Abilene Christian University: Narrative Description

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ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY E-14

ACU Box 29100
Abilene, TX 79699-9100
Tel: (325)674-2000
Free: 800-460-6228
Admissions: (325)674-2765
Web Site: http://www.acu.edu/

Description:

Independent, comprehensive, coed, affiliated with Church of Christ. Awards associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and first professional degrees and post-master's certificates. Founded 1906. Setting: 208-acre urban campus. Endowment: $168.3 million. Research spending 2003-04: $255,370. Educational spending 2003-04: $5519 per student. Total enrollment: 4,761. Faculty: 347 (216 full-time, 131 part-time). Student-undergrad faculty ratio is 17:1. 3,694 applied, 54% were admitted. 22% from top 10% of their high school class, 50% from top quarter, 77% from top half. 8 National Merit Scholars, 31 valedictorians. Full-time: 4,010 students, 55% women, 45% men. Part-time: 199 students, 64% women, 36% men. Students come from 48 states and territories, 50 other countries, 18% from out-of-state, 1% Native American, 7% Hispanic, 7% black, 1% Asian American or Pacific Islander, 4% international, 7% 25 or older, 42% live on campus, 6% transferred in. Retention: 74% of full-time freshmen returned the following year. Academic areas with the most degrees conferred: business/marketing; education; interdisciplinary studies. Core. Calendar: semesters. ESL program, services for LD students, advanced placement, self-designed majors, honors program, independent study, distance learning, double major, summer session for credit, part-time degree program, external degree program, adult/continuing education programs, internships, graduate courses open to undergrads. Off campus study at McMurry University, Hardin-Simmons University, Texas Tech University, The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Texas at Arlington. Study abroad program.

Entrance Requirements:

Options: Common Application, electronic application, early admission. Required: high school transcript, 2 recommendations, SAT or ACT. Recommended: minimum 2.0 high school GPA, interview. Entrance: moderately difficult. Application deadline: 8/1. Notification: continuous until 9/1.

Costs Per Year:

Application fee: $25. Comprehensive fee: $19,470 includes full-time tuition ($13,650), mandatory fees ($550), and college room and board ($5270). College room only: $2240. Full-time tuition and fees vary according to course load. Room and board charges vary according to board plan and housing facility. Part-time tuition: $455 per semester hour. Part-time mandatory fees: $26.50 per semester hour, $10. Part-time tuition and fees vary according to course load.

Collegiate Environment:

Orientation program. Drama-theater group, choral group, marching band, student-run newspaper, radio station. Social organizations: 104 open to all; local fraternities, local sororities; 14% of eligible men and 15% of eligible women are members. Most popular organizations: Student Association, Alpha Phi Omega, 'W' Club, Spring Break Campaign, Student Alumni Association. Major annual events: homecoming, Sing Song, Welcome Week. Student services: health clinic, personal-psychological counseling. Campus security: 24-hour emergency response devices and patrols, late night transport-escort service. 1,866 college housing spaces available; 1,780 were occupied in 2003-04. Freshmen guaranteed college housing. On-campus residence required through sophomore year. Options: men-only, women-only housing available. Brown Library with 490,973 books, 1.2 million microform titles, 2,435 serials, 64,131 audiovisual materials, an OPAC, and a Web page. Operations spending 2003-04: $1.6 million. 700 computers available on campus for general student use. A campuswide network can be accessed from student residence rooms and from off campus. Staffed computer lab on campus.

Community Environment:

Abilene, Texas, has the reputation of being a friendly and caring community. USA Today's annual "Make a Difference Day" issue has recognized Abilene's community efforts in each of the past three years. Abilene is located 150 miles west of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and has a population of about 110,000. Its climate is warm and sunny, with an occasional light snow some winters. Residents of Abilene are served by shopping malls, major restaurant chains, specialty shops, two hospitals, and a regional airport. Abilene is the home of Dyess Air Force Base. The city is second only to Houston in cultural events per capita in Texas, and has one of the lowest crime rates in the state. Part-time employment is available.

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