Howard University

Students: Howard is filled with some of the most beautiful people I've ever seen. As a result many here are into their looks. There is a lot of competition between the girls and between the guys to look the best, which (from what I've heard) leads to little arguments between some people. I wouldn't characterize this materialism any worse than a high school in a well to do area (based on the fact that many of the students come from areas like that). Fashion and confidence are things that are important to the average "Bison", you can see many people making their own clothes, shopping a lot...etc.

When talking to many of the people here you come to realize how this school is an intelligence mecca. Everyone is here for a reason, don't think that someone is smarter or dumber than the other (or you!) I have met people here who seem like they don't like school, yet they are very talented in certain arenas (i have a friend who i barely see study always skips class yet he writes beautifully, he has published plays that have been performed in major cities...everyone here is sooo goal/career oriented).

The majority of the students on campus seem to be a little closed-minded. We cannot forget where most students have come from...protestant suburban areas, rough inner city ghettos, seemingly archaic rural areas, and other more culturally conservative nations. this leads to both an attitude of disgust for other lifestyles and celebration of other societies (sorry, can't really articulate it well)...in other words some students can be really conservative/religous (this is the majority) and look down on those who do not share their values and others can be open-minded and a little more liberal, wanting others to "accept" there lifestyles.

Campus: (safety) We are in the middle of the ghetto (LeDroit Park), which explains for a lot of the events and procedures that occur on campus. In years past LeDroit was a MUCH worse neighborhood than it is now (an alumni told me that "crack-heads were just apart of the atmosphere [on campus]"). However much of washington is going under gentrification and lets just say Chocolate City is melting away. Our neighborhood is (to me) is like an urban area, you have to watch your back at night. If you are smart (for the lack of a better term) you might get robbed...if you here stories of this happening people were probably CUTTING THROUGH THE PROJECTS, WALKING ALONE AT NIGHT, TALKING ON THE CELLPHONE WHILE WALKING AROUND/NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS, AND NOT USING THEIR RESOURCES LIKE THE FREE CAMPUS ESCORTS/CAMPUS SHUTTLES ETC.

Campus (facilitis) The campus is nice on the outside (nicer than i expected) somewhat park like in the middle of the city, however the inside of the facilities are ridiculous. there is barely security, the rooms are dirty and never maintained, paint is peeling off the walls, old, old heaters. the desks are old and falling apart (not built in which IS a fire hazard). if this is important to you i would advise you to look at other schools as this can get very frustrating...the school claims that there is no money to fix up the classrooms. if you do decide to go here you will come at a time when they are fixing up and building new buildings...they just put in a multi-million dollar library which is astonding, they are retrofitting the historic building (libraries, classrooms and dorms) and the are also building new dorms (about three new dorm halls).

Faculty: the professors here are a sorted bunch. you have those that are very-very approachable and inspirational, and you have those who are pretty strict and difficult to get along with i.e. arrogant (i haven't had any of them yet but i have heard a nightmare or two). As long as you make a good impression, always stay involved in class discussions, and maintain a positive attitude about the subject matter you will not have any trouble.

The Faculty: this school is pretty bad with organization. They lost my MEDICAL FORMS and almost forced me to pay for shots that i didn't need. I have about four other issues with the faculty including: switched meal plans, unprocessed transcripts etc. Howard could do a lot better with changing the faculty and making sure that things run the way that they should. Be aware of some of the attitudes from the staff members as they are over worked underpaid and don't really care about customer service. After being here for a while the faculty has seemed to ease up they smile more and seem more relaxed (i guess they are really busy at the beginning of the year, processing the students transcripts and such).

There are a lot of positive aspects to the experience you'll have with the faculty/admin. many alumni told me that it really prepared them for their career and life; having to deal with pushy DMV workers, unorganized business offices, rude clients, etc...one alumni i spoke with said that it helped him get more organized, more patient etc....i'm not trying to make excuses for my school unproffessionalism, just giving you a warning, if you are a little bit dependent (on others) this may really help you or really hurt you...you decide.

1st Year Male -- Class 2008

Faculty Accessibility: A-, University Resource Use/ spending: F

Just like every other University, there is always something to complain about, housing,administration,social life ,academics..always..so yes Howard does have some complaints and issues that DRIVE ME UP THE DAMN WALL & makes me consider transferring..so let me break it down..

cons
Administration - lawwddd JESUS, these people will lose your paperwork and THENNNN find the nerve somewhere to give youuu attitude bout it. They think they are being 'professional',but they are completely oblivious & cannot wait till 'break time', which they will take an hour on lunch. Clearly most of the admnistration are just the people who spent too much time at howard and decided to work at Howard, or just extras from other schools.. so YOU MUST have patience with them.. DORMS - our dorms do have some issues,some may not be the prettiest and most comfy but seriously everyone can quit complaining cause all you gotta do is make your room comfy & you'll be iight, besides the sometimes water being cold, heat broken or a.c broken, it just makes it the HOward experience.. ACADEMICS - okay its annoying when there arent enough chairs for students, when the teachers dont show up for a whole first week of school, when there isnt enough supplies.. HOWEVER,, we have some awesomeee teachers, who are not only professors but actual authors,lawyers,doctors,journalist, & are very passionate about demanding THE BEST from the students. HOWARD IS NOT AN EASY SCHOOL TO RIDE BY. you will earn your grade & will compete against intelligent black students..

SOCIAL LIFE IS BOMBBBBB!! there is something going on every night on campus, so many orgs to participate in , def. many DIFFERENT FRIENDS TO MAKE ( just cause everybody is black ,trust and believe not every black person is the same ) ..but yess at howard you will find your BESTFRIENDS,Your SORORS OR FRAT, youR HUBBY/WIFE, & Def. yourself.

HOWARD DEF. CAN BE IMPROVED >>HOWEVER it gives way for the students to improve it ONLY if they are bold enough..

consider coming here.. i give Howard a B+:)

3rd Year Female -- Class 2011

Collaboration/Competitive: A+, Campus Maintenance: D+