Quote:
Originally posted by De6
[U]My questions to you all are:
- Why did you choose a HBCU?
- Which HBCU did you choose? Why?
- What are the GOOD and BAD advantages of attending a HBCU?
- What advice would you give to anyone seeking admission into
a HBCU?
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I chose my HBCU--Spelman--because I simply fell in love with their mission when I visited there my senior year in high school. As a matter of fact, I told my parents "Y'all can just leave me here now and just mail my stuff to me!" LOL An HBCU was attractive to me because it allowed me to get out of the box of being the "smart black girl". I was tired of being the only or one of the only blacks in the higher level classes and being the token when my HS needed to show diversity for something. When I visited Spelman and saw so many BEAUTIFUL, INTELLIGENT woman running thangs I just knew I had to be a part of it.
Good (I'll try not to repeat some of the ones others have mentioned)
Being from a small town, I unknowingly lumped Black people in 1 or 2 major categories. Spelman taught me the diversity in my own community and increased my perspective on what it means to be a Black woman in America
The expectation that you WOULD succeed
The professors who nurtured you and challenged you at the same time
The great Black minds that visited for lectures, presentations, etc.
The Spelman Sisterhood. There is a bond that connects Spelman women everywhere that is undeniable!
The AUC. The fact that we were in close proximity to other HBCU was wonderful
The traditions...initiation into the Spelman sisterhood, the dorm competitions, Founders Day
The
Bad
Some of the resources (libraries, labs,etc.) are not at the same level of large state schools or private PWI
Registration was a nightmare back then, but my nephew goes to Morehouse and they have online registration now. No more standing in the gym for what seemed like days to get the classes you wanted!
After 15 years, the bad is really just a distant memory while the Good lives on.....
Like other folks have said, research, talk to alumni AND current students, visit the campus if you can and know yourself. While I was accepted in to several large state schools I knew that that environment was not the best for me.
Good luck! My eldest neice is a senior in college this year and I am taking her on a mini college tour. Last year we visited Spelman, Clark Atlanta, Emory and University of Georgia. This year we will go to Hampton, Howard, Duke and Spelman. Yeah, I know we're going to Spelman twice, but since I'm sponsoring the trip I can be a little biased!