For students, fall of senior year means creating a list – the list – of schools to which applications will be sent in hopes of many happy returns.   There are some who make the list more consistently than others, Ivy leaguers, big state schools.  Some students’ lists have a catalog of small, private liberal arts colleges, and others read as rosters of the brightest in undergrad business.  The lists are not just compromised of heavy hitters; an entire class of less commonly mentioned colleges is drawing in a steady stream of desirable applicants: minority schools.

These colleges actively choose a population comprised of at least one third of students belonging to a specific ethnic or racial minority group.  Minority universities aim to mainstream students who may be marginalized elsewhere.  These schools are organized with a focus on the categories of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU).  In the eyes of some they are evidence of a commonly accepted behavioral norm – minorities in America choosing to spend time primarily with people of the same race or ethnicity.

Some believe minority colleges contribute to an ongoing marginalization of minority students in higher education, creating pull for non-white students to decide against integrating into a majority Caucasian school.  Active, willful segregation of students based on race is still by definition segregation, even though it has received the stamp of approval from its minority community.  In a certain light, the minority college harkens back to a time where separate but equal was the only way, not a chosen way.

When interviewed, a Howard student stated that although she was aware of the potential downsides, she felt positive and confident in her college selection.  Howard is one of the most prominent and well-known historically black universities in the United States.  She cited tradition, her parents were alums, as well as a sense of belonging as being among her reasons for attending Howard. She expressed no major qualms about the education she has received there.  For her, racial lines define the community she wants to be a part of.

While the significance of racial and ethnic solidarity among minority groups should not be overlooked, diversity is an important goal to strive for in American colleges.  A valuable element of higher education is interaction between students with a variety of backgrounds and upbringings. Students potentially sacrifice this facet of the college experience by choosing to attend a minority school; they narrow, but do not necessarily close, their window of exposure to people from entirely different cultures. The choice to attend a nearly all-white college poses the same major problem. An equivalent issue may be seen among religiously affiliated schools.  Even if it does guarantee some form of solidarity among matriculates, limiting who may enroll means concurrently limiting the depth and breadth of the student body.  It could easily be argued that a student has the most to gain from crossing racial or religious lines and choosing to attend a school with a more mixed community.

Dear Second Term Seniors,

Congratulations! You are a second term senior. College applications are over and you have nothing to do. Now what?

We have been receiving emails  from many overachieving high school seniors asking us what they should be doing with their new freedom. We decided to put together a list of some ways you can prepare for your transition into college.

1) Take Calculus.
If you are taking AP Calculus I would strongly advise that you focus your efforts on that class. Even if you plan on being a humanities major, many colleges require students to take at least a semester or quarter of math. I’ve found that many students have trouble adapting to how math is taught in college. If you don’t have a strong math background you will be at a disadvantage.

2) Read the news.
Know what is going on in the world. Make sure you know what is going on in our economy and are up to date with issues such as global warming. You don’t have to become an expert. Just know enough to make conversation about it.

3) Look for scholarships.
You would be surprise to find out that most high school seniors don’t even apply for a single scholarship. You can ask your guidance counselor for more information or go to fastweb.com

4) Volunteer.
It is an extremely rewarding experience to be able to give back to your community or your school. Find a cause that you are passionate about and do what you can do to help it.

5) Thank your teachers.
Stop by one of your old teachers room just to say, “Hi.” Thank them for all they have helped you with. Tell them about what you have been doing. Let them know where you applied and what you want to do. A little conversation can go a long way.

6. KEEP UP YOUR GRADES!
You may think second term senior year don’t grades count, but they do. If you get waitlisted, you will probably give them an update of how you have been performing academically. In addition, if you want to transfer these grades are going to matter. Remember that your acceptance is conditional which means colleges have the right to rescind your admissions. This is not to say go paranoid if you receive a B. The unwritten rule among many top universities is don’t fall below a B. Once you drop below that your case can be reviewed.

These next few months will be memorable. Make sure you enjoy your time with your high school friends because some of them you will never see again. Enjoy prom and all that crazy stuff seniors do. However, use your best judgment. Don’t get arrested and don’t do anything that questions your ethics. Something like a criminal offense can quickly leave you without a college.

Enjoy senior year– it only happens once.