<p>Hello everyone. I am looking for some advice. I am from Virginia and recently had a visit at Hampton University and was really impressed by their campus and their communications school (my major). </p>
<p>Now, I am a white male and I thrive on diversity so the fact that its a HBC doesn't bother me. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience like this? Thank you for any input you can provide!</p>
<p>"COLUMBIA, S.C. - Michael Roberts has done more than study finance at historically black Benedict College. He’s played football for the college, joined a fraternity and proposed to his girlfriend.</p>
<p>Pretty typical, except that Roberts is one of the few whites who attend one of the nation’s traditionally black colleges.</p>
<p>“When I tell people I attend Benedict, they comment, ’Well, you’re not black,”’ Roberts said. “But it’s still a school, I’m still getting an education. You don’t have to be black to attend.”
<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18914514/%5B/url%5D">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18914514/</a></p>
<p>From NPR:
What accounts for the for the recent surge in white enrollment at historically black colleges and universities? We look at one institution that is now mostly white, and discuss the diversity issue with Dwayne Ashley, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, and with Joahanne Thomas-Smith, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs at Prairie View A&M"
<a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4527896%5B/url%5D">http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4527896</a></p>
<p>I taught at an HBCU, and my husband still teaches at one. We know white students who chose to go there because of scholarships and because of the strength of the majors that they wanted to go into. We also know white students who took occasional classes there because their college didn't offer those classes.</p>
<p>All said that they appreciated the nurturing atmosphere and how much professors genuinely cared about students, a hallmark of HBCUs. They also appreciated the general friendliness of the students, another hallmark.</p>
<p>Some such students got very involved (including with leadership positions) in extracurriculars related to their major. Some also were very involved in more general ECs such as a white student who was on the dance team.</p>
<p>Since you thrive on diversity and also liked Hampton, I suggest that you definitely apply to some HBCUs and then follow your heart about where to go. IMO you should no more allow concerns about being a minority at an HBCU to keep you from going to an HBCU than an open minded black student should avoid mainstream institutions for fear of being in a minority.</p>
<p>Also contact the HBCUs that interest you and ask them to connect you with current white students and white alums to get their perspective. This is a normal thing for people to do who would be in a minority position on a campus, so the college wouldn't think you're racist for wanting to get the viewpoint of someone from your race.</p>
<p>That's very good advice from Northstarmom.</p>
<p>It seems to me that Hampton University has been unique among HBCUs for quite awhile in that it appears to be popular among foreign [non-African, students].</p>
<p>I wouild also investigate North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro and North Carolina Central University in Durham. Two public HBCUs. NCCU is stronger in the liberal arts.</p>
<p>What do you plan to major in?</p>
<p>Communications/Broadcast Journalism.</p>
<p>I appreciate the articles Northstar.</p>
<p>One quick thing: You noted that you thrive on diversity. Historically black colleges aren't diverse...they're mostly black.</p>
<p>lol i agree with s snack and i'm an african-american looking for a diverse college too..... i prefer ones with more asians and hispanics, no more than 60-75% caucasian., no less than 4% african american.. that to me is diverse.</p>
<p>Snack and Chioma, you need to educate yourselves about the point, that is, the mission of HBCUs.</p>
<p>i think those two were right. lake washington. the boy said he "thrives on diversity" if he goes to a homogeneous school, where is the diversity?</p>
<p>What exactly is the OP implying by saying he "thrives on diversity?" Does he have, to be blunt, jungle fever?</p>
<p>I take it that he meant 'diverse from himself.' If I'm wrong, let me know. And fusiondawg, I suggest you read some classic literature like the Aneid to sanitize your mind.</p>
<p>"One quick thing: You noted that you thrive on diversity. Historically black colleges aren't diverse...they're mostly black."</p>
<p>Most mainstream colleges are mostly white. Your point?</p>
<p>My point is that diversity means a heterogenous population. The author of the thread asserts that mostly black population = diversity. It's not.</p>
<p>I did in fact mean diverse from myself. I should have worded it differently. Sorry for any confusion.</p>
<p>There's nothing wrong with white people applying to historically black colleges, but why do it? It's not like they'd provide you with a better education than mainstream schools, and the are large black demographics at some mainstream schools too.</p>
<p>"It's not like they'd provide you with a better education than mainstream schools,"</p>
<p>It depends on what your stats are and what your major is. While no HBCUs are the equivalent of HPYS, some have very strong programs that are better and more affordable than those at many tier 2 universities. Nonblack students-- including white students-- may also qualify for minority scholarships at HBCUs.</p>
<p>Lol, that seems so ironic that white applicants can actually qualify as URMs at some schools in the U.S.--it's usually the other way around.</p>