Quote:
Originally Posted by ziasha07
I still receive crap from classmates and friends for choosing an HBCU over a PWI. "You're such a smart girl... etc." Why is it that our schools are seen as substandard? I feel like I/we will receive a more well rounded education (Life experiences outside of the classroom) at an HBCU than I will at a PWI.
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I went thru this situation when I made the decision to go to an HBCU. My father's family to this day (this was back in '99) still makes comments. "You need to learn how to be around white ppl" Don't go to a N*$#^($ school.
I'm from Indiana... I don't think that's a problem. I got alot of support from my mother, and HS teachers (white). At the time at IU, white supremicists were posting flyers and shouting the n-word at ppl. Sorry, not interested in that game.
My dad is still angry that I decided to go to an HBCU instead of IU. Still makes snide remarks about my school, my friends and will just break out with "Do you think you would be doing non-pretigious job/grad program/have bad car if you had gone to Ivy League". I'm his only child with a college degree!!
My family thinks it was a second class education nevermind the fact that I'm one of 5/30 grandkids with a degree. 3/5 of us went to HBCUs. I, like the original poster, was offered admissions to Ivys and didn't go. I have 2 cousins at Univ. and they aren't doing anything significant.. no volunteering, no groups. I don't think they really have mentors or older students to really talk to and get advice. Otherwise someone would have told them that those wrist tattoos weren't a good idea.
Looking back, one good thing about HBCUs is that you have mentors and continuous encouragement about what black ppl CAN do. You see it everyday in class and those around you. Black ppl studying science, law, business. It's empowering.
But on the other hand, I totally understand not everyone being able to afford it. I know I wouldn't have been able to go w/o my scholarship. But in the end college is what you make of it. Seize every opportunity.