HBCU vs. regular university?

Question

hi, i am an African American female and i have been attending a mostly black high school and living in a predominantly black area all my life. so now its time for me to decide on where i want to apply to college, and i have always said no to HBCU's, just because the world isn't a HBCU, and we are really the minority in this country and i feel like not attending an HBCU would be character building in a sense because I will get to experience being around a mix of races. But I have been told by many African Americans who have attended both that an HBCU would be better because at a regular university your just a "number," while at an HBCU its like a family and they actually care. Because don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to attend an HBCU. I love my race. But I felt like I needed to branch out. Help?

Answer 1

I don't think there are two choices -- there are three -- HBCUs, Highly regarded universities and third or fourth tier universities.

1.  HBCUs. The plain fact is that most HBCUs are not very highly regarded in terms of academics.  There are a few exceptions -- like Howard and Spelman.  What they do provide is an atmosphere where students can learn to succeed.  There is another factor -- if you do really well at an HBCU, then you can probably get into a top graduate program.

2.  Third and Fourth Tier Universities.  The academics at these schools is no better than the HBCUs.  One advantage is that they allow you to interact with people of other races -- which could help you in the business world.  The big ones may make you feel like a number -- but many are smaller and will give you an opportunity to grow.  One disadvantage is that even if you do well, you may have a hard time getting into a top graduate program if you want to continue.

3.  Highly regarded universities.  This group certainly includes the more prestigious schools (Ivy, Duke, Stanford, etc) -- but also includes the better Catholic Schools (Georgetown, Villanova, BC) and the better state universities (Not just Berkeley and Virginia -- byt Maryland, Rutgers and Minnesota as well).  Doing well at these schools will give you a huge step up when you go to the business world, will allow you to go on to a great graduate program, and will help you to interact with people of all races.

In my opinion, if you can go to a highly regarded university -- do that.  If not, an HBCU could be a better alternative to a third or fourth tier school.

When I was getting my MBA at Duke, I noticed that about half the black students went to HBCUs and half went to highly regarded schools.  Very few went to third or fourth tier schools.  I found the quality of those who went to highly regarded schools to be exceptional (higher than the average white students).  But the quality of those who went to the HBCUs was more disperse -- with some being outstanding students and others -- let's just say they weren't ready.  

I also found that the ones who went to the better schools got along well with students of all races.  Some of those who went to HBCUs did as well -- but about a third of them kept to themselves and did not interact much with white or foreign students.

I hope this helps & that you do well in college.

Answer 2

I don't think that "being a number" feeling has anything to do with whether you go to an HBCU or to a "regular" university. It has much more to do with the university/college you pick - its culture, its size, etc. Because you can find true school spirit and a real sense of family and inclusiveness at colleges of all types - historically Black or not.

I'd have you pick one or two HBCU to explore (I'd suggest Spelman as the top HBCU for women, maybe Howard as a second choice?), plus some "regular" colleges that mirror some of the things that a school like Spelman offers. So if you were looking at Spelman, I might *not* also have you look at U Michigan Ann Arbor, because it's too big and can feel impersonal; but I might have you give a very serious look to Brown, because it offers a lot of what you're describing re: sense of family and etc. Maybe also Claremont McKenna, Bowdoin, Pomona College, Washington U in Saint Louis, Whitman College, Rice, Princeton, Middlebury, Villanova, Seattle U, Regis College (MA), Simmons College, Bates, Colby, Connecticut College, Barnard, Oberlin, Sewanee - University of the South, Reed College, Agnes Scott, maybe Sweet Briar, maybe Tulane.

But you'd look at every college with what you want re: a school in mind: is there a sense of family? Do you feel like a number, or like a person? Use that perspective on every college you look at, including the HBCU, and see how you feel.

And do consider things like the amount of race/class interaction on campus, the happiness of the students there, etc. Things like this are important factors in any college decision.

And that first week or so may feel really weird, btw. I grew up in a Spanish speaking neighborhood, and went to university in a different part of my state. When I got to campus, I couldn't figure out what was different. Then I realized - no Spanish buzzing around me! I loved my university, wouldn't change my choice for a second, but there was a small adjustment period. Don't be surprised by that.