CONVERSE COLLEGE B-5

580 East Main St.
Spartanburg, SC 29302-0006
Tel: (864)596-9000
Free: 800-766-1125
Fax: (864)596-9158
Web Site: http://www.converse.edu/

Description:

Independent, comprehensive, women only. Awards bachelor's and master's degrees and post-master's certificates. Founded 1889. Setting: 70-acre urban campus. Endowment: $57.9 million. Research spending 2003-04: $25,000. Educational spending 2003-04: $5514 per student. Total enrollment: 1,419. Faculty: 165 (75 full-time, 90 part-time). Student-undergrad faculty ratio is 14:1. 531 applied, 76% were admitted. 28% from top 10% of their high school class, 62% from top quarter, 88% from top half. Full-time: 629 students. Part-time: 127 students. Students come from 30 states and territories, 8 other countries, 28% from out-of-state, 0.4% Native American, 1% Hispanic, 10% black, 0.4% Asian American or Pacific Islander, 3% international, 23% 25 or older, 90% live on campus, 3% transferred in. Retention: 69% of full-time freshmen returned the following year. Academic areas with the most degrees conferred: visual/performing arts; business/marketing; education. Core. Calendar: 4-2-4. ESL program, advanced placement, accelerated degree program, honors program, independent study, distance learning, double major, summer session for credit, part-time degree program, adult/continuing education programs, internships, graduate courses open to undergrads. Off campus study at Wofford College. Study abroad program. ROTC: Army (c).

Entrance Requirements:

Options: Peterson's Universal Application, electronic application, early admission, early decision, early action, deferred admission, international baccalaureate accepted. Required: essay, high school transcript, minimum 2.00 high school GPA, SAT or ACT. Recommended: minimum 2.50 high school GPA, interview. Required for some: 1 recommendation. Entrance: moderately difficult. Application deadlines: 8/1, 11/15 for early decision, 12/1 for early action. Notification: continuous until 8/15, 1/1 for early decision, 7/1 for early action.

Costs Per Year:

Application fee: $35. Comprehensive fee: $26,070 includes full-time tuition ($19,960) and college room and board ($6110). Full-time tuition varies according to program.

Collegiate Environment:

Orientation program. Drama-theater group, choral group, student-run newspaper. Social organizations: 30 open to all. Most popular organizations: student government, student volunteer services, Student Christian Organization, Student Activities Committee, Athletic Association. Major annual events: 1889 Day, Founders' Day, Formal Opening. Student services: health clinic, personal-psychological counseling, women's center. Campus security: 24-hour emergency response devices and patrols, late night transport-escort service, controlled dormitory access. 600 college housing spaces available. Freshmen guaranteed college housing. On-campus residence required through senior year. Option: women-only housing available. Mickel Library with 129,411 books, 60,213 microform titles, 1,467 serials, 30,132 audiovisual materials, an OPAC, and a Web page. Operations spending 2003-04: $546,000. 72 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:

One of the leading textile manufacturing cities in the South, Spartanburg is also one of the largest peach shipping centers in the world. The city was named after the Spartan Regiment, which represented this community in the Revolutionary War. The community is located in the Piedmont section of South Carolina and has an average temperature of 60 degrees. Airlines, railroads, and bus lines serve the area. There are many churches representing various denominations, 3 hospitals, libraries, a YMCA Family Center, and various civic and fraternal groups serving the city. Motels, hotels, and rooming houses are available for guests. Local recreation includes football, basketball, baseball, golf, stock car racing, swimming, tennis, picnicking, water skiing, theater, and series of concerts. Part-time employment is available.