<p>Another plug for Mount Holyoke. When I went there, way back in the 80s, it was a very diverse campus and is even more so today. It’s now test-optional, too.</p>
<p>cobrat, I tried to PM you but I apparently haven’t posted enough to earn the right. Once I hit the required 15 mark, you will hear from me.</p>
<p>OP, I think I’m correct is guessing your D is an adopted Chinese young lady (based on your description of her interest in transracial adoptions)? If I’m wrong, I apologize. I would have suggested, if she was African American, that she look at HBCU’s, which is where my D plans to apply (some in NC in fact).</p>
<p>My D spent time in an elementary program where diversity didn’t really exist and some of the kids and parents were openly racist, then denied there was a problem. It is not a experience she ever cares to repeat, and for that reason, won’t even consider a small, non-diverse college, though she has a couple of large, urban state schools on her list. It’s difficult and can be heartbreaking to get up every day to go into a venue where you know you’re not accepted. I wish you the best for your D.</p>
<p>I would have been very surprised if this had been Wake Forest (glad you clarified it wasn’t earlier, OP). I think the student body there is about a third students of color now (more diverse than many schools) and I know folks there are really working to globalize the campus. This didn’t sound like Wake at all (which has not struck me as regional in most senses), so glad you clarified.</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>I’m just angry for you and your daughter, so hard to believe the ignorance of some people in today’s day and age? My son is not applying to this school, but I got a great feeling from them about the diversity on campus and the overall attitude of the student body. Plus I know they have a great social work program there and the kids even get to intern right in the city the school is located in. Clark University in CT… I believe it’s one of the “colleges that change lives” too. Worth a look and not too far away from where you live either.</p>
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<p>Not sure why a non-black student should automatically dismiss HBUs (although that seems to be a common assumption around these forums), although they tend not to be very diverse in a racial/ethnic sense because many non-black students actually do avoid them.</p>
<p>Yes, my daughter is Asian and adopted. Her family (us) is white, and she has always had friends of all hues, and I am not just saying that in a “We are the world” way: it’s true. I think the ideal setting for her would be a medium-to-large university where there are ample students of color and international students. As an adoptee, she actually doesn’t have a ton (other than physical appearance) in common with international students from Asia, but being around people with a more global point of view would be helpful.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if this has been brought up yet, but I’d hesitate to enroll in a CC for the second semester especially since your daughter is doing well academically. Many schools consider those with fewer than one year of college credit to be freshmen applicants and typically the best need/ merit based aid is reserved for freshmen, not transfers. It might be better to take a semester off from school to work/ travel. I freely admit that I know nothing about transfer admissions to Maryland publics so it’s certainly possible that I could be dead wrong.</p>
<p>Elon?</p>
<p>With the SAT’s it cant be Davidson</p>
<p>The OP doesn’t want to name the school yet. I would respect that.</p>
<p>ucb-I didn’t state that well-I mostly didn’t want to assume minority=black. Most everyone I’ve talked to at an HBCU has mentioned an uptick in other minorities and whites as well applying and attending them. It’s not a large number at any of them, but it’s growing.</p>
<p>sseamom, I have a friend here at work who attended an HBCU - West Virginia State University. The student body is currently over 67% white. The only reason I found this out was because my daughter received a post card from WVSU, and the picture on the front was mostly white kids. I asked my buddy about it, and he set me straight. It was definitely majority black when he went there 35+ years ago.</p>
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<p>Clark University that was included in Colleges that Change Lives isn’t in CT–it’s located in Worcester, MA, which is about 40 miles from Boston. Worcester is the second largest city in New England. I also believe that the Social Work program is a graduate program, not undergrad.</p>
<p>Just wanted to clarify. OP–sorry your D had such bad experiences.</p>
<p>OP-
Please tell your d that there will always be immature jerks who think their sophomoric humor is funny.
Your d grew up in a nurturing environment and unfortunately, the world isn’t going to be as kind.
Her isolated incidents of racism (not even pointed towards her) are not worth her transferring schools unless there are other compelling reasons why she wants to leave.
There must be more to her story.
BTW, Chinese from mainland, Taiwan, HK self segregate and she won’t be welcomed with open arms into their groups either.
She can try to hang out with the Chinese Americans, but since she didn’t grow up in a Chinese household she won’t get the inside jokes.
Her best hope is to find friends who like her for her inner person, not the candy coated shell.</p>
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<p>Last I checked, being subjected to or even being in presence of those who spew racist epithets or commentary as OP recounted is much more serious than “sophomoric humor”.</p>
<p>In fact, doing so can be considered creating a hostile environment for others in school and the workplace, even if the individual him/herself isn’t necessarily the direct target of such remarks/behaviors as illustrated by past discrimination cases regarding schools and workplaces. </p>
<p>In past college and workplace orientations, this was underscored and made quite clear to me as a new student/employee in a given office.</p>
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<p>Depends on the individual Chinese from those regions. Some are actually very open to Asian-Americans and non-Asians. I was one of them and saw how inclusive they could be both in college, various workplace/social outings, and grad school.</p>
<p>This is a YMMV deal.</p>
<p>Also, I have seen some native-born Americans act in a cliquish manner towards international students or recent immigrants. Some of those cliquish native-born Americans including more assimilated Asian-Americans.</p>
<p>beerme, I hope you’re not advocating a student stay in what she perceives a hostile environment. Students have transferred for less. Are you Chinese as well? I am. I understand what you’re saying about the Chinese - they’re not a monolithic population but that’s true of any ethnic or racial group. That said, that may not be how others perceive Asians.</p>
<p>If my child is unhappy at a school and senses a hostile environment, I would totally support her decision to leave. I don’t think I could just say “oh, tough it out for the next 3 1/2 years”. That’s a long time to be somewhere you dislike. If she has a choice of schools; why should she stay at one with a hostile environment? I wouldn’t choose to stay in such a place.</p>
<p>OP, I’m really sorry to hear about your daughter. I thought NC had evolved over the past 20 years. When I was at UNC, I had to attend a diversity workshop. It was evident to me that the administrator/instructor was stuck on black/white race relations but clueless about other ethnic groups and races. She couldn’t NOT think of race relations as bilateral (“picture yourself as the other race?” UH?).</p>
<p>Suggest to her that she focus on her grades/academics this semester and try to get to know two of her current professors (she’ll need recommendations for her transfer applications).
Give her the option of leaving after the semester or sticking it out until the end of the academic year—her choice.</p>
<p>One of my sons sent out transfer apps by Nov. of his freshman year (hated the bigoted and entitled attitudes of many of the students as well as the over-the-top drinking culture). At the time, he decided to stick it out for the entire academic year. Having transfer acceptances in hand made the Spring semester more bearable.</p>
<p>Pass this positive note on to her if you’d like-----Son started his sophomore year at new college as a transfer student and loved it. He had more friends after a week at his new college than he did after an entire academic year at his first college. </p>
<p>He realized that he preferred a bit larger and more diverse student body (including economically, religiously, politically,etc.) and his transfer school fit perfectly.</p>
<p>I’m very sorry your daughter has had to deal with this crap. I second (or third?) the recommendation for Smith, by the way. It’s a great school, with a really low tolerance for that kind of thing. </p>
<p>More specifically to your D’s situation: yes, she should let the school know, not because she should have to become an activist, but because they should come down like a ton of bricks on everyone guilty. </p>
<p>My younger D goes to an Ivy (so it’s not just a Southern thing), and one of the things she found hardest to assimilate was the animus some of her classmates showed toward Asians; my D’s roommate, and most of her friends, were Asian, and she was really shocked to find how shameless the mocking and hostility were. So was I, when she told me–racism is more commonly imagined, in this country, as a black/white thing. College students seem to understand that that kind of thing is beyond the pale, so they revert to other forms of racism? I don’t know. </p>
<p>But no one should have to put up with it. The thing is, her best bet, I would think, for a transfer would be to a smallish school that would look at her application sympathetically, rather than a big school that might not take the time. Just choose the school really carefully.</p>
<p>So sorry to hear about this situation. Good for her for keeping her head up (and her grades). </p>
<p>Another plug here for Smith! My D transferred to Smith (from another LAC) as a sophomore, and she loves it. It sounds perfect for your D in so many ways, including great diversity, plenty of international students and definitely a place with a global perspective in its teaching and environment. Smith nurtures, but encourages independence. </p>
<p>I promise she won’t be sorry! Can’t hurt to take a look :)</p>
<p>Another plug for Smith, and a shameless one at that, as an alum. My dorm housed women from all over the world and all over the country and from every background you could imagine. The environment is supportive and respectful and brimming with diverse passions and interests. </p>
<p>Barnard, Mr Holyoke, Bryn Mawr and Wellesley are other possibilitites. Vassar, Wesleyan Haverford might be others. Maybe she should apply to several?</p>
<p>Also I would reiterate the thought that transferring after a semester or a year should be done to her fullest advantage.</p>