is stealing a rare treasure from it’s students…100,000 watts of FM radio signal licensed. Students have been operating it since the 1970s. The president sold out 14 hours a day programming to an outside entity. Ripping it out of the students management. This is an Institution that is NOT about students, the response from the president sounded like he’s running for office… mostly lies and word games. One of the strongest most endeared school for media students, crushed by the university’s own administration. FAIL!

So a friend suggested we go see a basketball game between Georgia State and Texas State. The GSU basketball games are played on campus in a funky gym on the 2^nd floor of a building.
There must have been 150 students there, plus the enthusiastic band, gymnast-​cheerleaders and a pep group of young women who danced and waved pompoms. In the stand opposite the students were maybe 100 adults. The PA system music was excruciatingly loud.
Concessions are $ 1 per item no matter what you order.
GSU Pres Mark Becker was there cheering on his team. (They lost a heartbreaker in double OT.)
Pretty good hoops, excellent popcorn.

I’m graduating from here tomorrow, I think. At GSU grades are due after graduation and my professor for the class I’m worried about won’t get back to me so I’ve worked six long and hard years to walk and I’m not even sure I’m actually going to graduate when I do which is a complete travesty. I’ve given up the past six years of my life to get my degree and won’t even be able to celebrate during a ceremony I paid $ 50 for along with an $ 80 cap and down, not to mention the thousands that I am now in debt. I just feel broken at this point and like the very extensive amount of time and money I spent at GSU is ending with a harsh slap in the face and a powerful kick to the bleak hobo-​ridden curb.
My degree is in Film and Video and while some classes were beneficial, many of them, as I assume is the case at any college, are mind-​numbing. You memorize stuff, spit it out on a Scantron or superficial essay, then forget it. Now you’re educated, or rather, you’re learning to more willingly jump through hoops for your masters and follow orders regurgitating and writing things that make you completely miserable in the process. Sure, there are good professors here that have very in-​depth lectures on course subject matter, but there are also a few whose lessons and assignments do virtually nothing to truly expand your understanding of what they’re supposedly teaching their students.
A couple of my film classes, for instance, consisted of making short films and having them ripped apart by the class. Sure, making them was good practice and I received some good feedback on my work, but couldn’t I have done that outside the setting of this institution? I’m also an English minor and your average writing class is the same empty void: read assigned and student works and subjectively hyper-​analyze and critique them. Can you not practice writing outside of the sterile brick and concrete confines of Georgia State? I guess not.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve intermittently enjoyed my time incubating and postponing employment here and did like some aspects of GSU. They have cool speakers from time to time (you pay for them in fees), decent events (more fees), a somewhat nice gym (fees), and other amenities that you can expect to receive at today’s colleges but overall do I feel intelligent and optimistic after graduating? No, instead I feel mangled, old, weak, and straddled by a mountain of debt as I near my completion on the GSU assembly line. Maybe since I’m so educated now I forgot what it was like to not be, or maybe I’ve just been slowly having my mind molded by the powerful force that is the college institution. One last note if you’re still forcing yourself to take them. I lived on campus freshman year and I would not recommend living in an overpriced dorm since you will be at risk of sharing a room with a complete sociopath. You’ve been warned.

Dang… why the low stars fellow peers?
I love this university. Easy access from the interstate, interesting people to meet, diverse, friendly staff, and plenty of cheap restaurants in the area… do I need to say more? My senior year here and I do not regret choosing this university. Never met staff (financial, advisement & bookstore) so willing to help you out. Never got that attention from GPC. I can’t wait till I graduate! Keep it posted.

I love Georgia State University. I have graduated so I think that says something. I loved my professors in the School of Public Health. It was an awesome program although it is still growing. When I entered it was the Institute of Public Health and when I graduated we had become the School of Public Health. I had my tuition waived by working on campus and I met some awesome people. I moved here just for grad school and ended up having a much more fulfilling experience with memories that will last a lifetime. #gopanthers #therealGSU

Georgia State University is stealing a rare treasure from it’s students…100,000 watts of FM radio signal licensed. Students have been operating it since the 1970s. The president sold out 14 hours a day programming to an outside entity. Ripping it out of the students management. This is an Institution that is NOT about students, the response from the president sounded like he’s running for office… mostly lies and word games. One of the strongest most endeared school for media students, crushed by the university’s own administration. FAIL!

I graduated back in ’08 and since then I have had the displeasure of attending a couple of other large scale universities namely NYU and UCLA-​that epitomize disorganization and are truly impersonal. Don’t get me started…
Georgia State was by far the best. Yup, I said it. Georgia State University was awesome. I loved it. Is it a big school? Yes? Do you have to be strategic about parking? Yes-​or just take Marta Duh! You don’t know s**t about insane parking if you’ve never lived in New York okay AND you don’t know s**t about insane traffic if you’ve never lived in LA okay.
GSU is in the heart of the city people. Of course parking lines will be long, class sizes will be big, and the onestopshop will be a nightmare at times. This is why you plan accordingly. Stand out to your professors, be active in class, show them your engaged in the material, build a relationship (like I did), say thank you. Frankly, I know several of the onestopshop advisors very well. They were always attentive and swift in addressing my needs. In fact even 4 years after I graduated I needed my transcripts ASAP to apply to graduate school. I walked into onestopshop and got my transcripts printed and sealed for my convenience immediately. Never, never, ever would NYU move so swiftly. GSU knows a thing or two about service.
I was taught by brilliant professors there who imparted me with rich knowledge that expanded my thinking, affirmed by values, and made me a better person. There are so many resources that do a great job: writing lab, career center, guest speakers, on campus medical center, hands on learning experiences in the metro area. AND our gym is amazing, the free fitness center classes kept me from gaining the freshmen 15 etc etc
I’ll admit the cafeteria isn’t the best-​but you can always eat locally. AND yes being approached by the homeless does suck, but hey that’s urban city living. Georgia State can’t be blamed for the systemic economic realities that cause homelessness. Here’s a thought, instead of complaining about it go to class, learn something, and seek to change social conditions that facilitate poverty and unequal access to resources.
Go Panthers! Over and out.

Damn it, people. Why so much Georgia State hate? I graduated from here with two undergrad degrees and am currently back on campus, trying to scrounge some research experience.
I am a true believer that life is what you make it. Or like a box of chocolates. Whatever simile you like. Having said that, Georgia State gave me a wonderful education. Honestly, amazing. I studied International Affairs in the Political Science department and Economics in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. I have had fantastic and brilliant professors who nurtured my mind in ways that I could never repay for.
It is true that you may have classmates who don’t give as big a flying crap as you about your education, but each man for his own in this regard. If you don’t have the self-​discipline to drive your own education, you are just going to be another cog in the machine. The blunt reality always stings, right?
I went to work full-​time through most of my studies (save for one year, when I was living the life after quitting my job and attending school full-​time – fun fact: if I won the lottery, I’d be in school forever and ever and ever more!) and found Georgia State’s flexible class schedule to work perfectly for me. I am still thankful for how they made getting a college education a possibility for me. I heard about the reputation before attending a few years ago (I believe that GSU is slowly gaining some academic prestige in the state and perhaps the region in general) and considered going to GA Tech (even though I did not want to be an engineer). One call to the admissions office demonstrated to me that «nontraditional» students like me would not be embraced at the home of the Yellow Jackets.
Anyway, if you are looking for a place to gain book smarts, as well as street smarts (because let’s face it, the campus is an urban one but I have never had anything happen to me so far – and I have gone to and fro the Five Points station MANY nights), consider going to Georgia State. People, there’s a whole wide world out there. Don’t restrict yourself to subdivision life in Forsyth county. Your life will be flavorless. There. I said it.

GSU is wonderful school but there are some things that I notice well attending.
I’m a GSU alumni.
I remember GSU being all whites and they were the majority of the students now it seems like blacks are majority of the student populations. It seems like GSU is a transfer school for whites get there grades up and they are out.
On academic level GSU is good. On a social level it sucks. GSU is the only school where you will see students wearing other school logos. E.g. One student was wearing a UGA shirt. Now you know if that was the opposite you would not catch a student at UGA wearing a GSU shirt on campus.
The professor are great and I did meet some wonderful professor that I did admire.
The football team sucks, I don’t know why we pay too much on student fees when they lose every game.
GSU does not feel like a campus. No matter how many dorms they provide they have to make it like a close campus. I have friends who attend GTech. When I visit I feel as if I’m on campus. Environment plays a huge part.
Too many homeless people. I know that’s the Atlanta community but GSU can control what’s around there campus just how they are paying builds thought out Atlanta.
GSU is not traditional and no rituals. It should not take 100 years for students to learn about history of the school. No school spirit!
Overall GSU is a good school on academics. I had learn a lot. If your look for school where students take control in their school pride. GSU is not the one.

I went here for half a semester and that’s all it took.
1) The parking was a mess. I paid for parking deck and the line to get in the deck was an absolute nightmare after 10 AM.
2) There is only one semi enjoyable place on campus where the fountains are, but it’s basically a big cancer fest… everyone stands outside smoking in that area.
3) The classroom buildings are like stepping back into 1973.
4) I got lost all the time.
5) The atmosphere felt very impersonal and cramped.
I packed my stuff, transferred to KSU and am now a very happy little owl in Kennesaw.

If you’re a non-​traditional student who is going back to school and you don’t have a lot of other options for some reason then I’d understand why you’d decide on GA state, but If you’re 18 or 19 and thinking about starting school here and are looking for a great «college experience», then look elsewhere. KSU is A LOT cheaper, has an attractive, isolated campus, and offers free parking a paid meal program.
At GA State nearly all the professors are mediocre. I had a few really good ones.
It costs $ 4.50 to park your car everyday, tuition and fees are outrageous, and the campus is dirty and ugly. Construction is always going on downtown, so sometimes just getting to class is a challenge.
Prepare to be on hold for two or more hours if you call Financial Aid while having to listen to the shrill and annoying Georgia State Jazz band the entire time, only to have your call eventually answered by some rude, unhelpful person.
There’s no sense of unity or camaraderie among students. Everyone’s just there to get their degrees and leave, and the students are too bright either.

I can’t speak much about the school because I never actually attended but I appreciate that they help out for a good cause. Check out Playmaking for Girls! I guess I have been spoiled with having everything close to me on campus, this school is spread about, I guess they have the perks of having access to some good down town eats and the students can get a work out with walking. I had to pick up some transcripts for a friend and was sent to 2 different buidings until I ended up at the right place, it was too much but when I finally arrived and met the person who was directing me, I couldn’t be mad. I think it was someone’s work study.

Yeah. I went here TOO. I needed ONE calculus class to bone up for grad school, and it was offered at night, after work, so I hopped on MARTA and went to GSU to take calculus.
I took calculus in undergrad. The teacher was B-​grade. It was me who had the problem. After about 2 weeks of seeing the integral symbol, a girl sitting next to me and I looked at each other and asked «What’s that snake thing?» A clear sign to drop the class if there ever was one. And that’s how I came to know the CSU system for summer school … for 3 summers!
Back to Georgia State. If you are a non-​traditional student who works, GSU is great. Many people appear to be picking up business or education degrees here, or doing something as non-​matriculated types. In Atlanta (which kicks ass … Westerners take heed), you just don’t go take a class at Georgia Tech (because it’s a brain trust), nor at Emory (because it’s private), and nor at UGa (because it’s too far from ATL).
Pros: not exceedingly hard, great scheduling options, very diverse, good in-​state rates, good professors (mine was excellent and the class had about 40 people), on the MARTA train line, and very down-​to-​earth people
Cons: downtown ATL shuts down at night, a bland soulless urban campus without much beauty, and, while not THAT dangerous, the nearby MARTA stations can be sketchy.
In the end, Georgia Tech and UGa are the two publics in Georgia where you’d want to pick up a sheepskin. Georgia State is where you go if you can’t get into those, if you work and need a schedule built around that, or where you go to pick up classes for this and that. The fact that people aren’t involved in undergraduate hi-​jinks and are more casual and adult-​like makes it easy to make friends or acquaintances at GSU. A woman who sat next to me insisted on giving me a ride to MARTA’s entrance every night after class because she drove to school and was just that friendly.
If not for the neighborhood and the open admissions scenario, I might have given GSU 4 stars.

XL classes, professors that don’t know your name, and classmates from all ages, walks of life, and intelligence levels (not a good thing). It’s a good place to get pre-​reqs done and then transfer to a school where profs care about their students.
I had a nursing prof tell me when my kid was sick, that because we didn’t get hospitalized that I couldn’t make up a quiz. WTF? Oh, you will get a 0 for missing anything. Life can’t happen at GSU. The advisors are not helpful, and look like the disgruntled state employees that you hear about. It’s just bleh.
I love being in the city, it’s a school, great facilities and I love all that they’re trying to do for school spirit. It’s humbling attending this school, because I haven’t attended public school since elementary school. Anyway, it’s OK, you’ll get A degree. Other than that, it is what YOU make it.

Love GSU!!!