Hey all! I'm researching VCU and I've seen it described as a PWI. Can someone confirm if it is a Predominantly White Institution, or is it considered an HBCU? Thanks for the help!
VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) is not an HBCU (Historically Black College and University). It is considered a PWI (Predominantly White Institution), as its student population is mainly composed of individuals from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, with white students making up a large percentage of the population.
Although VCU does have a diverse campus, the designation of HBCU specifically refers to schools established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to serve the African American community. VCU doesn't fit this classification as it was founded in 1968, through the merger of the Medical College of Virginia and the Richmond Professional Institute.
I hope this information helps you with your college search!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.