For most pre-collegiettes, choosing the perfect college is no walk in the park. There are tons of factors that go into the decision process, including the school’s location, size, and ever-daunting cost of attendance. But one important aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked is the cultural makeup of the institution. Historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, are a source of deep pride for the black community. An HBCU might be the ideal choice for a prospective collegiette, but how do you know if it’s the right place for you?
By definition, an HBCU is “any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans.” There are 105 HBCUs that can be found from the Midwest to the East Coast, in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are open to students of all ethnicities, offer a variety of majors, are full of school spirit, and are rich with culture.
Diversity
One of the biggest worries that you might have about attending a HBCU is the diversity of the student body… or lack thereof. However, Kiara Bass from Hampton University says that diversity is a much bigger aspect of an HBCU than many people think. “Although the school may have a majority of black students, each student is different in their own way,” she says. Mariah Moses, a collegiette at Virginia State University, sees a lot of cultural difference among the students at her school. “My roommate is from Ghana and she told me lots of stories from her growing up over there,” Mariah says.
HBCUs are composed of students from all corners of the nation and the world. “You have students from all across [the] U.S., but also from the Caribbean and even Africa who come to an HBCU,” Kiara says. “Everyone as a person varies, and that is something I love.”
A student population with a majority of black students is exactly what some perspective collegiettes are looking for. Kiara says that many students who attend an HBCU had been the only person of color in their high schools. “[At an HBCU], you don't have to worry about being the sore thumb out,” she says. “Automatically you get a feeling of belonging.”
And although the majority of students at HBCUs are black, there are other races represented. Kiara says that a lot of the students at Hampton University who are not black come from other countries. She says that while everyone might have a different reason as to why they chose to attend Hampton University, they all benefit from the university’s culture.
Sports, School Spirit, and More
If you want to attend a school that has huge football tailgates every weekend, there are plenty of HBCUs with large sports cultures that would fit the bill. HBCUs like Grambling State University or Florida A&M University may be perfect for you sports-loving ladies. If college athletics aren’t your number one priority, but you still want to go somewhere with a strong sense of school spirit, then an HBCU could still be a great match for you. “[Howard University] wasn't the best in sports, so our school spirit was [built] more around leadership, organizations, and competition between other HBCUs,” says Laurin Compton, a recent graduate of Howard University.
At Hampton University, Kiara says there is always something going on at school, whether it’s a panel, a forum, or a series of fun events during homecoming week. She says that her school has had many accomplished people come to the university to give talks and presentations, like employees at Google and Bloomberg and editors from Glamour and Teen Vogue.
“They typically talk about education, their separate fields and the need of diversity in those fields, and their personal journeys on how they've gotten to where they are now,” Kiara says. “[At Hampton University], we have big dreams and we take advantage of any advice given or potential contacts to help get us closer to our dreams and goals.”
Social Life
The social vibe of any college or university is unique depending on where you go, but Laurin says that whether the school is an HBCU or not, college is all about making friends. She says she has been to parties at predominately white universities and she has enjoyed them just as much as parties at HBCUs. But the best way to get a feel for what a specific HBCU culture is like is to visit the campus. Many schools offer the chance to spend the weekend with a current student who can really take the time to help you get a feel for the social life on campus.
Kiara adds that HBCUs are known for having fun. “At Hampton University, every Friday during the hours of 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. there is an event in our student center called ‘12-2,’” she says. “Everyone can come together and listen to an array of music, from dancehall to jersey club music to go-go music, even to old-school ‘90's R&B.”
However, the flipside of having fun is when rules come into play. Kiara says that some rules at HBCUs can seem a bit dated. “Some HBCUs have times when visitors can be allowed to visit in your dorm room daily, and typically the opposite sex isn't allowed to visit until weekends,” she says.
Kiara says that her freshman year, all of the freshmen had a weekday curfew of 10 p.m. and a weekend curfew of 1 a.m. “This rule was first frowned upon, but we realized the benefits of it,” she says. “You developed good study and organizational habits, you got to know everyone in your dorm on a personal level, and you got an ample amount of sleep.”
Academics and Careers
Although some people might say that college is all about having fun, academics can make or break a college career. When deciding between schools, it’s important to consider what classes are offered, how classes are taught, and what opportunities lie beyond the classroom.
Laurin found that a major advantage of attending a HBCU was that she could easily relate to her professors, and they could relate to her. With a similar background, it can be easier to bridge the gap between students and professors, allowing for a better learning experience and easier communication. Kiara says that many of her professors are her "voice of reasoning" when she needs an adult perspective on something. “HBCUs operate as a family, and you need that, especially when you're away from home,” she says.
And despite what some might think, professors at HBCUs come from all different backgrounds. Hampton University does have a large portion of professors who are black, but they also have professors who are white, Asian, and Arab. “Being at an HBCU doesn't isolate us from professors of different ethnic backgrounds than our own,” Kiara says.
In terms of classes, there is emphasis placed on black history, but it doesn’t have to overwhelm your course list. Mariah says that at VSU, there are classes focused on black history, but no one is required to take them. Instead, the courses are offered as electives. You can find out the different classes that a school offers in their course catalog, which most schools provide online.
Many students have found that another benefit of attending an HBCU is a strong post-grad network that can lead to job connections in the future. Itopia Mills, a recent grad of Florida A&M University, has found that network thanks to her classes and the people she has met at school. Through connections made through her school, she has been able to benefit from internships in both the fall and spring semesters.
“If you would've told me my freshman year that I would be where I am now, I would've never believed it,” she says. “All of the classes that I've taken, events I've attended, clubs and organizations I've joined and been the head of, and friends I've met have allowed me to grow in more ways than one, and I'm so proud of who I've become.”
When it comes down to that final college decision, it’s all about what you want out of your college experience and the environment you want to be in for the next few years. “HBCUs will overload you on history and past experiences, which I believe is needed,” Laurin says. “Some people don't. It's all about the experience you want and what you would like to gain from it.” Take some time to research all your options so you can find your best fit for college. You can find a full list of all the HBCUs here and read up on the current news for the HBCU network!
