Another White Guy who wants to go to Howard

Colleges and Universities A-Z Howard University
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<p>So, as the title says, I'm white, and applying to Howard. It's a great value in the only location I want to go to school (DC). It's got the most straight-forward transfer application process of any university I've seen, so I know I can get in. I'm also applying to AU and Catholic, but they're holistic so who knows whether I'll get in or not. They're also more expensive and not as well-ranked. </p>

<p>Some other posters have asked this question before, but I'm not really concerned about stuff like safety or being harassed. This is, after all, a well-regarded university full of bright, educated people. At most I assume I'll catch a stank-eye or a rude comment here or there, maybe if I'm with my girlfriend. But mostly what I want to know is a lot simpler: will it be hard to fit in? </p>

<p>I want the full social experience of college, with the parties and friends and community. </p>

<p>I assume Howard would be a perfectly good place for that. I'm a nerd, and nerds know how to find fellow-nerds pretty much anywhere. If I can find some folks who are into neuropsychology, Green Lantern comics, debate competition, or Battlestar Galactica, I'm sure I'll be just fine. However, I figured it would be prudent to ask. I know the value of an HBCU partly comes from being a place free of the judging, censoring gaze of whites, and that my friends who attended HBCUs spoke of the enjoyment in being the majority for that reason; no self-censorship required. </p>

<p>I try not to throw my privilege around carelessly, and I hope that by attending an HBCU I wouldn't be perceived as an intruder, or perhaps something like a perpetrator of educational gentrification. I know Howard isn't remotely close to becoming majority white (like some other HBCUs have become in past years), but I don't know if that matters. Would I be seen as an annoyance? An intrusion? Some progressive wanna-be white guy who wants to make sure the whole world can see just how liberal he is when he shows them his diploma? </p>

<p>I know I might face some preconceptions or skepticism -- but to a large degree that's fair and I've dealt with that stuff before. It's not a big deal, and frankly it makes sense, because a lot of white people who want to be around/date/imitate/whatever black people have suspect motives. The question is, would that hurdle be insurmountable?</p>

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<p>I’m new to CC, but I’ve seen your post and wanted to respond to your inquiry. Howard University is an exceptional academic institution and you would be hard-pressed to find a better educational value in DC. $$ wise - absolutely no comparsions. My DS has applied, and hopefully he’ll be accepted to HU. I hope you understand that by virtue of becoming a student at HU, you can never be an “intruder”. You will be as much a part of the Student Body at Howard as anyone else. As in any new environment, you will need to find students who have similar interest to that of your own and you will need to continue to engage in further developing those relationships. </p>

<p>That you’ve posted concerns about being socially accepted at Howard University, suggest you are focused on meeting people and becoming personally invested in and connected to the University. That you “care” enough to want to find your social footing, will yield positive results. </p>

<p>All first time college students are in the same position no matter what University they attend. The racial demographics at Howard should not be overly concerning for you, inasmuch as you seem to have zero racial bias. Your attendance at Howard will be no more intrusive or annoying to the Student Body at large than same could be said of any other students on campus. The color of your skin will not dictate how well you will matriculate at Howard. </p>

<p>Keep an open mind. Don’t anticipate social isolation. Be available to meeting new people and look forward to enjoying the opportunities at Howard. You’ll be glad you attended.</p>