Howard University
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Howard University
2400 6th St NW, Washinton, DC 20059
Howard University is a private university in DC, founded in 1867, and offers Bachelor’s degrees for undergraduates and Master’s and Doctoral degrees for graduate students. The undergraduate enrollment is 7,857, and the graduate enrollment is 3,002. Howard University is a moderately selective school, receiving 24,325 applications and accepting 31.60% of applicants. Howard University’s athletics teams compete at the intramural and varsity levels. Additionally, Howard University employs 881 full-time instructional staff (92% of whom hold doctorate degrees) and has a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Empowerly Score®
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University Score
- School Performance
- Extracurriculars
- Standardized Tests
- Essays
Empowerly Score®
At Empowerly, we prioritize data to customize our approach to student counseling. College admissions is becoming more selective by the year, so it’s never been more important than now to prepare in advance and give yourself the best chance for success.
Take the Empowerly QuizESSAYS
Applicants applying to Howard University will apply through the Common Application. Applicants will be required to write one personal statement based on a set of prompts within the application and will also be required to answer an additional supplementary essay question(s).
Deadlines For Submitting Applications
Early Action Application Deadline
November 1st
Early Decision Application Deadline
November 1st
Regular Application Deadline
February 15th
ATTENDANCE FACTORS
- Academic GPA - Very Important
- Class Rank - Very Important
- Standardized Test Score - Very Important
- Character/Personal Qualities - Important
- Application Essay - Considered
Average Acceptance Rate
31.60%
Empowerly Acceptance Rate
50.00%
STUDENT LIFE
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Student Life
Howard University is in Washington, D.C., the capital city and only federal district of the United States. In the heart of the District of Columbia, the school’s 257-acre campus is popularly known as “The Mecca” and mixes several historic landmarks, such as the Founders Library, with newer structures, such as the planned $785 million STEM complex. First-year students will quickly discover that Howard is the place where different cultures and people can intermingle and learn, establishing a one-of-a-kind, close-knit community that’s all its own. Student life at Howard University is strongly focused on black scholars thriving in all facets of campus life, from academics to athletics to extracurricular activities, and supports their passions and efforts in making positive change in the university and beyond.
Housing
- Guaranteed housing for Freshmen
- Freshmen and Sophomores are required to live on campus
Howard University has eight residence halls, including four specially designated for first-year students. All first-year students are required to live on campus to ensure they establish their educational development through the lifelong learning experiences and connections they make immediately upon arriving. Howard University takes pride in designing its residence halls with the underlying hope that living as a group only strengthens the larger campus community by supporting the diversity of students and contributing to their academic achievement. Additionally, Howard University’s residence halls are fully equipped to meet the needs of first-year students with 24/7 controlled entry, front desk service, and laundry facilities, among other amenities.
Life as a Student
Although life as a Howard University student is largely spent in the classroom thanks to a highly competitive university-wide core curriculum which includes English composition and Afro-American studies, first-year students will appreciate the advantage of the 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, meaning 46.6% of its classes have less than 20 students. Additionally, life at Howard University is about more than earning a degree; rather it emphasizes accumulating significant experiences that help students grow into who they want to become through academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. As a result, outside the classroom, Howard students can join one of over 200 student organizations and special interest groups, including The Hilltop, the university’s student newspaper, which was founded in 1924. Additionally, Howard University keeps many long-standing traditions alive, like The Bison Ball and Excellence Awards and Resfest for first-year students, helping to support their connection to the university and their academic and extracurricular spirit.
TOP MAJORS
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Biology
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Political Science
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Public Relations
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Communication
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Health & Physical Education
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Finance
SERVICES
Health and Safety
- 24-hour security trained security on campus
- Late night ride/safe escort service available
- Student security patrol
- Security lighting
Student Services
- Health Center
- Psychological Counseling
- Women's Center
- Legal Advice
Athletics
Varsity
Varsity
Basketball
Football
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Cross-Country Running
Bowling
Basketball
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Cross-Country Running
Intramural
Intramural
Basketball
Golf
Soccer
Water Polo
Basketball
Golf
Soccer
Volleyball
Water Polo
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
At Howard University, 98% of first year students earn scholarships averaging at roughly $20,000 per person. Students also routinely receive federal grants and loans, with 46% of first year students receiving aid averaging $5,000 per student.
*All costs below are estimates and may differ based on your circumstances.
- Tuition - $28,450
- Fees - $466
- Housing (On-Campus) -$9,300
- Meal Plan (On-Campus) - $5,378
- Books & Supplies - $1,360
- Loan Fees - $100
- Personal Expenses - $2,160
- Transportation - $1,000
- Total Estimated Cost of Attendance (On-Campus) - $48,114
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP / AFFILIATES
HISTORY
Howard University (sometimes called Howard or simply HU) was founded in 1867 shortly after the end of the American Civil War, in Washington, D.C. as a special obligation to provide advanced studies for Black students. Named after the head of the post-Civil War Freedmen’s Bureau, General Oliver Otis Howard helped to convince Congress to help finance the university. As a result, the United States government-funded Howard while maintaining its status as a private institution. Within 2 years, the school comprised colleges of liberal arts and medicine and within its first five years of operation, Howard University educated more than 150,000 freed slaves.
Although Howard University is historically a Black university, it wouldn’t be until 1926 that Dr. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson, Sr. served as its first African-American president. Additionally, the campus would face many challenges during the Great Depression when its budget was significantly cut during the Franklin D. Roosevelt presidency, despite Eleanor Roosevelt’s appeals. While the university has kept an open-door policy for students of any race, color, or creed, the student housing remained segregated until the 1930s. Howard University was influential in the Civil Rights Movement starting in 1942, including instituting “stool-sitting” techniques to protest places that denied service to African Americans. In fact, by 1943, Howard University students regularly organized sit-ins and picketing throughout Washington, D.C. wherever anyone was refused service because of their skin color.
Today, Howard University is ranked #83 in National Universities by U.S. News Best Colleges. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,857 and with its 39% acceptance rate, Howard is considered more selective than average. As one of the nation’s leading research universities, Howard prepares its students to advance social justice and preserve human liberty by helping them receive a well-rounded education based on academic excellence, student involvement, and healthy competition. Its intercollegiate athletic team, the Howard Bison, competes in 19 varsity sports including basketball, football, bowling, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, both indoor and outdoor track, and volleyball. Howard University counts over 70 Fulbright Scholars, and two Pulitzer Prize winners, among its alumni. Distinguished alumni include actress Phylicia Rashad, United States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and 49th Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris.