Posted by Gregory M Johnson Morehouse College
on April 14, 2005 at 21:46:15:
In Reply to: HBCU (howard) VS. non-HBCU (UC Davis) posted by Gregory M Johnson on March 15, 2005 at 14:02:19:
I am from Northern California (San Francisco Oakland) I graduated from a HBCU (Morehouse College).I have visited both UC Davis Many times and Howard University Many times. I really suggest if possible giving a visit too DC and Howard Unv. Socially and culturally the two schools are as different as it gets, not just from the stand point of the student body, but the areas and cities they are located. UC Davis is rural, in the country, dominated by Whites, Asians, and a few, I mean real few Latinos/Blacks folks. Howard is deep in the Urban City, a Chocolate City. A bustling, full of life Black Mecca! If you grew up in Northern California in San Francisco or one of the other metro cities (not Oakland), I really suggest giving DC a Shot. For me getting out of Northern California, (and I love Northern California), was a true fresh of breath air. I can guarantee that at Howard there are experiences that await you, that you will not experience anywhere else, (well maybe down here in Atlanta). There are People and Events that black people who grew up in Northern California just don�t get to see and be a part. I don�t just mean the parties (which are off the chain! and the women! but I digress) There are Historical and Cultural experiences, that is all black, that�s been going on for a hundred years. You�ll get to learn and meet Black people who have not only made history, but others who currently making History. These meetings may be official, but a lot of time it will be unofficial, just running into them around town. I have run into and got to speak with so many civil right leaders, black artists, politician, movers and shakers, and that�s just at the gym working out! Now it will be rare and far in between that you will get to pick the brains of black people, at UC Davis, who was there on the front lines of our current civil freedoms, not just read about them in a book. I will also point out the special life long alumni friendships you will make while at Howard. (Informally with members of other HBCU�s as well)
I have chosen to focus on the cultural aspect. 1) Because I think as far as your overall growth as an undergraduate, you will benefit from it greatly 2) I think we tend to overlook and undervalue our living history and culture (and DC, like Atlanta is pack with both!).UC Davis definitely has better facilities than Howard, (and cost a whole lot more!!). They don�t however have better Professors, or more caring professors. I�ve met many people From Howard U, from all professional disciplines, including doctors. They are both capable and respected in there fields. More importantly the have a good consciousness of black accomplishments and how they have benefited from the path others have lain.
It�s up to you do you just what to be a doctor or a Black Doctor. One is generic, the other really means something! Get you base solid first. You can always go to UC Davis for medical school. Unless you come too Morehouse School of Medicine