<p>While the OP clearly meant "not of the socioeconomic affirmative action persuasion", this has been an interesting aside. You guys are great writers ( "your so well spoken...."). I can't help but think that the number of generations since you were poor contibutes to feeling like "You belong". I agree the education piece is the bottom line. My H is "first generation" in his family, my parents were first and only in theirs. My D was born in Alabama in 1913 and that's all I need to say about that. ( Hmmm...now that I think of it he did have an Uncle who was the "colored folks" doctor.I wonder if that meant he graduated medical school?) It's been recent enough for me and H to not describe ourselves as "upper class", but the kids friends think we are "rich". ( We might-be-primary-care-doctor rich, but not specialist-doctor-four-seasons-rich). Our extended families would consider people like us "boushie" ( I'm sure I'm not spelling that right). We probably talk differently and about different things when we are with extended family. Arranging "family reunions" is tricky; hard to accomodate different ends of the spectrum. When I am confronted with some of the most desperate members of society, I know, there but for the grace of God...</p>
<p>Alumother - you described my mother's family perfectly. My Dad's father came through Ellis Island and went to work at 13, eventually owned his own business and managed to marry the doctor's daughter (DAR no less) and send his three son's to Harvard. I understand exactly what you are saying because like you we have upper class background/values/snobbery (but try not to let it get the best of us), with a very middle class income. Luckily my New England roots make a virtue of frugality and tell me it's bad taste to spend too much money on clothes and pocketbooks. :)</p>
<p>My D did very well, class of 2011 at Yale!</p>
<p>Here is a listing of her results:
1. Agnes Scott College $22,000 annually, Deans Scholarship
2. Fisk University – Presidential Scholar – Full Ride
3. University of Cincinnati – A&S Biology Honors; Cincinnatus Scholar - Full Ride[Covers: full tuition, fees, room, board, and a book allowance]
4. Miami University of OH – Harrison Scholar – Full Ride
5. Spelman College – Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program – Presidential Full Ride
6. Swarthmore College – Early Write Admit
7. Washington University in St. Louis – Ervin Scholar
8. Wellesley College [Early Evaluation = Likely]
9. Kenyon College – Trustees ($16K) & Swartz Scholarships (replaces loans)
10. Bryn Mawr College – Accepted
11. Mount Holyoke College - $30K Leadership Award;
12. <em>Yale University – Admitted w/great financial aid package; Attending</em>
13. Tufts University –Admitted– Balfour Scholar, replaces loans with grants</p>
<p>Attended private schools from PreK - grade 12. Partial merit scholarship for high school. Nice summer camps and academic focused programs. Is an equestrian on Yale's club team. Suburban kid with family from both America and Africa. I think we are just middle class, nothing too fancy. Both my husband and I are first generation to attend college and the only ones in our families, that is of our siblings to obtain 4 year degress.</p>
<p>Mizo, first of all congrats to your daughter. </p>
<p>Mizo (and everyone else)
How did you amass such a diverse list of colleges? I mean you run the gambit from Fisk to Yale.</p>
<p>We (my S hates it when I say "we". As he points out "Mom, YOU already went to college") are trying to put together a broad list of schools. Any information out there on colleges that are especially welcoming of AA students (and conversely those that are less than warm). Any intel on Brown?Are there any schools "on the hunt" for AA males that he should be thinking about?</p>
<p>Also, where do HBCUs fit into the picture? Any anecdotes of schools where high achieving high schoolers fit better? Specifically if anyone has Hampton insight I would love to hear it.</p>
<p>Mathmom - My mother's New England roots meant we didn't take aspirin unless our fevers were over 104 degrees. We didn't get the shoes and bag frugality value. Darn.</p>
<p>Alas Triguena,</p>
<p>Despite the encouraging start, this post does NOT respond directly to that aspect of your question, but I'm hoping others "in the know" will weigh in.</p>
<p>My D opted not to consider an HBCU due to a number of experiences where she felt that she didn't fit in well in similar social settings, and didn't know how to "talk the talk." We also received some discouraging feedback from friends with kids at Howard (our closest HBCU w/great rep) with respect to swift and merciless scholarship losses.</p>
<p>Search this thread for more thoughts, because I know a similar discussion was held a few months back.</p>
<p>I CAN however, give a beginner's response to your other question: "How did you choose your schools?"</p>
<ol>
<li> Journal of Blacks in Higher Education (highest grad rates for blacks)
Black</a> Student College Graduation Rates Inch Higher But the Large Racial Gap Persists</li>
<li> Collegeconfidential.com (colleges w/most merit aid, free rides)
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/387154-national-achievement-scholarship-program.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/387154-national-achievement-scholarship-program.html</a></li>
<li> Collegeboard.com (location, school size, majors, extracurriculars)</li>
<li> A Junior Year Spring Break College Visit marathon</li>
</ol>
<p>After cross-referencing all the info I gathered, I presented my D with a combo list of safeties, fits, and stretches. We narrowed her list to 9 and VOILA!</p>
<p>Re: schools with strong black alumni/black support systems, we've really been blown away by WUSTL. It's D's #1 choice. Their black alumni org was really active in our area and we both felt immediately "at home" during her interview day.</p>
<p>She's applied to Yale, but is a bit intimidated by its venerable rep. She doesn't want to end up being the "dumbest kid" in the class. (I know, I know -- WUSTL is just as smart, go figure!)</p>
<p>Other choices:
Brandeis, URoch, Fordham, Loyola Marymount, UMD-College Park, UMass-Amherst, Iowa State</p>
<p>I'm sure you and your son (yes, there IS a "we" involved here no matter what they say!) are going to do just fine!</p>
<p>Check this out, colleges with the hightest graduation rates for AA students:
JBHE:</a> Latest News for 1/3/08</p>
<p>Yes, we had a wide array of schools, and yes I had suggested most of the colleges on the lists. My D and the GC added a few. My thinking was that with all the competition, was to focus on quality and not just name brand schools, schools that offered merit scholarships and/or meet 100% of demonstrated financial need and schools that were not all elite pressure cookers but which were well respected in academia. </p>
<p>As for HBCU, we know many professionals who attended Fisk, Spelman, Howard and Hampton yes they are different from Yale and Wellesley in the ethnic distribution of the student population; but the same in excellence and support. I just wanted my D to have all of her options open with no regrets in the application process, this the range of schools. Also, because teenagers develop rapidly, what they want in the Fall may look very different in the Spring. So, an 18 year old student who says no to HBCUs, single sex, or state schools may very well have different ideas six months later. Besides most are on the common application so it was easy.</p>
<p>Hey I've been reading this thread since it began but have not posted. I am a black female living in Georgia and have applied and been accepted to the University of Chicago, Boston College, University of Georgia, and Georgia State early action. I am waiting on Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and American University.
Chicago is my first choice so I was happy to be accepted, but now I'm not really sure if I can go because of the cost. I am a potential finalist for the Presidential scholarship (full ride, room, board, tuition, spending money, and even a laptop, also admission in the honors program) at GA State. I have not received a fin aid estimate from Chicago yet, but I'm expecting loans because of my parent's high income. I just thought I would post here to seek advise from y'all as to what to do about my financial situation in the coming months. Thanks for reading my long post!!</p>
<p>Here are links to a couple of older HBCU threads</p>
<p>Not really the topic of this thread but it seems to have become a "catch all" so the subject of HCBU's caught my eye. </p>
<p>My S "T"
Midwest
17 Year old African American Male
Great Kid
3.85 GPA
680M/640V SAT, SAT II 740 Chem, 730 Bio, ACT -30 </p>
<p>Lettered in Wrestling, Track (3 Years), Band (Played in Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl parades)and Academics, he is Captian of his schools “Academic Olympics” team that has been on TV 3 times now due to winning, he is the Chem and Geo expert on the team. In addition he holds down a job 12-18 hrs a week where his boss (private business owner) says he’s the best kid he’s ever had work for him.</p>
<p>Junior year classes 3.9
AP Econ (Tested 5)
AP (something I forget) (Tested 4)
Spanish 4 Hon
English Hon
Chem B Hon
Physical Sci
Bio B Hon</p>
<p>Senior Year 3.9 (so far)
AP- Bio
AP- Chem
AP- English
College Math 5
Psychology</p>
<p>My S never received a single contact from a HCBU until November, by then he had already conducted his interview with Rice, Scheuled with MIT and Northwestern and had boxes of stuff (One just for WUSL) from numerous other schools including application fee wavers and "special" application accounts set-up. </p>
<p>By november it was too late for a HCBU to even get a foot in the door, they were too late. HCBU's either don't really want a kid like him or have a logistics issue, either way it was curious.</p>
<p>To piggy back on Mizo's post there are some schools (Columbia, Barnard, Dartmouth, Wellesley off the top of my head) that offer exchange or joint degree programs with Spelman and Morehouse so a black student if they choose can essentially get the best of both worlds and experiences- they can spend a term or up to a year at a HBCU and still attend their home school.</p>
<p>I also could not help noticing the other article on the page regarding Duke and ED....</p>
<p>
[quote]
</p>
<p>At Duke University, early applicants increased by only 5 percent. The university accepted 472 students during the early decision process. The early decision students will make up 28 percent of the incoming class. </p>
<p>Duke reports that 25 percent of all early acceptances are “students of color.” This is a record high percentage for the university. However, only 20 of the 472 students accepted early are black. Thus, at Duke, blacks made up only 4.2 percent of all students admitted early.</p>
<p>JBHE research has shown that many black students do not participate in the early admissions process because it restricts their ability to negotiate financial aid packages among competing institutions.</p>
<p>JBHE:</a> Latest News for 1/3/08
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Too funny,</p>
<p>I typed HCBU instead of HBCU....</p>
<p>Trying to think of a good reason for that slip, twice.</p>
<p>Shrinkrap, I tried to follow the link to US News and it would never fully load. The banner loaded but then the internal data just kept saying "loading". Do I have to be a subscriber? Where was Hampton on the list?</p>
<p>To the young lady from Georgia (threedaysgrace). IMHO you should hold out for Chicago. I certainly don't know your family's financial situation would never be so presumptuous as to suggest that your education should come at the expense (no pun intended) of your family's (or younger siblings) well being BUT.....</p>
<p>Make no mistake about it there is a huge difference in going to Georgia State and Univ. of Chicago. To be sure you can get an excellent education at either institution. However, what you get at Chicago is the opening of doors of opportunity that you never even knew existed. I speak from the experience of coming from the boondocks and attending an elite LAC then an Ivy grad school. It's like a whole new world opens up to you with your "Good Housekeeping Stamp of Approval" on your forehead (a/k/a your Chicago degree). I never knew the power of the degree (or should I say pedigree) until I experienced it first hand. </p>
<p>If your aid package from Chicago (whose motto by the way is "where fun goes to die" :) )is not satisfactory don't be shy in telling them so. Certain schools have the policy of a stingy first offer and then will sweeten the pot if you let them know you will come with the right $. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Please forgive my ignorance, but what is HCBU?</p>
<p>It should be HBCU for Historically Black College and University</p>
<p>Here's a terrible cut and paste...</p>
<p>Rank Overall score Peer assessment score (5.0=highest) </p>
<ol>
<li>Spelman College (GA)<br>
100 4.7 91% 77%6 57% 1% 11/1 86% 980-1160 71% 37% 19% </li>
<li> Howard University (DC)<br>
96 4.7 90% 61%6 62% 5% 8/1 88% 920-1370 53% 48% 21% </li>
<li> Hampton University (VA)<br>
81 4.6 85% 53%8 51% 5% 16/1 91% 945-1158 45% 37% 15% </li>
<li> Morehouse College (GA)<br>
79 4.5 86% 55%6 39% 3% 15/1 90% 960-1170 42%5 55% 18% </li>
<li> Fisk University (TN)<br>
78 3.6 84% 65%6 68% 1% 12/1 78% 19-23 52% 68% 21% </li>
<li> Tuskegee University (AL)<br>
71 4.1 70% 48%6 56% 11% 12/1 94% 17-21 54% 59% 20% </li>
<li> Claflin University (SC)<br>
66 3.3 78% 65%6 55% 0% 12/1 87% 825-1070 47% 49% 37% </li>
<li> Xavier University of Louisiana<br>
65 4.2 71% 52%6 35% 22% 17/1 97% 18-23 33% 62% 13% </li>
<li> Dillard University (LA)<br>
63 3.5 69% 45%6 73% 2% 11/1 92% 16-203 24% 87% N/A </li>
<li> Johnson C. Smith University (NC)<br>
55 3.5 62% 39%6 51% 0% 14/1 92% 853-10073 86% 38% 20% </li>
<li> Tennessee State University *
54 3.8 75% 45%6 46% 3% 16/1 88% 16-20 N/A 83% 9% </li>
<li> Winston - Salem State University (NC) *
53 3.5 76% 52%6 51% 2% 16/1 87% 810-970 20% 65% 8% </li>
<li> Florida A&M University *
52 3.7 84%8 33%6 51% 8% 17/1 91% 880-11003 N/A 61% N/A </li>
<li> Morgan State University (MD) *
51 3.9 71% 41%6 51% 1% 14/1 90% 810-9803 N/A 42% 4%4 </li>
<li> Virginia State University *
50 3.6 72% 41%6 41% 4% 16/1 88% 810-960 19% 78% 10% </li>
<li> Bennett College (NC)<br>
49 3.3 66% 41%6 71% 0% 11/1 87% 710-8909 13% 56% 31% </li>
<li> Elizabeth City State University (NC) *
49 3.2 75% 49% 58% 2% 14/1 82% 740-930 17% 71% 4% </li>
<li> North Carolina Central University *
49 3.7 76% 49% 40% 5% 16/1 84% 760-950 15% 75% 6% </li>
<li> North Carolina A&T State University 1*
48 4.1 N/A 42%6 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 11%4 46%4 12%7 </li>
<li> Tougaloo College (MS)<br>
46 2.9 76%8 46%6 N/A N/A 11/1 98% 204 40%4 20%4 36% </li>
<li> Alcorn State University (MS) *
45 3.3 70%8 45% 43% 6% 16/1 95% 183 N/A 59% 4% </li>
<li> Clark Atlanta University<br>
43 3.7 70% 34%6 33% 5% 16/1 90% 700-1160 N/A 49% 5% </li>
<li> Oakwood College (AL)<br>
43 3.0 70% 45%6 55% 2% 13/1 81% 770-10303 31% 50% N/A </li>
<li> South Carolina State University *
43 3.2 69% 47%6 37% 2% 16/1 92% 750-928 29% 79% 9% </li>
<li> University of Maryland—Eastern Shore *
43 3.4 66% 41% 49% 4% 18/1 83% 710-920 N/A 79% 8% </li>
<li> Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University *
42 3.7 69% 34%6 44% 7% 14/1 93% 16-203 N/A 43% N/A </li>
<li> Albany State University (GA) *
42 3.3 79% 43%6 44% 3% 19/1 80% 850-10003 N/A N/A N/A </li>
<li> Delaware State University *
42 3.4 66% 35% 52% 4% 22/1 76% 740-920 17% 64% 2% </li>
<li> Jackson State University (MS) *
42 3.7 72% 38%6 36% 3% 19/1 90% 16-20 31% 39% N/A </li>
<li> Kentucky State University *
42 3.3 62% 30%6 70% 9% 14/1 92% 15-193 N/A 37% 2%7 </li>
<li> Stillman College (AL)<br>
42 3.0 65% 38%6 74% 3% 13/1 93% 14-18 N/A 38% 10% </li>
<li> Lincoln University (PA) *
41 3.3 64% 41% 37% .2% 17/1 74% 710-9003 21% 41% 7% </li>
<li> Mississippi Valley State University *
41 3.1 66% 38% 62% 4% 20/1 89% 15-193 27% 32% N/A </li>
<li> Bluefield State College (WV) *
39 3.1 63% 34%6 53% 1% 17/1 82% 17-213 34%4 51% 36% </li>
<li> Fayetteville State University (NC) *
39 3.2 73% 38% 43% 1% 20/1 97% 770-940 18% 77% 7% </li>
<li> Miles College (AL)<br>
39 2.8 65%8 71%6 N/A N/A 13/1 87% 169 N/A N/A 14% </li>
<li> Norfolk State University (VA) 1*
39 3.6 66%8 28%8 57%4 3%4 17/14 89%4 820-9804 20%4 71%4 N/A</li>
</ol>
<p>Quoting DTDAD . . .</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote> <p>My S never received a single contact from a HBCU until November, . . . By november it was too late for a HBCU to even get a foot in the door. . . . HBCU's either don't really want a kid like him or have a logistics issue, either way it was curious<<<</p> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>Hey!! Your S got courted in NOVEMBER?!! You guys must be special! My D just got her first contact from Howard. A Christmas card. YESTERDAY (1/6/08). No letter of introduction -- just a pamphlet insert on Howard's National Achievement Program. We had to giggle. We can soooo relate to CP time . . .</p>
<p>Piggybacking on Shrinkrap's USNews HBCU Tier1 Rankings (Post#156)
Below are the Column Headings for each of the stats posted. They're listed top to bottom here in Shrinkrap's left to right order (I also couldn't pull up the listing. Thanks for posting!).</p>
<p>School
Average freshman retention rate
Peer assessment score (5.0=highest)
% of classes w/fewer than 20 ('06)
Average graduation rate
Student/ faculty ratio ('06)
% of classes w/50 or more ('06)
SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile ('06)
% faculty who are full time ('06)
Acceptance rate ('06)
Freshmen in top 25% of HS class
Average alumni giving rate</p>
<p>Thank you so much. This is great! One quick question. There is a slight disconnect b/t the numbers posted by shrikrap and the headings posted by SuperMomIAin't. Is the second to last percentage the acceptance rate?</p>
<p>I think the 2nd to last # pertains to the acceptance
for example:</p>
<p>School: Spelman</p>
<p>Rank 1
Overall score 100
Peer assessment score (5.0=highest) 4.7
Average freshman retention rate 91
% of classes w/fewer than 20 ('06) 77%6
Average graduation rate- 57%
Student/ faculty ratio ('06) -11/1
% of classes w/50 or more ('06) 86%
SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile ('06) 980-1160
% faculty who are full time ('06) 71%
Freshmen in top 25% of HS class 37%
Acceptance rate ('06) 19%
Average alumni giving rate</p>