HBCU vs. PWI: What School is Best For You?
Hey, girls. First off, I would like to apologize for the long delay of my blog posts. I have been very busy with work and school, which made it hard to focus on my writing. However, I realized I haven’t spoken with you guys in so long and I have so much to talk about. Today is the start to our long overdue conversation.
This blog post goes to all of my girls who are seniors in high school. Since I know the time is crunching down to make your official decision for college, I’m here to help you make that hard decision. This decision can be very stressful because you have to think about every factor (safety, student & teacher diversity, food, cost, etc) and how these factors are the best for you. The huge debate of PWIs vs. HBCUs has been discussed for years and still remains because of the constant issues that happen on both campuses. Before I get into the facts of the different campuses, I would like to share my personal experience at Ramapo College of New Jersey. I attend a PWI and the first thing I noticed when I moved in was the lack of diversity. Coming from a high school located in Newark, NJ with majority of African-American students, this imbalance of diversity shocked me. I saw myself in the mix of majority white students with a sprinkle of minorities and at first, it scared me. However, attending a PWI in a rural area helped me realize that not all my life, I will be around people who look just like me and it’s better to get out of your comfort zone now then later. Yes, I would have loved to know the experience of attending a HBCU but there were more factors that made me lean towards a PWI (which I would speak about now.)
Historically Black College Campus/ Univeristies are seen as a safe haven for black students; to have quality education without the constant worry of being stigmatized or potentially exposed to violence. While these institutions have a focus on the education of African American students, these colleges or universities are open to any race, religion, or gender. Most of the students and professors are African-American which can be very comforting for black students. HBCU’s hold a huge significance in Black History, as it opened a door for educational opportunity for many blacks who were once legally denied an education.
Pros of Attending an HBCU:
1. The atmosphere of an HBCU holds a very prideful joy for their school with great marching bands, stellar cheerleaders, and students dripped out in college gear. If you are considering going to an HBCU, please come with great pride for your school and it’s great history. If you want people who look just like you and want to surround yourself with a respected history.
2. HBCU’s provide an abundance of scholarships and grants for students who showed great excellence in high school. Many HBCU’s are out of state if you live in New Jersey and tuition can be very pricey. This is why it’s so important to go after any scholarship or grant your school can provide for you.
3. There are great opportunities to join in extracurricular activities such as cheerleading, sports, and professional networking. There are several alumni committees that take the time to cater to the current students on campus and let them find great opportunities for their future.
Here are some famous HBCU’s that you might spend the next four years:
Howard University (Washington DC)
Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD)
Spelman/Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA)
North Carolina A&T University (Greensboro, NC)
A Predominately White Institution is a institution of higher learning with 50% or more of the students who identify as white. It’s basically the opposite of an HBCU; however, the atmosphere and daily life of a student here differ. PWI’s have great history as well, as many go back wayyyyyy before us and our parents. There are typically more students who attend PWI’s so classroom size can be as huge as a lecture hall. Other races attend PWI’s and now, many of these institutions are advocating for a more diverse campus, which can really benefit you.
Pros of Attending an PWI:
1. There is a better chance of receiving scholarships or a better financial aid package because PWIs have higher endowments due to financial assets donating more than to HBCU’s. If you are thinking about the financial costs, you may end up at a PWI simply because they may give you a better financial aid package.
2. There is a larger field of networking at a PWI. You are able to reach out to more reputable companies you would like to work for when you graduate from college. There are an abundance of opportunities laid out for you which may not be the same at an HBCU.
3. Even though this is an PWI, there are a variety of ethnic organizations such as BSU or ASA that represent the minorities at school. You may find these organizations your home as you can find people who look just like you. These organizations participate in a lot of events at school and bring awareness of better diversity on campus.
Here are some famous PWI’s you might spend the next four years:
Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)
Cornell University (Ithaca, New York)
University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Loyola University (Baltimore, Maryland)
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