This spring break I had the pleasure of going on a Historically Black College and University(HBCU)Tour. I visited multiple colleges to determine where my home away from home would be. While on tour, I realized many Black people don’t have the chance to visit many HBCUs, so why not share my thoughts and opinions? Try to keep in mind that these ratings of colleges are coming from someone who wants to major in political science with a pre-law concentration. 

Northfolk State University-5/10

There wasn’t very much that stood out about Northfolk. The campus itself is very large and wide with various greenery, which is why I felt very lonesome there. I think it’s so wide that you don’t have the chance to connect with people outside of your major. However, I think that you do build tight-knit relationships with those in your major. 

Howard University-6/10

Honestly, I thought Howard would be my favorite but I wasn’t wowed. This school is supposed to be the Ivy League of HBCUs, and I felt that. The campus is very big with lots of buildings, however it’s not very updated. The best part about Howard is its location—Washington D.C. This city is so fun as there’s always something happening and everything you could imagine is nearby.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University-6/10

NCAT is a very technical and agricultural-heavy school, so I didn’t like it as much as the engineering majors. The school has various partnerships, including one with Chevy where they create their version of Tesla. In addition, they just spent 90 million dollars to create a new Engineering building. One thing I like about this school is the connections you can build. The school does a good job of setting you up for success in the real world. That being said, if you are not one of these majors, I would suggest taking a look at their website and making sure they have your major, as they lack in other departments such as the arts in social sciences. 

Hampton University-7/10

I think the best way to describe Hampton is a legacy school. The majority of the students there come from previous generations of Hampton graduates. The campus is small however they are increasing in popularity which has caused an increase in freshmen students. Hampton is very much the opposite of NCCU where the party scene is very mellow. If you are looking for a place that will focus on your studies the majority of the time and a tranquil place, then I think Hampton is the perfect college for you. 

North Carolina Central University-9/10

This was hands down my favorite campus we visited; I loved the atmosphere there. It’s a rather small campus, which is why I felt that everyone knew each other and it created a family-like feel. NCCU is in the middle of making updates to their facilities which is something to keep in mind. They also are big partiers. In the tour, they highlighted that studies will always come first. One thing that you should take note of, is that Greek life is notably heavy there. It wasn’t uncommon to see someone in some type of gear that represents the Divine Nine, so if that’s not your jam go see for yourself.