I regret not attending an HBCU for undergrad. Which HBCU should I consider for grad school?
Hey y’all, I’m looking for some genuine advice, especially from anyone who attended an HBCU for graduate school.
I’m on track to finish either 12/26 or 5/27. Overall, my college experience has been cool. I’ve been heavily involved on campus, joined my Greek organization, held several leadership positions, and made some great connections. But as I get closer to graduating, one thing I honestly regret is not attending an HBCU.
Coming out of high school, I was accepted into Prairie View A&M, UAPB, Langston, Paul Quinn, Southern, SUNO, and Xavier. I ultimately chose my current university because it was essentially free and literally down the street from my house. Financially, it was the obvious choice at 18.
My university is also less than 20 years old and still building a lot of its traditions, campus culture, student life, and overall identity. There have definitely been positives to being part of that growth, but it has also made my college experience hectic at times. Looking back, I sometimes wonder if I would have enjoyed being at a more established school with generations of traditions and a stronger campus culture.
Thankfully, these last 2 years i’ve had an active college experience through Greek life, Black student union, leadership, and other campus involvement. I don’t regret choosing my school, but I do feel like I missed out on the HBCU experience and the experience of actually going away to college. I’ve always lived at home and commuted.
My current plan is after graduation to take about a year off, and hopefully start a master’s program at an HBCU in Fall ‘28.
The biggest thing for me is that I want to actually immerse myself in the experience. I’d like to live on campus if possible, attend events, experience homecoming, football games and traditions, stay involved in Greek life, meet people, and actually feel like part of the campus community. I know being a 25 or 26 year old graduate student won’t be the same as being an 18 year old freshman, and I’m not expecting it to be. I just don’t want my HBCU experience to be going to class and going straight home like how it’s been for majority of my undergrad experience.
Right now, I’m seriously looking at Prairie View A&M, Southern, and UAPB, especially because I’ve been told they have housing options for graduate students, which is important since I would be moving away from home however, I’m definitely open to other HBCUs as well.
For those familiar with these schools, which would you recommend? I’m especially curious about campus culture, grad student life, housing, affordability basically the overall experience as a grad student.
I’m interested professionally in secondary/higher education, so I’d also love recommendations for HBCUs with good master’s programs in education, higher education, student affairs, educational leadership, or related areas.
And for anyone who went to a non HBCU for undergrad and then chose an HBCU for grad school, did you still feel like you got the HBCU experience?, Was living on campus and being involved as a grad student realistic, or am I romanticizing it a little too much?
Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated!