<p>How do others view them? Do they think of them as prestigious or no?</p>
<p>What do you mean by “prestige”? If you mean academic caliber, then even the topmost HBCUs are deep on the list as far as entering Freshmen GPA/test scores. HBCUs historically have served a large portion of our society who faced many educational challeges and barriers. That being said, their mandate was/is to admit as many people as possible. This dilutes the quality of the entrance pool. Graduation rates in 4-5 years suffers as well. Historically, they serve as great success stories for some. But on purely academic metrics, a Morehouse/Spelman don’t necessarily turn heads, I’m afraid.</p>
<p>My dad discouraged me from applying to an HBCU, not only for the diversity factor, but for how that’ll be perceived when it comes to applying for jobs. As he once told me, a degree from, say, your good old state flagship would carry more weight in the eyes of an employer than a degree from an HBCU. Though I know plenty of people, including my employer (a graduate of Howard University and now a successful state politician and attorney) would disagree with my father, I ultimately decided that’d rather not have that perception tacked onto me.</p>
<p>I can’t really disagree with what T26E4 has said, but I will offer that, speaking only for myself, I would assume that a top graduate of a leading HBCU (e.g., a magna graduate of Spelman or Howard) had probably had plenty of options, and had made a deliberate choice to attend a historically black institution. And I would respect that choice. So I’d assume that somebody who had graduated with high honors from Howard quite possibly could have gone to Georgetown instead.</p>
<p>In such a case, I might give an HBCU more credit than it deserves strictly by the numbers.</p>
<p>But I wouldn’t give similar benefit of the doubt to a middling graduate of Bowie State. I’d see that person as a not-so-spectacular graduate of a not-especially-prestigious university. (Apologies if I have offended any Bulldog alumni.) </p>
<p>On the other hand, I don’t think this is what you meant to ask, but if you’re talking about the mission of historically black institutions, to be places that train the next generation of black teachers, doctors, pastors, business leaders, etc., while remaining especially attuned to the cultural issues and concerns of black students and the African-American community…yes, I respect the heck out of that!</p>
<p>(X-post with kgoodwin. Not deliberately ignoring that post. I think it raises a valid issue about the perceptions of people at large.)</p>
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<p>In my experience this is 100% incorrect. Elite employers recruit in droves at HBCUs. They seek diversity just as colleges do and these schools are a good place to find top black students. Employers like Morgan Stanley, who rarely recruit at state schools are found at HBCUs.</p>
<p>I’d sure like that to be right, Waverly. And I’m not saying it isn’t. I’m just not in a position to know, one way or the other. But I’ll trust that it’s right.</p>
<p>Malik: Perhaps repost on the African American sub forum? You could get a good swath of replies there too. Good luck to you.</p>