Citizen Ojo’s Unofficial HBCU & PWI Collegiate Questionnaire

Hat tip to Average Brother who recently posted “Why Can't Tyrone Graduate From His Negro College HBCU?!?” Some comments were constructive and deconstructive. It seems that there are black folks out here that are disconnected from the black experience. I’m not here to judge them on that. I don’t have time to call the Drop Squad on folks anyway. I’ve had experiences with black folks that went to white schools. Some were good and some were bad. I don’t believe that all black folks that attended Predominately White Institutions (PWI) looked down on their Historically Black Colleges & University (HBCU) brethren. But it made me wonder what makes us so different. Why did we attend the schools we did? What makes one person go to Central State University and another go to Ohio State University? So I came up with some questions to ask the participants. And here are the answers to my questions………


Black folks that attended a PWI for undergrad:

A. 33 year old male/Major: Industrial Management with a Concentration in Manufacturing

1. Have you ever thought about attending an HBCU?
Yes I gave an HBCU some thought based on the high school I attended and I wanted to pursue a particular program at a particular HBCU and not to sound cliché...I wanted to really get the "black experience."

2. Was attending a PWI your first choice?
A PWI wasn't my first choice based on my program preference and again the old cliché of "the black experience"...

3. Do you feel that attending a PWI prepared you for the working world?
I wouldn't say a PWI necessarily prepared me for the working world more so than it did for corporate America and how quickly one had to adapt to different diversities within the workplace.

4. Would you send your kids to a PWI?
Without thinking twice about it, I would definitely send my kids to a PWI primarily for the interaction among such a hodge podge of individuals they will come into contact with. In addition; some of the opportunities are...dare I say it, better. But this choice would not be forced only offered for they would have the ultimate decision to make.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to an HBCU?
Once attendance began, I honestly do not think I gave an HBCU a second thought. Especially after dating someone and having friends that attended HBCU'S, they all seemed to turn me off in the aspect of everybody is just like me. That is good only for a moment and then that moment is gone. I feel something different that I would have been a craving. It would be like eating pizza for a lifetime.

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending an HBCU?
On a social level, no college kid can miss out on (girls or guys, drinking, smoking, meeting new friends, going to different places, maturing, and moving on). Educationally, I felt extremely complete, satisfied, and reassured in my learning experience and no threat of my credits being transferred or a school closing.

B. 33 year old male/Major: Political Science

1. Have you ever thought about attending an HBCU?
Yes, I wanted the opportunity to experience a predominantly black school.

2. Was attending a PWI your first choice?
Yes. I wanted to get (what I thought) a real world experience and be surrounded by a diversity of people.

3. Do you feel that attending a PWI prepared you for the working world?
Yes

4. Would you send your kids to a PWI?
Yes. The experience would present an opportunity to experience different cultures, people, and get a feel of the real world.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to an HBCU?
Yes

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending an HBCU?
No, because I spent a lot of time at North Carolina A&T :0)

C. 31 year old Female/Major: Political Science

1. Have you ever thought about attending an HBCU?
Yes. But, not with the same degree as intensity. Meaning, there was only one HBCU that I considered compared to several PWIs. Perhaps because I knew more graduates from PWIs. At my church for instance, there are Carolina people, Wake people, Clemson people, etc. So, you grow up with that and it does influence you a bit.

2. Was attending a PWI your first choice?
Yes. But, I'm a last minute person. And, the Senior High advisor, said, you better apply to some place quick. So, I only applied to one school. And, this was a school with a very strong reputation.

3. Do you feel that attending a PWI prepared you for the working world?
I think as much as any school would have. It's hard to say if it prepared me to a greater or lesser extent than an HBCU, never having attended one. But, I do feel as an adult that it's a bit of a false protection in college. You never have it so good. Where you are surrounded with like-minded and aged people in all facets of your life. I wish perhaps we were required to exit that bubble a bit more. And, I think my school may have required this, I'm not sure.

4. Would you send your kids to a PWI?
I would support my child's interest in either a PWI or an HBCU. Because, I know that sometimes HBCU's have the stigma of not being as competitive or not able to open as many doors. But, again as an adult looking back, I understand where the stigma comes from. But, I feel that an African-American student on either an HBCU or PWI's campus can shatter myths by succeeding on either campus. I think that by attending a PWI, I was able to expose Caucasian students to a perspective of life, they may not have experienced otherwise. It's important for black students to attend PWI's, but it's also important for non-black students to attend HBCU's.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to an HBCU?
I never wanted to transfer anywhere else.

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending an HBCU?
I occasionally wonder how my social life might have been different. Would I have dated more? Would I have made certain self discoveries earlier? But, by the same token, I was challenged differently by not being surrounded by people just like me. But, I think being in the majority is a feeling that everyone should experience at some point in their lives. Or, at least experience the inherent advantages of being in the majority. I'm Nigerian, so, I’ve felt what it's like to walk the streets of a country where you are the majority. It opens your eyes and perhaps empowers you a bit. But, equally, it makes you aware of the responsibility that you bear for the "other."

D. 35 year old male/Major: Print Journalism

1. Have you ever thought about attending an HBCU?
It's human nature to say, "What if." Also, I have a great deal of respect for HBCUs and the role they play in educating and helping shape the minds of some of the country's best and brightest. I believe we must do all we can to protect and preserve these institutions, as they periodically come under scrutiny.

2. Was attending a PWI your first choice?
I considered attending an HBCU, but probably could have done more research to better educate myself about HBCUs and the unique offerings I would have been able to take advantage of. To be honest, I did not consider very many colleges, in part, because I felt comfortable during visits to the school I would ultimately graduate from. Though I likely would not change my college choice (given my experiences and the lifelong friends I have made), I do believe I should have done my homework more thoroughly to learn more about HBCUs.

3. Do you feel that attending a PWI prepared you for the working world?
Yes. I think that's one of the reasons I'm glad I attended the school I did. I felt it provided me a broader perspective and allowed me to feel comfortable in confronting many of the issues I have encountered as a minority. Not all of my experiences were positive, but that's life. Still, I believe my collective experiences made me a stronger person. Due to the size of the university, I was able to begin working right away on the newspaper's staff and gain some valuable experience toward my future career. I also was able to establish friendships with professors and staff that I maintain today. I had a journalism professor who was the toughest and one of the most knowledgeable teachers I've ever had -- at any level. He was my harshest critic and my best advocate. After enduring his classes and constructive criticism about my writing, I felt I could tackle anything. Even though I'm no longer a working journalist, I still do a good deal of writing and, in the back of my mind, I'm always thinking, "I do not want to disappoint Dr. Kostyu."

4. Would you send your kids to a PWI?
Yes. But to accurately answer this question, I would send them to the best institution available -- whether it's a PWI or an HBCU. Of course, since I felt my experience was valuable and helped prepare me for the "real world," I would want my child to have a similar experience. My wife and I (who also attended the same PWI I did) will do our best to educate our child on the various options that exist. In the end, however, the decision about which college our child attends will not be made by us.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to an HBCU?
No. I attended two high schools and know how disruptive transferring can be. It can be a stressful experience. I did not want to go down that road again. Don't get me wrong -- I think I would have thrived at an HBCU and enjoyed the experiences there, as well. I just never had a strong desire to transfer.

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending an HBCU?
Not really. Overall, I'm glad I made the choice I did. Could I have enjoyed my undergraduate experience a little more from a cultural standpoint? Probably. Would the camaraderie have been different? Possibly. But there are a lot of other things I gained that I believe helped me become the person I am today.

E. 34 year old female/Major: Communications

1. Have you ever thought about attending an HBCU?
Have you ever thought about an HBCU? If yes, Why? If no, why? I considered attending an HBCU and visited Howard, Hampton University and Florida A&M University. There wasn’t a big “push” at my high school for HBCUs and my knowledge of them was [unfortunately] limited. I was aware of Howard because of its communications program. I was moderately aware of Hampton University because of its location and because my cousin attended. I was made aware of Florida A&M during a career counseling workshop because I was considering a career as an architect (I know… opposite ends of the spectrum…communications…architecture).

2. Was attending a PWI your first choice?
Was attending a PWI your first choice? If yes, Why? If no, why? Attending a PWI was not my first choice, but it was a very real possibility simply because my guidance counselors didn’t share information about HBCUs and I wasn’t the most astute at trying to identify a school with a strong program in my prospective major. My generation was the first in my family to attend college and my parents’ knowledge of the “best schools” was basically limited to the annual feature in US News & World Reports. In the final analysis, the PWIs that contacted me appeared to have more financial resources (scholarships, grants, endowments, etc.) and that was a determining factor in my choice. I have seven siblings and my ability to attend college was predicated by receiving grants and scholarships.

3. Do you feel that attending a PWI prepared you for the working world?
I do. The opportunities were boundless and there were tons of resources to help prepare for the transition between college and being a working professional. There are some fabulous PWIs and HBCUs, and there are some that are not. I think schools in both classifications are able to (and do) produce graduates that are ready to compete in the global marketplace.

4. Would you send your kids to a PWI?
If my son decides to pursue higher education, I am comfortable sending him to whichever school can best support his career and extracurricular interests. I don’t have an affinity or loyalty to either and feel as if both have strengths and weaknesses. My perception is that most PWIs are accepted on a broader scale and some hiring managers still frown upon HBCUs or consider them to be inferior. Still, I would support his decision to attend either.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to an HBCU?
No. (However, I did want to transfer to a school in a state with a warmer climate!)

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending an HBCU?
Academically, I don’t feel as if my experience was lacking; my school has an outstanding reputation and the name carries a certain amount of weight. However, I feel like I missed out on the camaraderie and spirit of the HBCU experience. The energy around the CIAA (and other HBCU events) and the pride of the alumni is unparalleled.

F. 33 year old female/Major: English

1. Have you ever thought about attending an HBCU?
No. I didn't trust the man, so I wanted to learn the EXACT same thing they were learning.

2. Was attending a PWI your first choice?
No. Same as above

3. Do you feel that attending a PWI prepared you for the working world?
N/A

4. Would you send your kids to a PWI?
Yes, as long as it is a good school, I don't care if it is Black, White, Religious, etc.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to an HBCU?
No

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending an HBCU?
No

G. 35 year old male/Major: Business Administration

1 Have you ever thought about an HBCU? I thought about attending a
HBCU but at the time I only received scholarship money from the PWI.

2. Was attending a PWI your first choice?
My first choice was the school that was going to offer me scholarship money.

3. Do you feel that attending a PWI prepared you for the working world?
I think the school that you attend has a structure for you to follow, but ultimately it's up to the individual to make sure they are prepared for the working world.

4. Would you send your kids to a PWI?
Yes I would depending on which school either a PWI or HBCU offered the most money.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to an HBCU?
No I never thought about transferring to HBCU because it was the right choice for my parents financially.

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending an HBCU?
No I do not feel like I missed out because I had friends that attended HBCU's and I would occasionally travel to them.


Black folks that attended an HBCU for undergrad:

A. 35 year old male/Major: General Science

1. Have you ever thought about attending Predominately White Institution?
Yes, because of convenience first and foremost and the perception of prestige secondly.

2. Was attending a HBCU your first choice?
Yes, because I needed to find myself for I was previously a very sheltered black male. Moreover, I needed some practical survival skills to accompany my book knowledge.

3. Do you feel that attending a HBCU prepared you for the working world?
Yes, I definitely do.

4. Would you send your kids to a HBCU?
Yes, so that they too could experience the student life on an HBCU campus.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to a PWI?
No, because I always knew that I would attend one for graduate studies.

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending a PWI?
No, I don't think that I missed out on anything pertinent by not attending a PWI. Were there amenities I was jealous of, of course that's human nature.

B. 31 year old female/Major: Management Information Systems.

1. Have you ever thought about attending Predominately White Institution?
Yes. I thought about the scholarship money I could possibly receive. Then I thought about how the learning environment would hinder my learning curve and my comfort level. However I know I would have adapted.

2. Was attending a HBCU your first choice?
Yes. For multiple reasons. I knew I wanted to continue in the marching band. Most of my family had attended an HBCU and my surroundings would offer me the freedom to learn at my own pace and meet other outstanding peers just like me.

3. Do you feel that attending a HBCU prepared you for the working world?
My experiences and learning enabled me to compete better in the workplace if I had not attended school at all. Sometimes I feel that the lack of opportunities for internships and additional hands-on training limited me overall.

4. Would you send your kids to a HBCU?
Yes. First to continue my heritage. Also, most of the HBCUs today are competing on the same level as other colleges and universities in the country.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to a PWI?
No. I truly enjoyed my experience. It was just what I needed at that time.

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending a PWI?
I don't feel that I missed out to say. I just feel the opportunities were not the same but who’s to say if I went to a PWI that I would be even offered those opportunities.

C. 33 year old female/Major: Communications

1. Have you ever thought about attending Predominately White Institution?
I never thought about attending a predominately white institution. I come from a family of graduates from HBCUs. Although, I was urged to apply to a PWI, applying wasn't an option either, because I knew a HBCU was where I wanted to go.

2. Was attending a HBCU your first choice?
Attending a HBCU was my first choice. The good thing is I had tons of options of quality HBCUs to attend.

3. Do you feel that attending a HBCU prepared you for the working world?
Yes, I know I would be prepared for the working world, regardless as to where I went to school. But, the HBCU experience is so personalized. The teachers and staff embrace you. There is a family feeling on the campus that doesn't stop when you graduate, the family continues to love and nurture you once you left. You network and make connections to help you enter and then thrive in the working world.

4. Would you send your kids to a HBCU?
I would send my students to a HBCU. Of course, that is my desire; however, it depends on our family financial situation. However, if the funds are there, I want my child/children to attend a HBCU.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to a PWI?
No, once I stepped foot on campus, I knew that was where I wanted to be.

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending a PWI?
No. However, I feel like some of my friends who attended PWIs did. They don't understand the "school daze" experience. Those who attended HBCUs we are fortunate to know it firsthand.

D. 26 year old male/Major: Biology

1. Have you ever thought about attending Predominately White Institution?
For undergrad, I was only presented HBCU options for schooling by my family and community. Therefore, I only considered HBCUs. The reasoning for this, as had been presented to me by family, was b/c there were fewer cases of talented students being drawn away from their original interests by 'gatekeepers' who had been strategically placed to re-align the professional interests of colored students. As much of a diabolical and 'conspiracy theorist' as that may sound, I was presented with stories and cases of real people - friends even - who had become victims to this system. Going into the large PWI hoping to study Chemistry, but are suggested strongly by 'college advisors' that they should study Political Science, Computer Science or Communications. Now, while NOTHING is wrong with PoliSci, CompSci, and Comm Studies, what IS wrong is if students (regardless of race) are not receiving the SUPPORT that they need to accomplish their goals. And what's even worse (possibly criminal), is if those students who are being selected for "redirection" are of a particular racial minority at a large PWI. Its criminal, to disproportionately detract young ambitious black students from accomplishing their dreams... So instead of fighting such systems, I chose to attend an HBCU - a place where talented students are supported, where ambitions are stimulated, and where youths are challenged to move onwards and upwards.

2. Was attending a HBCU your first choice?
It was my only choice. No other options were presented to me. Even my church held an annual college fair. HBCU's were more visible and showed up in larger numbers, so it appeared that they cared more about recruiting us.

3. Do you feel that attending a HBCU prepared you for the working world?
I attended the HBCU not only for undergrad for for grad work as well. I'm particularly proud of the work that I was able to accomplish at the HBCU. Did it train me for work life? Indeed, I couldn't have received my training anywhere else, if it weren't for an HBCU. Specifically, HBCUs over the past 10 years have been giving a surplus of monies to use to train students of color to become scientists. Herein, the gov't (NIH) TARGETED HBCUs as a place for job training, specifically for students in the sciences. However, while PWI's have traditionally solely focused on their research, and they allow teaching to come as 2nd or 3rd or 4th priority, leading HBCU's have a dual focus: research AND teaching. Periodically, persons who attended PWIs will casually say that "the HBCU student is weaker than the grad of a PWI" b/c "PWI students are forced to learn more independently". In their statement, they acknowledge this deficit - wherein so many of the professors don't teach! They rush through material so that they can get back to their research, writing grants, touring the world, and creating strategic partnerships with other PWIs. Meanwhile, they train/brainwash their students to believe that out of this DEFICIT and negligent abandonment of responsibility as a professor, THE STUDENT will be more informed, better educated, and stronger. This "lie to yourself until you believe it" mentality pervades the psyche of the PWI student. And it has severe implications after graduation as well (we'll leave that for another day)... Nevertheless, the large PWI so often severely cripples their student - esp students of color. Abandoning your job as a Professor, relinquishing most of the teaching to lesser experienced Grad students, and only focusing on your research (that few tuition-paying students are participating in) should not be equated with teaching and providing the highest quality instruction.

4. Would you send your kids to a HBCU?
I would send my kids to an HBCU, clearly. However, the question I have to ask myself is would I send my children to a PWI? If so, which one. This answer will have to be based upon detailed observations of the following:

- Black graduation rates,
- Timeliness of graduation of black students,
- The number and percentage of [black] students, who switch majors,
- the number of black students who participate in meaningful research projects and acquire practical JOB SKILLS and CASH from these research programs,
- The number of black students, who get into graduate school or job placement with 6 months of graduation,
- The number of black students who pass certification/licensing exams (in architecture or teaching, for example), and,
- The number of programs that are designed to support and stimulate the ambitions of the black student.

*** If you find a large (or small) PWI that could pass my 7point test with flying colors, then maybe we might consider that school as an option. Of course, I'll admit that HBCU's should be held to the same standards.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to a PWI?
Never wanted to transfer to a PWI.

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending a PWI?
Maybe I don't know what I've missed, having not graduated from the PWI. Conversely, b/c I have taken classes and done years of research in highly functioning academic laboratories, I am well aware of the protocol for operations and the standards for learning. It's for these reasons that I don't feel like I missed out on anything beneficial, that I didn't receive at the HBCU.

E. 37 year old female/Major: Sociology

1. Have you ever thought about attending Predominately White Institution?
Not really. It was in keeping with family traditions.

2. Was attending a HBCU your first choice?
Yes, my parents and other family members attended HBCU's.

3. Do you feel that attending a HBCU prepared you for the working world?
Yes

4. Would you send your kids to a HBCU?
If the university is affordable and the curriculum is what is best for their major/minor, yes.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to a PWI?
No

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending a PWI?
No

F. 37 year old male/Major: Economics and Minor: Business

1. Have you ever thought about attending Predominately White Institution?
Yes. Primarily because of the B.S. degrees that they offered.

2. Was attending a HBCU your first choice?
Most of my family attended HBCU's and I knew that the HBCU I attended could offer the type of B.S. degree I was seeking.

3. Do you feel that attending a HBCU prepared you for the working world?
Yes, My college offered many "Real World" classes, internships and networking opportunities.

4. Would you send your kids to a HBCU?
Yes indeed. You can never attend a school of higher learning such as an HBCU where you have such a large pool of talented, goal oriented and highly educated African Americans.

5. While in college did you ever want to transfer to a PWI?
No

6. Do you feel like you missed out by not attending a PWI?
No

So what did I learn from this? I didn’t uncover any sinister information. I just received honest answers from regular people. Overall the participants liked where they attended school and were satisfied with their choices. I did notice that the participants who attended HBCU’s had people in their lives that had the HBCU experience. Those people were able to direct and guide them toward attending an HBCU. Also finances (scholarships & student loan packages) and career paths led the participants to their particular colleges. The stereotypical reasons why students attend HBCUs such as the “Party Scene” were not mentioned. The HBCU participants mentioned academics more than they did the social atmosphere.

I did notice a common theme with SOME participants that attended PWIs. This concept of a “Real World Experience” was mentioned more than once. The notion of what college you should attend for a “Real World Experience” is not what’s up for debate. The debate is what is the definition of a “Real World Experience”? So with that being said, what is “Real World Experience”? And if you are black, is it something you need to get versus something you already have?