BSC
Birmingham-Southern College
true value a
in education
“Today’s graduates, over their lifetimes, will experience change at an unprecedented pace. They will have not one career but perhaps many. To cope with this kind of change, they will need self-confidence and a sense of purpose coupled with adaptability and a capacity for continuous learning. A familiarity with the body of knowledge and methods of inquiry and discovery of the arts and sciences and a capacity to integrate knowledge across experience and discipline may have far more lasting value in such a changing world than specialized techniques and training, which can quickly become outmoded.” — Carnegie Corporation of New York
We know college costs a lot. But there’s more to the next phase of your life than just the bottom line. Let us show you why Birmingham-Southern College is a sound investment in your future.
We don’t just train workers— we prepare the professionals of tomorrow At BSC, we’re serious about teaching the next generation of leaders. All the experiences you’ll have here—from the connections you’ll make in and outside the classroom, to mentoring from faculty and others—will give you the tools to succeed, no matter where you end up. That’s something you can’t put a price tag on. We’ve even designed our curriculum based on the latest research about what employers, law schools, and medical schools are looking for in graduates. According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, they want young people with a strong ethical foundation who are able to communicate effectively, solve problems creatively, connect knowledge in new ways, engage with their community, and take responsibility for their own learning. We require all our students to prove those skills before they graduate, no matter their field.
A college experience that’s tailored to you A BSC education is not one size fits all, but is tailored to you, by you. Our curriculum and the hands-on faculty advisors that guide you through it will offer you the best BirminghamSouthern experience possible and one that’s ultimately yours to decide. Whether you pursue a practice in medicine, law, arts, or any field, the flexibility of BSC’s curriculum allows you to invest your time in whatever interests you. Birmingham-Southern’s faculty are committed to creating opportunities to explore your potential and your passions, from helping you plan to study abroad, arranging professional experiences in any field, or assisting you to design your own course of study.
We guarantee unique experiences At BSC, we know some of the most important learning happens outside the classroom. First, our January Exploration Term gives you four weeks each year to work on an in-depth project, tackle research, embark on an internship, engage in service, or travel around the world. We’ll also find ways to incorporate real-life learning into every field, whether that’s collaborative research with a physics professor, presenting a proposal to local CEOs in a business class, or testing your teaching skills in an elementary school in Africa. Our whole approach is designed to prepare you for life after graduation.
Birmingham is our stomping ground Being in Birmingham opens up a world of opportunity for BSC students. Our alumni run businesses, law firms, and medical practices. They play a prominent role in the government and nonprofit world—and they’re eager to help our students get real-world experiences. Our Norton Board, a group of 150+ local leaders who advise the college, offers quality internships and an intense mentoring program for BSC juniors to get monthly guidance from professionals in their field. And there are plenty of other options for internships, job shadowing, and service right here in the Magic City.
You’ll finish in four years—really We’re so confident in our advising and curriculum that we can promise you’ll graduate in four years—something you won’t find at many other schools. That saves both money and time off the job market.
BSC students get into top graduate schools Each year, about half of our graduates go on to professional or graduate school, including the top schools in the world. Most of our pre-health students land in the medical or dental program of their choice—thanks in part to our dedicated hands-on advising team. Our acceptance rates for those schools as well as veterinary, nursing, public health, and physical therapy far exceed the national average.
“When you measure the value of an education from BirminghamSouthern, you have to consider the vast opportunities that the school offers. Whether you move on to graduate school or begin your working career immediately after graduation. Birmingham-Southern opens doors.” — Robert Aderholt ’87, U.S. Congressman
“The money we spent on our son’s BirminghamSouthern education is the best investment we have ever made. We are grateful to the college for his experience.” — Britt and Donna Rice,
parents of David Rice ’04, a pulmonary/critical care doctor at the Medical University of South Carolina
Ansley Collins Brown ’01
Trajectory Operations and Planning Officer for NASA’s International Space Station
Anil Mujumdar ’97 Special Counsel, Adams and Reese LLP
Sena Jeter Naslund ’64
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author of Four Spirits
Gary Crosby ’09
Teach for America, London School of Economics
A sample of what BSC graduates do: 3M Company division vice president Alabama Medicaid director American Dental Association president American Heart Association president Assistant U.S. Attorney FORTUNE magazine managing editor Georgia Museum of Art director Guggenheim Fellow Metropolitan Opera solo artist New York Times executive editor O’Neal Steel CEO Outreach International executive director Paintball inventor Pilot in command of Air Force 2 Sting’s manager United Methodist Church Council of Bishops president University of Tennessee president U.S. District Judge U.S. Senator Wake Forest University president
Michelle Ladd ’92
Motion Capture Fight Director, Stuntperson on Lord of the Rings: Return of the King & Thor
“Birmingham-Southern made the process of applying for scholarships and financial aid an easy and pleasant experience. I have never met a staff so dedicated to helping students and their families.” Lindsey Horton Biology
Are you ready to invest in your future? Our goal is to make a Birmingham-Southern education available to everyone, and we are committed to offering as much assistance to as many students as possible. Why is it so important to us? Because we know that the value you’ll get from a BSC education is priceless. See why BSC has been listed a “Best Buy” by the Fiske Guide to Colleges and is ranked among the top 100 “Best Values in Liberal Arts Colleges” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
COST OF ATTENDANCE Tuition & mandatory fees Room & board
direct COSTS
$33,128 1 1 ,350
$44,478
Books & supplies (varies) 1 ,260 Additional est. indirect costs 2,772 (transportation, personal, etc.)
total COST
$48,510
Making the best affordable More than 90% of BSC students get some kind of financial assistance, so very few pay the full cost of attendance. With generous aid packages and a team of financial planning professionals who will work with your family to figure out the best possible options for you, BSC may be more within reach than you think—and likely costs less than other options. Percent of BSC freshmen receiving need-based aid: 52% Percent receiving merit-based awards: 92% To learn more, including specific scholarship information, visit our Office of Financial Planning at www.bsc.edu/fp.
Find out what comes next! Learn more at www.bsc.edu or visit us. To schedule, contact Becky Baxter at bbaxter@bsc.edu or call (205) 226-4696.
We know paying for college can be overwhelming—and we’re here to help. Our Office of Financial Planning will guide you through the process of applying for aid and will put together the best package for you. That may include a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment.
Merit-based aid
You’ve worked hard to get to this point. You should be rewarded for it! To find out more about types of merit scholarships at BSC and how we calculate aid, visit www.bsc.edu/ admission/scholarships.cfm.
Need-based aid
You must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to be considered for need-based awards, including: • Federal grants, including Pell Grants, which range from $500 to $5,000, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which can bring up to $1,000 per year. • State grants for Alabama residents, including the Alabama Student Assistance Program and the Alabama Student Grant, each of which can provide an estimated $400-$500 per year. Find out more at http://www.ache.state.al.us. • BSC Grant-in-Aid, which is funded by the college and donors to support students who still have need after any scholarships, federal, and state grants. • Work-Study jobs are offered to more than one-third of BSC students, who make between $900 and $1,200 per year on average. Students must usually demonstrate need by submitting a FAFSA.
Loans
BSC provides federally insured, low-interest, long-term loans to students and parents through the U.S. Department of Education. Most loans require a FAFSA. There are four main types of federal loans: • Direct Subsidized Loans are need-based and go to students. • Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not need-based and go to students. • Direct PLUS Loans go to parents and are not need-based. • Federal Perkins Loan Program.
Are you ready to get started? Once you’re admitted, fill out the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can find details at www.bsc.edu/fp or contact the Office of Financial Planning at (205) 226-4688.
900 Arkadelphia Road Box 549008 Birmingham, AL 35254
Office of Admission
Birmingham-Southern College
a
in education
true value
BSC