Marcus Palmer , Morehouse College- c/o 2017, Psychology
Name : Marcus Palmer
HBCU : Morehouse College
Graduation Year : 2017
Major : Psychology
Email : marcustroy@live.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I was born and raised in Hampton, Virginia.
Mentor & Student Support Specialist, Ms. Powell of WHS | Image Credit: Marcus Palmer
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
Having the urge to learn more about my heritage, meet my race, and make a name for my race. I want to change the stereotypes that people think about us. I wanted to be a Morehouse Man to gain integrity, excellence, and balance. I want to be that example other young black males can look up to. HBCU’s are the type of schools that promote diversity and equality they want the best out of there students. They want us to be Corporate heads and Entrepreneurs in this world. Failure isn’t an option for them.
[How did you first learn about HBCUs? Were your guidance counselors helpful or hurtful?]
Being an African-American male of course HBCU’s were stressed by my family, church, and friends.
Churches thrive on sending their young congregation to an HBCU and your relatives that attend an HBCU want you to follow their footsteps. I had the best counselors anything and everything that I wanted to know they had an answer to.
My counselor would pull me out of class just to make sure that my college application process was going smoothly. They gave out SAT books, website references and more. If all counselors were like them a lot more blacks would be attending an HBCU or PWI.
[Who gave you the most insight regarding the HBCUs you were considering?]
My mentor Ms. Powell every time I was confused on where to go she would give me in depth advice on what the school had and what challenges I would face going there. She really was a huge help to my decision making my entire Senior year.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
Morehouse College. As I stated in my last comment to learn more to what it is to be a successful black man in America. I feel Morehouse will challenge me to reach my full potential to climb the ladder to success. The school is beautiful. People are chill, the atmosphere here just says welcome home. (See the acceptance letter)
Morehouse Graduate Marcus Palmer | Image Credit: Marcus Palmer
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
N/A
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
N/A
What sports and/or extra curricular activities did you do in High School? And why?
High School was my second home;
I did everything in the school. From being Freshmen and Sophomore Class President, to singing in chorus. Participating in school plays and the school musicals. Singing the Star-Spangeled Banner at Varsity basketball games. Being apart of groups like, YADAPP, Project Inclusion, iMagnify, Principals Advisory Group, Student to Student, and Service Learning.
I was a National Honor Society member, Tri-M music Society member, apart of the homecoming committee my Freshmen and Sophomore years, and was a participant in the Every 15 Minutes program. Over 2,200 kids attended my arts and communications high school and every day was something different.
The different fashion senses, attitudes, hair styles, talents, and involvement. Homecoming was interactive, as the halls were decorated with a certain theme for a certain class, and the pep rally was held in the gym all 2,200 of us screaming at the top of our lungs.
Our morning TV show got us hype and ready for the day to begin and of course there’s always that one fight everyone will find out about. I enjoyed high school to the fullest. So many changes happen during this time, puberty, maturity, socialism and so much more.
[What was your GPA? ACT, SAT, etc. scores?]
My GPA was 3.77
My ACT score was a composite 19
My SAT: Math -370 Reading- 450 Writing- 510
[When did you send your application to the HBCU of your choice?]
I sent all of my HBCU applications out around December.
What is your major? and Why did you choose it?
Psychology, I love the human mind. I want to study why we do the things we do. Why a child screams in stores, why we choose to drink and smoke. I want to see what transmitters contribute to our daily actions. The brain is one of the most powerful tools in the body. I want to dig deep and find out people’s problems, and be able to help them resolve their issues a little more easier.
What advice would you give high school students filling out college applications for the first time?
Study, Take your time on test and essays, GET INVOLVED!!! Pray and trust God he is number one and will get you through any trial or tribulation. Talk to your counselors everyday, manage your time and money well and be organized. Being unorganized gets you nowhere.
What advice would you give to other high school students thinking about their future?
Take your time and ask for advice. Everything can’t be done alone, you didn’t get to fill out the college app process alone. Focus on your essay topics and get the right people for recommendations. Also apply apply apply for scholarships!!!
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