Howard University

I was a high performing student before coming to Howard. It was a "safety" school on my list. I had always envisioned myself attending a top-20 school and was actually accepted to 3 top-20 schools. However, money played the largest role and Howard ended up offering me a full ride scholarship. As a black student that was coming from a fairly elitist, predominantly white school, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. The first thing I noticed when I got here was the surplus of beautiful women and diverse (sometimes even questionable lol) style choices. For a while I wanted to transfer because I didn't feel like I was being challenged. That is until my friend, who is currently attending a top Ivy-League school, came to visit me. From what he told me, I realized that there wasn't really that big of a difference. Howard really is what you make of it. There are those who, after graduating end up becoming blue-collar folks working for a steady but low pay. Then there are those who graduate having done internships every summer while here and make 6-figures just 5 years after leaving. If you want to come here, please make sure that you join RELEVANT clubs and do extra curricular's that are actually going to benefit you going forward in life. Don't join a dance team when you already have 10 other commitments a day TRUST ME. Leave your room every once in a while and make sure that you get to know your fellow students at the beginning of the year. Howard students have a tendency to be sort of cliquey initially (however, the older we get, the more that fades away). The women are beautiful here but don't expect to find your wife (unless you're into girls who have had lots of...never mind). Overall, I'd give it a solid 8/10. It's a great school with a great history, but at the same time, the campus doesn't look that great. For a college, especially one with the prestige that Howard has, you'd expect to be walking into buildings that are reminiscent of your small town public middle school.

1st Year Male -- Class 2018

Useful Schoolwork: A+, Campus Aesthetics: C

If you are thinking about enrolling in Howard University's nursing program please do yourself a huge favor and think twice before doing so. The majority of the staff is poorly trained to match the low quality of the program. There is little communication between the faculty and staff and everything is unorganized. Despite the high tuition payed by students there is not a/c in all of the class rooms and i personally had my classroom changed 3 times do to mold and asbestos. I cannot begin to describe all of the problems some of which include hidden fees, a lack of lab for science courses despite paying a lab fee, and the inability to transfer courses from any other school to the university.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2016

Campus Aesthetics: A, Education Quality: F

My experience at Howard has been both positive and negative. I just completed my first year here, and I've decided to move on -- for many reasons.

I think its important to visit Howard, or any other college you are interested in, and really be honest with yourself about what it is that you want from a college experience. The visit is extremely important. It should even be done more than once, if possible. The visit will allow you to see if Howard is what you want. If you have a good eye, and your intuition says yes, and you can truly picture yourself attending Howard, then Howard is for you.

The mistake I made, was that I visited Howard one time, and I was passive. I was excited about attending the "Mecca", and I convinced myself, when I visited, that even though I instantly disliked the feel I had on campus, that I would grow to appreciate what I did not like and experience would turn out great. I attended Howard with an open mind.

The things I personally dislike about Howard is that, in my opinion, the social life far outweighs the academics. As others have commented, Howard is big on networking, fun, and fashion, but the academics suffer to a certain extent. If you are a social and outgoing you will love the experience at Howard. However, it is important to balance social life with studies.

As an introverted, hard-working, confident student, I felt overwhelmed by Howard's overly social scene. I found, after being here for a year's time, that a college which somehow accommodates solitude and optional quiet time is what I not only wanted, but needed.

If you want to make tons of new friends, be apart of the social HBCU family, are ok with alot of interaction and less quiet time on campus, then by all means, Howard is great.But if you much rather appreciate a beautiful, predominantly quiet laid back campus with trees and grass and beautiful surroundings that you can indulge in when you want "you" time AND the OPTION to socialize if you feel, then I would recommend looking into other colleges. That is what I am doing at this moment.

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

Social Life: A+, Campus Maintenance: F