Hampton/Howard Pros and Cons

12 replies · 30499 views · Started by TheQueenOfLaugh · Aug 2008

Linthicum, MD

TheQueenOfLaugh Linthicum, MD

Hey everyone! My name is Alana and I'm an upcoming Senior in High School, so I've been doing a lot of college searching. My top 2 schools are currently Howard and Hampton, which I know from asking around that this can be a controversial topic since each one claims to be the "real" HU hahah. I plan on double majoring in Psychology and some sort of communications (Broadcast Journalism if I go to Hampton and Radio/TV/Film if I go to Howard), and I know that both schools are covered in the Communications area. I've briefly visited the campuses, but I haven't done an actual tour of either of them. From reading around, I hear that both schools are generally a fashion show everyday, and that somewhat turns me off from both of them. I'm very laid back, and though I do care how I look (most of the time haha), clothes and fashion don't really interest me lol. When I seem to get the most negative feedback about Howard, though from looking at the list of Howard graduates, I feel as though I'd be in good company. Plus, there always seems to be a lot to do at Howard. On the other hand, I'm not a huge partier, so maybe Hampton would be the best choice for me? I hear not-so-good things about the Hampton dorms though...and when we drove by, they didn't seem to be very impressive...are they nicer on the inside? I also plan on being in one of the Honors programs...does anybody have any suggestions for which is better? I know I'm asking a lot, but I was also wondering if anybody had any other suggestions for colleges. I currently live in Maryland, though I have family in the south (Tennessee) so I don't mind going to other areas, as long as it's not too far from either MD or TN. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to visit more colleges, but I'd love to have input from people who actually GO to each school! Thanks!!

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HUOPhiO2012 · Aug 2008

#1 Reply

Im going to be a freshman at Hampton at the end of the month but I took summer classes there last month. As far as the dorms go.. they could have been better but its not that bad. I did have a problem with the bathrooms in my dorm though because a lot of times they would have the tissue on the ground and stuff which i thought was triflin or they would never have napkins for after you washed your hands lol its just little stuff that bothered me every now and then but i got my own tissue and napkins and i was straight. As far as the fashion show thing, there were a lot of times we had to dress up. Im not sure how it is during the regular school year but we had meetings once a week where basically we just couldnt wear jeans or tennis shoes and there was like a banquet and stuff where we had to dress up but on a day to day basis its not bad. Im on the same page as you where im not really into fashion like that. My sister goes there too and a lot of people thought it was weird because she wears jordans a lot, i guess girls dont really wear sneakers a lot but thats basically all me and her wear. Nobody said nothing when I was there though, but that might be because a lot of the people were incoming freshmen like me. I had a lot of fun while I was there though. I cannot wait to go back I miss it! Being there just felt like it was home. Freshmen cant have cars on campus though but upperclassmen are nice and if you just become friends with some of them they'll take you places. Or people hustle and give you rides for gas money. Also, you probably already heard most people have a problem with curfew, but it only lasts til homecoming. Its 11 on the weekdays and 1 on the weekends. But on the weekdays it didn't really bother me , i just didn't like it on the weekends because I felt like it cut parties short but you said you're not really a partier so i dont know how much that would matter. I feel like im typing a book up here so im gonna stop but if there's anything that you needed to know that i didn't answer you can just ask me and if i dont know i can ask my sister because she's been there for a year.

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TheQueenOfLaugh from Linthicum, MD · Aug 2008

#2 Reply

^^ Aww thanks for the info, that's really helpful! I'm definitely a t-shirt & Jeans with sneakers type of girl, but I guess I wont mind dressin up from time to time haha...I definitely want to visit the campus once school starts so that I can see what it's "really" like lol Thanks for answering!

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treyslizzle · Aug 2008

#3 Reply

^^ Ill be at HU soon. Smile

Good Luck

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Bison4life from St. Louis, MO · Aug 2008

#4 Reply

Well i'm an incoming freshmen at Howard University(c/o 2012). And i know this decision must be hard because both schools are academically good. for your major, Howard Unversity is really good because you can have the chance of having your own radio show. Which is a good experience for someone that wants to be in communication. I'm not going to lie to you, Howard is known at the #2 fashion school(NYU is number one). You are going to see some girls walking to class with high heels(not me ****). But that's not me, i'm not a fashion type of person at all. I wear what i feel is cute for ME, and the fashion that i heard about Howard really didn't change my decision on going there. I'm majoring in Political Science so it would be crazy for me to deny a great school like Howard because people like to dress up. lol You don't have to be one of those people...i'm not. Yes there is alot to do at Howard...but not just partying. Seriously if you come to Howard and get bored, it's your fault. We are located in d.c., a very diverse place, so there is waaaaaaaaay more to do than partying. You have organizations/clubs, celebrities come to Howard all the time to speak, and for me i love to go listen to a few Poetry Slams.

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TheQueenOfLaugh from Linthicum, MD · Aug 2008

#5 Reply

Bison4life wrote:
Well i'm an incoming freshmen at Howard University(c/o 2012). And i know this decision must be hard because both schools are academically good. for your major, Howard Unversity is really good because you can have the chance of having your own radio show. Which is a good experience for someone that wants to be in communication. I'm not going to lie to you, Howard is known at the #2 fashion school(NYU is number one). You are going to see some girls walking to class with high heels(not me ****). But that's not me, i'm not a fashion type of person at all. I wear what i feel is cute for ME, and the fashion that i heard about Howard really didn't change my decision on going there. I'm majoring in Political Science so it would be crazy for me to deny a great school like Howard because people like to dress up. lol You don't have to be one of those people...i'm not. Yes there is alot to do at Howard...but not just partying. Seriously if you come to Howard and get bored, it's your fault. We are located in d.c., a very diverse place, so there is waaaaaaaaay more to do than partying. You have organizations/clubs, celebrities come to Howard all the time to speak, and for me i love to go listen to a few Poetry Slams.

Wow, thanks for all the info, that's REALLY helpful!! How are the dorms at Howard?

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oHiKnOwDeYLiKeMe from saint louis, MO · Aug 2008

#6 Reply

Well I have been to both Hampton and Howard so I can really answer your questions. I went to Hampton to take summer classes in the summer of 2006. Hampton has a beautiful campus which is surrounded by water hence the name "Your Home by the Sea." The dorms are really old and are not kept up at all. As a freshman you will have to deal with community bathrooms which you might not like. The atmosphere is safe, but if you're a big city person as myself you will not like the area. Hampton, VA is a very small city yet everything is far apart that's why most upperclassmen bring their cars. The teachers I had were pretty good for the most part. They knew what they were talking about and had good methods of teaching. As for night life goes you will have to make fun for yourself since most of the clubs are 21 and up and a lot of parties usually aren't thrown unless they are house parties which you can find if you know the right group of people. Most people go to va beach on the weekends. I decided not to attend hampton because of the small city, the dorms, and I just wasn't satisfied with my summer experience. Ok now I LOVE HOWARD! I first went there in the fall of 2007 as a transfer student I came back home and am now attending school back here in missouri at a local university but I am going back to Howard in the fall of 2009 I'll be about a junior/senior. I love HU so much that I must go back! lol Now if you're a big city person Howard is for you. DC is a very vibrant city with so much culture and activity going around that you will never be bored! The dorms are better at Howard. I lived in Cook my first year there and that is one of the best dorms. But the only people who live there either are athletes, on scholarship, or extremely lucky. The freshman dorms aren't bad but you do have to deal with community bathrooms but they are kept up pretty good. Academic wise Howard has it going on. All of my professors were very challenging. They always made me think beyond what was stated in the text. I always felt that I was learning and never felt a dull moment in my academic experience. Fashion is a big thing at Howard. Like someone already stated girls wear heels to classes, put make up on, and do the whole 9. But Howard students know what they are at howard for and realize that their studies come first. Howard is selective. It's known as the black Harvard. They only want the brightest students who will be leaders in corporate america. Hands down I would say go to Howard(lol) but the decision of course is up to you. If you have anymore specific questions just let me know.

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TheQueenOfLaugh from Linthicum, MD · Aug 2008

#7 Reply

oHiKnOwDeYLiKeMe wrote:
Well I have been to both Hampton and Howard so I can really answer your questions. I went to Hampton to take summer classes in the summer of 2006. Hampton has a beautiful campus which is surrounded by water hence the name "Your Home by the Sea." The dorms are really old and are not kept up at all. As a freshman you will have to deal with community bathrooms which you might not like. The atmosphere is safe, but if you're a big city person as myself you will not like the area. Hampton, VA is a very small city yet everything is far apart that's why most upperclassmen bring their cars. The teachers I had were pretty good for the most part. They knew what they were talking about and had good methods of teaching. As for night life goes you will have to make fun for yourself since most of the clubs are 21 and up and a lot of parties usually aren't thrown unless they are house parties which you can find if you know the right group of people. Most people go to va beach on the weekends. I decided not to attend hampton because of the small city, the dorms, and I just wasn't satisfied with my summer experience. Ok now I LOVE HOWARD! I first went there in the fall of 2007 as a transfer student I came back home and am now attending school back here in missouri at a local university but I am going back to Howard in the fall of 2009 I'll be about a junior/senior. I love HU so much that I must go back! lol Now if you're a big city person Howard is for you. DC is a very vibrant city with so much culture and activity going around that you will never be bored! The dorms are better at Howard. I lived in Cook my first year there and that is one of the best dorms. But the only people who live there either are athletes, on scholarship, or extremely lucky. The freshman dorms aren't bad but you do have to deal with community bathrooms but they are kept up pretty good. Academic wise Howard has it going on. All of my professors were very challenging. They always made me think beyond what was stated in the text. I always felt that I was learning and never felt a dull moment in my academic experience. Fashion is a big thing at Howard. Like someone already stated girls wear heels to classes, put make up on, and do the whole 9. But Howard students know what they are at howard for and realize that their studies come first. Howard is selective. It's known as the black Harvard. They only want the brightest students who will be leaders in corporate america. Hands down I would say go to Howard(lol) but the decision of course is up to you. If you have anymore specific questions just let me know.

Wow, thanks for all of the information!!!

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YoungPhenom4TheFuture · Aug 2008

#9 Reply

Okay...I'm a sophomore at Hampton and I hope the little bit of knowledge I'm about to drop will help somewhat. As far as fashion goes, Hampton men and women alike, love to dress at Hampton. There's nothing wrong with it, and don't feel like you'll be some kind of lepper if you're not walking around in Manolo Blahniks and silk scarves 24/7. It isn't that serious at all. Like yourself, I'm definitely a tee-shirt and jeans kind of girl and I want to be buried in my Jordans. I don't feel any type of way when I walk around campus, I'm well received and I have friends...People wont judge you just because you're not walking the runway everyday. Sweats and sneakers will do ;=]. (Don't get it twisted tho...You will see alot of people walking around fly as hell. And on occasion [ogden events, professional events] you will need to be dressed a certain way as the young lady stated before. Its not terrible tho) Dorms...well as far as female dorms go...there are *counts* six? Lol...Twichell (whoo!!) Kelsey, Davidson, VC, Moton and Kenndedy (honors). Twitchell VC, Kennedy and Moton have air...Davidson and and Kelsey don't. Thats the biggest issue. As far as cleanliness, a janitorial staff maintains the restrooms on a daily basis, but if the girls on your floor are trifling, then the girls in your dorm are trifling!! I can't help you there...you'll find that anywhere. I loved my Twichell hall tho...and it wasn't too many girls on my floor cuz I was on the first so I guess I had it good. You mentioned an honors program. Well we have what is known as Honors college. Its a program that basically kicks your academic roster into full gear and makes try that much more. You basically enroll in UNVH 101 fall of freshman year, and this is supposed to tell you whether or not you want to pursue honors college. There are a lot of perks in being apart of honors college, and it affords you a lot more opportunities than you would normally have. Its overall a great program, and if your ambitious and determined I think you should definitely go for it. Oh�yea and there are plenty of people from MD at HU so don�t worry about that�you�ll be right at home. Hope I could be of some help, and I that either way you choose, you find the school that fits you best =]

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