Family Guide to College & Financial Planning
Fewer than
25
universities in the United States are an
Anderson University has earned it three consecutive times—in 2014, 2016 & 2018.
Recent National Recognition
2019
• “Best College” among regional universities in the south — U.S. News & World Report, 2019
• Online Bachelor Programs: #3 in South Carolina; #2 among private institutions in South Carolina; #1 in Upstate South Carolina; #84 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2019)
“Best Value” among regional universities in • the south — U.S. News & World Report, 2019
• Online Graduate Business Programs: #2 in South Carolina; #1 among private institutions in South Carolina; #1 in Upstate South Carolina; #131 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2019)
Most Innovative” among regional universities • “ in the south — U.S. News & World Report, 2019 “Best Southeastern” • — The Princeton Review, 2019
• O nline Graduate Education Programs: #3 in South Carolina; #1 among private institutions in South Carolina; #84 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2019) • Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs: #1 in South Carolina; #12 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2019) • Online Graduate Nursing Programs: #1 in South Carolina (private); #50 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2019)
AU is the first university in South Carolina and one of the first in the nation where all incoming freshmen receive the latest iPad which will be used in specially designed courses.
Greetings from the President Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D. As one of South Carolina’s leading universities, Anderson University is an innovative institution of serious scholarship, built upon the pillars of great academics, great faith, great hospitality and great purpose. The rapid growth and increased reputation of Anderson as one of the south’s premier private institutions of higher learning rose from a singular focus on the young men and women who choose to make AU their collegiate home. We have high expectations of our students, and provide them with an educational journey that informs, inspires and prepares them for a vocation. Just as important, however, are the experiences that shape a student’s life outside of the classroom. Yes, young men and women who study here gain the necessary knowledge to pursue a career, or have the right foundation for additional study in graduate school. But they will also be molded into upstanding, responsible adults, ready to tackle the world’s challenges with grace and poise.
have high expectations of our students, and “ We provide them with an educational journey that informs, inspires and prepares them for a vocation.
• We continue to expand our facilities at a rapid pace. Our campus now comprises 305 acres, up from 68 in 2002, and we’ve now begun looking inward with the transformation of our internal quadrangle into attractive and welcoming green space. • We’re addressing the challenges that come with more students. Because our enrollment has expanded by more than 110 percent over the last 15 years, we’ve not only added five new residence halls, but in the summer of 2018 we refurbished parking across campus to add 200 more student-designated parking spaces, and are creating a new parking lot with room for 100 more. • We’ve successfully completed our accreditation re-affirmation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. During its 10-year re-affirmation visit to campus last year, SACS-COC gave us an excellent report that further confirms our accreditation status. • We’re continuing to add academic programs.
”
That is the reputation of Anderson University today, and why at no time in the 107 years of our institution are we better meeting the expectations we have for our university, and at preparing our students for the expectations society has of them. It is no surprise, then, that we are enjoying the best accolades in our school’s history. For example: • We have the best national rankings in our history from US News & World Report. Not only are our online programs widely regarded as the best in South Carolina, we are listed as a “Best College” among regional universities in the south, along with high marks for “Best Value” and “Most Innovative.” • We are in the Top Tier of “Best Southeastern Universities,” according to The Princeton Review’s 2019 rankings. • We are a three-time Apple Distinguished School. There are approximately 400 colleges or universities that have received such a distinction, and fewer than 25 are colleges or universities in the United States; Anderson currently is the only one located in South Carolina. Innovation continues to be a strategic goal, and with that vision in mind Anderson launched a new Office of Technology, Online Learning and Innovation in 2018.
We opened just the third Doctorate of Physical Therapy program in South Carolina. As one of the fastest growing fields in healthcare today, Anderson is stepping up in a big way to pair our students’ educational goals with the needs of our community. Additionally, our School of Public Service and Administration, under new dean Dr. Clarence Williamson, is moving forward with a plan to create an undergraduate degree program in cybersecurity, yet another example of Anderson’s ability and willingness to train students for careers in growing fields. I have only scratched the surface of all that is happening in the vibrant, innovative place we call Anderson University. A university, however, is only as good as its students. Mentored by an accomplished faculty and supported by caring, committed staff, the excellent young men and women who attend Anderson have built its foundation. It is in their hands that we commit the future of our university—and of our world. Cordially,
Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D., President
Academic Scholarships for First-Time Freshmen President’s Scholarship
Gold Grant
— $13,000 per year
— awards vary up to $2,000
• 3.5 high school GPA • 1360 SAT or 29 ACT
• Need-based grant awarded to an entering freshman also receiving an Anderson University grant.
Founder’s Scholarship
Out-of-State Grant
— $11,000 per year
— $3,000 per year
• 3.5 high school GPA and 1220 SAT or 25 ACT
• Awarded to any out-of-state entering freshman.
Provost’s Scholarship — $9,000 per year • 3.0 high school GPA and 1080 SAT or 21 ACT
Anderson University Grant — $6,000 per year
Did you know? More than 70% of students who visit AU decide to enroll. www.andersonuniversity.edu/visit
• Awarded to any entering freshman not receiving a President’s, Founder’s or Provost’s Scholarship.
Presidential Fellows Scholarships & AU Fellows Scholarships These competitive scholarships are designed for the highest achieving incoming students. Candidates compete for limited full-tuition as well as limited full-tuition, room and board scholarships. Minimum eligibility for invitation to apply is a 1200+ SAT or a 27+ ACT and a 3.5 high school GPA. Recipients must serve in an approved campus leadership role each year. To learn more about these scholarships, please visit andersonuniversity.edu or call 800.542.3594. For more information see page 9.
Family Guide Features 06 A Best Buy College? – Cost vs Value and How to Know the Difference
28 Navigating the Financial Aid Maze
12 Plan for Success — A College Timeline
36 Advice for First-Generation CollegeBound Students
20 Should a Christian Student Attend a Christian College? – A Counselor’s Perspective 24 AU at a Glance
30 College Planning Calendar
38 You’re invited to attend these Special Visit Events and a Check List to become an AU Student
Please Note: Completion of the FAFSA is required to receive AU scholarships and grants. Awards are renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters of enrollment. Full-time enrollment at AU required. Awards are limited in quantity. Total institutional financial aid cannot exceed the cost of tuition, fees, room and board. See Academic Catalog for complete financial policies and award renewal criteria. Additionally, institutional aid resources are limited and the University reserves the right to place a cap on the number of scholarships or grants offered or awarded at any time, or reduce or increase institutional aid at its discretion.
andersonuniversity.edu | 5
A Best Buy College? Cost vs Value and How to Know the Difference by Dan Crabtree College is an investment. If you purchase a new car, within a few years it is worth far less than you paid for it. However, the investment in a college education at a place like Anderson pays dividends for decades—perhaps 60 or 70 years. To be sure, a college education is likely to make a person more prosperous; the lifetime income of families headed by individuals with a bachelor’s degree is about $1.6 million more than incomes of families headed by those with a high-school diploma. But a college experience is about much more than money—it is about how college helps shape a person, how it affects his or her quality of life and the potential to make a difference in the world.
“A college education is an extraordinarily profitable investment... Unlike most purchases, a college education appreciates in value rather than depreciating.”
- Katharine Hansen
Quintessential Careers
How did we do it? We managed because we value higher education and were committed to it, but also because of financial aid, which is designed specifically to help enable students to attend the college of their choice.
“A college counselor I know gives this advice to parents regarding choosing a college: “‘Beware the high cost of saving money.’” Yes, it required discipline and choices; we took out loans and I drove an old car (which, after 18 years, we recently traded in.) But we were successful in having our daughters attend the college of their choice – an investment we’d make again in a heartbeat!
My wife and I invested in having our three daughters attend a Christian college—a total of 24 semesters. There were several years when two of them were in college at the same time. During those years, the annual sticker price was more than my take-home pay. 6 | andersonuniversity.edu
I don’t have to tell you that cost and value are not the same things. You can be penny-wise and pound-foolish, especially when it comes to the vitally important college choice.
Dan Crabtree recently retired as the College and Career Counselor at Wheaton Academy in suburban Chicago, IL. He spent 20 years in college admissions, including 12 as Director of Admissions at Wheaton College (IL). Dan is former President
The prospect of four years of college expenses can appear daunting. I understand this. I’ve been there.
for two things: a home, which historically appreciates in value, and a college education.)
of the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (NACCAP) and was a NACCAP Governance Committee Representative.
(Note: I know that many people are leery of loans. So am I. It is my firm position to never pay interest on anything that depreciates in value. But I will borrow
“ Your college choice is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, so invest wisely.” I encourage you to choose a college because it is an excellent match for you – the best place for you to be – and not because it is the least expensive or offers you a lot of money. Like any investment, think long term. Ask yourself what impact choosing a college like Anderson will have on the rest of your life – perhaps another 50 or 60 (dare I say 70?) years.
Did you know? AU biology graduates have an 80% acceptance rate into medical programs, including medical, dental, physical therapy, pharmacy and veterinary schools. In fact, do this: Estimate the cost of four years at Anderson. (Most students will receive financial aid or scholarships, so the actual cost will be less than the sticker price.) Then amortize that total over 60 years by dividing the total by 60, and then dividing by 12 to get the monthly cost. If you do this, I’m guessing that you’ll be surprised at that monthly total, and you’ll consider it a good investment. In fact, if you compare this investment with the cost of a daily latte at Starbucks, I think you’d find it remarkably similar! andersonuniversity.edu | 7
Scholarships and Financial Aid Presidential Fellows Scholarships* — tuition, room, and board • Competitive scholarship are open to any entering first-time freshmen named a Palmetto Fellow. • A limited amount of room and board scholarships will be awarded to eligible first-time freshman named a Palmetto Fellow. • Application is required by the stated deadline. • Recipients must serve in an approved campus leadership role each year. • Awards are limited in quantity and are determined by the Scholarship Committee. • Annual award renewal amount is capped at the contract amount. • Contact the Office of Traditional Admission for application and scholarship details.
AU Fellows Scholarship* — Full Tuition Anderson University has been on a remarkable rise in regional and national rankings, resulting in a continuous improvement in the academic profile of entering students. This recognition has made AU an extremely desirable university for many top academically performing students. Anderson University currently ranks in the top three private universities in the state of South Carolina for the number of enrolled Palmetto Fellows. The AU Fellows program offers a generous scholarship to complement the Palmetto Fellows award given by the State of South Carolina. • Competitive scholarships are open to any entering first-time freshman named a Palmetto Fellow. • A limited amount of full-tuition scholarships will be awarded to eligible first-time freshmen named a Palmetto Fellow. • Recipients must serve in an approved campus leadership role each year.
• Annual renewal amount is capped at the total cost of tuition. • Outside scholarships (excluding SC State funds) and federal grants may be applied to cover room and board. • Awards are limited in quantity and are determined by the Scholarship Committee. • Contact the Office of Traditional Admission for the AU Fellows contract and scholarship details.
Palmetto Boys State Presidential Scholarship — $40,000 ($10,000 per year) • Anderson University is privileged to serve as the host site for the annual Palmetto Boys State event. In recognition of this special partnership, Anderson University has committed one $10,000 per year Palmetto Boys State Presidential Scholarship to be awarded each year. In order to be considered, applicants must be named a Palmetto Boys State Citizen, submit the required application, participate in the scholarship interview event, reside in campus housing, and serve in an approved student leadership role each year.
Did you know? Anderson University ranks in the top four South Carolina private universities for the number of enrolled Palmetto Fellows. (Continued on page 10)
8 | andersonuniversity.edu
andersonuniversity.edu | 9
Scholarships and Financial Aid (Cont.) SC Palmetto Fellows* — $6,700 freshman year; — $7,500 each following year
SC Palmetto Fellow and LIFE Scholarship Enhancements* — $2,500 per year
• Must be a first-time entering freshman or transfer.
• Must be a Palmetto Fellow or LIFE Scholarship recipient.
• HOPE and LIFE recipients do not qualify.
• Entering freshman are not eligible.
• Recipients are selected by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
• Recipients must be a returning sophomore in a State approved math or science degree program.
• Contact Office of Financial Services for renewal criteria and information regarding Palmetto Fellows.
• Eligibility is determined by academic performance and credits earned during the freshman year of college.
SC LIFE Scholarship*
• Additional eligibility requirements and renewal criteria available by contacting the Office of Financial Services.
— $5,000 per year • Must be a first-time entering freshman or transfer. • Palmetto Fellows and HOPE recipients do not qualify. • Contact Office of Financial Services for renewal criteria and information. • First-time entering freshmen must meet two of the following three criteria: • 3.0 high school GPA (state uniform grading scale). • 1100 SAT or 24 ACT. • Top 30 percent of graduating class.
SC Tuition Grant* — up to $3,500 • Must be a first-time entering freshman or transfer. • Need-based. • FAFSA required by June 30. • Contact Office of Financial Services for renewal criteria and information. • For additional information, visit: www.sctuitiongrants.com © Jake Drake Photography
Denmark Scholarship
SC HOPE Scholarship
— $500 up to $3,000 per year
Boys and Girls State Scholarship
— $2,800 per year (Freshman Only Award)
• Competitive scholarship. Limited awards.
— $4,000 ($1,000 per year)
• Must be a first-time entering freshman.
• Applicants must be first-time freshmen.
• Awarded to any first-time freshmen or transfer.
• Must have a 3.0 high school GPA (state uniform grading scale).
• Minimum 3.25 high school GPA and 1080+ SAT or 21+ ACT required for scholarship consideration.
• Must be named a Boys or Girls State citizen.
*
• May be received for two semesters. • Palmetto Fellows and LIFE recipients do not qualify.
• Contact the Office of Traditional Admission for scholarship application and deadline information.
• Contact Office of Financial Services for renewal criteria and information.
• Recipients must serve in an approved campus leadership role each year.
10 | andersonuniversity.edu
Baptist Scholarship — $300 per year • Awarded to any first-time entering freshmen or transfer.
* Please Note for All South Carolina Resident Awards: Must complete the FAFSA to receive AU and scholarships and SC Tuition Grant. See Academic Catalog for complete financial policies and award renewal criteria. All South Carolina State Scholarship and Grant Programs are contingent upon approved funding by the SC State Legislature. All eligible recipients must be U.S. citizens and South Carolina residents.
• Contact our Office of Traditional Admission for more details. andersonuniversity.edu | 11
Plan For Success: A College Timeline by Dr. Janet Miranda Want to make your time in high school both enjoyable and productive? Who wouldn’t? But just like success in any other venue in life, you need to be a wise consumer with your time and your resources. The greatest thing about a “Timeline to College” is that you can pick up the process no matter what grade you are in when you begin. Ideally, you should give thought to college as you begin your freshman (9th grade) year. But the great thing about planning is it will meet you at any grade level. Early on you need to be a good steward of your time and resources. Developing good study habits and organizational skills during high school is not only important for a great high school transcript, but these skills will carry you a long way – not just into college but also into your professional life. Find balance in your course selection. Take advanced level courses in subjects where you are gifted. The point is, know your strengths and academic level and choose coursework appropriate for you.
9th Grade
10th Grade • Take the PSAT (for practice.) This is the preliminary SAT and it is used in the junior year to determine National Merit Scholars. Take the PLAN (preliminary ACT) as well. Taking these two preliminary tests will give you an idea of which exam will be most appropriate for you and the college of you choice. • Get to know your school counselor. This is a person who will be an advocate for you in the college process, and they can best serve you if they know you. • Grades! Grades represent your work ethic. Homework is the first step to mastery of the material, but it is not the final step. Commit serious time to mastering the material for each course. • Read. Show me a reader and I’ll show you a high SAT or ACT score! Read anything. If you like sports, read about sports. If you’re an artist, read about art. Read to increase your vocabulary.
• Get involved in school and community activities you enjoy. Do not join something just to add a line item to your high school résumé. Be true to yourself!
• S tay involved with your favorite school activities and community service. This does not mean join everything. Colleges are looking for depth in activities. Pick things you enjoy and stay with them.
• Work hard and get the best grades you possibly can. You are developing a transcript you will show to your college.
• Prepare for the PSAT, SAT and ACT the summer after the sophomore year. Practice makes perfect.
• Take a strong curriculum. Challenge yourself and be realistic. • Think about doing something special over the summer; almost every college has a summer program for high school students. The programs vary from enhancement to specialized programs, and it’s not too early to start working on your PSAT.
• In the summer, make some campus visits to colleges of interest to you. (You might even take a summer course on campus or participate in an Anderson University summer camp!) (Continued on page 15)
12 | andersonuniversity.edu
andersonuniversity.edu | 13
11th Grade
12th Grade
• This is the big year! The grades you earn this year are the last grades you submit to a college before your admission. Of course, you will send a final transcript after graduation, but your decision will be based on grades 9-11.
• Apply early in the fall. Show the college you are not a procrastinator. You will be amazed at the relief you feel once your applications are in the mail and out of your hands.
• Attend College Fairs. Talk with College Representatives who visit your school and plan campus visits to colleges on your list. Visit www.naccap.org to learn about Christian college fairs in your area. • Stay involved in your activities and seek leadership positions or ways to demonstrate your leadership when possible. • Complete both your SAT and/or ACT testing in the spring. • Talk to at least two teachers about writing a letter of recommendation for you. These should be two academic teachers. • This is your last chance to test drive a college with a campus visit or academic class. • While on campus, find out your options for scholarships and/or financial aid. • The summer before your senior year, get organized and begin writing your college essays.
• Have your official test scores sent to each college where you plan to apply. “Official” means sent from The College Board or ACT directly to your college. • Be responsible with your time and academic work ethic your senior year. When colleges see your final transcript, it should be representative of the student who applied and was accepted. • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning October 1.
Dr. Janet Miranda (1948 - 2016) had more than 22 years of experience and was recognized as a nationally honored college guidance counselor with the 2007 Yale Counselor of the Year Award. She served on the Advisory Board for the Fiske Guide to Colleges, served as a peer evaluator for the College Board, and former presenter at national conferences for high school guidance and college admission professionals. She served as the Director of Guidance at Prestonwood Christian Academy (a K-12 college preparatory program in the Dallas area). She authored the college planning workbook, ACCEPTED!
IMPORTANT: Almost every college application now asks if you have been suspended from school and, if so, for what reason. Make wise choices throughout your high school career! Pick up this timeline at your current grade level. If you follow this timeline and make wise choices, you will be amazed at the opportunities available to you. The college process will seem natural, and you will be prepared for admission to college.
14 | andersonuniversity.edu
andersonuniversity.edu | 15
Interior Design, Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships Discover your place at Anderson University’s acclaimed School of Interior Design and The South Carolina School of the Arts The School of Interior Design is one of only nine Christian universities in the nation offering a degree in interior design. As a chapter member of ASID, The School of Interior Design features a state-of-the art computer lab with Autodesk Software including: AutoCAD 2018, Revit Architecture 2018, Adobe Creative Suite 6, Google Sketch-Up, and Photoshop, as well as a resource library including the most current industry standard emerging sustainable green materials and a multi-purpose studio to support lecture and studio courses. School of Interior Design students benefit from extraordinary field study to major design centers, and distinguish themselves from students in other interior design programs through stellar internship placements with premier architecture and interior design firms across the country and abroad.
Interior Design Scholarships – awards vary
Music Audition, Scholarship Competition & Campus Events Anderson University has a rich history of excellence in the visual and performing arts. Our music programs have achieved prestigious professional accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and our alumni obtain positions of influence in music performance, music education and music ministry. If you are seeking a life-changing experience in a nationally-recognized and dynamic Christian university environment, we invite you to compete for a South Carolina School of the Arts music scholarship up to $5,000.
• An application and portfolio review with a professor must be completed in order to better understand all that Anderson University has to offer.
In addition to competing for a music scholarship, you may also attend a campus visit event. For campus visit events information see page 38.
• Contact the Office of Traditional Admission for application and requirements.
The South Carolina School of the Arts features three state-of-the-art performance venues, two art galleries, a music technology laboratory, multiple graphic design studios, the downtown Chiquola theatre and design studios, prestigious professional accreditation and distinguished faculty. All applicants to the Music and Theatre departments are required to participate in an audition in order to be considered for admission to those programs. Auditions and portfolio reviews are also required for South Carolina School of the Arts scholarship consideration. We invite you to schedule a campus visit to include an AU overview, campus tour and audition or portfolio review with a professor.
16 | andersonuniversity.edu
(Continued on page 19)
Did you know? • A nderson University is one of only 360 schools in the nation holding prestigious professional accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). • A U interior design graduates successfully pass the NCIDQ exam and secure internships and employment with prestigious design firms in major U.S. and international cities. andersonuniversity.edu | 17
Interior Design, Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships (Cont.) Art & Design Portfolio Review, Scholarship Competition & Campus Events
Did you know? • In 2018 Visual Arts students won the following ADDY® Awards: (17) Gold, (25) Silver, Judges’ Choice Award, and Best in Show.
Anderson University has a rich history of excellence in the visual and performing arts. Our art & design programs have prestigious professional accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Our students consistently win regional and national visual art competitions. In 2018, graphic design students garnered 43 ADDY® Awards at the Greenville American Advertising Federation - Greenville Gala.
• Anderson was the only university in the nation to have two students win a Gold ADDY in graphic design at the 2012 & 2009 National ADDY awards out of more than 60,000 entries. • An AU student’s DVD series was featured on the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) National Members Gallery.
If you are seeking a life-changing experience in a nationally recognized and dynamic Christian university environment, we invite you to compete for a South Carolina School of the Arts Visual Art scholarship up to $3,000.
• The AU Chorale was invited to participate in the prestigious Spoleto Festival. • An AU Theatre professor regularly does professional work as a TV and Radio commercial actor for Lowe’s, American Express and the State of Florida.
In addition to competing for an art & design scholarship, you may also attend a campus visit event. For campus visit events information, see page 38.
Theatre Audition, Scholarship Competition & Campus Events The South Carolina School of the Arts has a rich history of excellence in the visual and performing arts. Our programs have achieved prestigious professional accreditation and our alumni obtain positions of influence in the arts. Our theatre program and the AU Playhouse give you a dynamic environment to develop your craft. Experience the privilege of studying with the nation’s leading Christian college theatre professionals. If you are seeking a life-changing experience in a nationally-recognized and dynamic Christian university environment, we invite you to compete for a South Carolina School of the Arts Theatre scholarship for up to $4,000.
“ The unprecedented success our Graphic Design students have enjoyed over the past eight years by achieving some of the top awards in the industry places our students in the unique position of ‘being in the ring’ with the most prestigious schools in the country. I don’t know of any other school, anywhere, whose students have won as many ADDY ® awards as our students have won during this eight-year period.”
— Tim Speaker, M.F.A.
Associate Professor of Art & Design
In addition to competing for a theatre scholarship, you may also attend a campus visit event. For campus visit events information, see page 38.
18 | andersonuniversity.edu
andersonuniversity.edu | 19
Should a Christian Student Attend a Christian College? A Counselor’s Perspective by Dan Crabtree There are 3,600 colleges and universities in
a college is certainly one of those decisions. If a
the United States. How does a student even begin
student’s Christian faith is the most important
to whittle this list down to size and ultimately
thing in his/her life, it should also be the most
choose one?
important factor in the choice of a college.
Let’s start to answer this question by asking another
Therefore, for a Christian student, the foundational
one: Is the college search process different for a
principle in finding a good college match is this:
Christian student?
If you are serious about your faith, you should select
No. And yes. Let me explain.
a college that takes your faith seriously, unless the Lord specifically directs you somewhere else.
First, the no. In the college counseling profession, I have colleagues who are Christians and colleagues who are not. Despite our differences, we all agree about one thing: as college counselors, our ultimate goal for each student is that he or she will find a great fit – a college that will be the best in shaping them for the rest of their lives. So Christian or not, a student should be seeking the college that is the best fit.
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” - Yogi Berra
“ The integration of faith and learning is an important concept. It is important for us to connect our faith with everything that happens in life. Christian colleges like Anderson are intentional about the integration of faith and learning.”
are completely secular to church-related colleges
other secular institutions (including those that are
that may or may not give anything more than lip
“church-affiliated,” but not specifically faith-based)
service to their faith connection. But for a Christian
are even higher.
seeking to examine things through the eyes of faith, it is important to consider the implications of this lack of intentional integration of faith and learning.
I don’t want to scare someone into choosing a Christian college. But I think it is important to go into the college selection process with our eyes wide
A UCLA Higher Education Research Institute study
open. The college experience is about much more
by Henderson and Railsback revealed that at the end
than getting a job. It is a unique four-year experience
Other colleges vary in how they approach the
of their college career, 52 percent of all students
that will make more of an impact than any other
faith component. State-funded universities and
who identified themselves as “born-again” and
period in a student’s life. As foundational as the
Now, the yes. As Christians, we are faith-driven.
community colleges have little choice—the
attended a public university will no longer identify
high school years have been, the college years will
Our faith should be a factor in everything we do,
separation of church and state essentially forces
themselves as born-again or will not have attended
be even more significant in shaping who the
not something that we compartmentalize. It is a key
them to omit Christianity from the classroom
any kind of religious service in the past year. Believe
person will be.
component of our major life decisions. Choosing
discussion. Private colleges range from those that
it or not, the percentages for students who attend
20 | andersonuniversity.edu
(Continue on the next page)
andersonuniversity.edu | 21
“ In the same way, a student who is passionate about his faith will want to seek out a college that intentionally integrates the Christian faith into the curriculum. Even my secular colleagues agree with me on this point—finding a good fit means finding a place where a student’s core values fit the core values of the college community.”
There are lots of reasons to choose a good Christian university like Anderson. A Christian university will have dedicated faculty committed to good teaching and to their students. It will have a culture of collaborative learning and a positive social and spiritual climate. As you know, computers have default settings. A default is “a course of action that a program will take when the user or programmer specifies no overriding action.” A default is typically considered
“ Other colleges purport to provide a well-rounded education while neglecting—or intentionally dismissing—the spiritual element. A well-rounded education, I believe, takes place at a place like Anderson, where Truth is actively pursued.”
an Crabtree recently retired as the College and D Career Counselor at Wheaton Academy in suburban Chicago, IL. He spent 20 in college admissions, including 12 as Director of Admissions at Wheaton College (IL). Dan is former President of the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (NACCAP) and was a NACCAP Governance Committee Representative.
the best or most logical choice. I consider a Christian university to be the default for Christian students—the best or most logical choice.
The bottom line is this: look for the best fit. If you are serious about your faith, the best fit is most likely a Christian university.
22 | andersonuniversity.edu
andersonuniversity.edu | 23
NASHVILLE
Our Location & Drive Times Located in the Upstate region of South Carolina, the city of Anderson has been recognized as the “Friendliest City in South Carolina.” Anderson is a regional destination city for shopping and dining, as well as outdoor sports at nearby Lake Hartwell and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located less than 30 minutes from downtown Greenville and two hours from Atlanta and Charlotte, Anderson students have easy access to vibrant professional, cultural, recreational and employment opportunities, and are within driving distance of South Carolina’s beaches.
GREENSBORO
WINSTON-SALEM KNOXVILLE
RALEIGH
85
ASHEVILLE
CHARLOTTE 95
GREENVILLE
85 20
BIRMINGHAM
ANDERSON UNIVERSITY
ATLANTA
MYRTLE BEACH
COLUMBIA
AUGUSTA 26
CHARLESTON
95
HILTON HEAD
Atlanta, GA..........................................2.0 Hours Augusta, GA.........................................2.0 Hours Birmingham, AL.................................. 4.0 Hours Charleston, SC.................................... 4.0 Hours Charlotte, NC.......................................2.0 Hours Greensboro, NC.................................. 4.0 Hours Hilton Head, SC...................................4.5 Hours Jacksonville, FL...................................... 7.0 Hours Orlando, FL......................................... 9.0 Hours Raleigh, NC......................................... 5.0 Hours Savannah, GA......................................4.5 Hours
SAVANNAH
JACKSONVILLE
ORLANDO
AU at a Glance... Anderson University, a four-year, co-educational, comprehensive university affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, welcomes students from a variety of denominations, educational and cultural backgrounds. Our Programs Grounded in a Christian perspective, Anderson offers more than 75 liberal arts and professional, master’s and doctoral programs of study. Our vision is to be a premier place of learning that combines the best of the liberal arts and professional education in a distinctly Christian community. 24 | andersonuniversity.edu
Our Vision
Our Campus
Our Global Journey
For God and humanity, Anderson University seeks to be an innovative, entrepreneurial, premier comprehensive university where liberal arts, professional studies,and graduate studies thrive within an uplifting, welcoming, and distinctively Christian community of diverse faculty, staff and students dedicated to intellectually rigorous learning, a caring and hospitable campus culture, and personal transformation.
Ideally situated on 305 acres in the elegant historical district of Anderson, South Carolina, Anderson University’s campus provides a definitively collegiate setting for your students’ educational journey.
During the junior year, qualified students can take a three-credit course that includes a short-term, faculty sponsored study abroad experience (some recent trips include: Italy, Spain, Panama, Australia, China, the Galapagos Islands and Jamaica). Our students engage in approximately 10 college-sponsored mission and service trips each year and provide 15,000 hours of local community service.
Our Faculty Guided by a commitment to teaching excellence, Anderson’s faculty invest their lives into your personal and intellectual success. Our faculty distinguish themselves by creating unique opportunities for student engagement in advanced research. Sixty-five percent of our faculty hold the highest degrees in their fields.
Our Students We welcome more than 3,400 students from 38 states, 25 countries and a wide range of denominations; over 15% percent are students of color. Approximately 72% of students live on campus.
Our Accreditation Anderson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Anderson University. Professional accreditation includes the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Our Shared Journey We design exceptional events and programs to meet the spiritual, intellectual, cultural and social interests of a diverse student population. Through unique programming, we create opportunities for you to develop as a leader, celebrate community, appreciate diversity, serve others and discover new things about yourself and the world around you. Each semester, Anderson averages 150 student activities and athletic events.
Anderson University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or religion in its programs and activities. Please direct inquiries to Dr. L. Dianne King, Associate Vice President for Student Development/Dean of Student Success/Title IX Coordinator, Thrift Library Office 203, 316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC, 29621, (864) 231-2026, ldking@andersonuniversity.edu or to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov.
andersonuniversity.edu | 25
Navigating the Financial Aid Maze by Dr. Janet Miranda When selecting a college, affordability is a consideration for many students. The mistake many make is putting the cart before the horse: considering the dollar sign first and then creating a list of colleges. It should actually be the other way around. Never avoid applying to a particular school because you believe you will not be able to afford it. You will never know unless you apply, are accepted and then see how much assistance the college is willing to give you.
Did you know? For the 2017-18 award year, 100% of traditional AU students received financial aid with an average award for freshmen of $27,435 from all sources.
Make a list of colleges and universities of interest to you. Next, do your homework. Find out if your application to the college also serves as your application for all scholarships offered at the school. Some colleges require additional applications for scholarships and some require only the paperwork of the initial application. Colleges will always be your primary source for scholarships. Students and parents often refer to scholarships and financial aid as one. Both are usually administered out of the same office and this can be confusing: it’s like having apples and oranges in the same crate, so let’s separate the crates. 28 | andersonuniversity.edu
Scholarship = Merit. You earn a scholarship. Scholarship is considered an award for something of excellence such as grades, class rank, test scores, activities, community service and so forth. All legitimate scholarships are given away. Beware of multiple scams stating that thousands of dollars in scholarship money go unclaimed. No legitimate scholarship or scholarship service will require you to pay anything. Do not ever pay anything to any company promising scholarship opportunities. If it is legitimate, it is free. Financial Aid = Need. Colleges will ask for evidence of your need. You must file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after October 1 of your senior year to be considered for financial aid. You and your parents will use the federal tax return completed two years prior—for example, when completing the 2020-2021 FAFSA you will use 2018 federal tax information. Simplify the process by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when tax return data is requested within the FAFSA application. You and your parent should apply for a FSA ID and password so that you can sign the FAFSA electronically and transfer tax information from the IRS. Remember that you must re-apply for financial aid each year after October 1. Types of Aid. Financial aid can come in several forms: • Grants are a type of financial aid usually based on need that do not have to be repaid. • S cholarships are usually merit based and, like grants, do not have to be repaid. • Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Parents also may borrow to pay education expenses for a dependent student. • W ork Study is a work program where you can earn money by working a part-time job on campus.
TIP: Make “friends” with one individual in the Financial Aid Office and always request to speak to that person when you have questions. You will complete the FAFSA only once and then list the college(s) you wish to receive the information.
Typically colleges start developing individual financial aid packages (awards) around the first of November. Check with each of your colleges to determine the absolute best date to have all forms to each Financial Aid Office. Remember to meet this deadline each year.
Dr. Janet Miranda (1948 - 2016) had more than 22 years of experience and was recognized as a nationally honored college guidance counselor with the 2007 Yale Counselor of the Year Award. She served on the Advisory Board for the Fiske Guide to Colleges, served as a peer evaluator for the College Board and is a former presenter at national conferences for high school guidance and college admission professionals. She served as the Director of Guidance at Prestonwood Christian Academy (a K-12 college preparatory program in the Dallas area). She authored the college planning workbook, ACCEPTED!
Discovering opportunities to help pay for your college education does not have to be a mysterious adventure. Begin early and communicate! Discover both scholarship and financial aid opportunities at the colleges of interest to you. andersonuniversity.edu | 29
College Planning Calendar August
October
November
• M ake a list of your final choices for college and plan campus visits.
• Complete and submit the FAFSA.
• Contact the financial aid office at each college you applied to and make sure your financial aid applications are complete. Find out if there is anything else you must do to establish and maintain eligibility for your financial aid. Be sure to make a copy of everything you submit to the financial aid office.
• A cquire and review all applications and admission information from the colleges to which you are applying, keeping careful track of all due dates. • M eet with your guidance counselor to discuss whether or not you should retake the SAT or ACT. • A thletes – make contact with an AU Head Coach or compliance officer to research scholarships, eligibility requirements and tryout dates. • Begin your application to Anderson University.
• You should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education. Your SAR contains important federal financial aid information. If you do not receive your SAR within four weeks after submitting your FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243. • Be sure to keep a copy of all college-related forms you submit. • Submit your Denmark Scholarship application and required documents by the stated deadline.
Did you know? Anderson University has joined with Apple to launch a minor in coding and app development for all students pursuing any major.
• O btain any required financial aid applications from your guidance office or college. Research state, local and community scholarship opportunities. • If necessary, take the SAT and/or ACT once more. • Attend AU’s fall All Access event.
• If necessary, take the SAT and/or ACT once more.
September • S chedule a visit to an Anderson University fall campus visit event. • L ocate a National Christian College fair in your area by visiting: www.nccf.us. • C reate a list of every step you must take in order to apply for college: tests, dates, fees, registration deadlines, college admissions deadlines, and deadlines for submitting financial aid applications. • I n order for your SAT or ACT scores to be submitted to colleges, you must take these standardized tests six weeks before the application deadline. • A sk teachers or employers for letters of recommendation if they are required by the college. Most likely, your teachers and employers are very busy, so it is important to allow them plenty of time to complete recommendations. • S chedule your Anderson University fall campus visit. • Apply for private scholarships.
30 | andersonuniversity.edu
December
April
• Watch the mail for college financial aid award letters. Compare the financial aid awards you receive.
• Make your final college decision. Be sure to submit any required deposits by the stated deadlines.
January
May
• Submit your Denmark Scholarship application and required documents by the stated deadline.
• Submit the Enrollment Confirmation form, deposit and other required forms.
• Have your guidance counselor send your official high school transcript to the admissions offices at the colleges to which you are applying.
February
• Register for the Base Camp New Student Orientation that will take place over the summer (details online).
• Performing arts students - register for a required AU Visual and Performing Arts audition and scholarship competition day.
• February is Financial Aid Awareness Month. Research and attend any free financial aid programs offered by high schools or organizations.
• P lan a trip to visit your top college choices. When you visit, ask students and professors any questions regarding academics, campus activities, spiritual life, etc. • Attend college fairs and financial aid nights. • C heck with the financial aid office at the colleges to which you are applying for information regarding the cost of attendance and additional financial aid forms the school may require.
Did you know? Dean of College of Business Dr. Steve Nail, was appointed by former South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley, to serve on the State Healthcare Planning Committee.
March • March 1 is the priority filing deadline for AU financial aid programs.
• Register for an AU summer camp program. • Request your guidance counselor send your final high school transcript to the college you plan to attend. • Complete the online housing application. • Submit required health forms and immunization records.
• Finalize all aspects of your financial aid.
andersonuniversity.edu | 31
AU Professors Provide Knowledge for Your Journey a sampling of faculty professional experience
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Business
• Our Chair of Foreign Languages has authored 11 books, including four volumes of poetry and three scholarly books
• Former Vice President, Human Resources, Hubbell Commercial and Lighting
• Our English faculty have published definitive critical editions on Ron Rash as well as Irish War Poetry, authored multiple books of poetry and translations, published dozens of critical essays on major writers, been Fulbright Fellows, and recently won an award for nonfiction that was published in the 2016 Iowa Review. • Our Biology faculty played a crucial role in a major conservation effort that has resulted in the Rocky River Nature Park, an effort that has been recognized by the Sustainable Communities Champion award from Upstate Forever and is featured in an article by our faculty in Southeastern Naturalist. Biology and Chemistry faculty are also part of the select a team of undergraduate students each year to work as Cancer Scholars. Our Anderson University Center for Cancer Research Direct has been a Board Member on the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. • Our Mathematics Department, in collaboration with Biology Department, have helped AU students win Excellence in Research Awards at the Ernest Just Symposium at MUSC in both 2014 and 2015, and our Actuary Science program is ranked 28th in the country. • Our History Department faculty have been awarded Fulbright-Hays Fellowships, and have also been Smith Richardson Foundation World Politics and Statecraft Fellows, and serve as National Board Members on the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society.
• Former Vice President Labor and Employment, Michelin North America • Senior Analyst - Budget Operations, Holophane Lighting • President, Ceradyne Thermo Materials • Granted multiple U.S. patents, including the patent for the keyless tool chuck commonly used in keyless power tools • Former Vice President of Emerging Applications and V.P. of Marketing for Century Tel • Product Manager for BellSouth • Product Delivery Manager for AT&T • Former CFO of Rug Doctor, Inc. • Director for City of Panama City, Florida
School of Interior Design • NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) Credentialed Faculty • LEED Accredited Professionals with Specialty in Building & Construction LEED AP BC+C,GA, and AP • National Council Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) Credentialed Faculty
• Our award-winning Psychology faculty most recently helped their majors win first-place awards in meetings of the Society for Southeastern Social Psychologists in August, Georgia, and have published seven articles in the last year alone in major disciplinary publications. Their research on facial cues and voting preferences has been covered on national media websites.
• Professional Member The American Institute of Architecture
• Our Communication faculty recently received honors for screenplays at two film festivals—a finalist in this year’s Yosemite International Film Festival and as a semi-finalist in the Los Angeles CineFest. Our department Chair was recently elected to the board of directors for the South Carolina chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and will serve as the chapter’s ethics officer.
• Faculty are members of the American Society of Interior Design
32 | andersonuniversity.edu
• Professional Member The Interior Design Educators Council • Faculty are members of The International Interior Design Society
• National Faculty Advisor of the Year, American Society of Interior Design (ASID) • National Faculty Advisor of the Year, Honorable Mention, American Society of Interior Design
(Continued on page 34)
andersonuniversity.edu | 33
Anderson University
is one of only
• Educator of the Year, Carolinas American Society of Interior Design (ASID)
• Studied under renowned pianists, Rebecca Penneys, Antoinette Perry and Aube Tzerko
• American Society of Interior Design (ASID) Excellence in Design Awards, South Central Chapter, Gold and Silver awards
• Solo piano performance, Eastman School of Music (NY)
21
• Recipient of the South Carolina American Institute of Architecture Honor Award- Piedmont Wilderness Award, Project Architect
• Served as Interior Design Consultant South Carolina State Department of Education Curriculum Development Interior Design
• Theatre Faculty are members of Actors Equity and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) • Extensive work with regional theatres, including: The Spoleto Festival, Charlotte Little Theatre, Playhouse on the Square (Memphis), Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, and the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre
colleges or universities College in of Christian Studies the United States South Carolina School of the Arts that has earned an • Served on Board of Governors Water and Environmental Education Center (WEEC) seeking LEED Platinum Status
• Created Preaching.com, MinistryU.com, Youth Ministry Roundtable.com and other web resources for church leaders
• Award-winning, platinum-earning musical artist who has performed with Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Harry Connick Jr. and Frank Sinatra, among others
• Founded the American Academy of Ministry • Written or edited more than a dozen books on theology, preaching and ministry
• Home to winners of the 2006, 2016 and 2017 Michael Boles Excellence in Teaching Award
In fact, Anderson University • Launched consortiumhas partnership with Baylor earned it three consecutive University to lead students in the Giuliano Archaeological Research Project in Italy times—in 2014, 2016 and 2018.Did you know? • Three faculty members are Fulbright Scholar recipients, among the highest achievements in American scholarship. • Voice Instructor’s student was awarded first place honors at the national-level competition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) in July, 2019. • Composition recognized in an international choral composition competition (2018)
• Total recent grant work developing, among others, initiatives to improve special education/disability efforts in the classroom; improve technological innovation in schools; improve algebra learning. Total grant awards are in excess of $700,000 • Served as Director of Personnel Services for the third largest school district in the Upstate of South Carolina
• National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Specialist
• Served as President of South Carolina Council of Teachers of English
In addition to being excellent nurse educators, the faculty in the Anderson University School of Nursing have specialized expertise in a variety of medical disciplines, including:
• Served as an elementary principal for sixteen years
• Teacher of the Year for two schools in South Carolina
• Winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU)
College of Health Professions
• Served as Director of Professional Development for the third largest school district in the Upstate of South Carolina
• Board Member, Treasurer, Student Groups Coordinator for South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (SCAEYC)
• Two-Time Teacher of the Year in Texas
• • • • • • • • • • •
Advanced Healthcare Finance Bariatric Nursing Basic Life Support Cardiac Life Support Family Nursing Practice Hospice Nursing Medical Surgical Nursing Neonatal Nursing Nurse Executive Certification Obstetrics Perinatology
iPad 4U@AU
• Led massed choir from across the US in Carnegie Hall performance • Published dozens of compositions and arrangements, including two books of arrangements
• Served on boards and committees of denominational conventions and associations
• Selected as guest conductor for the South Carolina Music Educators Association choral clinic and honor choir
• Main session speakers and workshop presenters at major ministry conferences
• Two faculty members selected for the 2019 South Carolina Biennial, a survey exhibition of work by contemporary South Carolina artists.
• Presented papers for national and regional scholarly groups, including the Evangelical Theological Society, the Evangelical Homiletics Society, the Academy of Homiletics, and the Society of Biblical Literature
•
• Published articles in popular and scholarly publications, including Leadership, Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society, Preaching Magazine and more • Written more than 100 articles for various ministry publications
34 | andersonuniversity.edu
• Awarded Center of Excellence Grant: Mobile Learning Initiative for a total award of $600,000 to develop institutes focused on college and career readiness for local teachers and administrators
• Dean of the Center for Innovation & Digital Learning was one of 2,000 educators worldwide to recently be named an “Apple Distinguished Educator
A faculty member from the South Carolina School of the Arts was an extra in “The Hunger Games.” • More than a century of practical ministry experience in pastoral ministry in the local church, including serving as pastors of churches in Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and Indiana
Professional graphic design work with clients, including: Sotheby’s; Fidelity Investments, Neiman Marcus, The Cartoon Network, and The American Cancer Society.
College of Education
The AU Mobile Learning Initiative
AU is the first university in South Carolina and one of the first in the nation where all incoming freshmen receive the latest iPad for use in specially designed courses.
AU was the first school in the region to launch an iPad Mobile Learning Initiative (MLI) Anderson University is a three-time Apple Distinguished School, a rare distinction for universities. This places AU in the forefront of educational institutions around the globe in the use of mobile technology as a central teaching and learning tool. According to Apple, this designation is reserved for programs like AU’s Mobile Learning Initiative that meet stringent criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and that demonstrate Apple’s vision of exemplary learning environments.
Learn more: AndersonUniversity.edu/mli
Finally, you must decide to act upon the information you have learned. Start planning early. Take the SAT or ACT early. Apply to college early. Apply for financial aid and fill out the FAFSA early. You get the point. When it comes to the college process,
Parents, you are the most powerful influence on
early is good. You can consult the timeline found
college and career decision-making in your
in this publication to help identify what should be
child’s life. That means you have the power. That
done and when. You will also want to communicate
may seem a bit intimidating if you didn’t finish college
with the colleges in which you are interested. If possible, visit the campus and talk with the students, eat lunch in the dining hall, and perhaps spend the night in a residence hall. Look into programs designed to assist first-generation, college-bound students. And if you find you have more questions,
Advice for First-Generation College-Bound Students
then keep asking.
neighbor. Begin asking them questions. Ask them
process. Continue pressing forward. Your decisions
in your family to go to college can feel nearly
about test taking and college applications and dorm
today can change not only your future but the
impossible. But it isn’t. It just requires a
life. Ask them about their major and their career
future of the generations that follow.
little deciding.
and their favorite college. And don’t be afraid to
the fears and the nearly infinite possibilities head on. Second, decide that you will find the necessary resources to tackle all those unknowns. Identify those in your life who may be able to help you. Although you may be the first in your family, there are many you come in contact with on a day-to-day
graduate is about $1 million dollars more over a working lifetime? Be proactive in your child’s
“where are you going to college?”, not “are you
Navigating the process when you are the first
going to college?” And by all means, ask questions yourself. You may even be asking now, “how can I afford college?” The price tag of college can appear expensive. It does cost, but the truth is, if your child wants to go to college there are
ask them if they would be willing to walk through
financial resources to help. This includes aid
this process with you. Kim
“ If you are a first-generation student, then congratulations! Reading this publication shows that you are already taking the first steps in this process. Continue pressing forward.”
Did you know that the earning power of a college
guidance counselors. Foster a mindset that asks
that you are already taking the first steps in this
someway, I will go.” It means facing the unknowns,
college. Talk about the advantages of college.
congratulations! Reading this publication shows It may be a guidance counselor, you pastor or a
ahead of time. “I will go to college. Somehow,
Create an atmosphere in your home that is pro-
If you are a first-generation student, then
Navigating the college process can be difficult.
it? But it actually requires a settling in your mind
yourself. Don’t let that fact hinder your influence.
high school course selection. Attend meetings with
by Kim Sanders
First, decide that you will go. Sounds easy, doesn’t
Advice to Parents of FirstGeneration College-Bound Students
Sanders is a retired career and college specialist at Richland Northeast High School, a National Blue Ribbon School in Columbia, South Carolina that serves many first-generation college-bound students. She has presented on Navigating the College Process to audiences throughout the state.
specifically designed to help first-generation students. So don’t let financial worries change your child’s future. You are your child’s best advocate and guide. And you can impact a whole generation by guiding your student to stay the course.
basis who have already traveled this road. Find them. 36 | andersonuniversity.edu
andersonuniversity.edu | 37
Campus Events: Welcoming you and your family
You’re invited to attend these Special Visit Events Start Your Journey with a Campus Visit Event A campus visit gives you a small group introduction to AU. Your campus visit will last between 3 to 5 hours, depending on your specific preferences. First, you will experience an AU overview with an Office of Traditional Admission representative, followed by a campus tour with Presidential Ambassador Student Tour Guides. At the conclusion of your visit, you will meet with an Office of Traditional Admission Counselor to discuss the application process and financial aid, all of which will help educate you on why AU was chosen as one of America’s 100 Best College Buys. You may also choose to eat in our dining commons, meet with faculty and coaches, attend class or attend a performing arts event.
Immersing Yourself in the Journey with All Access If you’re like most prospective students who attend one of our First Glance events, you’ll not want to miss our most comprehensive visit experience. We call it All Access. It’s as close as you can get to being a student at Anderson University. You’ll spend the night in one of our residence halls, witness the inspiring and uplifting experience of campus worship and mingle with your future classmates. All Access is an important event for parents, too. You’ll enjoy a small, intimate dinner with AU President Dr. Evans P. Whitaker and other campus leaders; it’s the perfect opportunity and setting to ask questions, connect with other parents and get a glimpse of what life will be like for the young man or woman you’ve so capably raised. Immersing yourself in the Anderson University experience is the best way to see if AU is right for you. Get the full AU experience and see why so many students have chosen to call Anderson University home, and why U.S. News & World Report recognizes AU as a “Top Tier” Regional University in the South. We are an educational leader in mobile technology, and an Apple Distinguished School for three consecutive times.
38 | andersonuniversity.edu
What’s a personal campus visit like? It starts with a warm, hospitable welcome from members of our Office of Traditional Admission team. We’ll treat you like a member of our family—after all, that’s precisely what we hope you’ll become. Following an overview of what makes Anderson University such a special place, you’ll head out on a tour of our facilities with a Presidential Ambassador. You won’t want to miss the brand new G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Student Center, the $26-million, 90,000-square foot home to our dining commons, AU Outfitters, game rooms, a fitness center, Chick-Fil-A and Einstein Bros. Bagel, among other amenities. Other stops include the newly renovated Thrift Library and Henderson Auditorium, where we host campus worship services every Wednesday.
Office of Traditional Admission Counselors will meet with you after the tour to help you navigate the application process and explore financial aid options. After all, we’re committed to keeping AU as affordable as possible—so much so that Institutional Research and Evaluation has named AU one of America’s “100 Best College Buys” for nine consecutive years. Whether you choose to grab a bite to eat in our expansive dining commons, meet with our outstanding faculty or athletic coaches or maybe catch a performance at The South Carolina School of the Arts, it’s your journey. We’re here to help you get started.
The First Glance of Your Journey The introduction to Anderson University for many young men and women is our First Glance visit event. It’s an apt description: First Glance is a glimpse. It’s not just a tour of campus led by one of our Presidential Ambassadors, but also an overview of the AU experience that includes meeting your future professors and what to expect from the financial aid process. But no matter what visit experience you choose, First Glance; All Access; or perhaps an audition at The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University, you’ll learn so much about us. Like our reputation for innovation, a trait U.S. News & World Report recognized by naming AU to its prestigious “Most Innovative Schools” list. Or how we’re routinely lauded by our peers for affordability and accessibility. You’ll discover why AU is one of only 21 colleges or schools in the United States that has earned an Apple Distinguished School. In fact, AU has earned it three consecutive times—in 2014, 2016 and 2018. And, of course, you’ll see our distinctives in practice—academic excellence; commitment to faith; great hospitality; and a passion for helping you find your purpose and calling. Did we mention the free T-shirt? Choose from our selection and wear it proudly to show that you’re #truetoau.
Checkout all Campus Visit events and register at: andersonuniversity.edu/visit
Your check list to Become an AU student 1) Complete Your Application for Admission to Anderson University q
A complete application includes ACT and/or SAT Scores, high school transcripts and a $40 Application Fee
2) Plan Your Visit to AU q
www.andersonuniversity.edu/visit
3) Review the Deadline to Apply for Financial Aid q Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov
beginning October 1.
q AU’s priority deadline is March 1
4) Review the Deadlines for AU Competitive Scholarships
q South
Carolina School of the Arts – dates begin in October, see website for details 1 - Presidential Fellows Scholarship Deadline q February 1st – Denmark Scholarship Deadline q December
5) Confirm your spot by submitting your Enrollment Confirmation Form and Deposit
q Log-in
to Student Email and Self-Service Accounts for Anderson University Orientation q Complete the Housing Application q Fill out required Health Forms q Submit pertinent Financial Aid documents q Join your incoming class’s Facebook Group q Register
andersonuniversity.edu | 39
Academic Fast Facts
AU is a three-time
4.3%
1.6%
Percentages indicate number of students within each college.
5.5%
12.3%
30 1350
Participants in the AU Honors Program boast averages of 30 on the ACT & 1350 on the SAT.
22.4%
ACT SAT
12.4% 21.1% The Freshman Class has an average 24 ACT & 1151 SAT.
20.5%
24 1151
ACT SAT
AU is Home to 8 Colleges & Schools Recent National Recognition • “Best College” among regional universities in the south — U.S. News & World Report, 2019
• “America’s 100 Best College Buys” (Institutional Research and Evaluation)
• three consecutive times — in 2014, 2016, and 2018 thru 2020
78
• “ Most Innovative” among regional universities in the south — U.S. News & World Report, 2019 • “Best Southeastern” — The Princeton Review, 2019
44 | andersonuniversity.edu
• 22.4% College of Education • 12.3% South Carolina School of the Arts • 21.1% College of Health Professions • 5.5% College of Christian Studies of Public Service & • 20.5% College of Business • 4.3% School Administration • 12.4% College of Arts & Sciences • 1.6% School of Interior Design
800.542.3594 | AndersonUniversity.edu
MAJORS & CONCENTRATIONS
12
MASTERS/DOCTORAL DEGREES andersonuniversity.edu | 41
Non-Profit Org. US Postage
PA I D 316 Boulevard • Anderson, SC 29621
Permit 575
admission@andersonuniversity.edu www.AndersonUniversity.edu 800.542.3594
Asheville, NC
To learn more, visit:
AndersonUniversity.edu