So, I've been doing my college search and most of my list consists of PWIs (Predominantly White Institutions). I don't have anything against attending a PWI but I want some diversity in my college options, any suggestions for good school options out west that aren't predominantly white?
Absolutely! Diversity is a wonderful aspect to take into account when applying to colleges. Let's see about a few schools worth researching in the western part of the United States that are not strictly categorized as PWIs.
1. University of Hawaii at Manoa: UH Manoa is a strongly diverse institution in the gorgeous state of Hawaii, populated by a wide range of ethnic and cultural groups, with a large representation of Hawaii's native culture.
2. California State University, Los Angeles: Cal State LA serves a substantial proportion of Latinx, Asian, and Black students. As a member of the College of Ethnic Studies, it provides a variety of ethnic studies programs in its academic offerings.
3. University of California, Irvine: While classified technically as a PWI, UC Irvine is known for its large Asian American population and the representation of other marginalized groups, creating a varied student body.
4. San Francisco State University: The student body is richly diverse, with a robust College of Ethnic Studies that offers a host of multicultural programs.
5. University of New Mexico: Located in Albuquerque, UNM has a substantial proportion of Native American and Hispanic students, largely reflecting the demographics of the state.
6. University of Nevada Las Vegas: UNLV has been named one of the nation's top campuses for diversity by US News, with significant racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity.
Hopefully, these recommendations will enhance the variety in your college search. To further research your options, consider each institution's student organizations, look into academic programs and courses related to ethnic studies, and the various support services they offer for different cultural groups. Good luck!
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