DISTINCTION
Why should I consider West Virginia Wesleyan College ?
- Personal attention: At Wesleyan your average class size will be 19. Small, interactive classes allow your professors to know you individually.
- Great Teachers: 75% of Wesleyan's faculty hold the highest degree in their teaching field. Professors, not graduate assistants, teach here.
- Exciting Academic Programs: You can choose from over 40 majors and 40 minors and participate in our dynamic Honors Program and pursue undergraduate research projects
- Outstanding reputation: Wesleyan is included in “Princeton Review's 2006 Best Colleges in the Southeast” and in “Colleges of Distinction.” We also have one of the highest graduation rates of all colleges and universities in the state.
- Integrated Information Technology: You will have unlimited access to the Internet, a state-of-the-art electronic library, and you will use your laptop in many of your classes.
- Friendly and Supportive Atmosphere: You can take advantage of our Academic and Career Services Center . The Freshman Seminar program will help you with the transition from high school to college.
- Study Abroad: During May Term, you can join your classmates and enroll in classes in a variety of international countries or you can experience a full semester abroad. Recent trips include Central America , China , England , Ireland , Italy , Russia , and South Korea .
- Career-related internships: All majors either require or strongly recommend an internship experience. These opportunities are available on campus, in the Buckhannon community, and through the Washington , D.C. Center.
- Success after Graduation: We are proud of our near 100% graduate and professional school placement rate and of the success of many distinctive alumni.
- Lifelong Friendships: You will be on a residential campus of 1300 students where nearly 90 percent live on campus. You will meet people from 35 states and 19 countries.
- Lots to Do: You can join several of our 70 campus organizations or participate in a wide range of activities including intramurals and Greek Life. Over 80 percent of WVWC students spend at least five hours per week in extracurricular activities.
- Outdoor Recreation: Our program includes weekend trips to state parks, hiking, biking, snow skiing, caving, rock climbing, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting.
- Regionally Renowned Performing Arts: Over 250 students participate in vocal and instrumental ensembles or theatre productions. Many ensembles tour throughout the region.
- Successful Athletics: We have 18 NCAA II teams. We have captured the West Virginia Conference Commissioner's Cup (best athletic program) 14 consecutive years.
- Community Service: Over 84% of our students participate in community service including Habitat for Humanity, the Stockert Youth Center , Women's Aid in Crisis, Special Olympics, the Upshur Parish House, and Alternative Spring Break.
- Value-Centered: Our tradition is to graduate students who lead with ethics and honesty and who treat others with respect and dignity. Religious life opportunities include Campus Crusade (CRU), Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Sigma Theta Epsilon, Kappa Phi, United Methodist Movement, and Religious Life Council.
- A Beautiful Campus: You will enjoy walking on our picturesque 120-acre campus that blends Georgian redbrick architecture and towering oaks in a safe and comfortable college setting. Buckhannon has been featured in Norm Crampton's 100 Best Small Towns in America and 125 Best Small College Towns in America .
- Generous Financial Aid-We provide a comprehensive scholarship program that recognizes excellence in the classroom, in athletics, the arts, community service, and leadership. We also provide need-based grants and student employment opportunities. Over 90 percent of Wesleyan students receive scholarships and need-based grants.
ACADEMIC LIFE
Does Wesleyan use teaching assistants?
No. Most all faculty at Wesleyan are full-time employees.
How large are the classes?
The average class size at Wesleyan is 19. The student faculty ratio is 14:1
How approachable are faculty?
The majority of Wesleyan faculty provide home telephone numbers to students on the first day of class. In addition, all are accessible via email. The two primary responsibilities are teaching and advising. Over 80 percent of our students report working with faculty on projects and activities outside the classroom.
Does Wesleyan have an Honors Program?
Wesleyan's Honors Program is offered to recognize and challenge the College's most academically talented students. Participation is voluntary for all qualified students. To be eligible for the Honors Program, an entering student must have a high school cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and an ACT composite score of 27 or a SAT combined score of 1800. Second semester freshmen or sophomores with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above can also participate in the program. Many Honors Program classes fulfill general studies requirements. The program also offers activities both on and off campus. These include student organized film festivals, catered talk-back discussions after campus theatrical performances, a mentoring program for international students, a fall retreat at the Mountain Institute at Spruce Knob, and trips to museums, off-campus musical and theatre productions, and other events.
What if I am unsure of my major? How easy is it to change majors?
Wesleyan has a fully staffed Academic Advising and Career Center . Here, you can meet with an advisor to review your class schedule, change your schedule, review academic program choices; plan study abroad trips, career-related internship experiences, and develop and finalize preparations for life beyond Wesleyan. About 300 Wesleyan students have two majors and most all have a minor. Wesleyan's academic programs are flexible enough to allow you to delay your final choice of major until your sophomore year. Each year 20 percent of entering students are undecided about their academic major and a high percentage change majors during the first year.
Are tutors available for students?
Wesleyan has a comprehensive program which provides tutors for most all classes. Student tutors must be certified by the Academic Support Services office. There is no charge for tutorial assistance. Wesleyan also offers a comprehensive program for students with diagnosed learning disabilities. You can learn more about this program by clicking here or by calling 304-473-8560.
STUDENT LIFE
How big is Buckhannon? What can I do here?
Approximately 7.500 people live in and around Buckhannon. The town features a surprisingly wide variety of restaurants. You can find American, Chinese, Italian, and Mexican food, an assortment of quaint coffee shops and just about every fast-food restaurant here. Our students shop at local specialty shops and at Wal-Mart. Buckhannon also has a new cinema complex (Cinema Six) that features comfortable stadium seats. Within 25 minutes, you will find the Meadowbrook Mall, even more restaurants, movie theatres, and department stores and specialty shops. A number of state parks and ski resorts are located within one hour and fifteen minutes from campus.
Finally, West Virginia University is only one hour from Buckhannon.
What is security like on campus?
Wesleyan has the good fortune to be located in one of the safest states in the nation. Still, we have a 24-hour security force and an excellent relationship with the Buckhannon Police Department and the Upshur County Sheriff's Office. You can request an escort to any on-campus location after daylight. We have taken a very pro-active approach to provide more than adequate lighting throughout the campus.
Is housing guaranteed? Are students required to live on campus?
Yes. 90 percent of Wesleyan's students live on-campus. You are required to live on-campus unless you are commuting from home. Seniors can apply to live in apartments off-campus. On-campus housing at Wesleyan includes regular double occupancy residence hall rooms, suites, single rooms, and apartments. Some entering students are permitted to have single rooms. Housing assignments are made in June. The Admission Staff and Housing Staff work together to assign both rooms and floors.
Can I have a car at Wesleyan?
All students are permitted to bring a car to campus. The parking fee is $75 per year.
Do many students go home on weekends?
Wesleyan has students from 35 states and 19 countries. The Campus Activities Board schedules entertainment on-campus each weekend and there are athletic events and outdoor recreation trips on weekends throughout the year. It is fair to say that about half of the first-year students tend to go home during the first few weekends of the fall semester. However, after those first few weeks, nearly two-thirds of our students stay on-campus.
What kinds of activities are available on weekends?
Campus Activities Board (student organization) plans a variety of entertainment events. These include movies, game shows, reality shows, concerts, comedians, student entertainment nights, and off-campus trips. The Outdoor Recreation Office schedules trips to state parks, whitewater rafting trips, and trips to area ski resorts. Wesleyan has 18 NCAA II sports and our performing arts groups present concerts and plays throughout the year. Fraternities and sororities also plan social events. Finally, students organize computer-game competitions, intramural tournaments, and community service projects. The Rockefeller Physical Education Center is also open each weekend. Students can use the Nautilus facility, play soccer in the Green Room, or basketball. The Anne Pfeiffer Library is also open on weekends. Finally, Wesleyan's French See Dining Center is open for dining breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturdays, and for brunch and dinner on Sundays.
How diverse is Wesleyan?
Wesleyan has 1400 students from 35 states and 19 countries. 53.8% of our students are women. 7.9 percent of our students are African-American, American Indian, or Asian-American. 3.0 percent of our students are international. Wesleyan has an Office of Intercultural Relations. The full-time director is Chris Chavers ( chavers_c@wvwc.edu ).
Is Wesleyan a Christian College ?
West Virginia Wesleyan is a church-related college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church . About one-third of our students are United Methodist and about one-fourth of our students are members of the Roman Catholic Church. We have Ecumenical Chapel Services which are optional on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. each week and we have Catholic Mass each Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. Wesleyan's mission is to challenge students to a life-long commitment to develop their intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and leadership potential and to uphold standards of excellence. All students are required to complete one course in religion and one course in philosophy. Wesleyan students are also very active with many churches that are located near the campus.
ADMISSION AND FINANCIAL AID
What grade point average and test score is required for admission?
Wesleyan carefully reviews transcripts and standardized test scores along with letters of recommendation, essays, and resumes before an admission decision is made. We are looking for students who are enrolled in college-preparatory, honors, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate courses. Students should complete the following to be considered for admission:
4 credits of English
3-4 credits of Mathematics
3 credits of Science
3-4 credits of Social Studies
2 credits of Foreign Language
Wesleyan admits students each year with grade point averages that range from 2.5-4.0.
How important are SAT or ACT scores in the selection process?
The new SAT 1 with Writing Test or ACT (writing test is optional) are required for admission, because in combination with the transcript, they help us predict performance at Wesleyan better than grades alone. The verbal score is especially helpful in this regard. The 25 th -75 th percentile scores for the ACT are 21-26 and the 25 th -75 th percentile scores on the SAT are 910-1140.
Do you give credit for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses?
Yes. Students can receive credit for Advanced Placement classes with a score of 3 or above. Credit is also awarded to students who score 4 or above on IB exams.
Do you accept college credit earned in high school (dual credit)?
Yes. Wesleyan does accept college credit that is earned in high school. Students must have transcripts from the college that is issuing the credit sent to Wesleyan.
When should students apply?
February 1 is the preferential deadline for admission and scholarships. Wesleyan is a rolling admission institution. Students are notified of an admission decision within three weeks of submitting the application, transcript, and standardized test scores. If you need a paper application, please contact us at admission@wvwc.edu or at 800-722-9933 or 304-473-8510. You can also apply on line by clicking here.
Is a personal computer required?
Yes. Wesleyan expects all students to have a laptop computer. Wesleyan has partnered with Dell to offer high quality machines at a most reasonable cost. The partnership also provides three-year warranties and Wesleyan provides technical support and service to students who purchase a machine through Dell.
Does Wesleyan offer scholarships?
Yes. Wesleyan offers scholarships that recognize excellence in academics, athletics, community service, leadership, and performing arts. Most scholarship programs do not require a separate application. Students are notified of their scholarship eligibility shortly after an admission decision is made. However, a separate scholarship application is required for the Bonner Community Service Scholarship Program and the Mason Crickard Scholarship ( www.tgkvf.org ). Scholarships range from $500 to full tuition.
What are Wesleyan's Direct Costs?
Wesleyan's Direct Costs for 2005-2006 are listed below:
Tuition $20,250
Required Fees 1,000
Room and Board 5,550
Total Direct Costs $26,800
Over 90 percent of Wesleyan students receive scholarships and need-based grants.
What financial aid forms are required?
To be eligible for need-based grants, some scholarship programs, federal and state financial aid programs, student employment, and student loans, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. We recommend that students file the FAFSA between January 1 and February 15. The School Code Number for Wesleyan is 003830.
How are outside scholarships applied at Wesleyan?
Students who win outside scholarships will have the award added to the financial aid award. The only exception to this policy is for students who are selected as Bonner Scholars.
Can I get a work-study job at Wesleyan?
Wesleyan currently awards student employment to all students. The typical work-study award is $1,000 per year. There are approximately 500 student-employment positions available each year. Students who wish to work should (1) File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and (2) bring resumes to campus. The College does not place students in jobs. It is the responsibility of the student to pursue the available positions. Student employee checks are issued on the 15 th of each month and student employee earnings are not deducted from the student's financial account.
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