I have heard much debate about PWIs giving a better education than HBCUs. I am here to lay this thought to rest. Below are several reasons why HBCUs are the right choice for people of color.
My mentor attended and graduated from Spelman College (class 0f 2003). However, while at Spelman, she attended several prestigious PWIs including GA Tech, Emory, Stanford, etc. for summer programs in Physics. When she first arrived, many people thought she would not be able to compete on their level because she was a black woman. However, at each program she finished above everyone else. This shows that HBCUs can stand against and PWI, its the person not the school.
My mentor also told me of several friends that went to PWI that were being harassed on campus for their skin color. Once she told me about one of her black male friends who was walking from the library to his dorm on UGA or Emory's campus, and was stopped by the campus police who claimed that he was a trespasser. He showed them his ID,and the still did not believe him. He had to bring someone up to the security building to claim him. Can you say :x ?
Furthermore, my friend's mother attended Harvard during undergrad. She explained that at these prestigious schools, professors seem to treat blacks differently, like they are unable to compete on the level of a Caucasian person.
In addition, a couple of years ago, Emory produced a research claiming that people of color are unable to learn as fast and as much as Caucasian people because are brain sizes are smaller. However, the most apalling thing is that no person of color at the school contested this allegation . Who would want to endorse a school that tries to prove that you can't make it?
I want to say that HBCUs get a rep for not truly preparing us for the world, but I bet every person on this site can name at least one person who has proven those odds wrong. HBCUs challenge people of color because they know that it will be twice as heard for us to compete, and they want us to go in to the world headstrong and ready for anything. So when someone tells you that a HBCU can't compete with a PWI, and they try to name all these famous people from PWIs, you come back and tell them what people of color are doing and that they came from a prestigious HBCU where perfection is demanded and perfection is produced, i.e ME!!!
Distractions, white schools have disctractions.
You never see a black college ranked in the top 100 of party schools. It is all white schools.
You may get distracted. that is your choice. :lol:
all schools have distractions...some just have more than others...and it depends on the person. I might be able to get a 3.5 and stay focused at Ohio State, but the next person might not be able to do so. You can stay focused ANYWHERE u wanna be focused at...that is up to you, not your school.
All I am saying is that if HBCU are going to continue to be effective, they have to start preparing their grads for success in white america while respecting the roots of black america.
I would like to offer the following thoughts. I agree wholeheartedly that HBCUs are valuable institutions that can truly advance the education of young Blacks. I agree that at HBCUs you do not necessarily have to deal with the issue of racism. There are still issues to deal with however, as I have attended both an HBCU and a PWI.
The advantages of the PWIs (in most cases) are the resources such as the libraries with updated computers, books and journals required for research at the graduate level. The residence halls and dining facilties are usually more modern. And believe it or not because you have to deal with white people, racism, and other issues, you begin to get prepared for the real world. At PWIs you can become a member of the SGA and work and learn the leadership styles of white people, how to interact with white people in authority that are not used to being around Blacks or other minorities. It's learning the hard way no doubt but lessons that will carry you over into the real world.
My suggestion would be to attend the HBCU of your choice and either take summer classes at a PWI or take some classes at a PWI just to have the balance that will aid you as you go through life. We must keep in mind that unless we work at HBCUs, NAACP or somewhere like that, we must learn to interact with white people for our livelihood. But my preference and what I did was attend an HBCU for my undergrad and went to a PWI for my master's which is what most of us do.
i actually go to a PWI right now and i can name the number of black students oncampus on one hand. the way i see things i am just as good as anyone else whether white or black. i know people who have failed in classes that i personally have suceeded in. it doesnt make me any better than any one else. it just goes to show that some people get it and some people dont. there's no black and white line on intelligence. either u work for the grade and pass or u dont. end of story
Hello all,
I thought I'll add my input since I am a graduate of a HBCU (Alabama State University) and currently attending a PWI (University of Georgia) for my Master's degree. When I was in high school, I was told that crap I would not be able to get a good job if I go to a HBCU. Believe it or not. That is one of the biggest lies perpetrated by black people.
School in general is what you make it. It is your responsibility to make sure you choose the right classes for your major. It is your responsiblity to find internships and co-op programs through out your college experience. It is your responsibility to keep your G.P.A up so that you can qualify for internships, co-op programs, and scholarships.It is your responsibility to NOT change your major too many times. Changing majors causes you to loose valuable credits on wasted classes that do not apply to the new major.
NOT ALL HBCUS ARE CREATED EQUAL. (Comparing Knoxville College to Howard University is like comparing apples and oranges)
NOT ALL PWIS ARE CREATED EQUAL.
I chose an HBCU for undergrad because I wanted the black college experience period (blacks in positions of authority, HBCU sports, HBCU bands, etc) in addition to an education. I have nothing against PWIs, but I just felt I would be bored to tears at a school like that. I also wasn't interested in dealing with any possible racial crap.
I am not going lie and say everything was roses at my HBCU. Yes, our resources (dorms, library, etc) are more likely poor compared to a school like Auburn University. But I still wouldn't trade my undergraduate experience.
Anyone that tells you getting an HBCU degree will decrease your chances of getting a job is either liar, knew people who were sorry students, or have no connection to HBCUs what so ever. Use your common sense. How long do you think HBCUs would be in business if that were true?
If you are a sorry student by nature, you will be a sorry student at the HBCU or PWI.
If you chose to major in something that only pays you $20,000 a year and you went to a school that charges you $20,000 a semester, that is your fault and not the HBCU/PWI.
I am software engineer by trade. I work with people who attended UGA, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Southern Polytechnical, etc for undergrad. If you know your stuff, you will get the job.
HBCUs have an added advantage because many companies use HBCUs to land diversified candidates.
If a non-black thinks you are inferior because of your race, getting an education from a PWI will NOT change their mind.
Hello all,
I thought I'll add my input since I am a graduate of a HBCU (Alabama State University) and currently attending a PWI (University of Georgia) for my Master's degree. When I was in high school, I was told that crap I would not be able to get a good job if I go to a HBCU. Believe it or not. That is one of the biggest lies perpetrated by black people.
School in general is what you make it. It is your responsibility to make sure you choose the right classes for your major. It is your responsiblity to find internships and co-op programs through out your college experience. It is your responsibility to keep your G.P.A up so that you can qualify for internships, co-op programs, and scholarships.It is your responsibility to NOT change your major too many times. Changing majors causes you to loose valuable credits on wasted classes that do not apply to the new major.
NOT ALL HBCUS ARE CREATED EQUAL. (Comparing Knoxville College to Howard University is like comparing apples and oranges)
NOT ALL PWIS ARE CREATED EQUAL.
I chose an HBCU for undergrad because I wanted the black college experience period (blacks in positions of authority, HBCU sports, HBCU bands, etc) in addition to an education. I have nothing against PWIs, but I just felt I would be bored to tears at a school like that. I also wasn't interested in dealing with any possible racial crap.
I am not going lie and say everything was roses at my HBCU. Yes, our resources (dorms, library, etc) are more likely poor compared to a school like Auburn University. But I still wouldn't trade my undergraduate experience.
Anyone that tells you getting an HBCU degree will decrease your chances of getting a job is either liar, knew people who were sorry students, or have no connection to HBCUs what so ever. Use your common sense. How long do you think HBCUs would be in business if that were true?
If you are a sorry student by nature, you will be a sorry student at the HBCU or PWI.
If you chose to major in something that only pays you $20,000 a year and you went to a school that charges you $20,000 a semester, that is your fault and not the HBCU/PWI.
I am software engineer by trade. I work with people who attended UGA, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Southern Polytechnical, etc for undergrad. If you know your stuff, you will get the job.
HBCUs have an added advantage because many companies use HBCUs to land diversified candidates.
If a non-black thinks you are inferior because of your race, getting an education from a PWI will NOT change their mind.
I graduated from a HBCU (Bachelors) and PWI (Masters). In addition, I work with people from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, Vanderbilt University, Georgia Tech, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel, etc…Honestly, I have not noticed a difference in our expertise or competency. I credit this to the knowledge I acquired at an HBCU. When I attended a PWI, the education was essentially equivalent to the HBCU. I was challenged at each institution. The advantage of the HBCU includes class size, education, career fair, social life, sports, and professional organizations (NBMBAA, NSBE), etc. The advantage of the PWI includes research endowment, library, and variety of classes offered. With respect to finding a job, companies go to HBCUs to hire minorities. However, I am not implying they don’t hire minorities from PWIs. My point is that they aggressively seek talent at HBCUs. PWIs and HBCUs are in the business of providing a service, which is intellectual wealth. Therefore, I think the choice to attend a HBCU or PWI is based upon your personality. Just remember “You Only Get Out What You Put In”. If you study and work hard, you will acquire the tools and knowledge to succeed.
I chose an HBCU for undergrad because I wanted the black college experience period (blacks in positions of authority, HBCU sports, HBCU bands, etc) in addition to an education. I have nothing against PWIs, but I just felt I would be bored to tears at a school like that. I also wasn't interested in dealing with any possible racial crap.
depending on the person u are...U WILL! **** this is where my prejudice comes out but black people and white people party so differently. ive got firsthand experience. i know college isnt all about parties and whatnot but this is a place where i live, not just go to class BUT LIVE so i have to have a good mix of socializin and at the pwi where im at that just isnt happening
depending on the person u are...U WILL! **** this is where my prejudice comes out but black people and white people party so differently. ive got firsthand experience. i know college isnt all about parties and whatnot but this is a place where i live, not just go to class BUT LIVE so i have to have a good mix of socializin and at the pwi where im at that just isnt happening
Even looking at the party side of it, I realize now that school is what you make it. Back in the day, people use to say black colleges where nothing but "party schools". But every year, the Princeton Review puts out a list of the top party schools. HBCUs never make the cut.
:x ?
Furthermore, my friend's mother attended Harvard during undergrad. She explained that at these prestigious schools, professors seem to treat blacks differently, like they are unable to compete on the level of a Caucasian person.
In addition, a couple of years ago, Emory produced a research claiming that people of color are unable to learn as fast and as much as Caucasian people because are brain sizes are smaller. However, the most apalling thing is that no person of color at the school contested this allegation 
