Should I go to an HBCU?

College Search & Selection Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)
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<p>Ok…so I’ve mentioned before on the site about my (sort of) lack of knowledge of colleges, and I’m here to ask another question:</p>

<p>Should I go to an HBCU?</p>

<p>As an African American male, I’ve heard my whole life about the benefits of going to an HBCU. “It would be great to learn about your culture,” “Go to school with people that look like you,” “And PWI’s or evil,” (OK, maybe not that last one,) have all been penetrated into the depths of my mind repeatedly by both the adults and peers in my life. </p>

<p>I’ve recently tried to do a bit of research on these types of institutions and come up with results that don’t surprise me. HBCU’s seem to be a very polarizing topic in the world of internet forums and YouTube videos (I know this is not exactly the best method of doing college research). Everyone seems to either love them (on this side, you have the alumni of these institutions), or hate (more like be indifferent to,) them. The former side declares that their glory lies in their dedication of my underrepresented minority’s education and culture, while the latter calls these institutions outdated entities that are of no use in the modern “integrated” world. </p>

<p>While I don’t know what side to pick, two statements made by people on opposing sides resonate with me. One against HBCUs deemed these schools “ineffective” in expanding your ideas (whether cultural or educational). The one for the schools had this to say: “At a PWI, you’d be segregated anyway. Because only a small amount of blacks attend top (or near top) schools, these students tend to self segregate themselves and bask in their own culture, separated from others. Why not do this at an HBCU?”</p>

<p>That last quote was interesting because it put me in an awkward position. It basically argued “What’s the point?” Let me explain. </p>

<p>I have gone to 95% African American school for the entirety of my high school career. A bit of a culture shock upon my arrival here, the school (terribly low-performing, another reason I’m a bit afraid of HBCUs) eventually settled down within me, even showing a bit of charm. The reason it was a culture shock was because of my middle school background. My junior high, one of the best in my native TEXAS (everything’s bigger here), had instilled in me the notion that diversity=better oppurtunities. Of course course all of this went out the door in ninth grade, but now, as I find myself at the end of grade school with a decision that will loom large on the course of my life, I feel this concept come back to me. Only now I question it. Does diversity equal better oppurtunities? While yes, the alumni of HBCUs always advertise how their schools give you the “real” black “experience,” this sort of pitch is always made to African Americans that come from high schools where they are underrepresented. What if these four years have been plenty of the black experience for me? What if I’m tired of the black experience and want more to experience? </p>

<p>Here are the pros and cons of HBCUs as I’ve derived from the intricate “research” I’ve pursued:</p>

<p>Pros:
More access to the black culture than PWIs
Better alumni networks?
Family-feel
Potential to be the cream of the crop
School spirit
African American Frats- NPHC
And as a side note: the bands (my personal favorite)</p>

<p>Cons:
Pretty bad facilities (physically)
Lack of diversity
(Not what I said)–“not exactly the intellectual base of the country”
One could view them as has-been entities (many great old alumni, not many great recent)
Lacking national prestige (not that it matters too much)
Not many top ranked departments (dont really know on this one)
BIG ONE–Financial aid issues (This seems to be a common denominator among the problems recent alumni discuss)
Materialistic Students??</p>

<p>Btw, sorry for the rant. Sorta spazzed out there. I now arrive at my question. Should I (I guess a top student–<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1516387-please-help-mae.html[/url]”>Please help mae!!!! - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums</a>) go to an HBCU? (Howard or Morehouse)</p>

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<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15895768-post264.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15895768-post264.html&lt;/a&gt; indicates that you would get a full ride at Howard if you apply early enough (first come first served) (but note that there is a relatively high college GPA to renew the scholarship). So if money is a big issue, it may be worth a look for a safety. There are other schools in that list (both HBUs and non-HBUs) that you may also want to consider for safeties if cost is a big issue.</p>

<p>It looks like your top 5% rank makes all Texas public universities safeties for admission to the campus (though not necessarily to the division or major, meaning there is no guarantee of getting into Austin engineering if that is your target), but cost and financial aid need to be checked before marking them as safeties overall.</p>

<p>Note that there are schools which are neither PWIs or HBUs.</p>

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<p>While I’m not completely against HBCu’s, I think that those who qualify for a higher education should do so, I’m an AA too, those schools are at the bottom of my list. A lot of them are party oriented except for my top school. I say choose the one you like the most, despite it’s amount of diversity. Good luck! :)</p>

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<p>Just my two cents, but if you say you’ve come from a 95% black high school, don’t you want to kind of experience something that ISN’T the same as what you’ve just done for the past 4 years? All of your pros except the primarily black fraternities and more access to black culture (?) can be found at a lot of other schools. </p>

<p>HBCU’s can have top ranked programs though. An HBCU in Durham where I’m from (NCCU) has a very good law program, and I know a decent amount of folks who work at Duke with law degrees from NCCU.</p>

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<p>How is NCCU? Tell me all about it. What does it take to get in the honors program?</p>

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<p>I’d apply to one or two as safeties, they’re really easy to get merit aid if your scores are “decent”.</p>

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<p>I really don’t know much about it to be honest other than a lot of folks go there for law school. Its very highly regarded in the black community around Durham, but outside the city it doesn’t carry much weight. Its grads are overshadowed by those at NC State, UNC, and Duke, and I know of a lot of recent grads (undergrads) who aren’t doing so hot right now.</p>

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<p>Yeah i was thinking about nc state or appalachian.</p>

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<p>Would I be a competitive applicant for Duke?</p>

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<p>lol…tiaram tried to hijack my thread…jk</p>

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<p>Hm you could be. Your GPA is a little low, but your scores + being a URM (Oh man does Duke like diversity, they’ve got that word everywhere on campus) help you out a lot. Although Duke is a school that says they meet 100% of demonstrated need, that does not mean it’s free money though. Since you indicated on your other post you’re low income, you need to be looking at schools that give full rides to kids with your stats. Duke likely wouldn’t if you were to be accepted.</p>

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<p>Lol I’m sorry, I did have some input into your question! :P, but when I have an opportunity, I take it! Lol</p>

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<p>^And yes if you had the option between Honors at NCCU and NC State, I would probably pick NC State. NC State, IMO, would be the best option out of NCCU and App. Especially for something State has a good program for like engineering.</p>

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<p>What about business?</p>

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<p>I think you’ve outlined the dilemma well. You have more choices than most because of your very good scores. I’d be hard pressed to tell anyone not to to go to the top school the can get admitted to - prestige goes a long way.</p>

<p>However, if you truly want the HBCU experience (you didn’t have it at your HS), then Morehouse and Howard are not going to hurt your career prospects, especially for engineering. Another thing to consider is that you can have both - HBCU undergrad & PWI grad. ;)</p>

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<p>Man… this college decision thing is starting to get really confusing…</p>

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<p>Aint that the truth!</p>

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<p>The #1 way to tell if a college is for you is to visit it. Walking around campus, seeing the student body, the surrounding area, etc. When you visit the school you want, you’ll know. It’ll just feel like home.</p>

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<p>I can’t wait to do all of that! So excited!</p>

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<p>Coolsverne: With your stats, you’re a shoo-in for Morehouse. However, you’ve been at a 95% African American high school.
You outlined the issue well, but forgot another factor: HBCUs are also especially important for students who have not had this experience of being in the majority.
College is a time to discover something new. For someone who’s attended a high school like yours, it may not be as necessary as for someone who’s attended a school where they were the minority.
I’m also biased: I’m a big proponent of students going to a new place (both geographically and metaphorically) for college. Therefore Morehouse would be a terrific choice in my opinion… but not in your case since “going to a new place” would mean going to a non-Black-majority school outside the South.
You don’t have to choosen right now - apply to any among: Morehouse, Stanford, the Ivy league, Top 25-30 LACs. Make sure to get your waiver from your counselor so that you don’t have to pay for the application fee.
Also, try to find dual enrollment at a local community college (you register “from” the high school, your college class is “free” since part of HS but both “counts as” a high school class and college, and it’s especially useful if you’ve exhausted the high school classes in the subject).
Typically, the higher ranked schools will have more money and with your stats and your profile they’ll fight to have you. You’ve overcome a lot and we can’t imagine what it’s taken you. Your parents must be commended too, as it mustn’t have happened without their guidance. Your family’s finances make it imperative that you apply to as many “rich” (in endowment) schools as you can. Then, if you can choose between Williams, Morehouse, and Duke, ey, you’re not going to complain, are you? Better that than having too few choices. :slight_smile:
Of course, you’re automatic admit to UT-Austin (apply this summer, look into the Honors Options) but if as I think you can get into Questbridge, your prospects would be multiplied.
Read “The College solution” and other good blogs& websites.
[My</a> Kid’s College Choice - Helping you and your college-bound kid through the college choice process](<a href=“http://www.mykidscollegechoice.com/]My”>http://www.mykidscollegechoice.com/)
[College</a> and Career Readiness Solutions - Naviance](<a href=“http://www.naviance.com/]College”>http://www.naviance.com/)
[College</a> Completion: Graduation Rates and Data for 3,800 Colleges](<a href=“Student Outcomes”>http://collegecompletion.chronicle.com/)
[College</a> Comparison | College Reality Check](<a href=“http://collegerealitycheck.com/colleges/compare/]College”>http://collegerealitycheck.com/colleges/compare/)</p>