University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Biology – On the pre-health track
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: African-American Straight Male
Summary
I’m in the Multicultural Mentoring Program (MMP), I also do a few community service activities on campus, such as Jack and Jill.
Background
Gender Identity: Male
Race/Ethnicity: African-American
Sexual Orientation: Straight
High School Experience: Public high school in Nashville, TN with a graduating class of about 400 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First-Generation College Student: No
Major: Biology – On the pre-health track
Minor: None
Extracurricular Activities: I’m in the Multicultural Mentoring Program (MMP), I also do a few community service activities on campus, such as Jack and Jill.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
My extracurricular activities let me venture out to meet new people. If I didn’t do that, it would be harder to meet new people.
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
I have labs every week, and I have quizzes and exams. I also have problem sets.
Is there anything you feel that your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
The Biology department is a lot better than the Chemistry department, in my opinion, because the professors are easier to get in touch with and work with you one-on-one. Chemistry is a bigger department so it’s harder for the professors to talk with people one-on-one if you’re in a class with 200 students. [In 2019-2020, there were 175 classes with 100+ students in them.]
How accessible are your professors?
They’ve been pretty accessible and we also have resources like tutoring centers in case they’re not accessible. If I have a problem in a class, I’ll go to the professor before the TA.
Why did you choose your major? Are you happy with your choice?
I’m happy with my choice. I chose it because I’m trying to go to medical or dental school. Biology lets me get a lot of general requirements out of the way while learning the basics of the harder classes I’ll have to take in the future.
How was transitioning into the large lecture classes? Were there any resources available to help?
I had to adjust to it myself. Being in the [Multicultural Mentoring] program, I’m able to ask my mentor questions about adjusting to the campus. It wasn’t too bad, but it was a culture shock. [Classes range from 2–100+ students, with 50% ranging from 20–39 students.]
Reasons to Attend
1) They have great majors.
2) There are plenty of academic resources on campus if you ever need help with a course.
3) There are plenty of things you can get involved with on campus.
4) It’s pretty quiet and it’s a small town, which is nice coming from a big city.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) There aren’t many minorities here. [The undergraduate population is 78% White, 6% Black, 4% Asian and 5% Hispanic.]
2) Since it’s a big campus, sometimes the class sizes can be large. [In 2019-2020, there were 175 classes with 100+ students in them.]
3) Sometimes it may be hard to get in contact with your professors because of the large class sizes.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: Clement Hall with one roommate
How was transitioning from your Nashville to Knoxville, TN in terms of location?
It’s a lot different. Nashville is a big city compared to Knoxville. I’m adjusted to it because while I’m in Knoxville I can hang around with my friends more than if I were in Nashville where there are other things to do. It wasn’t a bad transition. It was just a shock because there’s a lot less to do in Knoxville.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
There’s a bunch of police and safety systems on hand. People walk at any time of the night.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
Sometimes we go to the movies or walk downtown on the strip where all the college students hang out. Sometimes if we’re in the dorms we’ll just watch a movie, but if we’re on The Strip it depends. On The Strip, there are lots of little bars you can walk into, or you can get food. I party occasionally and there are venues on The Strip. Sometimes different fraternities will host parties, or they can just be parties that students are hosting.
What have been your favorite times at the University of Tennessee?
Just hanging out with my friends in the dorms. Those are the best times because we’re spending time together.
How happy are you with the weekend activities or nightlife at your school? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I’d add a few more things to do in Knoxville other than parties. Partying is fun, but not everyone wants to party every single weekend.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
Through other people. I was in an organization called Jack and Jill where I met my closest friends at UT.
How would you describe the overall social scene at UT-Knoxville?
It’s pretty good. For the most part, it’s pretty social. There are a few students who don’t get into the social life because there are plenty of things to get involved in and to meet new people. I just wish there were more things to do other than party every weekend.
How would you describe the Black community on campus? How strong is it?
I know most of the African-American students, and I wish there were more on campus so we could have a bigger impact. With the numbers we have, it’s hard to make changes. [See Knox News article, “Is there a race problem at the University of Tennessee?”]
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
A lot of the Black people hang out with the Black people, the same way the White people hang out with the White people. But there are friend groups that are diverse. It’s about who you connect more with, it’s not about the race. [The undergraduate population is 78% White, 6% Black, 4% Asian and 5% Hispanic.]
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
Females who aren’t in a sorority will get into a party over a male who’s not in Greek life. There can be some exclusion, it just depends on the fraternity.
How do you like the size of the University of Tennessee in terms of undergraduate enrollment? How has it impacted your experience? [There are about 23,300 undergraduate students at the University of Tennessee.]
I like the size. There’s still a community of students that I haven’t met, and I’m all about meeting new people. By meeting more people, I feel that I will have a better connection with people long-term.
Careers
Have you learned any computer programs or languages that will be helpful to you professionally?
I’ve learned Excel and use it a lot in labs.