Bro. Scott, thanks for sharing. I can personally testify that this same debate has been echoed many times at HBCU campuses and amongst their graduates.
The moral compass of any social movement cannot be imbued in an institution or a concept; a college can be the source of both enlightenment and ignorance in the same way that Hip Hop can be used as an intellectual weapon or an intellectual crutch. It is up to the followers of that movement to demand that we adhere to its original principles.
As a HBCU graduate, I've been exposed to some truly life-changing opportunities for knowledge building and introspection; I've also had many occasions where I was deeply discouraged to see those opportunities wasted by other students.
I think that DuBois' concept of the "Talented Tenth" recognized the fact that positive change rarely begins spontaneously. It is up to the most determined, conscious, and capable citizens to be the architects of change. We cannot expect a misguided culture to suddenly abandon its incorrect path although I've wished many times that this would be the case. He realized, as we are today, that to change involves sacrifice and in many cases it will involve alienating people whose support we'd like to have.
It is ultimately our choice as individuals to challenge ourselves, and sometimes to acknowledge that we've gone astray and make the necessary changes. It is challenging, but possible, to balance entertainment with enlightenment. As personally frustrating as it is to see how we are portrayed in pop culture, I still have hope for the future.
I don't think you'll have a problem finding other students that are socially and politicaly conscious. Will there be people who are only concerned with popularity, money, and socializing? Yes, but reflects more on American culture in general than HBCUs.
The interesting thing about HBCU life is the intellectual and social diversity. When I was at Hampton, I made it a point to connect with people who were of a similar mindset, and I wasn't disappointed.
This will, however, require some due diligence on your part... when you're on the yard keep your eyes open for people and organizations that pique your interest. You'll find what you're looking for.
I don't think you'll have a problem finding other students that are socially and politicaly conscious. Will there be people who are only concerned with popularity, money, and socializing? Yes, but reflects more on American culture in general than HBCUs.
The interesting thing about HBCU life is the intellectual and social diversity. When I was at Hampton, I made it a point to connect with people who were of a similar mindset, and I wasn't disappointed.
This will, however, require some due diligence on your part... when you're on the yard keep your eyes open for people and organizations that pique your interest. You'll find what you're looking for.
Thanks. I've been on the website. I was looking for a more first hand view of the program.
Hampton's MBA program is pretty reputable. The School of Business generally attracts high-level recruiters & internship opportunities, and Dr. Credle has poured a lot of time & effort into developing the MBA curriculum.
You'll have two program tracks offered, a 5-year accelerated B.S & M.B.A, or a traditional 2-year graduate M.B.A. program. The 5-year MBA will definitely keep you busy, it's a pretty aggressive courseload that includes a mandatory internship and leadership program, so you'll be spending a fairly good amount of time on coursework, group projects, and "extracurriculars". The graduate MBA attracts an interesting cross-section of recent graduates and working professionals.
Both programs are excellent in terms of networking opportunities. The School of Business hosts a weekly network session with a recruiter or executive through the Leadership Application Program, and the business organizations on campus such as AMA and NSBE are very active. There are lots of opportunities at HU but you have to be involved to take advantage of them, it pays to participate in campus orgs and get to know your professors well.
The alumni network is pretty strong, also. I've run into many Hampton alumni throughout my career, and most of them are on the move.
One small gripe is scheduling of courses. Certain required courses are only taught by one professor, which can make it difficult if your schedule isn't flexible or if the course fills up quickly. This may have changed since I left HU, though.
If you have specific questions, feel free to shoot me an email at jonathancarter02 ( * at) hot mail.com and I'll be glad to provide any additional info. Good luck!
Don't panic yet. There are options available to help you.
How are your grades... do you think it's realistic that you'll receive any scholarships?
Your first step should be completing the FAFSA, the online application for federal student loans. www.fafsa.ed.gov. You need to file by June at the latest in order to get approved for loans for Fall 2010, so get started immediately.
Next, call your HS guidance counselor, as well as the financial aid office at the schools you hope to attend. They'll be able to provide info on scholarships and financial aid. If your household income is below a certain level, you'll be eligible for federal grants that you don't have to pay back.
HBCUs attract students from all backgrounds, so you'll have no problem finding friends who share your interests. As a matter of fact, I think that one of the best experiences is finding out that there are other people just like you.
