You’d have to be living under a rock to not know that hate crimes against minorities have risen in the United States as a result of Trump’s election. Graffiti swastikas are appearing on mosques and synagogues, children are being bullied and harassed and bigots have been emboldened. There is no truly safe place in America for minorities right now. And that is terrifying beyond words.
For many, high school is already a unique kind of hell. The prospect of going away to a college or university that matches your ideals and academic ability can be an escape from the humdrum of grades K-12. But how can minorities feel that way when crimes are being committed on campuses nationwide? How do you begin to find a place where you’ll be safe and receive a proper education? What if you’re already in college, but want to transfer or are seeking to continue your education past your undergraduate years? How do you choose a school that best suits those interests as well?
There is no school that is 100% safe, but some are better than others.
Here are some tips on how to find suitable schools in the age of Trump, regardless of whether you’re in high school or college:
- Make sure the school you’re looking at is a sanctuary school. Sanctuary schools have vowed to protect undocumented students from deportation.
- Look-up statements schools made in the wake of Trump’s election. Many schools disavowed Trump and vowed to fight his efforts, sanctuary or not. But many also failed to do so. Be wary of the schools that have refused to condemn Trump’s bigotry.
- Remember--the school you attend will have access to your address, legal name (and potentially chosen name), tax information, SSN, and more. This information comes from the FAFSA, CSS Profile and your college application. If Trump demand that information be given up, some schools will turn your information over in the blink of an eye. This brings me back to points 1 and 2. Some schools will remain resilient, and this will give you time to consider your options in the case of an emergency. Others won’t.
- Consider distance. This is already a factor when looking at schools in general, but think about who you want to be with in case of a genuine emergency. Some people do not have families to come home to, or families who love them. But if you do, consider schools nearby as well as in neighboring states. It’ll be easier to return home by train or car than on a plane. Be cautious when applying abroad as well. In light of the recent Muslim ban, you may be barred from reentering the United States whether you’re a citizen or not.
- Research crimes that have occurred on or near campus since the Fall 2016 semester, as well as post-election. Some schools have dealt well with hate crimes. Others have let them slide. Some have been sloppy in their handling of justice. Make sure your school is vigilant in stopping these crimes.
- Look at a school’s history. Have they violated Title IX? Have they turned over undocumented students? And so on. If so, have they learned from their mishaps or continued to make them?
- Affordability. This, like #4, is an aspect of college-related research that is typical. The difference is that college prices and loans tend to go up during a recession. Historically, a recession has occurred every time that the GOP has dominated government. Look into schools that offer 100% of demonstrated financial aid. If you’re a low-income student, look into schools that will not require you to take loans upon admission.
- Consider a community college as a starting place. Community colleges are often diverse, have low workloads, low costs, and offer transfer programs into some of the top schools in your area.
- Remember that no school is worth sacrificing your safety for. It’s easy to be disillusioned by the allure of a school. Don’t let the fantasy outshine the reality.
- Be sure to do this research on top of general research. There are thousands of schools in the U.S. It’s impossible that all of them aren’t suitable for you.
