Hampton University

Date: Jul 24 2004
Major: Business - Management and Administration (This Major's Salary over time)
Hampton, for me, was a great experience, although like all experiences it had its low points. The school is exactly what you make of it, no more and no less. I found the faculty to be enthusiastic and helpful - some choose not to take advantage of it, but they are missing out on a great education.

Academic quality depends strongly on the department and/ or major. I found that the Business department among others has excellent faculty, while a couple other departments are sorely lacking. There are cultural and career growth opportunities, but they are not pushed as much as I would like to see it. Once again, it is your initiative to get involved and discover what is out there.

Campus life is okay, don't expect to walk into a four-star hotel environment and you'll survive. The newer upperclassmen dorms are very comfortable, while the freshman buildings are significantly older. Many of the older dorms are in the process of being renovated, however. Since on-campus housing is limited and competitive, many students rent apartments nearby and commute. Activity-wise, depending on your tastes you will be pleasantly surprised or extremely bored. If you are from an urban area and are used to having easy transportation and parties / activities every night, you will probably find the pace too slow for you. If so, you should also consider a metro school such as Howard or Morgan. If you are more chilled out and enjoy spending a lot of time hanging out with friends, this is the place for you. It is not boring if you really get to know the people around you, and get creative with things to do. The environment also makes it a little easier to stay focused on academics. HU is a very conservative school, so expect a lot of rules and decorum on campus.

The people here are a good mix of backgrounds and styles - chances are you will run into some people who like the same things as you, whether it be partying hard or sitting around discussing politics. It is often said that Hampton students are stuck-up or snobby, which I do see to some extent but it is not as prevalent as people make it out to be. Once you find a couple close friends it's not as big of a deal. Like any school there is a social hierarchy of sorts, however don't expect to be prejudged… if you're friendly and open to meeting people, you have nothing to worry about.

As with most schools of this type, there are the downsides - the cafeteria food, registration headaches, financial aid which is hard to qualify for and receive, and so on. I think that for many people, the sacrifice is worth it. If you come here and it's not a good fit, you can always transfer elsewhere.

All in all.. I've had my share of rough times at Hampton, but well worth the ride. Great network of alumni and administrators, also. As said, exactly what you make of it.