Are Historically Black Colleges Good for Black Students?

Question

My dad is bitching about how i said i'd refuse to go to howard university? I live in virginia and there are simply better colleges wat do you guys think?

Answer 1

Maybe your dad is a Howard alumnus or has graduated from a HBC. He probably just wants the best for you, but you should make your decision based on input from as many other people as possible and considering what is best for you in terms of quality of education, strength of alumni network, location of the institution, financial aid/scholarships and any other factors that are important to you.
That said, I considered attending Howard, even though I am not African-American. I think it's a good school in a great location, but each person has different preferences, access to divergent levels of resources, etc. If you got a full scholarship to Georgetown or U Va, I would take it- nothing against Howard- but the access you would get to recruiters on your campus would probably be better at those two universities than at Howard.
As you can see there is a lot that goes into such a decision, so it's good that you are being deliberative about. It's ultimately your decision to make and you should explain it that way to your father, especially if there are financial considerations for going elsewhere.
But to answer the boldfaced question, I would say, based on what African-American friends have told me, HBC have always been a vital resource for African-Americans, and will continue to be for that community and others who want access to higher education.
Good luck with whatever direction you choose....

Answer 2

Howard is an excellent school in many areas, but I don't know what your options are. I wouldn't say that about all Historically Black Colleges, but my experience with African-American graduate students has been that those who went to Historically Black Colleges have shown a confidence that I've rarely seen in those who went to other universities. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that while they were still young and insecure, race just wasn't a factor, since they were among others of the same race. By the time they went on to graduate school, they were assured of their own abilities and were ready to compete in a larger arena.

Answer 3

Howard is a great school, and I think that at least you should look at it. There are a lot of good schools around Virginia, and I think you would be able to look at them as well in considering your decision for college.

As far as whether or not HBCUs are good for Black students, there are a lot of good opportunities that they provide (especially at Howard). Staff and program are there to support issues facing that community in particular. They are grat places for Black students to learn and explore their identity at the same time (which is what every college student does while in college). I supervised three domestic exchange students from an HBCU, and they loved being in a comfortable learinging environment where they had professors who believed in what they were teaching, in student learning, and in supporting the students at the university. They also benefitted greatly from the alumni network at their university as they searched for internships during the summer and looked for jobs at graduation. Howard has one of the stonger alumni networks, which I think is at the level of the alumni network for the Ivy League university I work for now.

Answer 4

Minorities choose extra help and are the main failing whilst it includes passing extreme or college point faculties. Statistically blacks fail extra then white in actuality extra then 0.5 won't even flow to varsity. perhaps if whites began to particularly fail then perhaps extra in line with dominate white faculties could get extra money. Why could a customarily white college choose extra money if lots of the scholars bypass?

Answer 5

Yes and No,

If you would like to go into any profession, you want to be surrounded my all races which you will have to work with. Black College are good because famous African - American made it, but it should be you choice, and what part of Virgina ?

Answer 6

It should be your choice as you are the one that is going to be going to college. I don't think Black Colleges are bad but it will also depend on what type of major you plan to pursue.

Answer 7

Try for the best university for your major in your geographical area first. You should not limit yourself to any institution based on color or race or preferential treatment. Good luck !