AT URSINUS, EVERY JOURNEY BEGINS WITH FOUR QUESTIONS.
What should matter to me?
How should we live together?
How can we understand the world?
What will I do?
These questions urge you to pause, reflect, examine, and even change your mind along the way. To guide you, because much like your college search, every journey is different. All that matters is this: You keep asking questions. You try new things. You reflect on what you learned. You remain open.
You can start right here. This book is meant to be your companion. To have all the information you need about Ursinus, and offer you some clarity, stress relief, mindfulness, and reflection. Toss it in your bag, keep it by your side, use it to take your notes and list your to-do’s. Hang onto it over the next few years and see how your goals adapt and evolve, just like you. And when you graduate, take a look back and see just how far you’ve come.
So dive in. Enjoy the journey. Have fun.
IF YOU NEED SOME BACKGROUND MUSIC TO GET YOUR WHEELS TURNING, CHECK OUT THIS PLAYLIST OF STUDY TUNES CURATED BY CURRENT URSINUS STUDENTS.
01 WHAT SHOULD MATTER TO ME?
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT IN THIS SECTION:
What does Ursinus believe in?
What is there to do on campus?
Where is Collegeville, anyway?
WE’RE URSINUS COLLEGE.
A few things you should know about us from the start: We’re a liberal arts college located in Collegeville (yep), Pennsylvania, right outside Philadelphia. We’ve been around for more than 150 years. We’ve got a curriculum based on curiosity and wonder.
And questions. Lots and lots of questions. But not the kind you see on exams and homework (though you’ll get quite a few of those throughout your years here, too).
At Ursinus, we see the act of questioning as a journey, and almost more important than the answer (or the destination). It’s how we learn about ourselves, the world around us, and what’s possible for the future. It’s also how we decide what makes us happy, what we like (and what we don’t), and who we want to be.
SO, WHAT MATTERS TO US?
Here’s a quick look into what we’re like, what we believe, and how we work to make your college experience as healthy and happy as possible.
AFFORDING YOUR EDUCATION
We know it’s true: The cost of college is on everyone’s minds. Many times, it’s the first thing students or parents check when researching a school. We get it. That’s why Ursinus offers strong need and merit based scholarships, including the Bomberger Leadership Scholarship, which covers tuition, housing, and food.
A FOCUS ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS
When President Hannigan signed the Okanagan Charter (read more about what that is on page 25) during her inauguration, she let the world know that campus wellness is a top priority at Ursinus.
We envision a community of students, faculty, and staff who make thoughtful and responsible decisions in regard to their overall wellness, which leads to enhanced well-being for people, places, and the planet.
HOW WE KEEP YOUR EDUCATION VALUABLE
Did you know, when it comes to the return on investment for a degree (a.k.a. how much you benefit after spending time, money, and effort at a place like Ursinus), that liberal arts colleges outperform other institutions by more than $200,000 over the long term? That’s what a 2022 report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce found. And Ursinus’s ROI is 29% more than the median for all liberal arts colleges, placing us in the top 6% of all colleges and universities in the nation.
The same report determined that an Ursinus degree has an ROI of more than $1.3 million over 40 years—ranking us nationally at #249 out of 4,500 colleges, and at #27 in Pennsylvania. Talk about a smart investment (and a big chunk of change). Plus, within six months of graduating, 97% of our graduates are employed, attending graduate or professional school full time, completing a fellowship, or engaged in a year of service.
STRONGER CONNECTIONS, STRONGER OUTCOMES
Whether you attend Ursinus, or you’re a family member, part of our faculty, or someone in the Collegeville community, know this: We consider you one of us. Our campus is open and welcoming. Our people are warm and compassionate. We know that because we live it every day—and also because we’ve gotten a little bit of recognition for it. Like scoring 95/99 for professor accessibility from the Princeton Review, and being named one of 44 Colleges That Change Lives. If you want to experience it for yourself, pay us a visit sometime. We love you already.
COLLEGE PUTTING THE
We love introducing new visitors to the Ursinus campus.
With an art museum in our own backyard, to the sculpture garden, to the serene Perkiomen Trail, Ursinus— and Collegeville—is the perfect place to learn, grow, make lifelong friends, and discover yourself a little more each day.
COLLEGEVILLE. IN
SLEEP, STUDY, STAY AWHILE.
Picture yourself here.
When it comes to the place you’ll rest your head each night, we’ve got something for everyone at Ursinus. Your first year is when you’ll meet friends, learn your way around campus, and get settled in with neighbors going through all the same things as you. And there are no surprises here.
FIRST-YEAR HOUSING
All first-year students live in one of two residence halls—either Beardwood, Paisley, and Stauffer Halls (a.k.a. BPS) or Brodbeck, Wilkinson, and Curtis Halls (a.k.a. BWC).
Our first-year halls are both four-story, co-ed residences with single-gender, co-ed, and genderinclusive hallway options. You’ll settle in together, baking cookies in our community kitchens and taking advantage of the free laundry facilities right in the building. All halls have social spaces and study areas, and at Paisley, the common area has been newly renovated.
Want to enjoy some fresh air? The unique shape of certain residence halls creates grassy quads perfect for relaxing and enjoying sunny afternoons, and even lawn games on what students have dubbed “Paisley Beach.”
See our residence halls in all their glory right here.
GOOD TO KNOW
TEND TO SLEEP IN? NO PROBLEM.
First-year residence halls are close to classrooms, so you can hop out of bed and go (but brush your teeth first).
FRIENDSHIP INCLUDED FREE OF CHARGE.
Your RAs lead social activities with your floormates, so you’ll have lots of opportunities to get to know your fellow first-years and build connections right from the start.
BRING YOUR BESTIE.
Already have your perfect roomie in mind? Great! You can request your roommate in your first year, as long as they request you as well.
BUT WE’RE PRETTY GOOD MATCHMAKERS, TOO.
You’ll fill out a form detailing your sleeping habits, tidiness, interests, and other fun facts, and our residence life office will do the rest. We’ll find you the roommate(s) of your dreams. We like to think it’s our special talent.
AMENITIES AT ALL RESIDENCE HALLS INCLUDE:
• Ethernet access
• Wireless internet access
• FREE, coinless laundry facilities in building
• Public kitchenette spaces with ranges, refrigerators, and microwaves
• Public lounge with TV
• Air conditioning
• Vending machine
• Primarily double and triple rooms with some singles
• Residents have 24/7 card access system to enter the building
AN OPEN CAMPUS. A THRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE FLOY LEWIS BAKES CENTER
This mammoth facility contains a state-of-the-art fitness center and weight room, a 200-meter indoor track, indoor tennis courts, a dance studio, three fullsized basketball courts, spacious locker rooms and team rooms, a wrestling room, classrooms, a regulation collegiate-sized swimming pool, squash and racquetball courts, and a gymnastics space—whew. So if you’re looking to move your body, clear your mind, and break a sweat, look no further.
THE BERMAN MUSEUM OF ART
The Berman offers exhibitions and events right here on campus—featuring our very own collection of outdoor sculptures by noted artists, provided through the generosity of Philip and Muriel Berman.
THE KALEIDOSCOPE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Kaleidoscope is one of the best spots on campus to see creativity shine. With a 380-seat proscenium arch theater and a black-box theater, it houses ample space for Ursinus performers to soak up their moment in the spotlight.
THE WISMER CENTER DINING HALL
The dining hall offers a wide variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an all-you-can-eat buffet style. Feast at 16 stations open throughout the day, including vegan and vegetarian dishes, pizzas and pastas, a salad bar, a bake shop, a grill, food from many international cuisines, and dedicated allergen-free and gluten-free options. Bon appétit.
Check out downtown Phoenixville—a great place to dine, shop, and listen to live music on the weekends!
A city break is only a train ride away—we’re lucky to count Philadelphia as a close neighbor.
THE SCHELLHASE COMMONS
Located at our main entrance, the Commons strengthens our connections with the local Collegeville community. It’s home to the admission office, the college bookstore, and Café 2020 (yes, we’ve even got a Starbucks), plus meeting and event spaces with vibrant and diverse programming.
IT ALL BEGINS IN A TOWN CALLED
COLLEGEV ILLE.
THE URSINUS STORY WOULDN’T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT OUR BELOVED HOMETOWN.
Collegeville is the quintessential college town, part of a region that has long attracted intellectuals and deep thinkers, who flock here to be inspired and immersed in the rich history and gorgeous scenery.
OUR LOCATION
Collegeville is located about midway between the Pennsylvania towns of Valley Forge and Pottstown, and about 27 miles northwest of Philadelphia’s Center City.
It’s a beautiful and safe community to live and learn, with all the big-city energy of nearby Philadelphia (In fact, the bus to Philly stops right at our front gate, so access is that much easier).
Hungry? Bored? Check out our Collegeville favorites right here.
URSINUS’S IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY
65% OF URSINUS STUDENTS are involved in some type of community service.
800 POUNDS OF PRODUCE grown by the campus farm have been donated to the Daily Bread community food pantry.
Ursinus and Collegeville
Our students, faculty, and staff help make Collegeville a great place to come home to.
Collegeville is more than where we work and learn. For our students and many of our staff and faculty, it’s our home. And just as we commit to making Ursinus’s campus a welcoming, warm place for all, we put the same passion and care into our hometown. There’s a strong bond between school and town. Officials from Ursinus and Collegeville have been working together to revitalize the downtown area—a testament to our combined partnership and dedication.
32 COMMUNITY PARTNERS engaged with Ursinus service projects last year.
600 PEOPLE from Collegeville and beyond came to two Movies on the Lawn events last summer.
02 HOW SHOULD WE LIVE TOGETHER?
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT IN THIS SECTION:
What does community mean to me?
How can I take care of my mind and body while I’m at school? Who can I turn to when I need help?
Your classes, your hobbies, your mental health, and your day-to-day at Ursinus is an experience entirely by design and something all your own.
Here is where you’ll decide how you want to spend your days. Sure, there are certain requirements you’ll need to complete, depending on your major or goals. But when it comes to activities, social events, clubs, sports, volunteering, or enriching courses, that’s all you.
We know that can be a lot. So we want you to know we’ve got your mind on our minds. We go to great lengths to make sure that wellness resources and health services are available to you, should you need them—so you can feel your best, every day.
GET INVOLVED.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the clubs and organizations offered at Ursinus.
ACTIVITIES
Anime Club
Game Club
Mock Trial
Nerf Club
Outdoors Club
Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT)
The Ursinus College Investment Management Company (UCIMCO)
ARTS
AND ENTERTAINMENT
B’Naturals (female a cappella choir)
Breakaway Student Productions
Dance Team
Escape Velocity Dance Troupe
Seismic Step
Ursinus College Sports Network (UCSN)
Universal Sounds Gospel Choir
CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Association of Latinx Motivated to Achieve (ALMA)
Francophone Club
Heart & Seoul
Sankofa Umoja Nia (SUN)/Black Student Union
Southeast Asian Student Association (SASA)
GREEK ORGANIZATIONS
FRATERNITIES
Alpha Delta Phi Society
Alpha Phi Epsilon
Delta Pi Sigma
Kappa Alpha Psi
Phi Kappa Sigma
Pi Omega Delta
Sigma Pi
SORORITIES
Kappa Delta Kappa
Omega Chi
Phi Alpha Psi
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Tau Sigma Gamma
POLITICAL ACTION AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
Active Minds
Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) oSTEM
Pre-Law Society
Women in Technology and Science (WiTS)
PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA
The Grizzly Newspaper
The Lantern literary magazine
Ursinus College Sports Network (UCSN)
WVOU Radio
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
Hillel
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Voices of Praise Gospel Choir
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Best Buddies
Rotaract Club
UC Ambassadors (UCA)
VIRTUE (Virtual Ursinus Service)
Wismer on Wheels
STUDENT GOVERNANCE
Inter-Greek Council (IGC)
Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC)
Ursinus College Student Government Association (SGA)
HILLEL
Originally founded as the Jewish Student Organization in 1979, Ursinus Hillel is the center for Jewish student activities on campus. Hillel gathers on Fridays to cook and enjoy Shabbat dinner with students from all parts of campus, shares in monthly bagel brunches, conducts weekly lunch-and-learns, and celebrates all of the Jewish holidays.
CLUB SPORTS
Ursinus offers six club sports, including cheerleading, men’s and women’s rugby, men’s soccer, men’s volleyball, and ultimate frisbee.
GENDER AND SEXUALITY ALLIANCE (GSA)
The Gender and Sexuality Alliance is a political action and advocacy group on campus that supports LGBTQ+ individuals, aiming to raise awareness and to work for social equality and justice.
SANKOFA UMOJA NIA (SUN)/ BLACK STUDENT UNION
SUN fosters a sense of awareness throughout the Ursinus community for African and AfricanAmerican culture, including Caribbean, AfroLatino, and all African Diasporic cultures.
OUTDOORS CLUB
The Outdoors Club provides students with as many outdoor activities in a semester as possible, including rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, and trips to parks. The club welcomes all students, and no prior outdoor experience is needed.
THE LANTERN
The Lantern is an annual literary magazine (print and electronic) showcasing the best of Ursinus student poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and artwork. The magazine comes out in April, with a launch celebration and cash prizes for winning works, as selected by past editors and contributors among Ursinus alumni.
ACTIVE BODIES, ACTIVE MINDS.
Whether you’re looking for a semester of competition or just have 30 minutes between classes, you’ll find plenty of options to get moving. Our fitness center, tennis courts, pool, and outdoor track—even the Perkiomen Trail that runs along the border of our campus— are always available to get your heart rate up and put your mind at ease.
GET A HEAD START
Take a look at all of our recreation and fitness opportunities.
Then use the space below to write down which club sports you’d be interested in trying. Some thought starters:
What have I done before?
What have I always wanted to try out?
What seems too hard for me—is this a chance to prove myself wrong?
WELCOME TO THE BEARS’ DEN.
Ursinus offers 26 varsity sports, and a third of the student body participates on these NCAA teams. Combined with our club sports, many of our students participate in some kind of athletic activity. The Ursinus Bears compete in the Division III Centennial Conference.
WOMEN’S
SPORTS
Basketball
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field (Indoor/Outdoor)
Volleyball
Wrestling
MEN’S
SPORTS
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field (Indoor/Outdoor)
Wrestling
WHERE YOU’RE PART OF SOMETHING A CENTURY IN THE MAKING.
SOME OF OUR TRADITIONS STRETCH BACK DECADES; OTHERS ARE STILL BRAND NEW.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the creator of the next classic Ursinus pastime.
HOMECOMING
Homecoming is a celebratory time when Bears from near and far return to campus to reconnect with old friends in a fun, festive atmosphere.
FAMILY WEEKEND
During the fall semester, the college hosts Family Weekend, where we celebrate student experiences and achievements in and out of the classroom.
CELEBRATION OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT (COSA)
Every April, we reschedule classes for a day so every student can participate in CoSA. The day is filled with talks, poster presentations, and performances from hundreds of students in every discipline.
CONVOCATION AND GRADUATION GAUNTLET
Convocation is the formal opening of the academic year for first-year students. Following the ceremony, faculty, staff, and students line up outside of Bomberger Hall to welcome and cheer on the newest class of Bears. The same type of formation takes place four years later, when the class exits commencement and passes through a gauntlet formed by faculty.
THANKSGIVING DINNER IN WISMER
Nothing beats mom’s cooking, but this sure comes close! Students often tell us this is their favorite dinner of the year in Wismer—and it’s a tradition that started long before Friendsgiving was even a thing.
URSPYS
You’ve heard of the ESPYs, but what about the URSPYs? Each spring, we close out the year with a celebration of athletic achievement, complete with a red carpet, photo ops, and awards!
SENIOR HALLOWEEN PARTY
It’s no tricks and just treats at this long-standing, off-campus party for seniors only.
LATE-NIGHT PANCAKES
Every semester, during exams, faculty and staff cook enough pancakes to feed students who need a break from studying. Deans, directors, staff, and professors volunteer for the evening, which also includes a few rounds of blow-off-somesteam karaoke.
BEAR FAIR
Close out the semester with a bang! Bear Fair is an event that’s become an instant classic—an afternoon of food, fun, and adventures, with food trucks, carnival games, ax throwing, mechanical bull riding, and more.
“I've had a lot of highlights, but one of my favorite moments
was during my freshman orientation, where we had a bonfire, dance party, and food trucks. It was so much fun, and I even taught President Hannigan the ‘CottonEye Joe’ dance!”
—LUCY ’26
What tradition will be your favorite?
WELLNESS CANNOT BE AN AFTERTHOUGHT.
—URSINUS PRESIDENT ROBYN HANNIGAN
President Hannigan goes on to say, “As a college community, we need to support the whole student, as well as each of our employees, and promote healthy lifestyles viewed through a broader wellness lens.”
At Ursinus, we’re dedicated to living up to these words in all that we do. We believe in cultivating well-being at every level of your life—not just mental health, but physical, intellectual, financial, and more. Ursinus offers resources for each of these aspects of our lives, weaving healthy bodies, minds, spirits, and lifestyles into the fabric of our community and the way we live together.
A COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND EQUITY IS A HALLMARK OF OUR COMMUNITY.
We are dedicated to offering an environment where all students—and everyone who steps onto our campus— feel accepted, affirmed, and at home. Over 30% of Ursinus students have academic or residential accommodations through the office of disability and access (ODA). The mission of the ODA is to ensure they feel safe, secure, and welcome in their learning and living environments.
HERE
ARE JUST SOME OF THE WAYS WE SUPPORT YOU
• Reasonable accommodations
• Academic coaching appointments
• Peer mentoring program
• Education on the social model
BE HERE. BE YOU.
Affirming the identities of all community members is deeply important to Ursinus. That’s why we’re working to ensure that our information always reflects the chosen names, pronouns, and gender identities of our students, faculty, and staff.
OKANAGAN CHARTER
We take the health and wellness of our students seriously. It’s kind of our thing. So much so that, in 2022, we were the first liberal arts college to sign the Okanagan Charter.
So what is the Okanagan Charter?
Officially: It’s an international charter for health-promoting universities and colleges.
That means: It’s a decree that calls on post-secondary schools to prioritize health on campus and provide resources to students in an effort to promote student health and happiness. (It was written at the Okanagan campus of the University of British Columbia, which is where it gets its name.)
The Okanagan Charter has two missions:
• To embed health into all aspects of campus culture, across the administration, operations, and academic mandates.
• To lead health-promoting action and collaboration locally and globally.
President Robyn Hannigan signed the charter at her inauguration, promising to foster more holistic well-being in the campus community.
03 HOW CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD?
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT IN THIS SECTION:
Where does my education begin? How far does it go?
What programs are available to me?
What unique educational experiences can Ursinus offer me?
OPEN QUESTIONS. OPEN MINDS.
Education is a conversation, and the best conversations begin with real questions.
Ursinus’s Open Questions curriculum is built around four questions that everyone confronts throughout their lives (hint: they’re the title of each section of this viewbook). You’ll begin to unravel them, one by one, during your years at Ursinus.
THEIR JOURNEY, THEIR WAY.
THIS IS (A) QUEST.
This is the first step of your journey. As you complete the courses aligned with each question in the Quest curriculum, you’ll grow as a student and a person—capable of solving problems, thoughtfully considering issues, and better understanding the world around you.
QUESTION 1
WHAT SHOULD MATTER TO ME?
GET A HEAD START
What matters most to you now? Has this changed over time?
HOW YOU’LL GROW
You’ll build the ability to participate in group discussions and debates. You’ll learn to express your thoughts, feelings, and opinions through writing. You’ll be able to read articles or texts and challenge their assumptions and form your own conclusions. You’ll clarify what really matters to you, and what should— and how to bridge that gap.
QUESTION 2
HOW SHOULD WE LIVE TOGETHER?
GET A HEAD START
How do you currently expose yourself to other cultures or ways of life?
HOW YOU’LL GROW
You’ll understand the implications of privilege on a deeper level, reflecting on themes of diversity and equality. You’ll engage with cultures different from your own, analyzing how these cultures formed and grew over time. You’ll ponder how all cultures, including your own, should interact with others and what this has looked like in the past—and what it could mean for the future.
Planning to apply soon? Pay very close attention to the information on this page. You may see it again when it’s time to write your supplemental essay.
HOW CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD?
GET A HEAD START
When was the last time you were confused by something you heard in the news? What did you do to try to understand it better?
HOW YOU’LL GROW
You’ll deepen and expand the ways you absorb information from the media and the people around you. You’ll use logic to move through steps to reach appropriate conclusions to queries and problems. You’ll study the value of foreign languages in understanding the world. You’ll reflect on how interdisciplinary approaches to education and challenges can create fresh solutions.
QUESTION 4
WHAT WILL I DO?
GET A HEAD START
Think of your biggest goal. Now, make it bigger. Does it feel out of reach? Why?
HOW YOU’LL GROW
You’ll build the confidence to step forward into your power. You’ll develop the skills to form independent thoughts, selfawareness, and self-reflection. You’ll build a framework for your own system of ethics in decisionmaking and the way you choose to live your life.
SO WHY ARE THESE QUESTIONS IMPORTANT?
One of the great rewards of a liberal arts education is the chance to engage with these questions fully, seriously, and intentionally, as part of an intellectual community. Together with professionals and scholars in all fields of knowledge, you’ll explore these four questions from many different points of view, and prepare yourself to live thoughtfully and deliberately as a human being and a citizen.
PICK YOUR PATH.
Whether you’re still undecided or you’ve known your calling since grade school, choosing a major is a, well, major decision. Explore our offering of majors, minors, and professional programs to see what gets you excited—or maybe even changes your mind.
Majors (Most majors are also available as minors)
American Studies
Anthropology and Sociology
Applied Economics
Art and Art History
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology
Business (see Business Economics, Economics, and/or Finance)
Business Economics
Chemistry
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Dance
East Asian Studies
Minors
African American and Africana Studies
Animal Behavior
Anthropology
Applied Ethics
Applied Sustainability
Art
Art History
Biodiversity and Wildlife
Conservation
Biostatistics
Chinese
Classical Studies
Climate Change
Coaching
Comparative and Global Literatures
Computational Biology
Creative Writing
Pre-Professional Programs
Entrepreneurship
Pre-Engineering
Pre-Health/Med
Pre-Law
Economics
Educational Studies (with optional teacher certification)
English
Environment and Sustainability
Finance
French
German Health Science
Health and Society
History
International Relations
Mathematics
Media and Communication Studies
Music
Neuroscience
Performing and Visual Arts Design and
Technology
Philosophy
Physics
Politics
Psychology
Religious Studies
Spanish
Statistics
Student-Initiated Majors
Theater
Data Analytics
Digital Studies
Earth and Environmental Science
Economics
Entrepreneurial Studies
Environmental Justice
Film Studies
Finance
Food Studies
Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies
German Studies
Japanese
Latin
Latin American Studies
Legal Studies
Management Studies
Dual Degrees and Partnerships
Engineering
Marine Science
Museum Studies
Peace and Social Justice Studies
Religious Studies
Science and the Common
Good
Sociology
Statistics
Teaching Certification (secondary ed*)
*PK-12 in Health and Exercise
Physiology and languages
Columbia University (combined degree)
Case Western Reserve University (dual degree)
Washington University in St. Louis (dual degree)
GRADUATE PATHWAYS
& PARTNERSHIPS
At Ursinus, you can take advantage of exciting partnerships with several universities that offer students seamless access to advanced degree and professional programs.
PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS
Advanced Degree Partnerships and Cooperative Programs
• Villanova University: M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Accelerated BSN Program
• Columbia University: Combined Plan Program in Engineering (3+1 or 4+1 sequence)
• St. Joseph’s University: 4+1 Master’s Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education and Human Development, Haub School of Business and the SJU School of Health Professions
• Clarkson University: 4+1 Direct Admission Accelerated MBA Program
• Washington University in St. Louis: Engineering Dual Degree Programs (3+2 or 4+2 undergraduate sequence, 3+3 or 4+3 master’s degree sequence)
• Case Western Reserve University: Engineering Dual Degree Programs (3+2 sequence)
• University of Rochester: Simon School of Business
• Chatham University: Preferred entry agreement with Falk School of Sustainability & Environment
• Peace Corps Prep
• Project Pericles
• Bonner Leader Program
• Center for International Programs
• Semester in Japan at Tohoku Gakuin University
• Dual-degree program with Hong Kong Baptist University Service Programs International Programs
ACADEMIC CENTERS
PARLEE CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND THE COMMON GOOD
The Parlee Center challenges students to consider the connection between science and other ways of understanding—ethical, political, religious, artistic—and to ponder how science can help or hinder our efforts to live together.
This center develops future global leaders through innovative scholarship and unprecedented learning opportunities. Melrose Fellows take courses that focus on social and global issues, public policy, economics, and international development. They also have the opportunity to design and implement projects to enhance a variety of for-profit and non-profit businesses, government organizations, and other civic organizations through immersive experiences abroad.
U-Imagine focuses on entrepreneurship and integration as a way of thinking and acting in various contexts. The center provides valuable resources that any student from any major can use to develop an idea into a product or service that meets a need in the market or society.
The professors themselves have really gone out of their way to help me chase my passions. This year a professor even created a separate class so that I could take a course with them when the original time didn’t fit my schedule!”
—JOCELYN ’26
Through Ursinus, I was able to travel to Europe in the summer of 2023 as part of a program called Economies in Transition. Along with fifteen other UC students, we traveled to Berlin, Germany, and Prague, Czech Republic, to analyze both countries’ current-day and past economies. It was the experience of a lifetime.”
—ALLIE ’25
HEAR THEM ROAR!
SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
These unique courses grab your attention, broaden your horizons, and open your perspective.
Your Brain on College
A discussion of the young adult brain and the effects of caffeine, sleep deprivation, and other topics.
Game Studies
Combines art and social science in an examination of the video-game industry.
Bears Make History
Work on an online, open, digital history of Ursinus College. Taught by a U.S. historian and a digital humanist/literature scholar who specializes in archival work.
Introduction to Health Studies
An interdisciplinary look at how we understand health and how healthrelated resources are distributed.
Groundtruths: Writing and Mapping the Anthropocene:
An experimental course using fiction, data collection, and mapping to explore the suburban landscape. Taught by a fiction writer and an environmental studies scholar.
In Their Voices: Disability, TV, and Me
A deep look at media portrayals of disability. Taught by one professor who is an expert in autism and another who is an expert on popular television.
Work and Meaning
Challenges students to explore fundamental questions about the meaning of work in American life.
04 WHAT WILL I DO?
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT IN THIS SECTION:
What will my future look like?
How do I get in to Ursinus?
Can my family afford this?
I have so many questions—who do I ask?
THE ART AND ACTION OF STAYING OPEN.
How do you put the idea of being open into practice? How do you use inspired action to make your goals into your life?
By following the example of others. Exploring success stories from former Bears, and knowing it’s possible for you, too. Asking questions. Lots of them. You won’t discover the answers you need, if you never seek them out—and we’ve heard it all.
So when you reach the end of this journey and your mind is buzzing, when you’re wondering if this is real, if you can do it, and where to start…
The answer is yes. The answer is of course. The answer is right here, today.
DESIGN A FUTURE YOU’LL LOVE.
Ursinus grads have gone on to some pretty great heights—and we think you’re next. Here’s a look at where you can find former Bears in the workforce and pursuing advanced degrees.
CAREERS
THE ODDS ARE IN YOUR FAVOR 97% of graduates are employed, in grad school full time, completing a fellowship, or engaged in a year of service within six months of graduating.
(Based on the class of 2023.)
THE VERDICT IS IN 100% of pre-law participants are accepted into law school. 69% our graduates’ 2023 med school admission rate, which is roughly 27% higher than the national admission rate.
(Reported by the Association of American Medical Colleges.)
INSTITUTIONS
In industries such as healthcare innovation, STEM research, and even the Broadway stage, Ursinus grads prove there are many ways to apply a robust liberal arts education to the real world, on your own terms.
BEARS LEAD THE PACK.
FROM SPORT TO STAGE.
Before Eduardo Ramos ’06 was accepting a Tony Award as part of the cast of Take Me Out (2022), he was captain of the Ursinus College lacrosse team, ahead on credits and needing one more course to be eligible for his last season. That’s when he thought: “Acting sounds fun.”
The school had a really strong mix of things I was interested in,” he said, citing an unrivaled study-abroad program, good academics, and a beautiful campus.
Ursinus’s financial aid and scholarships also set the college apart. “As someone coming from a family who needed that financial aid to attend a private college, that really meant a lot.”
—EDUARDO RAMOS ’06 read more about Eduardo Ramos
LESSONS FROM THE RESIDENCE HALL PROVE VITAL IN THE ER.
Mark LaSorda ’10, D.O., often reflects on the enduring strength of the relationships he has built on his journey from Ursinus student to innovator in the medical community—and how the skills he learned during his days as an Ursinus RA have helped him throughout his career.
Ursinus taught me that some of the most important things in life are the relationships you form with others. The relationships you form with your roommates, your classmates, your professors: these relationships will outlast the experiences and build the foundation needed to be successful.”
—MARK LASORDA ’10,
D.O.
read more about Mark lasorda
Here’s how two Ursinus graduates are using the skills they gained in school to increase the health and happiness of their communities.
POWERFULLY
JULIANNE LAROSA ’19
CURRENT ROLE
Project Manager at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
URSINUS MAJOR Health and Society
ADVANCED DEGREE
Master of Public Health (MPH), Thomas Jefferson University
OPEN.
“Throughout undergrad at Ursinus, I worked closely with Dr. van de Ruit examining data on patient safety to determine potential causes of medical error in hospitals. This research, in conjunction with other public healthrelated classes at Ursinus, led me to pursue a Master of Public Health degree at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. During my two years at Jefferson, I took classes on project management, program planning and implementation, qualitative methods, health communication, statistics, epidemiology, and policy and advocacy.”
RACHEL BROWN ’15
CURRENT ROLE
Clinical Research Coordinator at PolicyLab, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
URSINUS MAJOR
Media and Communications
ADVANCED DEGREE
Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in community health and prevention, Drexel University
“After graduating from Ursinus, I worked in two communications roles: first promoting economic and housing equality research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and then at a small communications firm serving exclusively academic, healthcare, and nonprofit clients. Through both of these roles, I developed a deep appreciation for the power of translational research as a driver of meaningful policy change that yields real improvements in the lives of Philadelphia-area families.
“These experiences, coupled with my liberal arts education from Ursinus that prepared me to feel comfortable in a range of professional fields, sparked my decision to go to graduate school to get my Master in Public Health degree from Drexel University.”
PURPOSEFUL IMPACT.
BE ON THE JOB.
(WHILE STILL IN SCHOOL.)
During your sophomore or junior year at Ursinus, you may begin to have a strong interest in a particular field and want some real experience—but you’re still taking classes. Now what? Welcome to internships. An internship is a structured and supervised professional experience for which you receive academic credit.
INTERNSHIPS
Internships can give you valuable realworld work experience in a professional job setting. Students with internship experiences, in general, are more likely than students without those experiences to find employment on graduation (National Association of Colleges and Employers Journal, 2017). You’ll also develop a personal work ethic and be able to investigate your career interests, your goals, and your approach to a professional workplace.
EXTERNSHIPS
An extern is an Ursinus student who spends three to five days at the workplace of an alum or friend of the college to gain practical exposure to a potential career field. Unlike an internship, which is usually longer-term and more handson (and can even sometimes be paid), externships are designed more for observation than for work experience.
WHERE DO WE WORK?
Top 5 Employers for the Class of 2023
Average starting salary (class of 2023):
$52,721
Size of alumni network: 18,000+ GRADUATES
START YOUR STORY.
When you’re ready, we’ll be here to help you along the way.
GETTING STARTED TAKES ONLY THREE STEPS
1
2
Prepare your high school or secondary school transcripts to submit.
If you need financial aid, submit the FAFSA at the time of your Ursinus application (or as soon as the FAFSA is open for applications).
3
Apply to Ursinus via the Common Application or Coalition Application, beginning August 1 of your senior year of high school.
THAT’S IT. WE MEAN IT.
After that, we’ll be in touch with you soon.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
(literally, right now)
Early Action
Early Decision
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
November 1
December 1
February 1
February 1
Transfer August 15
GOOD TO KNOW:
• Ursinus is test-optional.
• No separate application is required for you to be eligible for Ursinus merit scholarships.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED, IN ONE PLACE
When you decide to take the next step, we make it easy. Find all your applications, deadlines, and links to financial aid resources, and even track your admission status at ursinus.edu/admission.
Made your decision already? Scan right here to get started on your application.
AFFORDING YOUR URSINUS EDUCATION.
DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS
The cost of attending Ursinus includes fees charged by the college for tuition, housing, and food—these are what we call direct costs. Other expenses may include books, travel, personal expenses, and loan fees—also known as indirect costs. See an example of both types of costs below.
For 2024-2025, the following rates apply for full-time residential students:
For 2024-2025, the following are estimated indirect costs for full-time residential students:
Approximate percentage of all Ursinus students who recieve some form of financial aid
$82 MILLION
Ursinus’s investment into providing financial aid for the 2023-2024 school year
$55 MILLION +
Annual amount of financial aid in the form of institutional scholarships and grants that do not have to be repaid
$41,007
Average institutional aid for first-year students for the 2024-2025 school year
Bears shine, at work or at play.
TYPES OF AID
Whether it’s financial aid based on your family’s expected contribution, or scholarships awarded for your own unique talents, Ursinus has many aid options, personalized to suit your needs.
MERIT AWARDS
Merit scholarships are awarded by the office of admission to full-time students on the basis of academic achievement and leadership potential. When you apply to Ursinus as a first-year student, you’re automatically considered for up to $40,000 a year in merit scholarships.
SPECIALTY SCHOLARSHIPS
Designed to reward students for excelling in areas of passion, you can apply for any of 15 specialty scholarships, including options in writing, music, dance, theater, entrepreneurship, science, and more. The new Bomberger Leadership Scholarship, is our most prestigious specialty scholarship, covering full tuition, housing, and food.
NEED-BASED AID
Prospective first-year students can apply for needbased financial aid by completing the FAFSA. The 2025-2026 FAFSA will be available in October 2024. If you don’t intend to apply for need-based financial aid, you won’t need to complete a FAFSA—you’ll only need to apply for admission to the college.
PUT YOUR TALENTS TOWARD YOUR FUTURE.
Our 15 specialty scholarships put your skills in the spotlight—letting you pursue your passions and fund your education simultaneously. It’s a win-win.
U-LEAD SCHOLARS
Are you a natural leader with strong ethics? Can you communicate your beliefs to those around you? If so, you could be our next U-Lead Scholar and receive $8,000 to better the Ursinus community and beyond.
THEATER SCHOLARSHIP
Whether you long to take center stage, or prefer to hone your craft behind the scenes, our $40,000-per-year Theater Scholarship is perfect for prospective Bears with a flair for the dramatic.
ABELE SCHOLARS
The $10,000 annual Abele Award provides a path toward a college degree for students with academic potential, significant financial need, and a commitment to community.
CREATIVE WRITING AWARD
Are you the next J.D. Salinger, one of the most storied Ursinus students? Each year, a creative writer of outstanding originality and potential is awarded $40,000 per year—plus the chance to soak up some literary inspiration with a stay in Salinger’s room.
URSINUS SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP
If you’re a highly motivated student with significant financial need, and you’re interested in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or molecular biology, you could qualify for this award of $8,000 per year, to help you reach your fullest potential.
See our whole list of specialty scholaRS hips HE re.
THIS IS JUST THE START OF YOUR JOURNEY.
Your next step is to take action toward your future.
The head start questions, the moments for written reflection, and all the deep introspection we encouraged you to do—use these as your compass as you move into the next stage of your life. Just remember our favorite saying: stay open. As you probably know by now, it’s our way of life here.
We believe an open heart and open mind will never lead you astray.
WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK, THE HAPPIEST OF TRAILS, AND WIDE OPEN FUTURES.