Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It's a scandal but people are loathe to talk about it because of race. The loan default rates at Morehouse rival rates at private for-profit schools that folks want shut down.
It's a scandal but people are loathe to talk about it because of race. The loan default rates at Morehouse rival rates at private for-profit schools that folks want shut down.
Black colleges are less popular now and have different demographics since college became integrated. Before let's say roughly the 80s, black colleges would pull from black students of all income levels. As the middle class and up blacks moved to mixed neiggborhoods, the more likely they were to go to primarily white institutions. As a result black colleges ended up attracting mostly poorer students and 1st gen college students. Who default at higher rates.
Other schools with similar demographics have the same challenge.
Black colleges are less popular now and have different demographics since college became integrated. Before let's say roughly the 80s, black colleges would pull from black students of all income levels. As the middle class and up blacks moved to mixed neiggborhoods, the more likely they were to go to primarily white institutions. As a result black colleges ended up attracting mostly poorer students and 1st gen college students. Who default at higher rates.
Other schools with similar demographics have the same challenge.
This is true of many HBCUs today.
I agree that Morehouse is not what it used to be but I do feel that it can be if they adopt similar strategies to Spelman in regards to increasing the requirements for admission. Morehouse is a storied institution and was considered a "Black Ivy." And FWIW, I do think it was still popular in the 1990s as well due to the show "A Different World." I knew predominantly middle income and above students at Morehouse when I first went to college in the late 1990s. All of them were from well off families, a few were from low income families but they were on full ride scholarships due to their high school academic success.
Last edited by residinghere2007; 04-08-2016 at 09:45 AM..
I agree that Morehouse is not what it used to be but I do feel that it can be if they adopt similar strategies to Spelman in regards to increasing the requirements for admission. Morehouse is a storied institution and was considered a "Black Ivy." And FWIW, I do think it was still popular in the 1990s as well due to the show "A Different World." I knew predominantly middle income and above students at Morehouse when I first went to college in the late 1990s. All of them were from well off families, a few were from low income families but they were on full ride scholarships due to their high school academic success.
The president at Howard around this time was big in SAT scores. Fifteen years later though the avg SAT scores at Howard are 150 points lower.
The president at Howard around this time was big in SAT scores. Fifteen years later though the avg SAT scores at Howard are 150 points lower.
I don't really even consider SAT/ACT scores to be all that effective. Spelman has a much higher average GPA of its admitted students, which is higher than that of Morehouse and practically all other HBCUs, which is why they are consistently rated as the best HBCU in the country IMO.
When I initially applied at Spelman they had a minimum GPA requirement of only 2.5 (this was in the mid 1990s). Today it's average GPA of admission is over 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Morehouse is only a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Morehouse also has much lower ACT/SAT average scores for its admitted freshman.
That said those who have high academic grades and who are looking to be recruited by big named companies IMO do well to go to Morehouse. All HBCUs lost a lot of funding due to initiatives passed during the Obama administration and many were already in financial straits prior to that. I think Morehouse lets in those with lesser grades/scores due to needing young men to fill the seats and pay tuition, however, I also feel that in general it is a good institution for average black male students as well due to the level of mentorship and support provided in the HBCU environment. But I think it is too expensive for the average student and that even though I loved the HBCU environment myself, today, I would not pay what it cost to go there out of pocket.
FWIW though, I would not send my own son to Morehouse in its current state unless he was a top student and got a full ride. I would however, send my daughter to Spelman no question.
I have a relative who went to Howard in the late 90s and we speak often of the HBCU experience and she also feels that Howard has lowered its standards of late due to financial issues, similar to Morehouse but that top students, like at Morehouse will still fare well at HU.
I don't really even consider SAT/ACT scores to be all that effective. Spelman has a much higher average GPA of its admitted students, which is higher than that of Morehouse and practically all other HBCUs, which is why they are consistently rated as the best HBCU in the country IMO.
When I initially applied at Spelman they had a minimum GPA requirement of only 2.5 (this was in the mid 1990s). Today it's average GPA of admission is over 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Morehouse is only a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Morehouse also has much lower ACT/SAT average scores for its admitted freshman.
That said those who have high academic grades and who are looking to be recruited by big named companies IMO do well to go to Morehouse. All HBCUs lost a lot of funding due to initiatives passed during the Obama administration and many were already in financial straits prior to that. I think Morehouse lets in those with lesser grades/scores due to needing young men to fill the seats and pay tuition, however, I also feel that in general it is a good institution for average black male students as well due to the level of mentorship and support provided in the HBCU environment. But I think it is too expensive for the average student and that even though I loved the HBCU environment myself, today, I would not pay what it cost to go there out of pocket.
FWIW though, I would not send my own son to Morehouse in its current state unless he was a top student and got a full ride. I would however, send my daughter to Spelman no question.
I have a relative who went to Howard in the late 90s and we speak often of the HBCU experience and she also feels that Howard has lowered its standards of late due to financial issues, similar to Morehouse but that top students, like at Morehouse will still fare well at HU.
All of this can be said and is said, btw, of women's colleges...so the issues are real and are not unique to black people.
I know one thing....a hell of a lot of HBCU's need to get their houses in order. Too many of them have failed to adapt to new realities. I will remain a staunch defender of them however....for now.
All of this can be said and is said, btw, of women's colleges...so the issues are real and are not unique to black people.
I agree. This is common with many community colleges as well and smaller colleges in general.
I am a proud HBCU grad and think that they are still vital and necessary and I am very supportive of my alma mater and UNCF. I received a UNCF scholarship when I was an undergrad and am still very thankful for that gift.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
