Allegheny College

Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Allegheny College has been the premiere college in the country for students with "Unusual Combinations" of interests and talents for nearly 200 years. As one of Loren Pope's 40 Colleges That Change Lives, students at Allegheny are encouraged to explore all of their curricular and co-curricular interests and to look at academic disciplines from multiple perspectives, an experience that leads to extraordinary outcomes.

Over and over again, Allegheny College hears from leaders in business, government, medicine, and education that the future belongs to innovators, inventors, and "big picture" thinkers -- those who think both analytically and creatively. It is this preparation for the global marketplace -- and for life -- that ranks Allegheny above the rest and attracts national attention.

One of the Nation's Most Academically Rigorous Colleges

That's right. "Newsweek" and "The Daily Beast" have named Allegheny as one of the Top 25 most academically rigorous colleges in the nation.

In the National Survey of Student Engagement, responses by college freshmen placed Allegheny within the top 10% in the US for both a supportive campus environment and level of academic challenge.

"Throughout my trials and my accomplishments, my professors have been behind me every step of the way. I have laughed, cried, and celebrated during their office hours and no matter the situation I have always left feeling uplifted and supported. Allegheny has become my home, cliché as it is, the people here have become my family." --Emily Doherty '13

At Allegheny College, unusual combinations are so important that they are built right into the curriculum: Allegheny is one of the few liberal arts colleges nationally that requires students to choose a minor as well as a major. Some Allegheny students pursue majors and minors that complement each other in predictable ways -- an international studies major with a minor in French, for example -- but there are also many students whose majors and minors represent very different aspects of themselves: an environmental studies major with a minor in creative writing, a chemistry major with a minor in history.

In addition to more than 60 academic programs and tracks, Allegheny's students may also take advantage of Accelerated Master and Doctorate, Teacher Certification, and Engineering cooperative programs with other top institutions.

The Senior Project

Under the guidance of a faculty adviser in his or her major field, each student completes the comprehensive Senior Project, also know as "The Comp," a significant piece of original scholarly work with a creative, analytical or experimental focus. The project mirrors a master's thesis, demonstrating the student's ability to complete a major assignment, to work independently, to analyze and synthesize information, and to write and speak persuasively. Allegheny has required a senior capstone experience since the college's first commencement ceremony in 1821.

"I was encouraged by my advisers to do a research project dealing primarily with my interest in sports. I learned a great deal from the comprehensive project and I sent my project to potential baseball employers and graduate schools as I tried to make the next steps towards my goal of working in baseball. When I was eventually accepted at one of the premier sports management graduate programs in the country, my 'comp' was one of the primary reasons they offered me admission." --Adam Cromie '05, Director, Baseball Operations, Washington Nationals

Unusual Combinations. Extraordinary Outcomes.

Experiential learning opportunities, a dynamic and diverse community of scholars, and a vibrant campus environment all set the stage for an amazing college experience. "US News & World Report" recently recognized Allegheny College as the top "Up-and-Comer" for "innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus, or facilities." Allegheny is also featured in "The Fiske Guide to Colleges, "Harvard Schmarvard," and "The Princeton Review's" list of 311 Green Colleges.

Allegheny ranks in the top 5% of schools for graduates who go on to earn PhD's and in the top 4% in the sciences. Because of the reputation behind an Allegheny degree, alumni are accepted to top graduate schools at rates twice the national average. And, despite the challenging job market, more than 90% of graduates who seek employment after graduation are hired within 8 months.

"Though I had been active with volunteering, a variety of clubs, sports, and musical organizations in high school I was a less than motivated scholar who routinely forgot to turn in assignments and was more interested in reading than cramming for trigonometry tests. Fortunately, the staff at Allegheny recognized my potential for combining unique skills, abilities, and interests and granted me admission. Four years later, I graduated summa cum laude, going on to earn a full scholarship to the University of Michigan's MFA program. Presently, I am pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree at Kent State University in Language and Literature."

--Allie Brooks '07

Become a Gator

Allegheny's distinctive experience is within reach. "Kiplinger's" recognizes Allegheny as one of the top Best Values in the country, a measure of both quality and affordability. In fact, merit scholarships are awarded upon acceptance to the college and awards range up to $80,000 over the course of 4 years!

• Area and ethnic studies
• Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biological/life sciences
• Biochemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Neuroscience
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Business/Managerial Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Mass Communication/Media
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering
• Computer Software Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• Creative Writing
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• French
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• German
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Spanish
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• International Public Health
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Dentistry Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Medical Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Nursing Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Pharmacy Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Veterinary Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• Biological and Physical Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Law/legal studies
• Pre-Law Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Natural resources/environmental science
• Environmental Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Environmental Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Philosophy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Religious Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geology/Earth Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Community Organization and Advocacy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Applied Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• International Relations and Affairs
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Political Science and Government
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Art
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art History, Criticism and Conservation
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Fine Arts Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Fine/Studio Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music Performance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied5,114
• Accepted3,472
• Acceptance Rate67%
• Enrolled1,802
• Female Applicants2,695
• Females Accepted1,964
• Female Acceptance Rate72%
• Male Applicants2,419
• Males Accepted1,508
• Male Acceptance Rate62%
• Applying
• Required for All Essay or personal statement
  Transcript of high school record
  Letter(s) of recommendation
  college preparatory program
  
• Required for Some
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.48
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen February 15th March 15th --
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan November 1st November 15th --
• Other early decision plan February 1st February 15th --
• Transfer July 1st August 1st --
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 620 580 670
• SAT Math 604 560 650
• SAT Writing
• ACT Composite 26 23 29
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$47,040
• Out-of-state tuition *$47,040
• In-district tuitionN/A
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$500
• Room and board *$12,140
• Room only *$6,410
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionEmployees or children of employees

• Average Financial Aid Package:$39,415
• Average Freshman Financial Aid Package:$41,707
• Average International Student Financial Aid Package:$20,270
• Average Loan Aid:$5,259
• Average Grant Aid:$18,569
• Average Scholarship and/or Grant Aid Awarded:$31,814
• Percentage of Students with Need who Receive Financial Aid:100%
• Average Percentage of Financial Need Met: 90%
• Percentage of Students Who Had Their Need Fully Met: 31%

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students1,802
• Male Student Percentage46%
• Female Student Percentage54%
• Race/Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino8.73%
• Black or African American8.73%
• White or Caucasian69.78%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.06%
• Asian2.83%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.06%
• Two or more races4.25%
• Unknown or International Student2.55%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout3% representing 50 other countries
• Out-of-state Students50% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements None
• Housing options Coed housing , Female-only housing, Special housing for disabled, Male-only housing
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 94%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station Yes
• Student-run television station Yes
• Marching band No
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities Yes
• Greek sororities Yes
• Local fraternities No
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations No
• Most popular organizations Student Government, Gators Activity Programming, Alpha Phi Omega (service fraternity), Outing Club, Greek life
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Yes
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other local police patrol, emergency alert system, property engraving, CCTV system for parking lots

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No Division 3 No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Cheerleading No Division C No
• Cross-country running No Division 3 No
• Equestrian sports No Division C No
• Fencing No Division C No
• Field hockey No No No
• Football No Division 3 No
• Golf No Division 3 No
• Ice hockey No Division C No
• Lacrosse No Division 3 No
• Rugby No Division C No
• Soccer Yes Division 3 No
• Softball No No No
• Swimming No Division 3 No
• Tennis No Division 3 No
• Track No Division 3 No
• Ultimate Frisbee No Division C No
• Volleyball Yes Division C No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Cheerleading No Division C No
• Cross-country running No Division 3 No
• Equestrian sports No Division C No
• Fencing No Division C No
• Field hockey No Division 3 No
• Football No No No
• Golf No Division 3 No
• Ice hockey No No No
• Lacrosse No Division 3 No
• Rugby No Division C No
• Soccer Yes Division 3 No
• Softball No Division 3 No
• Swimming No Division 3 No
• Tennis No Division 3 No
• Track No Division 3 No
• Ultimate Frisbee No Division C No
• Volleyball Yes Division 3 No

• Faculty Breakdown
• Total Faculty200
• Full-time Percentage84%
• Part-time Percentage16%
• Female Percentage50%
• Male Percentage50%
• Student:Faculty Ratio10:1 or 1,769 students to 178 faculty