WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY K-14

Cullowhee, NC 28723
Tel: (828)227-7211; 877-WCU4YOU
Admissions: (828)227-7317
E-mail: cauley@wcu.edu
Web Site: http://www.wcu.edu/

Description:

State-supported, comprehensive, coed. Part of University of North Carolina System. Awards bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and post-master's certificates. Founded 1889. Setting: 260-acre rural campus. Endowment: $23.3 million. Research spending 2003-04: $3.5 million. Educational spending 2003-04: $5135 per student. Total enrollment: 8,396. Faculty: 608 (374 full-time, 234 part-time). Student-undergrad faculty ratio is 16:1. 4,905 applied, 76% were admitted. 10% from top 10% of their high school class, 29% from top quarter, 64% from top half. 3 National Merit Scholars, 8 valedictorians. Full-time: 5,802 students, 50% women, 50% men. Part-time: 983 students, 65% women, 35% men. Students come from 46 states and territories, 43 other countries, 9% from out-of-state, 2% Native American, 1% Hispanic, 5% black, 1% Asian American or Pacific Islander, 3% international, 11% 25 or older, 50% live on campus, 10% transferred in. Retention: 69% of full-time freshmen returned the following year. Academic areas with the most degrees conferred: business/marketing; education; health professions and related sciences. Core. Calendar: semesters. Academic remediation for entering students, ESL program, services for LD students, advanced placement, accelerated degree program, self-designed majors, honors program, independent study, distance learning, double major, summer session for credit, part-time degree program, adult/continuing education programs, co-op programs and internships, graduate courses open to undergrads. Study abroad program.

Entrance Requirements:

Options: electronic application, early admission. Required: high school transcript, minimum 2.5 high school GPA, SAT or ACT. Entrance: moderately difficult. Application deadline: 8/1. Notification: continuous.

Costs Per Year:

Application fee: $40. State resident tuition: $1651 full-time. Nonresident tuition: $11,087 full-time. Mandatory fees: $1,798 full-time. College room and board: $4028. College room only: $2128. Room and board charges vary according to board plan and housing facility.

Collegiate Environment:

Orientation program. Drama-theater group, choral group, marching band, student-run newspaper, radio station. Social organizations: 120 open to all; national fraternities, national sororities; 9% of eligible men and 8% of eligible women are members. Most popular organizations: Student Government Association, Organization of Ebony Students, Resident Student Association. Major annual events: Mountain Heritage Day, Valley Ballyhoo, Homecoming. Student services: health clinic, personal-psychological counseling, women's center. Campus security: 24-hour emergency response devices and patrols, controlled dormitory access. 3,750 college housing spaces available; 3,664 were occupied in 2003-04. Freshmen guaranteed college housing. On-campus residence required in freshman year. Options: coed, men-only, women-only housing available. Hunter Library with 694,530 books, 1.5 million microform titles, 3,330 serials, 25,657 audiovisual materials, an OPAC, and a Web page. Operations spending 2003-04: $3.2 million. 823 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:

Cullowhee is in an area containing several of the most scenic drives in western North Carolina. It is a rural area with bus transportation available. Asheville is nearby and provides an airport for air transportation. Student employment is available in clerical and cafeteria positions. Recreational activities include boating, fishing, water sports, mountain climbing and nature trails. Main shopping facilities are in Asheville.