By Rodelin Constant and Derrick Wiggins - 11th graders at Brien McMahon High School

Our 52nd Annual College tour began at Hampton University, located in Hampton, Virginia. Hampton is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) built on a peninsula with stunning views and a calming atmosphere. We were greeted by our enthusiastic tour guides, Nia and Casey, who are both majoring in pre-law. Nia is from Patterson, New Jersey, and Casey is from Los Angeles, California.

We learned that Hampton University has a student population of about 3,000 and a female-to-male ratio of 12:1. Hampton University is a prestigious institution that draws students from all over the world. They proudly display flags representing different countries. The most popular major at Hampton is Nursing, and their special program requires students to wear scrubs on specific days of the week.

Hampton is a school primarily centered around academics and the average GPA for admitted students is 3.4. Currently, SAT score is optional, but to get better scholarships and more money for your tuition, send as many transcripts as possible. Financial aid at Hampton is pretty good, but you have to make an effort to advocate for yourself.

Class sizes are small, and if you put in the effort, you can advocate for yourself and build relationships with your teachers. Freshman students live in communal dorms, while upperclassmen and those with 60 credits or more live in apartment-style dorms. We loved the apartment-style dorms because of how grown-up they made us feel. Living in your apartment with friends and getting an education is a beautiful experience.

We also learned that Greek life (Sororities and fraternities) drives social life on campus. HBCUs are known for the Divine Nine. The Divine Nine has nine sororities and fraternities (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.) Pledging is iconic and something we want to do in the future. We learned that fraternity and sorority dues can be as high as $4,000, and you must be a sophomore higher to pledge.

The school is its own city, so social life outside of campus is nonexistent. Most students are focused on their studies and enjoy a heavily secured and gated campus. We met Mr. East, who took pride in keeping everyone safe.

Our experience at Hampton University was a beautiful one, the campus is gorgeous, and the school has many historical landmarks like the Emancipation Oak (a tree that signaled to slaves that they were free), their bench of statues, Deans Mansion, Museum, historic cemetery and distinguished alumni including Booker T. Washington. The Trustee House hosted such dignitaries as Martin Luther King and Barack Obama. The Hampton Clock is one of the longest-working clocks.

We admire their serious approach to education, and their culture is unique compared to a predominantly white institution.

Thank you, Carver and YDP, for this impactful experience.