Breanna Thomas , Fisk University- c/o 2017, History
Name : Breanna Thomas
HBCU : Fisk University
Graduation Year : 2017
Major : History
Email : breannalkthomas@hotmail.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I was born in Philadelphia, PA and I was raised in Wake Forest, North Carolina, fifteen minutes outside of Raleigh.
I first learned about HBCUs in the ninth grade, but I didn’t truly understand the concept of HBCUs until Spring Break of my Sophomore Year when I visited one–Tuskegee University–and understood the role that they played in history and in the success of African-Americans.
[Were your guidance counselors knowledgeable about HBCUs? If not, where did you get all of your information from about the HBCUs you were thinking of attending?]
My guidance counselors were very knowledgeable; they gave me as much information as they could and always supported me. I found it advantageous, however, to research all of my colleges and HBCUs on College Board.
Breanna and Family posing at her high school graduation. Next stop Fisk University! | Image Credit: Breanna Thomas
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I attended predominately white schools almost all of my life. At times, I was the only black student in my honors programs, the only black student in a few honors societies and clubs, and, at times, I felt “too white” for my black classmates and “too black” for my white classmates. I wanted to attend an HBCU to be amongst like-minded, black intellectuals.
Receiving scholarships from Fisk (Fisk’s financial aid is the bomb.com, by the way) prompted me to attend Fisk’s Scholar’s Weekend.
I met incredible people there: excellent faculty, kind, insightful current students, and intelligent, friendly prospective students. I sat in on classes and thoroughly enjoyed the lectures and discussions in them.
But what made me choose Fisk was the fact that it had exactly what I needed: an affordable education with a close-knit, friendly community and a great desire for academic excellence and service leadership.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
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Breanna Thomas, the perfect balance of supreme intelligence, a heart of gold, and beauty! | Image Credit: Breanna Thomas
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
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Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
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What sports and/or extra curricular activities did you do in High School? And why?
I was President and Founder of my school’s Interact club, Community Service Chair of my school’s student government; I was in student government throughout high school as a representative, and I was Corresponding Secretary for an inter-scholastic program called “The HBWTF Student Ambassador Program”, a Senator and a Reporter in NC Youth Legislature, and an alumni of the Wake Forest Youth Leadership program.
I also attended many leadership conferences, including University of NC Chapel Hill’s competitive Catalyst Conference, where I was one of 90 selected from a pool of 350 North Carolina students.
There, I learned about social justice and discussed contemporary issues. I was a People to People Internat’l Student Ambassador. I attended the Nat’l Student Leadership Conference: Law & Advocacy I: The Trial conference in Washington, D.C. as well.
What is your major? and Why did you choose it?
I’m a history major, concentrating on American history with a minor in business. History was always my favorite subject because it’s interesting and challenging.
I admire how my history teachers seemed to always know everything! History majors think, read, write, and analyze complex texts and information, so being a history major will help me on the road to law school. With a minor in business, I’ll have some business saavy under my belt to aid me in successfully running a law firm.
What advice would you give high school students filling out college applications for the first time?
I advise that high school students write their essays carefully. The best essays are honest and mundane. Mine was about drawing a picture. I put in my thoughts and my character, and it won me admission to Spelman, Howard University, and other colleges with scholarships!
[When did you send your application to the HBCU of your choice?]
I sent my application to my choice HBCUs in December.
If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?
Pick a major that you’re truly curious about, not one that will land you a high-paying job. Take AP courses and tests to gain college credit. Examine the financial aid of the college. Plan.
What courses are you taking in high school in preparation for college? (Honours, AP, IB, electives, etc.)
[How would you describe your high school experience and environment?]
My high school experience and environment shaped my character drastically. High school challenged me on all fronts, socially, mentally, physically, and emotionally. And it has made me bigger, better, faster, and stronger!
[What was your GPA? ACT, SAT, etc. scores?]
I graduated with a weighted 3.5 GPA. I scored 560 on SAT Writing, 550 on SAT Critical Reading, and 500 on SAT Math.
Comments
Fisk University
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Students: 700+
- Athletics: Fisk University is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I level, primarily competing in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). Men's sports include basketball, cross country, tennis and track & field; women's sports include basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
- Notable Alumni: Nikki Giovanni - 1967 - poet, author, professor, scholar** Otis Boykin - 1942 - Inventor, control device for the heart pacemaker** Gregory "DJ GB" Byers - 2013 - DJ, Producer** William L. Dawson (politician) - 1909 - U.S. Congressman (1943–1970)** Charles Diggs - United States House of Representatives Michigan (1955–1980)** Rel Dowdell - 1993 - Acclaimed filmmaker** James J. Durham - 1880, 1885 - Founder of Morris College** Venida Evans - 1969 - Actress, best known for IKEA commercials** John Hope Franklin - 1935 - Historian, professor, scholar, author of landmark text From Slavery to Freedom** Esther Cooper Jackson - 1940 - Founding editor of Freedomways Journal** Leonard Jackson (actor) - 1952 - Actor, Five on the Black Hand Side; The Color Purple** Matthew Knowles - 1973 - Father and former manager of Beyoncé, founder and owner of Music World Entertainment, and adjunct professor at Texas Southern University** Hon. Hazel O'Leary - Former U.S. Secretary of Energy** Alma Powell - Wife of Gen. Colin Powell** Margaret Murray Washington - 1890 - Lady Principal of Tuskegee Institute and third wife of Booker T. Washington** Ida B. Wells - American civil rights activist and women's suffrage advocate** Frederica Wilson - 1963 - U.S. Representative for Florida's 17th congressional district**
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