How Minority Students Can Prepare for a Tough College

Yes, this is my tribute to African-American History Month. I am not African-American. This fact placed me in a minority in Washington, D.C., where for years odd jobs in the teaching field required me to conform and celebrate the majority ethnic experience. Like the majority of humankind, I've also been part of minorities defined by age, sex, religion, politics, personality...and I also belong to two very vocal ethnic minorities within the category of "White Americans." So, for those who think an African-American should write specifically about African-American History, that topic is still open to you, and please feel free to link your work to the comment space below. This article addresses all minorities.

My tough college experience took place at Berea College (www.berea.edu). This article also reflects input from co-workers who went to Oxford University, McGill University, Georgetown University, Yale University, and other academically challenging schools...also those who went to public colleges and universities, church-sponsored colleges, and D.C.'s own Howard University.

1. If you want to go to a college that boasts high academic standards, avoid snap courses in high school. Do take electives like art, music, wood shop, or even home economics if they fit into your long-range job plan, but choose the toughest math, science, and English courses your school offers. If you want to go to Berea College or a similar institution, German or even Latin is probably an elective to choose over Glee Club.

2. If you're already a high school senior or graduate, and your high school record shows a lot of snap courses and study periods, consider doing your first year at a community college. The tuition will be lower, the atmosphere will be friendlier, and you'll get another chance to dazzle the admissions officers at the big-name schools with your hard work.

3. Whether you are African-American or not, you can learn from the African-American authors of the twentieth century. In the early twentieth century, the mere fact that these people published books shows that they knew something about beating the odds.