What You Need to Know About Privately-Owned and Independent Colleges
What is PWI College stand for?
PWI Colleges: A mostly white institution is abbreviated as PWI. It refers to any institution of higher learning that was not categorized as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) before the year 1964.
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The bulk of the students at these educational establishments are white, but there are also members of other racial groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and members of other minority groups. Higher education institutions are considered to be “Predominantly White Institutions” if at least fifty percent of the students enrolled at those institutions are of the white race.
PWI College is an institution that centers whiteness or the white majority in its histories, policies, and activities. Therefore, by their very nature, PWIs have a tendency to marginalize the identities, views, and methods of people of color.
List of PWI Colleges (Universities)
The following is a list of 10 PWI colleges and their websites:
- Beth Medrash Govoha
- Hampton University
- Texas A & M International University
- Alabama State University
- Yeshiva University
- Southern University and A&M College
- Jackson State University
- Alcorn State University
- Alabama A&M University
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Advice for Black Students Who Are Considering Applying to Predominantly White Institutions
Locate a support group
“The most important thing is to locate a community and a support network,” said the speaker. It is difficult to locate people who come from the same background as you and have experienced the same kinds of challenges that you have. Take care of your mental health, as it is just as important as your physical health.
Even though college can be a trying and challenging experience, things can get even more problematic for students from marginalized groups. Making time for oneself even in the midst of everything else might be beneficial. You are welcome to make use of the school’s counseling or health services if you believe that you might benefit from them. -Rosa Elena Lopez.
Do not be afraid
“I carried out my duties. I had to commute an hour each way to school, work thirty hours each week, and then attend classes full-time. Following the completion of my undergraduate degree, I went on to pursue a master’s degree while also beginning full-time employment as a high school educator.
While I continue to work full-time, I am currently in the second year of my [Doctorate of Education] program. You shouldn’t be scared to step back and look at the wider picture, and you shouldn’t try to be someone you’re not. Keep in mind that you are just as capable as everyone else and that you deserve to be there. -Valeria Carillo, 28
Related: Moe Pre-University Scholarship 2022 Application Process
Practice makes self-love second nature.
My number one piece of advice is to practice radical self-love and joy. You are free to express your Latinx identity with as much volume as you see fit. You will feel elated about the myriad of ways in which you exist.
I noticed that the more I sought to foster that self-love of my Latinx identity, the more difficult it was for me to dismiss the whispers in my brain that were coming from imposter syndrome. This was especially true the more I worked to cultivate that self-love of my Latinx identity.
Anticipate that other people will comprehend what you are going through.
Self-care is absolutely necessary because microaggressions are present in almost every environment. It is essential to discover a way to relax while maintaining one’s concentration. It’s possible that you’ll be the first member of your family to go to college. On the other hand, it’s possible that your white classmates won’t be able to comprehend the struggles that you overcame to come to this point. Having access to so much white privilege can make day-to-day life challenging. “Just take a few deep breaths and keep going.” -A.J. Carmolina, 30
There are certain distinctions that may be made between HBCUs and PWIs.
Campus Life
The college experience at a PWI and that of an HBCU couldn’t be more different from one another. Only historically black colleges and universities host cultural celebrations and competitions like Soul Food, Sunday, and Battle of the Bands. One of the most notable things on the calendar of a PWI can be an event called the Mud Games or a lacrosse match.
Academic Instruction
Urban education and urban affairs are two of the specialized fields of study that can only be found at HBCUs. The PWI provides students with comparable options for elective classes.
Experience
A sense of camaraderie among students and the institution in which they have invested four formative years is something that may be found at both PWIs and HBCUs. Even though I have a great time at the college I’m now attending, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to study at a historically black college or university.