Every year, high school seniors stress over applying to college. Black students in particular, have a hard time choosing between a PWI (Predominately White Institution) and an HBCU (Historically Black College/University).

Many black students who choose a PWI over an HBCU are sometimes criticized by their family, peers, or just about any black person that attended an HBCU. When I tell people,I'm going to UNCG, the first question always asked is "What? you didn't want to go to HBCU?" followed by a dirty look as if I'd betrayed my own race. HBCU's are great schools filled with black culture that I will never experience at UNCG or any other PWI. Personally, I felt that at an HBCU I would not be able to focus because of that same culture. HBCUs are stereotypically looked at as party schools, although that may not be true , HBCUs such as North Carolina A&T claim to have the greatest homecoming on earth (GHOE). Every year GHOE attracts college students, high school students, even parents from all over. Popular rap artist, and gospel artist attend GHOE every year. While this is only one event, at one school , many HBCUs, have big events like this all the time.

I also felt that going to a PWI would force me to challenge myself. Many HBCUs have lower admission requirements than PWIs, and because of this, some high achieving students feel they're lowering themselves by attending a school with such low requirements. I found that many students felt that if there was an HBCU that provided the same challenging curriculum and environment such as Chapel Hill, but also had the "black experience" more students would attend HBCUs. However if you're "too white" for the black kids, and "too black" for the white kids, then you find yourself in a tough spot like myself. My entire life I've attended schools where I was one of the few black students in the class, I have many white and black friends. If I had a dollar for every time I've been told that I "act white" my tuition would be paid for.

I believe HBCU's are wonderful schools and many influential black leaders have graduated from HBCU's. The sole purpose of HBCU"S was to further the improvement and to educate black students when black students weren't able to attend PWI's. The fact that those universities still exist is amazing. HBCUs are great for people who want to learn more about their history and,explore their black identity or even find it.

Attending an HBCU is a preference and not a requirement,but I will never forget where I came from.

I chose UNCG because it had the diversity I was looking for. So although I may not get the full "black experience" I will still be able to experience an environment full of different races, religions, origins and cultures. Although I attend a PWI that does not make me any less "black" than a student at an HBCU, nor does it make me any better. At the end of the day, education is education no matter where you receive it . So yes, I am a black student, and I chose not to attend an HBCU. Remember pro-black does not mean anti-white.