Widener Undergraduate Viewbook, 2022–2023

THE

PRIDE THE PRIDE

A group of lions forming a social unit.

Also: The university mascot.

And also: The unrivaled sense of belonging and support shared across the Widener community.

THE FORCES ARE UNDENIABLE: The guidance of faculty mentors who show you the ropes within their industry and professions.

Programs built for the realities of the new economy with flexible degree paths so you can customize your focus.

Classes taught exclusively by faculty, never teaching assistants.

And the energy of a campus community where you’re known—and your goals are our priority.

THAT

POWERS YOU. WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE AND BEGIN YOUR CAREER, YOU’LL FEEL AS THOUGH YOU’VE BEEN WORKING IN IT ALL ALONG.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME . . .

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WELCOME!

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MAIN CAMPUS

CHESTER, PA

Home to all undergraduate programs, 24 NCAA Division III men’s and women’s teams, 80+ clubs and organizations, a warm community, and boundless pride. Satellite campuses in Wilmington and Harrisburg house Widener’s two law schools.

Our surrounding community (and the oldest city in Pennsylvania) is the city of Chester. It has a lively art scene, dozens of civic partnerships, Widener’s student-run interprofessional health clinics, and a learning lab for teachers in training.

MEDIA, PA

PHILADELPHIA

Diverse and neighborly, this nearby suburb offers parks, festivals, concerts, 5-star restaurants, shopping, and plenty of businesses and organizations where Widener students hold co-ops and internships.

The Media motto: Everybody’s Hometown.

Take a 25-minute train ride to Philadelphia. The nation’s sixth-largest city fuels student experiential learning opportunities with relevance to any degree path— creating direct pathways to jobs after graduation.

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THIS CAMPUS ENVELOPS YOU.

YOU’LL FEEL THE ENERGY AROUND YOU, BUT IF YOU NEED TO FIND A QUIET SPOT OF YOUR OWN, YOU CAN CLAIM IT. It’s inviting and accommodating.

Walkable and comfortable. You’ll be taken in by tree-lined pathways that join state-of-the-art and historic buildings—whether you’re hustling to a meeting or relaxing in an Adirondack chair.

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HERE, YOU’LL FEEL AS IF YOU’RE AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING.

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A BACKYARD FOR TRYING ON YOUR CAREER

Widener’s proximity to Philadelphia provides a built-in advantage for your education. Home to the sixthlargest workforce in the nation, it’s a vital center of commerce and an engine of civic engagement opportunity.

Meaning: a nearby resource where you can gain invaluable experience through internships and co-ops.

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1,000+

Organizations provide internship, clinic, co-op, and public service opportunities for Widener students each year.

The university’s connections—forged through faculty and alumni partnerships—make Philadelphia a hub for experiential learning opportunities and the perfect place to set yourself apart while staying close to your second home.

RECENT INTERNSHIP AND CO-OP SITES Boeing Comcast Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) EisnerAmper Accounting Main Line Health MassMutual Monroe Energy Merck Philadelphia Eagles Vanguard

66%

of Widener students complete a practicum, internship, or other hands-on experience compared to 52% of students at other colleges.

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WHAT THE WORLD FEELS LIKE.

WIDENER’S ACADEMIC PROGRAMS MIRROR THE PROFESSIONS YOU’RE ABOUT TO ENTER. Guided by faculty devoted to your success—and through program-specific leadership development experiences—you’ll gain qualities and skills that set you apart from others in your field.

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EXCEPT IT’S ALL RIGHT HERE. FUELING PROFESSIONS In addition to longstanding and nationally recognized programs in business, engineering, and nursing, Widener continues to launch new undergraduate programs in areas that meet the needs of a dynamic economy and workforce: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT (2022) GREEN CHEMISTRY (2022) ROBOTICS ENGINEERING (2018) SPORT & EVENT MANAGEMENT (2020)

FOR THE LIST OF WIDENER’S 40+ MAJORS.

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POWERHOUSE PROGRAMS WE BELIEVE THAT WORKING INSIDE YOUR CHOSEN FIELD SHOULD BEGIN WHILE YOU’RE HERE.

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The coursework. The mentoring. And the environments. Resources here mirror the workplaces that you’ll enter. So does the research you’ll conduct with faculty mentors. It’s how you’ll gain the type of hands-on experience that’s coveted, and rewarded, in any professional field.

LEARNING SPACES ON THE LEADING EDGE Stay a step ahead in state-of-the-art environments tailored to meet, and mirror, the constantly evolving workplaces you’ll enter.

FINANCE LAB Assess real-time investment data and trading simulations via Bloomberg technology.

NANOBIO LAB Connect to and engage in research advancing treatments against Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

NURSING SIMULATION LAB Develop next-level decision-making and critical thinking in realistic clinical settings.

TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO Polish your skills in front of or behind the camera in the fully equipped studio that’s home to WUTV, Widener Sports Network, and WUFilms.

COMPUTER SCIENCE FACILITIES Gain hands-on experience in three student-managed computer laboratories.

WIDENER OBSERVATORY Perform research right on campus through the observatory’s 16-inch computerized Meade Cassegrain reflecting telescope.

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Scholars, engineers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs, our professors are deeply connected to their industries, infusing their teaching with the latest trends, technologies, and research, preparing students to be not just ready, but a step ahead when they hit the workplace.

PILLARS OF PRIDE: WHAT YOU CAN COUNT ON FROM YOUR PROFESSORS HERE

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ONGOING MENTORSHIP We are not held back by conventional educational models.

Our bold and proven approach puts you at the center.

Seems obvious, right? The results are anything but.

You’ll be challenged and supported by dedicated professors who provide unprecedented personal attention to unlock your full potential.

THAT SOUND YOU HEAR IS

FEEDBACK

Faculty form the heart of your student success team. Along with a peer mentor, student affairs liaison, and librarian, this crew of dedicated guides provides a network of support from your first day on campus.

DEEP WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

THE INSIDE TRACK

Students are known and understood in the “fullness” of their personality, character, and aspirations so they can be connected and achieve their academic and professional goals.

This advantage stems in part from your professors’ robust reputations within their fields and eagerness to initiate the types of connections for their students that jumpstart careers.

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ENJOY MORE THAN A VIEW 110 ACRES. 100 BUILDINGS. 17 RESIDENCE HALLS. 1 ARBORETUM. 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF RECREATION CENTER SPACE. A STORIED 200+ YEAR HERITAGE.

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AN EVEN MORE AMBITIOUS FUTURE.

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LE T

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R U YO

E C I VO .

D R A HE BE

YES, THIS CAMPUS PRESENTS A STUNNING SURROUND. But here, a community waits to support your interests and passions—the ones you arrive with and the new ones you take for a test drive.

THAT’S WHAT SECOND FAMILIES ARE FOR.

LIKE A SECOND HOME WITH AN EVENTS CALENDAR Social equity and justice, religious and spiritual, club sports and fitness, academic and professional—here, we have a student group for you to get involved.

SCAN HERE FOR A LIST OF THE MORE THAN 80 CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS.

THE GOAL:

EV ERY STUDEN T THRIVES

FIND YOUR PERFECT PLACE HERE. Being a Widener student means that each part of your experience is connected: friends and faculty, activities and academics, campus and city. And on this campus, the comforts of home—in your hall, apartment, or campus house—remind you that this university has a welcoming personality.

Yes, you’re likely to get on a first-name basis with the culinary staff.

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AMONG THE CAMPUS DINING OPTIONS BENTO SUSHI GOOD UNCLE (on-demand delivery) PRIDE CAFÉ STARBUCKS UNO PIZZERIA & GRILL TENDERS, LOVE & CHICKEN AND MORE ...

Widener’s certified dietician on campus is available to help work with students to navigate any individual dietary needs.

CHECK OUT @WIDENERDINING on Instagram and see how we spotlight the accomplishments of women culinarians, celebrate Black Culinary excellence, and organize food events ranging from crab feasts to Meatless Mondays.

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THE RESULT:

LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES

One-of-a-kind experiences and uncommon ideas are an everyday occurrence when you have world-class museums, culture, and restaurants all within reach. And a student body that hails from 49 states and 36 countries, who each bring a distinct worldview with them. And weekly, if not daily, opportunities to engage in multidisciplinary campus events.

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FEEL LIKE A LOCAL WHILE GAINING A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE.

300+

Events held on campus annually

87%

of first-year students live on campus AT THE INTERSECTION OF ALL THESE AVENUES, THE SCOPE AND FULLNESS OF YOUR WIDENER EXPERIENCE COMES INTO FOCUS.

6,000+

Places to eat in Philadelphia, which outpaces New York City in restaurants per capita.

PHOTO BY A. RICKETTS FOR VISIT PHILADELPHIA®/EDITORIAL USE APPROVED; @VISITPHILADELPHIA®

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BE PAR T OF

SOMETHING BIGGER AND MAK E A

BIGGER 22

IMPACT.

Widener student organizations exist to make the biggest positive impact possible. Whether as a member of one of the university’s 12 fraternities and sororities whose missions include serving the community, or one of the many student organizations focused on civic engagement and community service, you’ll do good, build lifelong relationships, and test your leadership skills.

79%

of Widener undergraduates participate in service or civic engagement—that’s 27% above the national average.

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CREAT E

IN GREAT COMPANY

From courses to ensembles to clubs and organizations, the arts at Widener extend the sense of community belonging and university pride.

Through the range of programming, opportunities, and venues, you can develop your personal creative expression and hone your critical thinking and analytical skills—qualities with lasting professional value. And you’ll work and create alongside friends and peers from every corner of the university, collaborating and cultivating lifelong bonds.

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80+

Clubs and organizations on campus to fuel your passions and find your people.

PRACTICE YOUR CRAFT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. A snapshot of organizations and performance groups dedicated to the arts on campus: GOSPEL CHOIR JAZZ ENSEMBLE KEEPIN’ IT TRILL (A CAPPELLA GROUP) MARCHING BAND & COLOR GUARD PRIDE PACK DANCE TEAM THE LONE BRICK THEATRE COMPANY WIDENER DANCE COMPANY WIND ENSEMBLE WIDENER INK

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PRIDE BLUE AND YELLOW CAN GET LOUD With 125 championships to our name in the oldest and largest athletic conference in the nation, our pride is hardly confined to the classroom. The university sponsors 24 varsity sports, ranging from football to Esports. Continue to develop your leadership skills and experience a next-level camaraderie not only among your teammates, but also the entire Widener community.

ARE YOU READY TO ROAR WITH US?

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RUNS THROUGH HERE.

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Mens sana in corpore sano

SOUND MIND OUR BELIEF IN BALANCE IS EVEN IN OUR SCHOOL MOTTO.

Join a club team (from ice hockey to rugby).

Form an intramural squad with a group of friends. Or stay active in one of the many group fitness classes (taekwondo anyone?) inside the 20,000-square-foot Pride Recreation Center that also houses a champion-size eight-lane swimming pool. It’s the doing that matters.

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SOUND BODY 29

THE WIDER WORLD WITHIN YOUR REACH INVESTED IN YOUR PERSONAL SUCCESS

95%

OF UNDERGRAD STUDENTS RECEIVE SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM WIDENER.

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$120,000

THE AVERAGE UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP OVER 4 YEARS.

100%

OF WIDENER STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE A 12-MONTH CO-OP GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS, AS OPPOSED TO PEER INSTITUTIONS THAT REQUIRE A FIFTH YEAR.

CREATING BOUNDLESS POSSIBILITIES

95%

OF 2021 GRADUATES ACHIEVED THEIR INTENDED CAREER GOALS WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF GRADUATING.

THE MID-CAREER SALARIES OF WIDENER ALUMS ARE IN THE

TOP 22% NATIONWIDE.

$60,320

MEDIAN STARTING SALARY EARNED BY GRADUATES IN THE CLASS OF 2021. THAT’S MORE THAN $5,000 ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

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AT A GLANCE FAST TRACK TO A MASTER’S DEGREE Through the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, all undergraduates in any major can complete a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years.

BOSTON, MA

BEST-IN-REGION CO-OP PROGRAM 100 percent of Widener students who complete a 12-month co-op graduate in four years—as opposed to peer institutions that require a fifth year.

Co-op—a full-time, paid, work experience in your field of professional focus—is offered for business, engineering, and computer science students.

330 MI.

CLEVELAND, OH 450 MI.

NEW YORK 111 MI.

PITTSBURGH, PA 310 MI.

WIDENER UNIVERSITY BALTIMORE, MD 88 MI.

RICHMOND, VA 230 MI.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS

CHARACTER Private university founded in 1821.

Designated as a “Doctoral/Professional University” by Carnegie Classification— underscoring the university’s annual investment in research—with undergraduate (the largest enrollment within the university), graduate, and adult and continuing studies programs.

ENROLLMENT 2,766 undergraduates from 49 states and 36 countries. 29% of the university’s community consists of U.S. students of color and international citizens. Total university enrollment is 5,875.

12 TO 1

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO

• Pre-Dentistry • Pre-Law • Pre-Medicine • Pre-Occupational Therapy • Pre-Pharmacy • Pre-Physical Therapy • Pre-Veterinary

For a complete list of majors and concentrations, visit widener.edu/majors ADVISING Advisors are committed to the personal and professional development of each student. Personal Student Success Teams are anchored by a faculty and peer mentor and available to all first-year undergraduate students, allowing for a built-in, collaborative network of support to handle the transition to college.

100%

CLASSES TAUGHT BY WIDENER FACULTY, NEVER BY TEACHING ASSISTANTS

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

CAREER DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

Two colleges (Arts & Sciences, Health & Human Services) and three schools (Business Administration, Engineering, Nursing) offering more than 40 undergraduate majors and 50 minors.

Featuring one-on-one planning and career strategy development with an assigned career counselor. Discipline-specific networking events. Partnerships with faculty with deep industry connections.

The university is also home to Widener Law Commonwealth and Widener Delaware Law.

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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 66% of students complete a practicum, internship, or other hands-on experience.

LOCATION Chester, PA, 14 miles south of Philadelphia on a stunning, pedestrian-friendly, 110acre main campus. Leading-edge facilities and resources and unparalleled access to professional development opportunities and world-class culture in the nation’s sixth-largest city.

Free, daily, and frequent universityprovided transportation to and from multiple Philadelphia destinations.

ON-CAMPUS LIVING 87% of first-year students reside on campus. Guaranteed housing for all undergraduate students in one of 17 residence halls and Living Learning Communities (LLC), formed around specific majors or shared interests such as sustainability.

80+ clubs and organizations and more than 300 annual on-campus events.

Nearly 25% of Widener students participate in Greek Life.

Numerous on-campus eateries supply a diverse, healthy variety of food choices.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Wide range of club and intramural sports.

20,000-square-foot Pride Recreation Center with more than 150 exercise machines and daily group fitness classes taught by certified instructors.

VISITING CAMPUS

FINANCIAL AID

Campus visits are strongly encouraged. We offer a variety of ways to get to know us, both in person and virtually. Schedule your visit online or take a self-guided walking tour, where QR codes outside each building connect with audio commentary and other immersive content.

95% of undergrad students receive financial aid. To help students and their families manage costs, Widener awards as much as $20 million each year in the form of academic scholarships and financial aid grants. Undergrad merit scholarships start at $80,000 over four years.

widener.edu/visitus

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ADMISSIONS NCAA DIVISION III TEAMS (AND INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS)

No application fee. Our test-optional admissions process allows students to submit either an admissions essay or standardized test scores. Letters of recommendation are optional. The university’s admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, meaning applications are evaluated as they are received. A non-binding Early Action (EA) option is available. Along with an early admissions decision, EA enables early consideration for merit awards and priority release of financial aid offers, including need-based awards.

Apply online or by adding Widener on the Common Application. widener.edu/apply Deadlines November 1: Early Action November—May 1: Rolling

To apply for aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov.

The Office of Financial Aid Services is available to help you navigate the financial aid process and make a Widener degree accessible. You can contact a member of the team at 610-499-4161 or finaidmc@widener.edu.

CONTACT Please be in touch.

We’re here to answer your questions: Undergraduate Admissions Office Muller Hall One University Place Chester, PA 19013 Tel: 888-WIDENER Email: admissions.office@widener.edu Chat: widener.edu/ugadmissions

@choosewidener

WIDENER UNIVERSITY DOES NOT TOLERATE DISCRIMINATION AND/OR HARASSMENT IN ANY FORM. MORE AT WIDENER.EDU/NONDISCRIMINATION.

ONE UNIVERSIT Y PL ACE , CHES TER PA , 1901 3 1-888-WIDENER ( 943-3637 ] WIDENER.EDU

INSIDE: SEE ALL THAT’S POSSIBLE WHEN A UNIVERSITY PUTS YOU AT THE CENTER.