HBCUs vs. PWIs: Is there a difference? Student Opinion

Courtesy+of+Rokhaya+Niang.

Courtesy of Rokhaya Niang.

In light of the approaching college application deadlines, seniors are tasked with deciding where it is exactly they are interested in attending. More specifically, black students must consider the history of the various institutions as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) in their decisions.

Most students agree that there is a difference between the two types of institutions. Senior Chiemiezem Oguay said he feels that black students at a PWI tend to experience a “lack of culture”. Senior Audrey Randall noted that HBCUs lack in their amount of “opportunities” for students.

However, there is a difference in opinions on whether the dissimilarities regarding academics between the two are beneficial to students. Senior Chris Bickerstaff continued in support of an HBCU education in saying that PWIs care about their students, but they do not care if they “improve”. On the other hand, Audrey said she feels that “attending an HBCU would limit her ability to go further” in life because they “might not have programs good enough” for her.

Another difference between PWIs and HBCUs is the atmosphere of their respective communities. Chris said that his aunt, who graduated from both a PWI and an HBCU felt that socially, HBCUs were more “friendly”.

Audrey said that she feels as a black student at an HBCU, she would “feel more at home” and be able to “express” herself more, while at a PWI, she might not be able to show her true self because people won’t like “who I am”.

Chiemiezem also added that despite the unifying name, diversity exists on HBCU campuses. He said his sister, who attends Morgan State University, an HBCU in Baltimore, Maryland, noticed that “people from New York and people from Baltimore are very different.”

Students also concur that there is a stigma behind attendance of HBCUs. Audrey said that “celebrities tend to be from better colleges” while people from HBCUs are viewed as “less prestigious”. While Chris notes that “students who go to HBCUs would recommend” attendance of them, students “don’t hear that much” about them otherwise.