My first acceptance letter arrived in the mail from Barry University early spring of my senior year of high school. After that, every other week I anticipated hearing my mother call out that I'd received another envelope that "was thick enough to have stuff for college kids to read." This may be one of the few times I'll actually admit this, but she was right.

By March I was accepted to every school I applied to, well at least -- everyone that I remembered. Albeit those acceptance letters flattered me, for the most part they were irrelevant to my decision-making process because I had already determined in my mind to attend Bethune Cookman College in Daytona, Florida. That is, until I got my last and final acceptance letter to a school I can honestly say to this day I have no recollection of applying to, Florida State University (FSU). After that day everything changed.

Never had I imagined attending FSU, I barely remembered the application process. After all, as a Miami native I was a University of Miami Hurricanes fan -- how dare I betray my beloved city and cherished team? But despite all that, my parents and I were so excited that I'd wanted to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) that it was all they would speak of. "

Now you can be in the marching band, or even a member of one of the auxiliary clubs so that we can come to the football games for free!" Or my dad's favorite, "It's a good thing you're going to be around such a large Black community because that high school of yours was all I could take."

Every time Bethune Cookman went on a recruiting trip that landed within a 50-mile proximity of Miami, we were right there so that, as my mom said, I could "get in good with the faculty so they can keep an eye out for me." Meanwhile I continued to get mail and phone calls from FSU that sparked my interest with the Seminole community.

FSU is consistently ranked among the top nationally recognized research colleges and universities and provides one of the most welcoming environments a new student can ask for. To make a long story short, after I attended preview on campus, I was pretty much hooked. I took the liberty of mailing all of my information and sending in housing forms before my parents could even object; I mean it was ultimately my decision, right? My parents definitely didn't think so. For weeks. we debated my choice to attend FSU. They questioned whether or not I had really "thought this thing out or not" or if I was just acting out. Nevertheless, I was Tallahassee bound, and so was their money!

Since my arrival at Florida State University, I've faced much ridicule and criticism for opting to attend the school on the "other side of the tracks," in the words of my FAMU friends. If I were accepted to both FAMU and FSU, why would I choose to go to Florida State and not attend the HBCU?

"FAMU in my opinion creates the ultimate college experience for the Black collegiate. To be able to sit amongst students and faculty that can identify with my race, the struggle of my race and issues that affect me not only as a person, but also as a Black student represents the core of FAMU. Black Enterprise ranks FAMU in the top schools for Black college students which goes to say that despite the financial issues we're currently dealing with FAMU will continue to move on," says FAMU senior K. Farnell.

Although I agree that the collegiate experience at an HBCU is one unlike any other, I felt like I needed to experience something different. I still want to have the option of assembling with people like me, but I'd like to feel that attending FSU would give me the best of both worlds.

At Florida State University I've been privileged to participate in a number of activities with the Black Student Union on campus. Since its inception in 1968, the BSU, as it is often called, has worked to create a community that unites Black students on campus and acts as a liaison between students and the faculty. According to BSU 2007-08 President Pedro Gassant, the group "serves as a catalyst to the enlightenment of the FSU community to the distinct and proud cultural heritage of black people in America."

From 1965, when FSU had as few as nine Black students, to today with membership numbering over 4,400, the BSU has been that home away from home not only for Black students, but all students. In fact. my involvement has been the foundation of many of my connections within the Black community at FSU. This, with the backing of nationally recognized faculty of many ethnicities, creates the "ultimate learning experience for the Black collegiate" in my opinion.

I'm almost hesitant to say this, but I still find myself in awe whilst attending large FAMU or HBCU events such as the Football Classics. Sitting in the stands, I am overjoyed by the fellowship of so many faces similar to mine. I enjoy rocking away with the band at half time and rooting on my favorite team. I'm even one of those FSU students who look forward to participating in FAMU's homecoming events and attending various public seminars they sponsor. However, I'm not hesitant to say that despite being a member of a minority group at FSU, I'm able to see a positive reflection of my race in the student leadership. Four of the last eight Student Body President-elects at FSU have been African American, as are Student Body Vice Presidents. I'm lucky to live in a community where I have access to the best of both worlds.

All my life I've heard that college and school in general is designed to prepare you for the real world. I don't know about your world, but the world I live in has a variety of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. My experience at a school where I may have been the only black student in my class, although discouraging at times, continues to prove to me how essential it is that I give back to my community so that future students will have the option to attend whatever school they wish, whether it's an HBCU or not. In the real world I just might be the only Black person at my place of employment. While this is not what I hope to encounter, it's simply the reality that exists.

In a few months, as I join the long list of Black alumni from FSU, I only hope to be as great as Tallahassee Mayor John Marks (BS 1969, JD 1972), Attorney Ben Crump of Parks and Crump, LLC (BS Criminology, 1992, JD 1995) or Actress Tonea Stewart (PhD), also the first African American to receive a doctorate from the School of Theatre at FSU. My parents today are overwhelmed with joy at the achievements I've made at FSU. Every other day I get a call from my mom and dad as they make modifications to their itinerary to attend my graduation from a school they had never even thought I would attend. But like I expressed to them before I left for college, I always felt this was right for me -- I'm just thankful to have their support.

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