Howard University Top Questions

What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

Jasmine

Take as many courses as possible in the first three years and really apply all of your energy in those years because you'll be at your sharpest, so that senior year can be a breeze. As a senior, I'm taking an overload of courses while my friends are taking the bare minimum and breezing through senior year.

Jasmine

Take as many courses as possible in the first three years and really apply all of your energy in those years because you'll be at your sharpest, so that senior year can be a breeze. As a senior, I'm taking an overload of courses while my friends are taking the bare minimum and breezing through senior year.

Tyler

The implied segregation and hate of white people and the awkwardness it causes for a mixed race individual. People at my school are too quick to blame the white man instead of just a man, and the opinions are strong. I was once in an African Studies class with a professor from Mozambique. The professor singled me out for a demonstrative question, but it did not go how he planned. He was trying to explain that charity starts at home, in relation that back in Africa people helped their cultural companions, then countrymen, then neighbors outside of that. Unfortunately American culture does not operate the same as African. Where as Africa is a diverse continent, America is but one country where we collectively try to have a similar culture from west coast to east. The professor asked me if a white man and a black man were drowning who would I save. I replied to him whoever was closest, to which he immediately responded equal distance. Again evading a direct answer I say I'll save the man struggling more, with the same speed he tells me, equal struggle. I tell him it's an unfair question and I do not want to answer. At this point he had been holding up class focusing on my unwillingness to make a decision. The rest of my class, predominately African American, verbally displeased and stating their own answers. It made me uncomfortable how quickly, confidently, and proudly they stated their answers. I am only alive because a white man from Indiana came from his state to California and fell in love with my grandmother. That man has done much for me, and his people are my people just as my grandmother's. I refused to forsake a whole group of people to pacify a class and professor and the ordeal left me feeling outside of the campus culture and student body. Over the coming months the distance grew.

Tyler

The implied segregation and hate of white people and the awkwardness it causes for a mixed race individual. People at my school are too quick to blame the white man instead of just a man, and the opinions are strong. I was once in an African Studies class with a professor from Mozambique. The professor singled me out for a demonstrative question, but it did not go how he planned. He was trying to explain that charity starts at home, in relation that back in Africa people helped their cultural companions, then countrymen, then neighbors outside of that. Unfortunately American culture does not operate the same as African. Where as Africa is a diverse continent, America is but one country where we collectively try to have a similar culture from west coast to east. The professor asked me if a white man and a black man were drowning who would I save. I replied to him whoever was closest, to which he immediately responded equal distance. Again evading a direct answer I say I'll save the man struggling more, with the same speed he tells me, equal struggle. I tell him it's an unfair question and I do not want to answer. At this point he had been holding up class focusing on my unwillingness to make a decision. The rest of my class, predominately African American, verbally displeased and stating their own answers. It made me uncomfortable how quickly, confidently, and proudly they stated their answers. I am only alive because a white man from Indiana came from his state to California and fell in love with my grandmother. That man has done much for me, and his people are my people just as my grandmother's. I refused to forsake a whole group of people to pacify a class and professor and the ordeal left me feeling outside of the campus culture and student body. Over the coming months the distance grew.

Allegra

There is a lot of alcohol use and drug use (smoking week) among the student in the campus despite the school's policy as a dry campus. As a predominantly black college/university, Howard University does not have the most diversity. This is not entirely a problem but the culture here seems to be predominantly that of an urban African-American culture. Some students here seem to be very narrow-minded, ignorant, and subconsciously intolerant towards those of a different lifestyle. I am Pentecostal/Apostolic and I feel judged for my lifestyle/way of dress.

Daniel

I felt that the school needs to improve in their organizational and communication aspect between the different staff and departments.

Kimberly

The worst thing about Howard University is: the availability of and disbursement of true financial aid for the struggling student. By "true financial aid," I am referring to grants, scholarships, and awards that do not require repayment. The cost of tuition continues to be on the rise without no clear plan of how students can defray costs with "true awards." I think the university needs to do a better job of securing this type of aid for its student population.

Bryana

The worst thing about my school is the students that attend Howard that do not respect it's historic background!

Liana

The worst thing about the school is dealing with the admistration building and financial aid. They seem to be unorganized and lack the appropriate communication skills.

BreaElaine

The Business school is focused on the more analytical side of business, meaning they are more active with the accounting and finance majors. With me being a student trying to get into marketing I don't find many internships or speakers that are in the same field. Due to this problem I often find myself not as involved in the student body at the business school, I can't find anyone who is trying to go down a career path similair to mine.

Amber

The mice and pigeons in the city

Courtney

I mostly complain about the lack of help from the Administrative Authorities at my school.

Danielle

The thing I consider the worst at my school is the financial aid department. Sometimes faxed information is not processed in a timely manner. At other times, grants are not applied to the account or they are removed without notice. Another thing that has happened is that the staff might not answer the office phones or you are taken in a complete circle before your question is answered.

Justice

The worst thing about Howard is the social aspect of the school, to achieve here will not be just based on your grades but it will be how many "processes" you went through, how many clubs or organizations you are apart of and how many you have gotten excepted into. It is easier said than done because it semms that once you get into certain organizatinos your freshman year, you have the direct pull to get in to all the other you want to get into. Thus making it hard for new people to achieve.

Jasmine

The worst thing about my school is the fact that there are an abundance of rats on the campus. It is disgusting and ruins my appetite sometimes.

Jacqueline

As a student at a school where tuition is $30,000 , I sometimes wonder where the money is going. Services at Howard can often seem mediocre for the financial investment and prestigous name the university carries. The worst thing about Howard University is that it lacks the professionalism, business tchnique, financial security and stability of many other prestigious universities within the country. The day to day struggles of this HBCU are evident in the day to day life of a Howard student in the classroom, residence life, student union, and last but not least the admistrative and counseling services.

Tatyana

There is not a lot of finacnial support available to suffeciently support the students that attend. A number of people have had to leave because they couldn't afford it, which always comes as a huge disapointmnet.

Kaia

The administration at Howard can be very unhelpful when it come to anything. When you need to get something accomplished you have to be patient yet assertive when dealing with the administration.

Robert

The worst thing about my school is the neglect towards students when it comes to finding ways to pay for college. The financial aid office is ran by individuals that do not care if students get purged because they cannot find ways to pay for college. We are the future alumni that are going to graduate and go out in to the world representing this college and we have no financial backup to help us along the way.

Jasmine

I feel like the worst thing about my school is the administration. Often times people have problems with thier finanical aid, housing assignments, registering for classes, credit transfers, just about everything that has to deal with administrative business are huge problems at Howard.

Shanique

Administration! Howard U's admin staff doesn't appear to be on the same page at all times. That is, everyone disseminates different information etc. Although there are many staffers who are willing to help, they are more often than not, unavailable and will have you running around on a wild goose chase. Record keeping is not "solid" either; I have seen HU lose drastically mess up transcripts and mysteriously forget that they offered a student scholarship money/financial aid.

Jaide

The worst thing about my school is the financial aid. It's very hard to obtain and even retain scholarships here which tends to be very stressful on the student and their family.

jennifer

Living quarters would need to be retrofitted and upgrades to modern standards. Currently, the housing quarters I am staying in needs air-conditioning and heating during winter months. Due to the long years that the institution has been in place, it is understandable that the buildings will be old, however, it needs to be retrofitted with modern utilities and upgrades.

Breanna

The worst thing about my school is how much it costs! It is incredibly expensive to go to school here but the experience is worth it just try and get your finances squared away prior to coming here.

Emilia

The admissions office because it is never running

Destiny

The worst thing about Howard is the cafe food!

Jasmin

The worst thing about my school is that alot of funds aren't avaiable for well deserving students. Since Howard relies on Endowments and federal aid there isn't much money available to accomodate the needs of it's studets. Once the money is gone it it gone and this happens very quickly. I wish there was a way for more deserving students to get money for their education especially if they are focused, determined, and willing to do anything to pursue higher education.

Cierra

The worst thing about Howard University would be the adminstration The flow of information at howard is slow and they often have a hard time getting information out to the students. It is also hard to meet with the advisors.

Nicolette

As a whole Howard has a plethora of things to improve upon. However, the lack of a cohesive support system within the administration permits a disdain for the authorities on campus. They are completely disorganized, lack answers or make up answers creating a huge run around and lots of elongated issues that prevent the students from completely focusing on their academics.

Dana

The worst thing about Howard University is getting an appointment in the administrative building to take care of academic and financial needs.

Kayla

The lack of career planning for College of Arts and Sciences students.

Tiffany

Financial Aid and the administration are the worst things about my school. They are unorganized and untimely. There is a lot of information to be given out and most times, the information comes out wrong.

Sean

The worst thing about my school is that at times it can become too cliqued off and people are power hungry. I understand its a competitive school and it is all about who you know and not what you know, but there are many people at the university who are just nobodies trying to find their place. Not everybody wants to take the initiative to help new-comers and others feel like they belong until major situations happen.

Kiah

I do not like the registration process and the administration at Howard University. We also have horrible customer service and this should be changed immediately. This along with the slow server on BisonWeb which takes care of financial aid, transcripts, rooming assingments, and registration for classes, has caused students to transfer from Howard University. It is not conducive to a happy environment if the server bogs down everytime a students tries to register for classes or select a living assignment. It is ridiculous and should be changed soon. The shuttle system also is mediocre at Howard University.

Chanel

The worst thing about Howard University would have to be the Administration building. The staff is unorganized, rude, and never on top of their work. They always give students the run around. You are sure to have three gray hairs after walking out of this place.

Stanley

The worst thing about Howard is the cost and the Adminstrastion building. The A- building as we call it will give you hell. Make sure to always make copies of your information and make deadlines. And always follow-up even when you know everything is okay, still follw-up.

Morgan

I would have to say that Howard University needs to continue to strategically improve their administration building, which essentially is in control of the clarical work that needs to be done for both students and parents. This is a critical need because for both first-time as well as returning students the process for attending a university should be as smooth and simple as possible.

Kandice

The worst thing about my school is the organization of the administration. If I have a problem, it shouldn't be a problem to see the people I need to see to solve my problem. The people working in administration shouldn't be rude and I shouldn't have to always worry about whether or not I made enough copies of paperwork, because the administration is liable to say that they've lost it.

Andre'A

The only thing that some of the students at my school have a problem with is financial aid office. Some of the people that work in the financial aid office are not friendly all the time, but as long as you go in there with a positive attitude, they will be nice. I personal have never had problems with the financial aid office, but some of my friends have.

Nina

I feel like the worst thing about my school is the disorganization. I do feel like when you really need help or have to address an issue, the school can sometimes gives you the run around. Finacial aid could be better. They don't have enough scholarships for non atheletes.

Naomi

As much as I brag (as you will read in the nexxt question) of Howard's promise and history, much of the students committment to social change and political activism has died with the 80's. I believe that Howard has a unique history and, therefore, ability to make significant changes in the continuing fight for civil rights, equality, and community involvement. To me, then, the worst thing about Howard is that too many of its students get lost into social retreats: fashion, social clubs, and living for social success. Too many have become estranged from life's worthy issues.

Aujha

The worst thing about the school that I attend is the lack of assistance from the administration buildings. It is very hard to reach those that aork there (even the front desk). When you are finally in contact with someone they usually refuse to let you speak to the people you really need to talk to. Often times the employees at the aid building don't provide any type of relevant answers or suggestions to help whatever your situation might be.

Mattie

The administration is extremely slow

Karen

I think the worst thing about Howard University is the perception of the students in the community and the lack of interaction with the community that brought about most of the misunderstandings. While I attended Howard over 25 years ago, the community felt the students were standoffish.

Tashira

The worst thing about my school is the cost. Howard University is known as the top HBCU in the country so it comes along the prestigious amount. The situation I am in does not benefit from the cost; it is an added on burden.

Shalisha

The worst thing about Howard University is Administration issues that one may encounter upon being enrolled in the school. It is the most stressful andd frustrating thing about Howard. Sometime getting the right information is tough to obatain through the university and that is the the worst thing about my school.

Ashanti

I think the worst thing at my school would have to be the Financial Aid building. I say this because they arent many workers there so many files and documents get lost and your things aren't processed ,which holds you back from getting your academic studies straight .They can sometimes be unorganized and slow.

Jasmine

The worst thing about Howard University would, again, be its administration. As previously stated, the employees' slow and mediocre work is extremely frustrating, making Howard University's worst attribute its Administration building.

Shakeema

The worst thing about my school is the lack of finacial aid to students who would normally obtain such through merit. Scholars are appreciated here only through praise, not through monetary assistance. It's an HBCU, so we don't necessaruly have racial issues here, however there is a mjaor class distinction, that is obvious form the time one sets foot one campus. Howard would do well to treat less-financially endowed students with more respect.

De'Ashia

The worst thing about my school is that they are understaff and provide inadequate administrative services. The Administration office at my school constantly loses important documents, they don't respond to student in a timely manner, and they are downright rude.