lil black girl rants

HBCU vs. PWI

Decision day for high school seniors was last week, May 1st, and that is the time when we pay the deposit for the school we'll be attending in the fall of 2019. At my school we had a HUGE celebration for everyone's decision/plans for after high school. My school made a slide presentation that stated all of the seniors names and the school of their choice, trade school info, work force info, or whether they were going to the military. As the slide presentation was going through, I noticed a lot of my peers were either going to HBCU's (Historically Black College/University) or predominantly Black schools, as well as some going to PWI's (Predominantly White Institution). My high school is predominantly Black, Asian, and Latino students, while the White students are the minority. I wasn't surprised that many were going to HBCU's or predominantly Black schools because a lot are nearby my high school and I think a lot fo students want that experience. While my other peers are going to PWI's, including me. 

It's funny to say that I'll be going to a PWI because if you asked anyone of my friends or teachers they'd tell you I'd be going to an HBCU in a heart beat if I could. If you read some of the first few chapters of the book I have expressed wanting to go to Howard University and that was my dream school. I was planning on attending my junior year, but as my senior year came I realized that I probably wouldn't get much scholarship money nor would I get financial aid. 

My business teacher convinced me to apply to some small liberal arts colleges that are mainly PWI's and give it a shot. I was hesitant at first, but I got around October-December I received a lot of scholarship money from the PWI's and not as much money from the few HBCU's I applied to. I was a little sad that the HBCU's weren't giving as many scholarships out to Black students, but rather other students of color, or even white students. 

My only real concern about attending a PWI is that I'll be the "token black student" and be used for diversity purposes. But I think that the school I'll be attending actually wants me as a student and not just to check the diversity box. 

I am going to miss the HBCU experience, with the marching band, and the band dancers, and just the overall feel of attending a school meant for Black students.  After watching 'Homecoming' and obsessing over joining a sorority I really was sad about not going to an HBCU. But I can always attend homecoming games/events with my friends that are going to HBCU's.

I know there is an age old debate on whether HBCU's are better than PWI's or vice versa. I honestly wouldn't know because I haven't been to either long enough to come up with an actual argument. But I wanted to ask you guys what you thought? And if you're part of the Class of 2019 (WHOOP WHOOP!! p.s. the best class ever!) and attending college, where are you going? PWI or HBCU? If you aren't going to college what are you plans after high school? (this is a no judgment zone, so if you don't know it's ok!)