LET’S
TALK ABOUT
STRONG.
Academics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 StrongPointsÂŽ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Majors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Study Abroad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Internships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Raleigh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Campus Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Graduate Success. . . . . . . . . . . 24 Paying for College. . . . . . . . . . . 28
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You know you’re strong. We know you can become even stronger. Ask anyone what Meredith women have in common, and the answer will be “confidence.” That’s no accident. Meredith College has been educating strong, confident women for more than a century. How do we do it? The answer is deceptively simple. We get to know you. The real you. What sparks your curiosity. What your natural talents are. What you hope to accomplish in your life. What you think is fun (and not so fun). In short, we learn exactly what makes you strong. But that’s just the first step. Throughout your time at Meredith, we’ll help you make a plan to accomplish your big dreams. The result? When you graduate, you’ll have a truly impressive résumé. One that shows employers and graduate schools why you’re the exact person they’re looking for: fearless, smart, and up for any challenge. Plus the confidence to interview for top jobs (or graduate schools) that put your strengths to best use. Come to Meredith. See how you can become even stronger.
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YOU ARE SMART. A strong education starts with an environment and people that challenge and support you – and prepare you for an ever-changing world.
In order to be ready for your first job or graduate school, it’s essential to spend some time actually doing what you’re learning. That’s why at Meredith, you’ll find a learning environment that combines rigorous academics with numerous opportunities for hands-on learning. In fact, over 95% of our students participate in an applied learning experience such as study abroad, undergraduate research, or internships. Valuable experiences that allow you to apply what you’re studying – and make you exceptionally prepared for what comes after college.
Top Ranked Meredith is nationally ranked as a top-tier liberal arts college by U.S. News and World Report.
98%
of Meredith alumnae were satisfied with their academic experience.
32% more
Meredith seniors participate in internships, field placements, and other hands-on learning experiences, compared with other college students nationally.
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CAITLYN GRIMES, ’18 POLITICAL SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
I was a part of Meredith College’s first Moot Court team. We were taught how to craft a case, present an argument, and really learn valuable legal skills. It was a great experience for students who are interested in pursuing law school or just being in the realms of advocacy or policy.”
Watch Caitlyn’s Strong Story at youtube.com/meredithcollege.
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STRONGPOINTS WILL MAKE YOU EVEN STRONGER.
StrongPoints® is an advising and personal coaching program found only at Meredith. First, you’ll identify your unique strengths, and then work with faculty and staff advisers to build and apply those strengths within four areas: academic, experiential, financial, and career. It’s designed to help you make the most out of your college experience. Even more important, you’ll learn how to build and carry out a plan to achieve your goals.
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StrongPoints is designed to result in • Greater likelihood of academic and professional success • Greater likelihood of completing a degree on time • An academic portfolio to help secure employment or admission to graduate or professional school • Stronger connections with faculty and staff • Experience in creating a functional plan with concrete priorities, goals, and strategies for lifelong success • Confidence in talking to potential employers or graduate school faculty about what makes you unique
StrongPoints is an integral part of the Meredith experience and available to every student at no extra cost.
My ambition makes me strong. One thing that I’ve learned about myself at Meredith is that if I set a goal, I can achieve it.” – Mary Ashley Rose, ’18
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STRONGPOINTS®
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR STRONG POTENTIAL. Academics Here are some of the ways you’ll address your academic planning: • Create an academic pathway to complete your degree on time • Work with your advisers to select a major, minor, and classes that give you the expertise to succeed after college • Enhance your study and time management skills
Experiential Much of your learning will happen outside of the classroom. From choosing the perfect internship to studying abroad, your experiential learning will enrich your academic experience through your participation in StrongPoints.
Over 95% of students participate in an applied learning experience such as study abroad, undergraduate research, or internships.
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98%
of alumnae said Meredith prepared them well to earn an additional degree or certification.
Financial Literacy We’ll prepare you to take responsibility for yourself and your own success in all areas of your life, including your finances. Through StrongPoints, you’ll begin to develop the skills you need to care for yourself in this essential aspect of your life.
44% According to a recent study, nearly half of women in the U.S. are the primary breadwinners in their households.
Career StrongPoints will help you plan for your career throughout your four years at Meredith. • Identify strengths, interests, and values that prepare you for a variety of career options • Create a portfolio to help secure employment or admission to graduate or professional school • Begin building a professional network within your field of interest • Prepare for interviews and develop a strong resume
93%
Over the past three years, 93% of alumnae are employed or pursuing graduate study within a few short months of graduation.
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WE MAJOR IN YOU. From Art Education to Web Development, Meredith offers more than 80 majors, minors, and programs to challenge you – including the option to design your own major. You’ll find the most current list of academic programs at meredith.edu/majors.
Design Your Own Major Meredith students have the option to design their own major. Examples of recent contract majors include Chinese studies, media writing, musical theatre, and arts management.
Meredith helped me to be a strong candidate and feel confident in the grad school application process. I feel ready for grad school thanks to everything I’ve learned here.” –Molly Smerko, ’18 Pursuing a Master of Divinity at Union Presbyterian Seminary on a full tuition scholarship.
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Meredith is one of only two women’s colleges in the world accredited by AACSB.
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Average class size at Meredith
MAJORS AND CONCENTRATIONS Accounting Art Education Art - Graphic Design Art - Studio Biology Business Administration Human Resource Management Marketing Chemistry Child Development Communication Interpersonal Communication Mass Communication Public Relations Computer Science Criminology Dance Dance Education Private Studio Teaching Economics Education Engineering* English Environmental Sustainability Exercise and Sports Science Health and Physical Education Health and Wellness Family and Consumer Sciences Fashion Merchandising and Design Design Merchandising Food and Nutrition Dietetics Food Systems and Management History Hospitality Management Culinary Management Hotel and Lodging Event Planning Interior Design International Studies Mathematics Music Music Education Political Science Pre-Law Public Affairs Psychology Public Health Religious and Ethical Studies Self-Designed Social Work Sociology Spanish Theatre MINORS Accounting Art History
Arts Management Biology Business Administration Chemical Physics Chemistry Child Development Communication Criminology Dance Economics English Entrepreneurship and Family Business Environmental Sustainability Ethics and the Public Interest Event Planning Exercise and Sports Science Family and Consumer Sciences Fashion Design Fashion Merchandising Finance Food and Nutrition Forensic Studies French Geoscience Graphic Design History Hospitality Management Human Resource Management Interior Design International Business International Studies Italian Studies Marketing Mathematics Mathematics and Computer Applications Medieval and Early Modern Studies Music Photography Political Science Pre-Law Professional Writing and Presentation Media Psychology Public Health Public History Religious & Ethical Studies Social Work Sociology Spanish Statistics Studio Art Theatre Web Development
Optometry Pharmacy Physical Therapy Physician Assistant Veterinary Medicine TEACHER LICENSURE PROGRAMS Undergraduate and Coeducational Post-Baccalaureate Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Elementary Education (K-6) Middle Grades (6-9) English/Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies Secondary Grades (9-12) Comprehensive Science English/Language Arts Mathematics Social Studies Special Subject Areas (K-12) Art Dance Health and Physical Education Music Spanish Theatre Workforce Development (7-12) Family and Consumer Sciences CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS Undergraduate Professional Performance Dance Music Musical Theatre Theatre Performance Technical/Design Graduate (Coeducational) Business Foundations Dietetic Internship Entrepreneurship and Family Business Paralegal Pre-Health GRADUATE PROGRAMS (Coeducational) Master of Arts in Psychology Master of Arts in Teaching Master of Business Administration Master of Education Master of Science in Nutrition
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS Dentistry Law Medicine Nursing
* Engineering offered as a dual degree (Chemistry or Mathematics) program with NC State University (Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Chemistry/ Environmental Engineering, Mathematics/Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics/Civil Engineering, Mathematics/Computer Engineering, Mathematics/ Electrical Engineering, Mathematics/Industrial Engineering, Mathematics/Mechanical Engineering)
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YOU’RE AS STRONG AS YOU THINK. Meredith faculty are as passionate about teaching as they are about scholarship. They’ll help you discern your strengths, academic and personal, and then develop ways to build on them. They’re also deeply engaged in their disciplines and leaders in their fields. Among our faculty you’ll find an Emmy-award winning reporter, Fulbright scholars, published authors, an award-winning choreographer, professional actors and musicians, ground-breaking scientists, and more. Bottom line: when you need a letter of recommendation for an internship, job, or graduate school, you won’t have to remind your professors who you are – they’ll know how to describe what makes you strong in glowing detail.
GET TO KNOW OUR STRONG FACULTY Through The Meredith Minute series, our expert faculty are able to share an aspect of their disciplinary knowledge, in a way that is eminently digestible and undeniably interesting. Here are just a few of the topics you can explore: • What is in a Scientific Name? • Explaining the Gender Pay Gap • How Does the Electoral College Work?
96%
• Why Can’t We Remember Our Childhood?
of first-year students said one or more faculty/staff members showed interest in their development.
• How to Help Women Succeed in STEM
• From Page to Stage: How to Make a Play
• The Surprising Benefits of Fidgeting and Doodling • Are “Natural” Products Safer Than Synthetic?
Meredith faculty serve as experts for top media outlets including ABC News, The Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, The New York Times, and BBC World Service.
• How Mathematics Impacts Your Health Watch the videos and read the essays at meredith.edu/minute.
THE
10
minute
William Schmidt, Professor of Physics
Eunyoung Yang, Associate Professor of Human Environmental Sciences
Cameron Johnson, Assistant Professor of Art
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YOU ARE ADVENTURO Strong is being willing to step out of your comfort zone. Nearly a third of our students study abroad. Our well-traveled, professional study abroad staff will help you find the right program to advance your academic and professional goals. You’ll earn academic credits abroad and gain valuable skills and experiences that will make you stand out in an increasingly global workforce. We’re here to help you take on the world.
Our students have studied abroad in 30 different countries over the past 5 years.
The Office of International Programs awards over $30,000 in annual study abroad scholarships.
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OUS. Early on in my Meredith career, I went to Sansepolcro in Italy to study classical music. This is when the opera bug bit me. I met famous choreographers, opera singers, acting teachers, drama teachers, and performers from all around the world. That networking opportunity got me so many more opportunities, including two internships in two different summers in Italy.” – Caroline Carter, ’18
Watch Caroline’s Strong Story at youtube.com/meredithcollege.
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YOU LEARN BY DOING. Internships are no longer considered optional by most employers. That’s why they are an essential part of the Meredith experience. Most students complete at least one and many do more, with placements starting as early as their freshman year. Internship coordinators in our career center and academic departments work together to find the right placement for you. Our students have an exceptionally strong reputation among employers, which means you’ll have multiple options when it comes to finding your placement. We’ll help you choose an internship that lets you practice what you’ve learned and contributes to your academic and career goals.
2,750 employers are approved to post jobs and internships on Meredith’s career services platform – with more requesting approval daily.
Recent Raleigh internship placements include Credit Suisse, Lenovo, RTI International, and SAS. Students have also interned at Atlantic Records (New York City, N.Y.), Fidelity Investments (Boston, Mass.), Moseley Architects (Richmond, Va.), and Elie Saab (Paris, France).
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HOLLY WATKINS, ’18 BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
I was able to have five internships at four different companies. Meredith helped connect me with them and prepared me to go into these internships with confidence. They really helped me hone in on what I wanted to do with my future.� Accepted a full-time position before graduation with Bandwidth, the company where she interned.
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Second Easiest City to Find a Job (Forbes)
Third Best City for Young Professionals (Forbes)
YOU ARE READY TO Raleigh offers 9,000+ acres of parkland. 1,300 acres of water = recreational activities year-round. 152 miles of a nationallyacclaimed greenway system with walking, jogging, and hiking trails. 200+ parks. 15.6 million visitors annually. 80+ live music 16
#7 Best Place to Live (U.S. News and World Report)
Best Big City in the Southeast (Money Magazine)
Raleigh was ranked in the Top 10 Cities Where Women Are Most Successful (CNBC.com)
EXPLORE. venues. Annual average temperature high 71, low 50 (°F). 3 major state museums of art, history, and natural sciences (all free) as well as a children’s museum, city museum, and contemporary art museum. 6 colleges and universities. 146 square miles. 17
YOU SEE THE BIG PICTURE. Meredith’s historic 225-acre campus includes a 1,200-seat amphitheater, seven residence halls and student apartments, student center, fitness center, and an athletic field and track complex. Campus is just 10 minutes from the State Capitol, the State Legislative Building, and the State Archives. And we’re just minutes away from Research Triangle Park (RTP), where you might intern, do research, and start your career.
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I love that I can get anywhere I need in less than 15 minutes. There is always something to do in Raleigh but if you don’t want all the hustle and bustle of the city, there’s always somewhere to go and just relax.” – Carlee Joseph, ’19
Most rooms in Meredith’s seven residence halls are suite style, with two double rooms sharing a bathroom. All include common areas and free laundry facilities. Juniors and seniors can choose to live in The Oaks, Meredith’s LEED-certified student apartments.
Students work out and take classes in the newly-renovated fitness center, which includes treadmills, elliptical cross trainers, rowers, power lifting racks, and much more.
The Science and Mathematics Building contains 80,000 square feet of labs and classrooms, including 13 research labs.
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YOUR (NEW) HOME. You’ll make friends that last throughout your college career and beyond. And you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.
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pieces of equipment in the Lowery Fitness Center
Guardian Angel dance create strong friendships.
Annual traditions like the
On-campus events
Sizzlin’ September bring like
students together.
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YOU ARE MULTIFACETED. Getting involved in life outside the classroom is (almost) as important as studying hard. You’ll meet new people, learn new things, and expand your horizons. Play an NCAA Division III sport. Volunteer in the community. Sing, dance, perform in a play, join a club, or immerse yourself in the College’s unique traditions. Big opportunities await. So jump in and grow even stronger.
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NCAA Division III sports
100
student organizations
First in the South Meredith was one of the first colleges in the South to establish a student government.
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DEMONICA STANLEY, ’19 EXERCISE AND SPORTS SCIENCE
I am a part of Meredith’s track team, I participate in Cornhuskin’ as well as Stunt, and I am a member of the Sports Science Association club. These activities helped me meet new people and create long-lasting friendships.”
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Every single alum that you’ll interact with wants to help you succeed and wants to answer your questions. Because when we were in your shoes, we had questions, too – and now we have the answers.”
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–Christa Allen, ’15
YOU FINISH WHAT YOU START. Meredith women can spot the onyx ring from across the room and around the world. They know the true meaning of honor. They believe that women have the power to change the world – and can give you examples of how it’s happening every day. And they know that together, they can accomplish far more than they ever could on their own. You’ll join a network of 22,000 graduates who offer valuable friendships that remain strong long after you’ve graduated. That means you have a powerful sisterhood of women who will be there for you – for the big life events, and
for the little ones. It means you’ll have instant connections across the country and around the world. Meredith women look out for each other and advocate for one another professionally. That’s because they know the kind of women a Meredith education develops: smart, confident, ethical leaders who work hard and know how to make things happen. And, every successful alumna enhances the value of a Meredith degree – making it an investment that gets stronger with each passing year.
99%
225+
of alumnae saw important benefits in attending a women’s college.
mock interviews are held annually by alumnae and friends of Meredith.
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CHRISTINA CHURCHILL, ’16
I am fully aware of the challenges that are still ahead of me, especially in the engineering field, and what I can do to help the next generation of women overcome those challenges. I now serve as a mentor to other female engineers and do all that I can to encourage young women to pursue STEM careers.�
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YOU HAVE A STRONG FUTURE. When we look at our students, we see women who intend to make a difference in the world. And they see Meredith as a proving ground to make that happen. That’s because we have a long tradition of helping strong, bright women become even stronger and brighter. In turn, Meredith women go on to use their intelligence and strength in their careers, families, and communities.
22,000+
alumnae living in all 50 states and around the world.
Meredith offers lifetime access to career planning services for all alumnae.
20% Higher Meredith’s graduation rate is 20% higher than the national average.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNAE •
N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice
•
First woman and first African-American to hold command roles in the Chaplain Corps of the U.S. Navy
•
First woman to hold a leadership position in the N.C. House and Senate
•
First female journalist to anchor a national news broadcast
•
Tony Award-winning actress
•
Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker
•
Professors, deans, and presidents at some of the top colleges and universities in the country
•
First female U.S. Attorney in North Carolina
•
Teachers of the Year (so many we’ve lost count)
•
Founders of nonprofits
•
Entrepreneurs
•
Competitive athletes
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HERE’S HOW WE MAKE STRONG POSSIBLE. $16.5-21K Range of academic merit-based scholarships awarded to qualified students at time of admission.
$27,701
Average amount of financial assistance awarded to first-year students.
Over 95% of first-year students receive scholarships or financial assistance. College is a significant expense for most families. It’s also one of the most important investments you’ll ever make. Most families will not pay full cost to attend Meredith – we have a staff of financial aid counselors who can assist you in developing a plan to pay for your college education. And Meredith offers a number of options to help. Need-based scholarships. Academic merit-based awards. Grants. Loans. All designed to bring Meredith within reach for women like you who want to make the most of their futures.
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THIS IS WHAT STRONG LOOKS LIKE. Chartered in 1891, Meredith College opened with just over 200 women. Today, our student body has grown to nearly 2,000 and includes men at the graduate level. Meredith will challenge you to explore your interests, expand your skills, and build on your strengths. Our graduates go on to use their intellect and abilities to make a positive impact on the world. At 127 years and counting, Meredith College is still going strong.
Top 20%
Meredith is ranked among the top 20% of colleges in the country by Forbes.com.
Enrollment 1,981 including 296 graduate students. Students come from 33 states and 38 countries
Top 10
Named one of the Top 10 Colleges and Universities in North Carolina by USA Today College
Best Colleges One of the “Best Colleges in the Southeast� according to The Princeton Review
80 93% Over the past three years, 93% of graduates are employed or pursuing graduate study within a few short months of graduation.
majors, minors, and concentrations
12:1
student/faculty ratio
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WHEREVER YOU’RE
GOING IN LIFE,
GO STRONG. APPLY: meredith.edu
Office of Admissions | 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607-5298 (919) 760-8581 or 1-800-MEREDITH | FAX (919) 760-2348 | admissions@meredith.edu
#MCGoingStrong
Meredith College admits qualified women students without regard to race, creed, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
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Photography by Christopher Ferrer, Lisa Gotwals, Kaili Ingram, Travis Jack, Gary Knight, Charlotte McKinney, Susan Murray, Christopher Taggert, Charles Taylor, Caleigh Thomas, Lauren Sumner.
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