hbcu vs pwi

DeSiRe

The Get It Girl
BGOL Investor
did you go to a predominantly white or black university?

why did you make that choice?

where do you want your children to go?

discuss:)
 
In the real world you will not be associating with only Black people, so while HBCUs are probably great institutions (some) they don't accurately portray and socialize you for the real working world. I never was interested in going to an HBCU but to each his own. My children can go wherever they want. If I decide to continue a career in higher education, unless they get a scholarship somewhere else they will go where they get free tuition, lol.
 
ummmm pwi


cuz i heard it was a good school and my best friend at the time was going (hey im being honest) i knew i didn't want to go to a HBCU b/c i went to some schools and they were all about partying, BGLO's and my fam that went to them kind of regretted it.

i want my child to go to a great school....and that probably wont be a HBCU unless something drastic happens in the future.
 
HBCU grad checking in. While it is true that a good time, letters and colors (particular the red plastic cups, LOL) are HBCU staples, there are more good black colleges than there are ones where people just to go for a good time. Howard, Hampton the AUC schools, and North Carolina A&T are just a few of the places that turn out qualified professionals in ALL fields of work and life.

I think I aimed too low and chose an HBCU that was 45 minutes from home and my experience there wasn't as great as it should've been, but my school is one of the few black schools that teach their students how to adapt in a predominately white world (business AND social), and that's a plus.

Truthfully, my kids can choose to go to a PWI if they want, but I still feel the original mission of HBCUs is just as important today as it was when they were first started with the passing of the Morrill Land Grant Act, so I'll emphasize they at least look into three HBCUs before settling on where they want to go.
 
HBCU

Oldest public one in the state

Wouldn't change my decision for the world

I had a cousin there at the time but I was (partly) following someone to another city. But I had a great time and learned some valuable things along the way.

My children can go where they want to go. I don't have to have a legacy there (it's a big thing at my school) but it's okay if they want to do that. Go where it will suit you and what you want to do.
 
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ended up going to a PWI even thou nofolk state was close and had military programs. I felt that HBCU's weren't preparing students for the real world, and I still help people on here write resume's and they went to some of those schools. Also I met so many that were bascilly saling dreams to kids(not saying the othersn't didn't)that if they go and get a degree in english they should jump out into 40K+ jobs. That shit pissed me the fuck off.

As for my kids, I will hope they go to a affordable school more than anything. Yeah the expereinces will last a life time, I don't want them to start the world 100K in the hole to be starting life.
 
pwi

for the most part, all my high school classmates were going to Southern University....and I didnt want to be part of the same ol same ol... Plus at SU, you have to stand out or your degree is just a piece of paper....while with a pwi degree they usually assume you made a serious effort to learn
 
I went to an HBCU, and I wouldn't change my experience for the world. I met great African American men and women, and gained mentors and close friends. Sometimes I wonder if my experience was so great because it was also a small school, and I felt that personal, one-on-one relationship with many of my professors and classmates. I know at many PWIs, one cannot reach such a level of intimacy with their teachers because their core academic curriculum is mainly taught by teacher assistants.

I made the choice because my ENTIRE family is HBCU educated. My dad, being a college professor himself, wanted me to attend the HBCU he attended, but I wanted to go further away from home. My sister also attended and graduated from the same HBCU I attended, so it was a pretty easy decision. I liked my HBCU because of its reputation for graduating a high number of black students that went onto graduate school.

My children can attend any school they would like, but I would encourage them to attend an HBCU. The experiences that I gained on the yard, as well as bonding and discussing and debunking black stereotypes, etc. have truly enabled me to maneuver my way through my Ivy League graduate program, and into my career. I also want to say it takes a special, FOCUSED individual to truly take advantage of all the opportunities that exist at BOTH HBCU and PWI campuses... Yes, I attended school with many individuals who weren't as successful as I was academically. BUT, the same can be said for attendants of any college, I am sure.
 
Just another point I'd like to make about HBCUs: Often time, fortune 500 companies and highly-rated graduate schools will seek out HBCU graduates over those from PWIs in a need to "diversify" their company, and knowing the calibur of student that attends particular HBCUs. I know it may sound silly, but it is very truthful.
 
i went to a pwi

i felt like my degree was not just an education but an investment...and i wanted to put my money behind a school that was prestigious not only to black people but white people too

i wouldnt want my child to go to a hbcu for 2 reasons
1. i want his/her degree to be as valuable as possible
2. i want him/her to carry on the tradition of going to my alma mater (my child will be the 3rd generation)

but jo makes a good point

the downfall of going to a pwi is that black graduates straight out of college are often over looked by companies because they will aggressively recruit from hbcus

also...alot of minority scholarships and grants are given to hbcus not pwis
 
pwi

for the most part, all my high school classmates were going to Southern University....and I didnt want to be part of the same ol same ol... Plus at SU, you have to stand out or your degree is just a piece of paper....while with a pwi degree they usually assume you made a serious effort to learn

:smh: You're giving PWI's way too much credit
 
I think people who actually went to HBCU's know just how valuable the experience can be. I attended a PWI for undergrad and i'm at a HBCU for my grad program. I can attest to many of the things that people who went to hbcu's are saying in this thread (such as the stronger bonds that are formed).
 
I think people who actually went to HBCU's know just how valuable the experience can be. I attended a PWI for undergrad and i'm at a HBCU for my grad program. I can attest to many of the things that people who went to hbcu's are saying in this thread (such as the stronger bonds that are formed).

Ain't talkin bout "experiences", fact is in America, the degree isn't really worth that much. Maybe 3/5ths
 
It just amuses me that people have these blanketing views of HBCUs and TWIs. It would be laughable if it wasn't so sad. It's sad that no matter how many amazing graduates HBCUs have, and continue to produce, some people will act as ANY white school is automatically better. The ignorance is truly astounding. You know institutionalized racism is still prevalent when even other Black people are convinced all HBCU grads are inferior.

I went to an HBCU and can, and have, beat out other candidates from TWI because of my degree, and here's the shocker people, experience. I did an internship or program every summer of undergrad in my field so guess who got the job fresh out of undergrad? Duh.

Keep telling your kids all they need is a degree from some large degree mill. I'll make sure my kids are talking care of matters in the class and getting practical and valuable experience in and out of class at an HBCU or any other school they choose any day.
 
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also...alot of minority scholarships and grants are given to hbcus not pwis

That bothers me. I think that is unfair of scholarships to automatically omit African American Students who attend PWIs... I saw many scholarships I would have applied for but the only qualification I didn't meet was not attending a HBCU. It is unfortunate that scholarship groups discount the African American experience at a PWI... In reality, my PWI was a great school and in-state. No one was going to help me pay out of state tuition, because truth is Most PWIs are in the South or towards the MidWest. The nearest one to Jersey is what, Howard or Hampton in the DC area... NOT AFFORDABLE... :smh:
 
also...alot of minority scholarships and grants are given to hbcus not pwis

it is easier for a black person to get a scholarship to a white school than it is for them to get one to a black school. It helps the schools fill their quotas.
 
It was directed towards HBCU's and not anyone in particular.

:hmm:

I think people who actually went to HBCU's know just how valuable the experience can be. I attended a PWI for undergrad and i'm at a HBCU for my grad program. I can attest to many of the things that people who went to hbcu's are saying in this thread (such as the stronger bonds that are formed).

:yes: Both I and two other cousins graduated from a HBCU and I have another cousin that attended a PWI. When we have conversations about it the one who wen to the PWI just look at us like we crazy, speaking another language. Your education is what you make it but part of the fun is the experience. My lone cousin can't speak for that.
 
it is easier for a black person to get a scholarship to a white school than it is for them to get one to a black school. It helps the schools fill their quotas.

Doggish, I don't think the poster was saying that one kind of school is easier to get a scholarship at over another. The point made, as in my post, was that many companies and graduate schools target graduates from HBCUS and/or those enrolled at or attending HBCUs for outside scholarships and grant opportunities. Every summer I was busy enrolled in an internship or research project that was targeted towards students of color. The majority of students in these programs came from HBCUs, such as Spelman, Morehouse, Hampton, Howard, Florida A&M, etc. I cannot confidently say that these programs were not appropriately advertised at PWIs, but I know they were open to students of color attending ANY accredited university.

I do think it is far too blanket a statement to say that a PWI is better than an HBCU, and vice versa. As Melon said, one makes his/her college experience, regardless of where he/she have attended school. The college experience is so subjective, you cannot get a general feel from such an open-ended question presented. I'm sure, however, there have to be research studies out there comparing graduates of PWIs vs. HBCUs relative to entry into graduate programs, SES, etc. post-graduation. However, THIS psychologist is not about to do a meta-analysis of that data...
 
People in here are acting like HBCU degrees are worthless. Since when was Howard worthless? Morehouse? Spelman? FAMU? NC A&T? NC Central? Xavier?

Honestly...some of you have no clue what you're talking about. It's not enough to just go to a college and rely on the name to get you a job. You have to properly utilize your time in the school. Shit, the guy who took over Jay-Z's spot at Def Jam is a Morehouse graduate...and he isn't even 40 years old yet, i don't think.

It's perfectly fine to go to whatever university one chooses...but this "white man's ice is colder" mentality needs to stop.
 
People in here are acting like HBCU degrees are worthless. Since when was Howard worthless? Morehouse? Spelman? FAMU? NC A&T? NC Central? Xavier?

honestly the majority of white people have never heard of those schools

think about it...

before you go to an interview and your future employee is looks at your resume

they will judge the quality of your education based on where you earned your degree and sadly if they have no knowledge of your school thats going to affect you negatively

it is important to utilize your time when you are in school...but one of the first questions asked wont be what president you were, or what club you were in, but what time of education did you receive
 
People in here are acting like HBCU degrees are worthless. Since when was Howard worthless? Morehouse? Spelman? FAMU? NC A&T? NC Central? Xavier?

Honestly...some of you have no clue what you're talking about. It's not enough to just go to a college and rely on the name to get you a job. You have to properly utilize your time in the school. Shit, the guy who took over Jay-Z's spot at Def Jam is a Morehouse graduate...and he isn't even 40 years old yet, i don't think.

It's perfectly fine to go to whatever university one chooses...but this "white man's ice is colder" mentality needs to stop.

Not everyone is discrediting them or even saying they are worthless. Many students who graduate from HBCUs have formed strong networking circles that will help them advance in their careers. And my graduates from HBCUs look out for other HBCU graduates. it is all about utilizing your resources.... But you can't deny that SOME HBCU's don't have quality resources.. You named only about 5 out of how many who's names carry weight? And like I said before HBCUs are not always accessible... Why are all the HBCUs in southern states??? Their reach is often very local in terms of resources...
 
Hbcu. You Learn Much More Than Academics At One. I Went To A Pwi For The First Year Then Transfered To A Hbcu For The Last Three. To Hear Some Of You Pwi Kats, Its Obvious That You All Dont Know What An Hbcu Education Is All About.
 
I used to always be supportive of all things. But since I attended day classes at and HBCU (Shaw) my mind has totally change since. I doubt I would ever see somebody getting up to dance when their ringtones go off in class at NCState or some other NCAA school. I was totally embarrassed then other students got up to do the same thing. A few times one student came walking in and the english professor asked him to remove his cap and he just turns around and leaves class instead of just removing it, it was in the syllabus that no headgear is to be worn during class. From what I see around campus everyone is totally focused on pledging then dropping out or barely keeping their grades up after they cross, and that is supposed to be the "elite" of HBCUs. Mabey my child can go to one for graduate school, but as far as undergrad.....NOT.

NOTE: this is from actuall experience not what I heard.
 
Ain't talkin bout "experiences", fact is in America, the degree isn't really worth that much. Maybe 3/5ths

The questions were

did you go to a predominantly white or black university?

why did you make that choice?

where do you want your children to go?


The above quoted does in fact fall under "experience". Additionally, I believe more than one person has stated that companies aggressively recruit from HBCU's. I have read this fact myself and some companies tend to put greater stock in their graduates. So the 3/5ths doesn't apply here, unless that was meant in a different connotation :rolleyes:
 
Not everyone is discrediting them or even saying they are worthless. Many students who graduate from HBCUs have formed strong networking circles that will help them advance in their careers. And my graduates from HBCUs look out for other HBCU graduates. it is all about utilizing your resources.... But you can't deny that SOME HBCU's don't have quality resources.. You named only about 5 out of how many who's names carry weight? And like I said before HBCUs are not always accessible... Why are all the HBCUs in southern states??? Their reach is often very local in terms of resources...

But you can't deny that SOME HBCU's don't have quality resources

I've attended both and I can say that SOME Pwi's do not have quality resources either.

And like I said before HBCUs are not always accessible... Why are all the HBCUs in southern states???

Because southern states are the states that were granted land grants. Land was and still is much more available in southern states than it is in northern states. True enough they are not always accessible to northern blacks, demographically, but if a white student from California can graduate from Morehouse Valedictorian, I don't think accessibility is an issue. If one works hard enough to get there, any institution of higher learning is accessible.
 
It just amuses me that people have these blanketing views of HBCUs and TWIs. It would be laughable if it wasn't so sad. It's sad that no matter how many amazing graduates HBCUs have, and continue to produce, some people will act as ANY white school is automatically better. The ignorance is truly astounding. You know institutionalized racism is still prevalent when even other Black people are convinced all HBCU grads are inferior.

I went to an HBCU and can, and have, beat out other candidates from TWI because of my degree, and here's the shocker people, experience. I did an internship or program every summer of undergrad in my field so guess who got the job fresh out of undergrad? Duh.

Keep telling your kids all they need is a degree from some large degree mill. I'll make sure my kids are talking care of matters in the class and getting practical and valuable experience in and out of class at an HBCU or any other school they choose any day.


Exactly, and I'm not even an HBCU graduate, but I have friends who transferred from pwi's to HBCU's. One of my friends said he would have never graduated college, if he had not gone to an HBCU. Not because the curriculum was easier, he said it was actually more difficult, but because the staff made themselves available to help. They told him, they would not let him fail, if he wanted a degree.

HBCU's were there for us when pwi's would not allow us to attend, why do we turn our backs on institutions that have graduated GREAT leaders. Before black men could play football at pwi's on scholarships, HBCU's were there to showcase their talent. HBCU's have been there when everyone else turned their backs on us. No, they are not perfect, but neither are pwi's, not by a long shot.

And the reason why some HBCU's lack resources and funding, is because of the thinking of a lot of brainwashed blacks. We don't support our own institutions or businesses, we strive to have straight hair, color contacts and wear business suits in an all white boardroom,present our pwi degree...then we're supposedly considered "Successful". Funny how HBCU's are not good enough for blacks, but ALOT of white students are now attending them to obtain their degree's.
 
It just amuses me that people have these blanketing views of HBCUs and TWIs. It would be laughable if it wasn't so sad. It's sad that no matter how many amazing graduates HBCUs have, and continue to produce, some people will act as ANY white school is automatically better. The ignorance is truly astounding. You know institutionalized racism is still prevalent when even other Black people are convinced all HBCU grads are inferior.

Co-sign.

As for me - Howard undergrad, PWI, grad school.

It's so troubling to hear some people talk about HBCUs...it's so sad. My people will just never accept that we are good enough. Searching for the approval of whites has gotten us nowhere and we still do it.

HBCUs graduate the majority of black professionals in many professions and somehow they're still inferior to some...any random historically white school will do....

Some real self-hating shit.

honestly the majority of white people have never heard of those schools

think about it...

before you go to an interview and your future employee is looks at your resume

they will judge the quality of your education based on where you earned your degree and sadly if they have no knowledge of your school thats going to affect you negatively

it is important to utilize your time when you are in school...but one of the first questions asked wont be what president you were, or what club you were in, but what time of education did you receive

If that person has never heard of your school, or done the research they're ignorant. Instead of giving in to it, check them on it!

I went to Howard and you would be surprised the amount of white people who hadn't heard of it. Meanwhile we got Thurgood Marshall, Vernon Jordan, Toni Morrison and countless others who are not famous...those people are ignorant!

Not everyone is discrediting them or even saying they are worthless. Many students who graduate from HBCUs have formed strong networking circles that will help them advance in their careers. And my graduates from HBCUs look out for other HBCU graduates. it is all about utilizing your resources.... But you can't deny that SOME HBCU's don't have quality resources.. You named only about 5 out of how many who's names carry weight? And like I said before HBCUs are not always accessible... Why are all the HBCUs in southern states??? Their reach is often very local in terms of resources...

Of course some don't have "quality" resources...HBCUs are like ANY OTHER SCHOOLS. Some good, some not so good, some bad...and you gotta seek the one out for you. We are so hard on each other as black people, it's amazing. Blacks make one mistake, the world has come to an end. Whites make a mistake, "it's aiight massa, you'll get it next time."

But ya know what, I cant even blame black people. This brainwashing is not our fault. It took slavery, its aftermath ,followed by years of Jim Crow and segregation to get us here. I know it'll take AT LEAST the same amount of years to undo it. :smh::smh:
 
If that person has never heard of your school, or done the research they're ignorant. Instead of giving in to it, check them on it!

I went to Howard and you would be surprised the amount of white people who hadn't heard of it. Meanwhile we got Thurgood Marshall, Vernon Jordan, Toni Morrison and countless others who are not famous...those people are ignorant!

unfortuantley sometimes u dont get that chance...

if there is a stack of resumes and they are deciding who to call in for an interview...and its between oklahoma state and some school they never heard of who do u think they will call?

im not saying its right...or even making excuses for them

ive just regonized its the reality...and like i said...my degree is an investment...and i want to collect on every penny its worth
 
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