Navigating Howard University: A Comprehensive Guide to Transportation, Housing, Academics, and Student Life
Howard University, like any vibrant academic institution in a bustling urban environment, presents its students, faculty, and staff with a unique set of logistical considerations. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of transportation options, housing insights, academic strategies, and student life resources available at Howard University. From navigating the campus and the city to excelling in your studies and finding your community, this information is designed to enhance your Howard experience.
Getting Around: Transportation at Howard University
Navigating Howard University and the surrounding Washington, D.C. area requires understanding the available transportation options. The University's Office of Parking & Transportation Services (OPTS) offers various services, including shuttle services and information on alternative travel methods.
Shuttle Services
OPTS provides fixed shuttle routes with stops strategically located near parking lots, residence halls, West Campus, Metro stations, and other key University locations. These shuttle services operate according to specific schedules that start on the first official day of classes. It's important to note that all shuttle times represent pull-off times.
Shuttle Routes:
- Clover at The Parks Route: Connects Clover apartments with Georgia and Howard Place.
- Mazza GrandMarc Route: Services the Howard Administration Building.
- North Campus Route: Includes stops at Shaw Metro/Wonder Bread Building, the Hospital, Campus Store, Stokes Library, 4th & Bryant, School of Medicine, Towers, 6th & Howard Place, Admin. Building, 6th & Fairmont, Drew Hall, 4th & College, and 4th & Bryant.
- South Campus Route: Connects U Street Metro (13th St. and 10th St.), 1851 9th St., HR Building, Towers, 6th & Howard, Admin. Building, 6th & Fairmont, East Towers, and 13th & Florida.
- West Campus Route: Services the Admin. Building, East Towers, 14th & Columbia Rd., West Campus, 14th & Harvard St., and Towers.
- Weekend Campus Route: Includes stops at Shaw Metro, Hospital, Towers, 6th & Howard Pl, Admin, 6th & Fairmont, Drew Hall, 4th and College Ave, 4th & Bryant, Campus Store, and Stokes Library.
- 801 N. Capitol St. NW Route: Services 6th & Howard, Admin Building, 6th & Fairmont, 801 N. Capitol, 4th & Bryant, and the Campus Store.
- The Lanes Apartment Route: Connects Clover apartments with Georgia and Howard Place.
- Summer Route: Operates during the summer months, typically from May to August.
Important Shuttle Information:
- Live Shuttle Tracking: Utilize the TransLoc app (available for Apple and Android users) for real-time vehicle tracking and estimated arrival times.
- ADA On-Demand Pick-Up: If a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is needed, call Tag B at (202) 961-1023 (Morning: 7 AM-2 PM) or (202) 961-0941 (Evening: 2 PM-1 AM).
- Shuttle Bus Policies:
- A valid University ID card is required for all patrons; visitor passes are available at OPTS.
- Boarding and disembarking are permitted only at authorized shuttle stops.
- Eating, drinking, and playing audio/video devices are prohibited on shuttle buses.
- Visitors are allowed to use the service when conducting business within the Howard Community.
- Shuttle Frequency: Shuttle buses typically arrive every 20-30 minutes, except for the West Campus shuttle, which arrives approximately every 45 minutes.
- Potential Delays: Shuttle schedules may be affected by heavy traffic or accidents. Contact OPTS at 202.806.2000 for updates.
- Feedback: Customers can provide feedback and request information on the Parking & Transportation webpage.
Public Transportation
Washington, D.C. offers an extensive public transportation system, including the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro.
- Metro: Many Howard University College of Medicine students rely on the Metro for commuting.
- Monthly Unlimited Pass: Students can purchase a Monthly Unlimited Pass for unlimited rides on Metrorail and Metrobus, with prices ranging from $72 to $216 depending on distance.
- U-Pass Program: WMATA offers the U-Pass Program, providing unlimited rides at a discounted rate for full-time students. Participation depends on the institution.
- SmarTrip Card: A SmarTrip card (physical or mobile) is required to ride the Metro or bus.
Other Transportation Options
- goDCgo: Provides complimentary transit resources and consulting services to D.C. organizations and commuters, aiming to decrease traffic congestion and improve air quality.
- Commuter Connections: Offers services and programs to assist employers and commuters with making smart commuting choices, such as ride matching, transit, bicycling, and teleworking.
- Capital Bikeshare: An affordable way to get around.
Parking Information
For students bringing a car to Howard, several parking options are available:
Read also: Tuition and Fees at Howard
- Student Permit Parking:
- Banneker South Lot: Located at 2345 Sherman Ave NW, this is a popular option among students due to its proximity to the College of Medicine. Cost is $680/year (Fall + Spring).
- Drew Lot: Located at 511 Harvard St NW, slightly farther but still walkable. Cost is $680/year.
- Howard Center Lot: Located at 2235 8th St NW, available for daily or monthly parking. Costs $10/day or $200/month (credit card only).
- Daily & Visitor Parking:
- Howard University Hospital Lot: Located at 2041 Georgia Ave NW, closest to the hospital and ideal for clinical rotations. Costs $7/day.
- North End Shaw Parking Garage: Located at 2112 8th St NW, approximately a 5-minute walk to campus. Costs $6/day.
- Lallo Park: Located at 2031 8th St NW, a short walk to the College of Medicine. Costs $20/day.
- Progression Place Garage: Located at 633 T St NW, about a 10-minute walk to campus. Costs $16/day.
- DCUSA Garage: Located at 3155 Hiatt Pl NW, approximately a 15-minute walk and an economical option. Costs $3/day.
Residential Parking Tips:
- Street Parking: If living in a residential area without a garage, be aware of street cleaning schedules and restrictions, which vary by block and time of day.
- Street Cleaning: Scheduled weekly; parking is prohibited during these times. Check local signs for specific days and hours.
- Residential Parking Permits (RPP): If you have a Reciprocity Permit and live on a zoned street, you may be eligible for an RPP for an additional fee.
Reciprocity Parking Permit:
Full-time students in D.C. may qualify for a Reciprocity Parking Permit, allowing them to keep their out-of-state plates while legally parking in D.C.
- Requirements:
- Full-time enrollment at a D.C. school (must provide a registrar’s letter).
- Valid out-of-state driver's license and registration in your name.
- Proof of insurance (matching your registration).
- Proof of D.C. address (e.g., lease, utility bill).
- Permit Info:
- Initial Fee: ~$338
- Valid for: 1 year
- Renewable annually in person or online
- DC DMV Locations:
- Benning Ridge DMV
- Georgetown DMV
- Avoid: Rhode Island Ave & Southwest Service Centers (longer waits, less student-friendly)
- Temporary Reciprocity Permit: A Temporary Reciprocity Permit (valid for 6 months) can be obtained while gathering the necessary documentation.
Housing Options
Choosing where to live can significantly impact your M1 experience. Here are housing options mentioned by current students:
- Slowe/Carver Apartments (Ledroit Park)
- The Burton (NoMa)
- Reverb
- The Highline (Hyattsville)
- Plaza Towers (Hyattsville)
- Vie Towers (Hyattsville)
- Cloisters Apartments (NE DC)
- Atlantic Plumbing
- Private house rentals (various neighborhoods)
- Sherman Avenue
- Mount Pleasant
- Navy Yard
- Takoma Park / Hyattsville
- Near U Street
- Living at home with family
Key Insights from Students:
- Slowe, The Burton, and Reverb were commonly mentioned.
- Hyattsville and Ledroit Park were frequently cited for affordability and access to campus.
- Most students lived in NE DC, Hyattsville, or areas along Metro-accessible lines.
Student Advice:
- "It’s worth spending more to get a place you actually like - you’ll be happier."
- "Know your priorities: safety, price, commute, or size."
- "Start looking in April or May to lock in better rates."
- "Consider if you’ll need parking, Metro access, or a gym nearby."
- "If living with family is an option, that can save you a lot."
Students emphasized balancing price, distance, and mental well-being.
Academic Strategies and Grading System
Navigating the academic environment at Howard University College of Medicine requires effective study habits and an understanding of the grading system.
Grading System
Howard Med uses a Pass/Fail/Honors grading system during pre-clinical years (M1-M2):
Read also: Discover the scholarship at Howard University's History Department
- Honors: 85% and above
- Pass: 70-84%
- Fail: Below 70%
During clinical clerkships (M3-M4), students are evaluated on a four-tier scale: Honors, High Pass, Pass, Fail.
Student Perspectives:
- "It’s fair and gives you flexibility."
- "You can aim high, but there’s also space to just pass and recharge."
- "It’s low pressure compared to a traditional letter-grade system."
Study Tips
- "Learn how you study best - don’t just copy others."
- "Make time to review the same material over a few days."
- "Be flexible."
- "The MC blocks were manageable."
Student advice: Focus on passing first and learning how to study effectively in med school. If you get Honors, that’s great - but it’s not the end goal.
Research and Leadership Opportunities
Howard University offers numerous opportunities for students to engage in research and leadership activities.
Research
- "Ms. Med school is a different kind of academic challenge - and first year is a learning curve."
- "Howard offers so much outside the classroom - research, leadership, extracurriculars."
- "Reaching out to professors with overlapping interests."
- "Through the VPs of Research and Dr."
- "Summer research through Stanford or Harvard."
- "Mount Sinai."
- "There’s a sheet with a bunch - ask upperclassmen."
- "Reach out to Dr. Stubbs early."
- "Start looking during first semester if you want a summer position."
Student Perspectives:
- "Very easy if you’re active about it."
- "Put yourself out there early - that’s when most stuff gets filled."
Leadership
- "Leadership is easy to find. Projects depend more on what you want to do."
- "If you care, it shows - people will bring you in."
Key Takeaway: Leadership opportunities are abundant and accessible - especially if you express interest early in M1.
Essential Items and Resources
Knowing what to bring and what resources are available can ease your transition into Howard University.
Read also: Explore Howard County Community College
Essential Items
- Stethoscope: A must-have item.
- Manual blood pressure cuff: Optional but helpful.
- Laptop: A reliable laptop with a working camera is essential for quizzes, exams, and virtual sessions.
- iPad: Totally optional, but lots of students use one for annotating slides, drawing pathways, or using apps like Notability or GoodNotes.
Items Not Necessary (Initially):
- Reflex hammer - usually provided
- Tuning fork - rarely needed
- Penlight - handy but can wait
- Snellen eye chart - not necessary
- Otoscope/ophthalmoscope - unnecessary for now
- Pulse oximeter - unnecessary
- Sphygmomanometer case - optional
- Extra ID clips - may be useful later
- EKG calipers - not used during M1
Resources
- Shared Student Resource Drive: Access to PDFs of all the main textbooks, Sketchy, Pathoma, and more.
- Commuter Benefit Program: Howard University offers its full-time and part-time employees the option to participate in the Commuter Benefit program, allowing them to set aside pre-tax money for approved commuter expenses through WMATA.
Key to Success and Well-being
- "Budget carefully - even small expenses add up fast."
- "Use your refund wisely."
- "The sense of purpose - I’m here for a reason."
- "The people. My classmates have become lifelong friends."
Life at HUCM is more than classes - it's community, balance, and finding your people.
Final Advice
- "Be flexible, but trust what works! It’s so easy to crumble under resource overload and compare your studying to what everyone else is doing - but you know how you learn best."
- "Med school is challenging - but don’t forget how far you’ve come."
- "It’s okay to struggle. Just don’t suffer alone."
- "Take breaks."
- "Ask for help early."
- "Consistency > motivation."
- "Use your summer to sleep, rest, travel, and enjoy life."
tags: #upass #Howard #University #information
