HBCUs = Weak Education?

As it is, I have been accepted into a variety of HBCUs as well as other schools. Ever since I took part in the Vanguard program at a predominantly white middle school, I knew I wanted instead to study with people who looked like me. Unfortunately, as I have begun the journey to choosing a college my relatives and advisors have actually warned me against certain HBCUs. My question is this: why, oh why, do some black schools carry such negative stigmas? i.e: Prairie View & TSU. Does the majority of the problem lie in management or in the students themselves?

You can't place the blame all on one group. Sometimes the students don't want to do the work, other times the professors don't care. Being that most HBCUs are generally underfunded, they can't all necessarily hire the professors and staff that they would like to have, so they have to settle for what they can get. Some students are HBCUs couldn't make the cut to get into a larger school and an HBCU is the only place that would give them a chance. However, with any HBCU, if you make the most out of it, you will get the education that you need. Whether it be a smaller one that most people think is a joke, or one of that larger ones that are continually getting the popular recognition.

True. I know that any school, black or otherwise will carry a reputation. I just would hate to dedicate myself to earning a degree that will be looked down on because its from an HBCU. Especially since they are the ones offering me the biggest scholarships!

Being black is a negative stigma in societies opinion, so I guess you can say it comes with the territory. Like I said in another thread, you can find problems anywhere...HBCU or PWI. Every school has its issues, they may not be scrutinized as much or on blast as much as you would see for a HBCU. Overall, the problems derive from people. Wherever you have people, you will have problems.

If you do well at any school, then when it counts, most people could care less where you got your degree from. If they're THAT concerned about it, then perhaps you don't really want to do business with them anyway.

I don’t think you can combine all HBCUs into a single category. You have excellent HBCUs and ok HBCUs. The same applies to PWIs in terms of good and ok. Therefore, you have to find an HBCU that will prepare you for your career. Find an institution with good facilities and professors. As far as stigma, I think it’s the same stereo type that exists in our society. It’s just a perception and not necessarily a reality. I have had an opportunity to graduate from an HBCU and PWI. Honestly, I did not notice a difference with respect to education. Actually, the smaller class size at Tennessee State University was more conducive for learning. The PWI had around 45,000 students so the class size was enormous. However, I appreciate my experience at each institution. Just remember to pick an HBCU that makes you feel comfortable, academically and socially. Good Luck! Check out US News HBCU list USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2008: Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Top Schools