I know I posted this question in another forum but I want to know what the peeps in here think. OK...I always wanted to go to Howard University but recently I have been accepted to a white prestigious school here in california. My fellow classmates and educators except me to attend this other school all because of it's name. Certain individuals feel that i shouldn't choose an HBCU over an "Ivy" type but I feel that I always have graduate school. So why not be in a better environment for undergrad around what I am familar with. However, I still have that opportunity. So, if you were in my shoes which one would you choose?
And please don't say "Follow Your Heart" it's good advice but it doesn't help.
So HBCU or IVY?
If you're wondering I am talking about Stanford. I know it's not a real Ivy but California peeps tend to think it's the Ivy of the West.
Danielle
Future c/o '09
Carson, Cali
****....what else can we say but "follow your heart"? That's what you have to do...you gotta make a decision yourself...there will always be others that will try and help you out but you have to "follow your heart"...don't go to a school just because of the name...and I'm assuming you're talking about Stanford...
It's prefectly okay to go to a prestigious Ivy league school, but make sure you visit it first, and if you like it, go. Don't base your decision only on the fact that it's prestigious though. Make sure you fit in, like the social scene, and make sure it has a good program with your major. And I agree with you in saying "follow your heart" doesn't work, especially not with girls. My heart is in every school that I applied to, but with Howard I got the strongest feeling, and Michigan State was the second strongest feeling (Michigan State is also a semi-prestigious white school). So I'm kinda in the same shoes as you are.
c/o '09 girl
(Also: I thought Howard was an ivy league/prestigious school?)
the ultimate choice should really be solely yours.. it's always good to hear people's opinions on things, but i'm one to believe the whole "follow your heart thing." sorry.
however, you asked what would we do if we were in your shoes.. girl, i would be packing my bags for Howard come this fall. especially after you said it was somewhere you always wanted to go. i mean, Ivy League schools are great in their own way. they have their benefits and disadvantages - just like HBCUs. the thing with the Ivies is that i think too many people get too caught up in the name and think that to suceed the greatest you need to have that desired 'Ivy League education.' Howard University is a great school. The potential you have to suceed is within you and you can do your thing anywhere if you work hard enough. I was kinda faced with a similar situation. My teachers.. friends.. family thought i'd apply to Ivy League schools cuz of my high academic standings and all. They were surprised when i applied to none. I just knew that i didn't want to be in the Ivy environment. I'd rather be in a HBCU one. That's why i chose Hampton. Just a few weeks ago, the head guidance counselor basically told me he thought i could do better, referring to Havard or Yale over Hampton. But I never really doubted my decision. Hope this helps ya out some!
There's an Ivy in California?
Anyway, I had this same discussion with other people and I decided on the same thing. There's always graduate school, but you also got to follow your heart and think about the type of environment you want to be in for the next four years.
Shiiit I forgot about Stanford 
