<p>D2 has expressed interest in hbcu. I, however, am familiar with only a few of the schools (Howard, Spelman, Hampton, St. Aug., Bennett, Fisk, Florida A&M, NC State, JC Smith) - - and no personal knowledge of any. </p>
<p>D is a B- student, 10th grade PSATs scores were 49CR, 45M and 48W. I'm certain both her grades and test scores will improve (transition from a small Quaker school to a considerably larger, more chaotic public school was difficult; she had completed only 6weeks of geometry when she sat for the PSAT). But even with expected improvement, she's not a likely candidate for Spelman.</p>
<p>Any sugestion of hbcu schools we should add to our list? (Slight pref for LAC.) Also, anything of which we should be aware (ie: I have read that FAM and Fisk have been having terrible budget problems)?</p>
<p>Ok - - so I know even less than I thought I did (I meant NC A&T).</p>
<p>No real geog preference, just solid academics, good social experience and not on the brink of financial disaster.</p>
<p>Yes, I've seen lists of schools, but I now nothing about the individual character of the schools or relative academic strength. And the guide books provide very little info on the hbcu schools.</p>
<p>It's Marine and Environmental Science department is one of the best in the U.S. and they have a few other strong departments. However, it's a small school and does not have more than a couple dozen majors.</p>
<p>To me, Spelman and Morehouse are the Ivy League of HBCUs. Howard obviously has a lot of cachet as the oldest HBCU, but Spelman would be a wonderful goal. Spelman's median SATs are 540CR, 530M, and 600W; Howard's are very similar - it's certainly not unrealistic to think that your D's SAT subsections could each top her sophomore PSATs by 100 points.</p>
<p>Thanks, gadad - - but even if the SAT scores go up (low to mid 500s is not unreasonable), her gpa is unlikely to rise above 3.0, because of the difficult first year, making Spelman a definite reach. Certainly, if her numbers improve as expected, she will apply to Spelman, but she will still need match and safety schools.</p>
<p>Full disclosure: I'm white, so my knowledge of this school is second hand. However, what I've heard is quite favorable: Welcome</a> to Tougaloo College</p>
<p>In the Southeast, after Spelman, Morehouse and Howard, a number of public HBCUs get a lot of loyalty but tend to draw provincial crowds from their own states. Tuskegee University would be an exception. I'd think it would be a safety or match, and its student body is relatively national as a result of its historical significance.</p>
<p>A good friend and neighbor is a celebrated alum and former professor of Norfolk State. He's retired but still very active as an alum. I honestly don't know much about the school, but I've always admired his fondness of it along with the accomplishments of some of its grads. It may be worth a look. </p>
<p>I also think you may want to consider Virginia Union.</p>
<p>foolishpleasure, we have quite a few hbcu's in NC. You can compare them by going to the College Foundation of North Carolina website. Click on the College Fair tab at the top on the website.</p>
<p>I really don't have first hand experience but Morgan State is in Baltimore and they have a great marching band!
About 1/3 of their students are from outside Maryland.</p>
<p>I should clarify - speill-binding and award winning Marching band:
[quote]
The most popular and well recognized ensemble is the Marching Band known as “The Magnificent Marching Machine” comprised of 150 students.</p>
<p>The Magnificent Marching Machine has dazzled and excited audiences during performances at MSU Football Games, National Football League Games, Presidential Inaugurations, World Series, National Playoff Games, and in regional and local television appearances. This ensemble has performed throughout the United States and in Bermuda. The ensemble has also made a cameo appearance in the movie "Head of State" featuring actor-comedian Chris Rock and appeared on Tom Joyner's television show.</p>
<p>MSU band students have performed in intercollegiate bands including the Olympic Band, the All American College Band, The President’s Inaugural Band, Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma, HBCU-NBDC, and CBDNA Intercollegiate Bands.
<p>I think you'd get a lot of debate on the subject of pre-eminence among HBCU bands! I used to work at a predominantly-white university that played football each year against a nearby HBCU. It always used to tickle me that while our fans were heading out of the stands to the concessions and restrooms at the start of halftime, they'd inevitably pass the other teams fan's who were streaming back in.</p>
<p>I know MSU has won lots of awards - there is a college band competition here in PA. Many many people go to see MSU - they are the only hbcu school that goes, I think, and they usually win.</p>
<p>Think the movie "Drumline" - very cool stuff indeed.</p>
<p>College marching bands are great! They can also be indicative of how much a school cares about the quality of its programs, and how much pride and school spirit the school has.</p>
<p>You asked about strong finances. Look before you leap at Fiske, Morgan State, and FAMU. Also careful about Cheyney because they have a horrible reputation of kids not being academically prepared and dropping out. As a matter of fact for all the HBCUs I would concentrate carefully on two statistics (even more so than SATs and GPAs). The two percentanges are the number of students that return for their sophomore year and the number of students that graduate in 6 years (don't focus on 4 year). This will tell you how the students fare once they matriculate.</p>
<p>On another note: any body have any inside information on Hampton? Are students happy? Well prepared? I am looking for information you don't find on websites.</p>
<p>I suggest Prairie View A&M in Texas, though I'm currently considering FAMU. I have brothers that attended both universities and enjoyed their learning experience.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The two percentanges are the number of students that return for their sophomore year and the number of students that graduate in 6 years (don't focus on 4 year). This will tell you how the students fare once they matriculate.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>absolutely! If the % of student who return is low - below 75% then ask for an explanation.<br>
graduation rate is equally important.</p>
<p>Cheyney is in the State System in PA - they accept any student who meets the minimum qualifications and many are "on the cusp" or "below the cusp" but the idea is to give everyone a chance, at least. Many hbcu's fall into this category.<br>
Not excusing, just explaining.
This is a part of what "fit" is about.</p>
<p>You need to select carefully, the same way you would choose any other college - size, academic programs, location, etc. Here is the lastest data on graduation rates. Also, many HBCUs are female dominated - nearly 70% at many institutuions.</p>