Mary J. Blige Says She's Been Accepted To Howard University, Howard Disagrees

Mary J. Blige may be headed back to college. But maybe not.

In an interview with the New Orleans Times-Picayune about the release of her new perfume, Blige offered this tidbit of information: "For the record, I just received my high school diploma yesterday (Monday). The city of New York gave me my high school diploma ... and now Howard University has accepted me."

But when the Washington Post followed up with Howard University, there was some confusion:

The news seemed to catch Howard, the nation's premier historically black university, by surprise. Early Tuesday, a rep for the school declined to address Blige's prospects at the school, noting that information about applicants and admissions is confidential. By late in the day, the university put out a statement suggesting Blige's comments may have been somewhat premature.

The school said: "We encourage Ms. Blige to continue her studies and welcome her consideration of Howard University in the future. We are happy to work with Ms. Blige on completing the formal process for admission."

The Post also claims that Blige told of her college cred to web videographers after an appearance on "Good Morning America," but film evidence of this has since been taken down.

Comments

[REDSTATEREFUGEE]

03:06 PM on 07/09/2010

I guess distorting one's acceptance status into a university is the academic equivalent of the politicos recently claiming combat experience in Vietnam or the Middle East....

[corwin]

01:10 AM on 07/09/2010

Kind of sad, the way standards fall.At least Douglas Fairbanks lied about attending harvard.

[xmcknight]

03:14 PM on 07/09/2010

You are obviously ignorant to the historical significance of Howard University, and it's contributions to history in general. You should really go educate yourself.

[ixington]

04:08 PM on 07/10/2010

Howard: ranked #96 in the US by USNWR, #500 by ARWU (more legit metrics)
Harvard: ranked #1 in the US by USNWR, #1 by ARWU

Why was the previous poster's sentiment inappropriate?

[supportamerica]

10:45 PM on 07/08/2010

How old is this person? Just now getting her high school diploma?

[ShanniC]

11:17 PM on 07/08/2010

It's better late than never.

[wendelswerk]

12:02 PM on 07/09/2010

Ya, this is a sad story of the failure of American education and her parents. She just recently learned how to read in the last few years. Sad!

[veritas88]

02:49 PM on 07/09/2010

Blige has known how to read since she was a kid, like most people, but she only recently received her GED. How difficult is it to understand this?

[VTL]

07:31 PM on 07/08/2010

She has her high school diploma but evidently isn't aware of telephones and the checking of relevant facts.

[tcason]

07:01 PM on 07/08/2010

It's a good thing that she is trying to complete her education. More education will only improve her dealing with her music success. Howard University is a great school with an honored history.
Tommie cason

[Morena]

05:36 PM on 07/08/2010

Education doesn't equal intelligence. You would think in 2010 this would be common knowledge.

I am formally educated, but most of my knowledge has come from life experience.

[sweet evangeline]

04:50 PM on 07/08/2010

At least Mary J is taking responsibility for her own life and actually wants to EARN a real degree, not one of those fake honorary things celebrities and politicians alike tout.
By the way, Ms. Blige never said she would GO to howard, just that she would be accepted, there are pleanty of other universities that would consider it an honor to have someone of her strengths attending.

[RedSunn]

05:08 PM on 07/08/2010

First of all, we know that she nevr said that she would "go" to Howard University. She said that she was "accepted" to Howard University. The implication is that she has applied to the university. Clearly, she either did not apply or she did not finish the process. Howard University merely denied that she had ben accepted which is well witihn their legal rights to do. Ms. Blige is clearly not ready for university life. If she was, she would not go around "announcing" that she has been accepted to Howard. To me, it sounds like she assumes that Howard will just accpet her because of who she is. That is absolute hubris on her part. Moreover, she is free to apply at over 114 HBCUs in the US as well as the majority serving institutions. Yeah, good luck with that considering all of the very talented young people that we have coming out of high school with a proven acedemic track record and the potential to do better.

[Waitaminute]

05:20 PM on 07/08/2010

There was nothing in the article about her not having applied or she didn't finish the process. The papers could be on the desk. How the ...., do you know that "she is clearly not ready for university life". You don't know her qualifications. But you are so smart, you should have considered her life experiences in managing her career, her millions, her properties, marketing her career, managing people, writing her music, and making business deals. But you are so smart, right? She is more qualified then most of us. How many people at Howard or any school have these many qualifications? Smart people judging people they don't know. Yeah, that's smart.

[clamil]

05:49 PM on 07/08/2010

Totally agree. Congratulations Mary J. and good luck in pursuing higher education whether it is Howard U or not. Like we say, 'BETTER LATE THAN NEVER."

[Waitaminute]

04:43 PM on 07/08/2010

All of you smart people. There are so many of you here today. Putting people down about their qualifications. She could have been told by any of the many people working in admissions, she had been accepted. Someone wanting to please her maybe? Maybe jumping the gun maybe? Come on smart people, you didn't think of that? You people need to educate yourselves in how the real world works. More like small children taking advantage of a embarrassing situation. So many haters. Go to another school Mary. The people at Howard are so moral they had to let the world know quickly their disagreement. Why was that necessary? No one would have known a thing once she had been accepted. Some say she should try going to a community college first. How high you put yourself over Mary. I say to you, do you know Mary's qualifications. I bet she is already ahead of many of us in management, accounting and marketing. She maybe a head of most of the people at Howard, due to her actual life and work experiences.

[sweet evangeline]

04:58 PM on 07/08/2010

The best thing about it is she is rich and famous without even having a highschool degree, meanwhile the haters on here have to screech what,when or where they graduated just to make theirselves feel like their better then her!! LOL!!

[RedSunn]

05:14 PM on 07/08/2010

It was necessary that Howard University confirm or deny that that dimwit had not been accepted because SHE put it out there. Again, Howard University is well within their right to confirm or deny whether or not Mary J. Blige was accepted as a student. That airhead, Mary J. Blige, should not have said she accepted if she was holding a "letter of acceptance" from the university in her hands. Sure she can go to another university, but clearly she is not familiar with the process. Go to a community college Ms. Mary so you can get ready for prime time!!! University ain't no piece of cake. And those professors are NOT going to impressed with who you are. I know I am sure not.

If she has all of that talent, why does she feel the need to go to university for someone to "confirm" it.

[Waitaminute]

05:27 PM on 07/08/2010

Such a smart person. Lets see who is the smartest between you and Mary. Mary manages millions, markets, produces, make business deal or confirm them, manage people, write her music, manage millions in property and at the same time manages to get a high school degree. Now tell me smart people, what have you done , that you put yourselves so high over Mary. How dare you tell her she should "first go to a community college". That doesn't sound smart, considering you don't know her and you didn't think of the qualifications i listed above.

[Waitaminute]

05:41 PM on 07/08/2010

It's not about "confirming it to others". It's about her confirming it within her self. Going back to do the things she missed.

[UnknownSolider]

04:33 PM on 07/08/2010

A Lot of haterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs out today I see

[noladebby]

04:25 PM on 07/08/2010

So many mean comments sometimes they should just call this site Huffpost High School. I'm not a fan, but good for you for getting your High School diploma, and I hope you continue your education.

[Morena]

04:36 PM on 07/08/2010

Exactly! I couldn't imagine having this woman's childhood or the courage to speak openly about it. A good thing my parents taught me class before I went off to college.

[Waitaminute]

04:14 PM on 07/08/2010

Any of you consider someone had told her she had been accepted? That does happen. Sometime the left hand doesn't know what the other is doing maybe?

[d45]

04:09 PM on 07/08/2010

This may have been posted earlier. What about Glen Beck U?

[UnknownSolider]

04:40 PM on 07/08/2010

please dont sully the name of Howard University by bringing up Glen Beck U.........

Howard University has produced some very noteworthy Americans.......

Glen Beck U is a joke

[WendellPerrySociety]

07:00 PM on 07/08/2010

How about Glenn Beck FU?

[Waitaminute]

04:09 PM on 07/08/2010

Why would Howard jump to report this? Sounds like someone at the school is seeking attention as to their importance in the scheme of things to me.

[elenanatx]

04:14 PM on 07/08/2010

Exactly! I would look into other quality univeristies just for that reason. She can afford to go other schools as well.

[Waitaminute]

04:25 PM on 07/08/2010

That's right. Mary go to another school. Some people are too prissy for my liking. They are so important, they have to come out and make Mary look bad. She is more professional then any of them. And her accomplishments, in finally getting a high school diploma is to be congratulated. Should be glad she showed an interest in attending your school. I am sure your school wouldn't mind she went elsewhere. I would. Howard didn't have to say a word. But of course, their moral high ground just made them jump. Now Howard, let talk about how moral you are in other aspects. Let see you jump to expose those. Like the nepotism in hiring.

[SteveBgood]

03:56 PM on 07/08/2010

Man, how's that for quick service. Get your high school diploma one day, and get accepted into a university the next. Wish I would have found out how I stood with college admission so fast, would have saved some sleep.

[Waitaminute]

04:11 PM on 07/08/2010

That's happens all the time. You think a lot of high schoolers don't know or have not been accepted into a college of their choice until after they graduate?

[veritas88]

02:57 PM on 07/09/2010

What are you talking about? In the US (at the very least), high school seniors can be accepted to college in December (early decision or early action) or in March/April (regular decision) THEN receive their high school diploma upon graduation in June. This is the way it normally happens.

[bluntobject]

03:47 PM on 07/08/2010

Mary J....just put all that aside and get online ghurl! I hear the University of Phoenix is ALWAYS looking for new suckers, I mean students.

:)

[GravitonX]

03:51 PM on 07/08/2010

You might want to check to see if the high school diploma is legitimate, too.