As a historically black school in Washington D.C., the
University of the District of Columbia is among the most inclusive and most liberal schools in the US. While many would agree that it's less prestigious compared to Howard University, which is also in the same city, there's no doubt that this school enjoys and deserves its own fair share of prominence. Its accessibility, especially for less fortunate students, gives it an undeniable edge. There are few schools in the city and beyond that provide high-quality education at fairly affordable tuition fees.
Source: University of the District of Columbia Facebook Page
History of The University of the District of Columbia
While many regard 1851 as the University of the District of Columbia's official founding date, it technically didn't become a university until 1977. What did start in 1851, however, was the Normal School for Colored Girls. Historic American educator Myrtilla Miner established the normal school on December 2, 1851, in
Washington D.C. as a way to combat racism at the time. Other schools that eventually made up UDC included D.C. Teachers College, Federal City College, and Washington Technical Institute. These were all finally consolidated as one university on August 1, 1977. Lisle C. Carter served as its first president.
What Does The University of the District of Columbia Look Like?
Today, the University of the District of Columbia is located along Connecticut Avenue in the northwestern quadrant of the American capital. It's a major thoroughfare that spans across various
central neighborhoods of Washington D.C. and ends by at President's Park, which is also where the White House is located. Its campus is part of what makes it stand out against the other top schools in the city. While other Washington D.C. universities have retained their old-world buildings, UDC is decidedly modern. Most, if not all of its school buildings are contemporary and state-of-the-art. They house all the necessary and high-quality school facilities.
Source: University of the District of Columbia Facebook Page
The University of the District of Columbia Student Body
From what started as a small school of only six students, the University of the District of Columbia now has a fairly big student body. The school welcomes over 5,000 students per year, composed of both new enrollees and those returning who have yet to graduate. To break it down even further, more than 4,000 of them are undergraduates while about 1,000 of them are postgraduates. As a historically black college, African-American students dominate the school. 55.3% of them, to be exact. The rest include 20.9% Hispanic students, 6.65% White students, 2.88% Multiracial students, and 2.12% Asian students.
The University of the District of Columbia's Best Programs and Courses
What is the University of the District of Columbia best known for, academically? A variety of fields. While its Business and Management courses have the biggest number of students (and oftentimes, graduates), the school is fairly known for Computer Science, Politics & Government, and Biological Sciences too. Its diverse alumni list stands testament to this. Many of those who graduated from here have gone on to be prominent figures in business, finance, politics, and more. Nevertheless, the university, especially when taking into account its origins, was never formed to specialize in one field. It was, has always been, and remains a school for all students.
Source: University of the District of Columbia Facebook Page
The University of the District of Columbia's Prerequisites
With a 63% acceptance rate, it's not too difficult to get into the University of the District of Columbia. But this doesn't mean it's easy peasy too. The school still sets prerequisites that applicants need to qualify for the school. Apart from the usual high school diploma for undergraduates and Bachelor's degree for postgraduates, applicants are expected to have high grades too. They specifically need to have earned a GPA of at least 2.5 to be considered. In terms of standardized test scores, the school expects a minimum score of 890 on the SAT or 16 on the ACT.
How Much Does It Cost to Study at The University of the District of Columbia?
Arguably the best thing about the University of the District of Columbia is how affordable it is. Its undergraduate tuition fees, for example, range from a minimum of $4,318.00 to a maximum of $8,590.00 per semester. Its postgraduate tuition fees, on the other hand, costs about $5,047.00 per semester. While these aren't exactly low prices, they're still far from how much the other top schools in Washington D.C. cost. On top of all that, the school imposes other fees too. They include the $35.00 activity fee, $105.00 recreation fee, $75.00 technology fee, $140.00 student center fee, and a $50.00 application fee. There's even an additional $50.00 for aid in applying for a
US visa for international applicants.
Source: University of the District of Columbia Facebook Page
Where is The University of the District of Columbia in Washington D.C.?
As already mentioned, the University of the District of Columbia is located along Connecticut Avenue in the northwestern quadrant of the American capital. The major thoroughfare is famous since it leads to the White House, but the area near the school is among the more underrated parts of the city. Overall, it's a great place as it maintains a nice balance between an urban district and a residential neighborhood. On one side, there are great restaurants, cool bars, and other awesome hotspots, and on the other, there are some of the best
luxury homes in Washington D.C. for rent.
The University of the District of Columbia's Famous Graduates
The University of the District of Columbia boasts a diverse alumni list with prominent figures in various industries. There's Earl Jones, for example, who is a famous NBA player. Serbian Internet pioneer and economist Branislav Andjelić also graduated from here. As did poet and literary critic Aldon Lynn Nielsen, professional football player Abdul Thompson Conteh, and Nadine Winter, the first Black woman elected to the Council of the District of Columbia. This varied list of graduates is further proof of how any student can excel in this university, regardless of their chosen field.
Source: University of the District of Columbia Facebook Page
University of the District of Columbia truly deserves its place among the most prestigious schools in Washington D.C., especially since it's a prominent historically black school. With its high-quality education at fairly affordable tuition fees, it's an accessible academic institution worth checking out.
