How to know a college is safe for POC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is your kid an immigrant from Africa, or a 1st gen born to you, an African immigrant? by chance.

Not sure what this would change, but no. We’re a black American family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People here are being purposely obtuse. OP, it is a valid concern that your son may not fit in, and he’s clearly bright and should be challenged by peers at his academic level. Follow the suggestions for colleges like Duke and vandy who attract black students and don’t force your child to go to an hbcu if they don’t want to.

Also find black parent forums. This one less than a year ago wanted people like yours systematically rejected from higher Ed and their nasty attitudes come out every time a black parent asks a question.

We're not being purposely obtuse. We're saying that her son is "safe" at a white-majority school to begin with but if she insists on believing otherwise, she'll decisions to make. Because yes, a smart kid with a 1580 who wants to attend a SLAC should attend a SLAC - but he'll have to compromise on the percentage of black students.

[Anonymous]

As said before, not sure why it needs to be mentioned again, but there are so many in betweens. There’s so many colleges that have more than 20 black students per class that are also very elite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is your kid an immigrant from Africa, or a 1st gen born to you, an African immigrant? by chance.

Not sure what this would change, but no. We’re a black American family.

Because so many of my African immigrant friends and coworkers perceive danger in situations and environments that native-born Black people don't seem to. Or at least my Black friends and coworkers. Just one example: living in the District of Columbia (vs., variously, Potomac, North Bethesda and Clarksville). Other examples include going out to eat in Silver Spring and parking in a MoCo gov't parking lot. Going out to hear live music in Shaw. Working at a hospital in PG County vs. MoCo.

All of these examples are so unsafe in the opinion of my African immigrant friends that they literally will not do these things.

So that's why I wondered if OP has a similar background, because thinking a that a basic American environment is un"safe" is something my African friends talk about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids apply and go to colleges they wish to attend. There are multiple efforts to reach out to various communities to entice them to apply and attend. Nevertheless, as your son illustrates, people generally want to be with people who look and act like themselves.

Has your son considered HBCUs? If that's his primary focus, there might be a good fit there. Otherwise, he may need to expand his search and look at data to decide whether there is enough of a critical mass of people like him to make him wish to attend. You only mention one school--I'm quite sure there are others with data more to your liking.

I wish him the best in his search.

No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor. Hbcus are great, but it’s annoying that it’s assumed black students will just walk to one.

You want more black people for him but then put HBCU’s down because he is too good for them academically.

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that.

There’s more than a handful of talented black students. The assumption that all the black talent is at HBCUs is just lazy, blatant racism.

"No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor."

Um, who are you calling racist, exactly? OP wants a college where her child won't stick out racially, but won't consider Ft. Valley State with its 92% black student body because her 1580 child is too good for it. Sounds like she's the one with preconceived notions.

…Because he is a pretty good student. I’m confused on what’s being argued. It’s just factual that the average 1500 student isn’t an academic match at Ft Valley state.

Or really, any HBCU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is your kid an immigrant from Africa, or a 1st gen born to you, an African immigrant? by chance.

Not sure what this would change, but no. We’re a black American family.

Because so many of my African immigrant friends and coworkers perceive danger in situations and environments that native-born Black people don't seem to. Or at least my Black friends and coworkers. Just one example: living in the District of Columbia (vs., variously, Potomac, North Bethesda and Clarksville). Other examples include going out to eat in Silver Spring and parking in a MoCo gov't parking lot. Going out to hear live music in Shaw. Working at a hospital in PG County vs. MoCo.

All of these examples are so unsafe in the opinion of my African immigrant friends that they literally will not do these things.

So that's why I wondered if OP has a similar background, because thinking a that a basic American environment is un"safe" is something my African friends talk about.

Friendo, that's because Black Africans are afraid of Black Americans, not afraid of wipipo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids apply and go to colleges they wish to attend. There are multiple efforts to reach out to various communities to entice them to apply and attend. Nevertheless, as your son illustrates, people generally want to be with people who look and act like themselves.

Has your son considered HBCUs? If that's his primary focus, there might be a good fit there. Otherwise, he may need to expand his search and look at data to decide whether there is enough of a critical mass of people like him to make him wish to attend. You only mention one school--I'm quite sure there are others with data more to your liking.

I wish him the best in his search.

No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor. Hbcus are great, but it’s annoying that it’s assumed black students will just walk to one.

You want more black people for him but then put HBCU’s down because he is too good for them academically.

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that.

There’s more than a handful of talented black students. The assumption that all the black talent is at HBCUs is just lazy, blatant racism.

"No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor."

Um, who are you calling racist, exactly? OP wants a college where her child won't stick out racially, but won't consider Ft. Valley State with its 92% black student body because her 1580 child is too good for it. Sounds like she's the one with preconceived notions.

…Because he is a pretty good student. I’m confused on what’s being argued. It’s just factual that the average 1500 student isn’t an academic match at Ft Valley state.

Or really, any HBCU.

Well, again, what does OP want? An academic match or tons of black students (who graduate)?

https://www.diverseeducation.com/opinion/article/15093198/30-best-us-non-hbcu-schools-for-minorities

[Anonymous]

Since a minute number of Black SAT takers score 1580 or above (fewer than 100), your child should have the pick of any SLAC. Definitely don't settle for a highly ranked one where your child would not feel comfortable. My advice would be to visit the schools you are interested in, have your child hang around the student union, the dining halls, etc. If they are outgoing they can interact and see how the vibe is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids apply and go to colleges they wish to attend. There are multiple efforts to reach out to various communities to entice them to apply and attend. Nevertheless, as your son illustrates, people generally want to be with people who look and act like themselves.

Has your son considered HBCUs? If that's his primary focus, there might be a good fit there. Otherwise, he may need to expand his search and look at data to decide whether there is enough of a critical mass of people like him to make him wish to attend. You only mention one school--I'm quite sure there are others with data more to your liking.

I wish him the best in his search.

No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor. Hbcus are great, but it’s annoying that it’s assumed black students will just walk to one.

You want more black people for him but then put HBCU’s down because he is too good for them academically.

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that.

There’s more than a handful of talented black students. The assumption that all the black talent is at HBCUs is just lazy, blatant racism.

"No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor."

Um, who are you calling racist, exactly? OP wants a college where her child won't stick out racially, but won't consider Ft. Valley State with its 92% black student body because her 1580 child is too good for it. Sounds like she's the one with preconceived notions.

…Because he is a pretty good student. I’m confused on what’s being argued. It’s just factual that the average 1500 student isn’t an academic match at Ft Valley state.

Or really, any HBCU.

Well, again, what does OP want? An academic match or tons of black students (who graduate)?

https://www.diverseeducation.com/opinion/article/15093198/30-best-us-non-hbcu-schools-for-minorities

No one said tons of black students. The fact that more than 22 is being spun to be an egregious sum is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is interested in a top LAC, but, after checking the CDS, there were only 22 black students in a class of 436 accepted this most recent cycle- 1/3 of past cycles.

DS currently goes to a boarding school that isn’t racist, but he also wouldn’t call tolerant. He was really hoping to be able to go to a college of his choice but also find community, so this has been very disappointing. Should we throw in the towel?

It's an interesting question. In fairness though, most straight white non-athlete males aren't finding their community in SLACs these days either. Nor are most Asian-Americans. Or Latinos. It's not just smart young black folks.

Post Supreme Court decision, my very subjective and non-scientific feel is that really bright black students are valuing the south and south-midwest a lot more - Duke, Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins, Emory, WashU, Georgetown. As well as HYP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is interested in a top LAC, but, after checking the CDS, there were only 22 black students in a class of 436 accepted this most recent cycle- 1/3 of past cycles.

DS currently goes to a boarding school that isn’t racist, but he also wouldn’t call tolerant. He was really hoping to be able to go to a college of his choice but also find community, so this has been very disappointing. Should we throw in the towel?

It's an interesting question. In fairness though, most straight white non-athlete males aren't finding their community in SLACs these days either. Nor are most Asian-Americans. Or Latinos. It's not just smart young black folks.

Post Supreme Court decision, my very subjective and non-scientific feel is that really bright black students are valuing the south and south-midwest a lot more - Duke, Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins, Emory, WashU, Georgetown. As well as HYP.

MIT and Northwestern are where the top 2 blacks kids at our school went last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids apply and go to colleges they wish to attend. There are multiple efforts to reach out to various communities to entice them to apply and attend. Nevertheless, as your son illustrates, people generally want to be with people who look and act like themselves.

Has your son considered HBCUs? If that's his primary focus, there might be a good fit there. Otherwise, he may need to expand his search and look at data to decide whether there is enough of a critical mass of people like him to make him wish to attend. You only mention one school--I'm quite sure there are others with data more to your liking.

I wish him the best in his search.

No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor. Hbcus are great, but it’s annoying that it’s assumed black students will just walk to one.

You want more black people for him but then put HBCU’s down because he is too good for them academically.

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that.

There’s more than a handful of talented black students. The assumption that all the black talent is at HBCUs is just lazy, blatant racism.

"No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor."

Um, who are you calling racist, exactly? OP wants a college where her child won't stick out racially, but won't consider Ft. Valley State with its 92% black student body because her 1580 child is too good for it. Sounds like she's the one with preconceived notions.

…Because he is a pretty good student. I’m confused on what’s being argued. It’s just factual that the average 1500 student isn’t an academic match at Ft Valley state.

Or really, any HBCU.

Well, again, what does OP want? An academic match or tons of black students (who graduate)?

https://www.diverseeducation.com/opinion/article/15093198/30-best-us-non-hbcu-schools-for-minorities

No one said tons of black students. The fact that more than 22 is being spun to be an egregious sum is ridiculous.

This data is a few years old, but only 10.4% of bachelors degrees awarded in 2021-22 were awarded to black students so the vast majority of schools don;t have huge black populations as they are underrepresented in college compared to the total population. Even a big southern public like UGA is 7.6% black.


https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1243063.page#28913879

[Anonymous]

Sorry posted the wrong link.

https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=72

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids apply and go to colleges they wish to attend. There are multiple efforts to reach out to various communities to entice them to apply and attend. Nevertheless, as your son illustrates, people generally want to be with people who look and act like themselves.

Has your son considered HBCUs? If that's his primary focus, there might be a good fit there. Otherwise, he may need to expand his search and look at data to decide whether there is enough of a critical mass of people like him to make him wish to attend. You only mention one school--I'm quite sure there are others with data more to your liking.

I wish him the best in his search.

No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor. Hbcus are great, but it’s annoying that it’s assumed black students will just walk to one.

You want more black people for him but then put HBCU’s down because he is too good for them academically.

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that.

There’s more than a handful of talented black students. The assumption that all the black talent is at HBCUs is just lazy, blatant racism.

"No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor."

Um, who are you calling racist, exactly? OP wants a college where her child won't stick out racially, but won't consider Ft. Valley State with its 92% black student body because her 1580 child is too good for it. Sounds like she's the one with preconceived notions.

…Because he is a pretty good student. I’m confused on what’s being argued. It’s just factual that the average 1500 student isn’t an academic match at Ft Valley state.

Or really, any HBCU.

Well, again, what does OP want? An academic match or tons of black students (who graduate)?

https://www.diverseeducation.com/opinion/article/15093198/30-best-us-non-hbcu-schools-for-minorities

No one said tons of black students. The fact that more than 22 is being spun to be an egregious sum is ridiculous.

This data is a few years old, but only 10.4% of bachelors degrees awarded in 2021-22 were awarded to black students so the vast majority of schools don;t have huge black populations as they are underrepresented in college compared to the total population. Even a big southern public like UGA is 7.6% black.


https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1243063.page#28913879

10% of 430 is about 43 per class. That would be nearly double the current students represented at Pomona and only 2/3 of its population prior to AA. That will shift your experience. Currently Pomona is sitting at a 5% black student population. That’s pretty abysmal across all top colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids apply and go to colleges they wish to attend. There are multiple efforts to reach out to various communities to entice them to apply and attend. Nevertheless, as your son illustrates, people generally want to be with people who look and act like themselves.

Has your son considered HBCUs? If that's his primary focus, there might be a good fit there. Otherwise, he may need to expand his search and look at data to decide whether there is enough of a critical mass of people like him to make him wish to attend. You only mention one school--I'm quite sure there are others with data more to your liking.

I wish him the best in his search.

No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor. Hbcus are great, but it’s annoying that it’s assumed black students will just walk to one.

You want more black people for him but then put HBCU’s down because he is too good for them academically.

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that.

There’s more than a handful of talented black students. The assumption that all the black talent is at HBCUs is just lazy, blatant racism.

"No he hasn’t considered hbcus, because he is a top student. He has a 1580 and great course rigor."

Um, who are you calling racist, exactly? OP wants a college where her child won't stick out racially, but won't consider Ft. Valley State with its 92% black student body because her 1580 child is too good for it. Sounds like she's the one with preconceived notions.

…Because he is a pretty good student. I’m confused on what’s being argued. It’s just factual that the average 1500 student isn’t an academic match at Ft Valley state.

Or really, any HBCU.

Well, again, what does OP want? An academic match or tons of black students (who graduate)?

https://www.diverseeducation.com/opinion/article/15093198/30-best-us-non-hbcu-schools-for-minorities

No one said tons of black students. The fact that more than 22 is being spun to be an egregious sum is ridiculous.

This data is a few years old, but only 10.4% of bachelors degrees awarded in 2021-22 were awarded to black students so the vast majority of schools don;t have huge black populations as they are underrepresented in college compared to the total population. Even a big southern public like UGA is 7.6% black.


https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1243063.page#28913879

Is 7% at Uga not massive? People, why are we talking like most universities are the size of Pomona-a medium high school size. There’s a big difference being a minority with 100s of you around versus 10s.