The hair that just won't lay right!!!

When I was choosing a graduate school, I was torn between a predominately black graduate school or a predominately white school. I just did not know what to do. Some people learn well around people of the same ethnicity or around people of the same gender, and others learn better in a more diverse environment. Having attended NC State
University, Howard University and the University of Maryland at College Park, my undergraduate experience was a combination of many different environments. At NC State-my classes were predominately white, at Howard- my classes were predominately black, and at U of MD at College Park- my classes were very diverse. I learned more and felt more relaxed at U of MD. I really enjoyed the diversity of the students in my classes and the student-centered administration. However, when it came down to choosing a graduate school, I had to choose between a black school or a predominately white school that is striving for diversity (but not there yet). When I think of a diverse school, I don't just think of the students, I also look at the school staff (janitorial included), administration and the instructors. They also have a huge input of the diversity of a school. Being an African- American, I was torn between being faithful and going to a black school or by trying to make a difference and also a change by going to a predominately white school.
From all of the advice that I sought, the answer that stuck was to go where you feel most comfortable. Did I feel more comfortable in an environment where I blended in or in one that I was going to be "that hair that just doesn't lay right". I finally decided to chose American University over Tuskegee University because I wanted to make a change and a difference. I have a feeling that if every ethnicity would make a choice that is different from their own at one stage of their stage of educational career, then we can create a totally new hair style. One hair out of place, followed by two hairs out of place and etc and walaaaaa- a new and different hair style.

-- Tracy Bryant