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Bowie State University

14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, MD 20715-9465

Admissions: 877-772-6943 • Financial Aid: 301-860-3540

Email: ugradadmissions@bowiestate.edu • Website: http://www.bowiestate.edu

From the College

“Building on its image as a student-centered institution, Bowie State University will provide its diverse student population with a course of study that ensures a broad scope of knowledge and understanding that is deeply rooted in expanded research activities. The university excels in teacher education and will become the premier teacher of teachers.”

Campus Setting

Bowie State, founded in 1865, is a public university of liberal arts and technology studies. Its 312-acre campus is located in Bowie, 22 miles from Washington, DC. A four-year public institution, Bowie State University is a historically black university with 5,617 students. In addition to a large, well-stocked library, the campus also has an art gallery. Bowie State University provides on-campus housing with 1,400 units that can accommodate 1,400 students. Housing options: coed dorms • women’s dorms • men’s dorms • single-student apartments. Recreation and sports facilities include a gymnasium.

Student Life and Activities

Most students live off campus which does impact the on-campus social scene. Nevertheless, like any college, students do find time to create their own recreational outlets. Bowie State University has 71 official student organizations. The most popular are: gospel choir • university singers • jazz ensemble • concert, marching and pep bands • departmental and political clubs • honor societies • team managers. Bowie State University is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (Division II).

Academics and Learning Environment

For the B student, the learning environment of a college is just as important as the quality of its academic program. Bowie State University has 230 full-time and 176 part-time faculty members. The most common course size is 20 to 29 students. Bowie State University offers 37 majors with the most popular being business administration, computer science and education and least popular being English, mathematics and fine/performing arts. The school has a general core requirement. Cooperative education is not offered. All first-year students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher to avoid academic probation, and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required to graduate. Other special academic programs that would appeal to a B student include: pass/fail grading option • independent study • double majors • dual degrees • honors program • internships • distance learning certificate programs.

B Student Support and Success

Bowie’s Writing Center helps students with English class assignments. The school also has a Student Success and Retention Center. The center assists students through programs and activities that “foster student academic, social and personal development.” It is focused on helping freshmen transition into college life with the aid of placement testing, mentoring and tutorial services.

In addition to these services, Bowie State sponsors the Freshman Seminar course. It is designed to help each student pursue academic excellence and includes lessons about the college’s history and its contribution to Maryland. Students learn to critically analyze specific readings that introduce them to concepts in liberal arts and to broaden their understanding of global awareness, critical thinking and oral and written communication skills. According to the college, “The goal is for students to become academically, personally and socially successful within and beyond the intellectual community.”

Mentoring is popular at Bowie State. Mentors are matched with students to help foster a strong relationship that “promotes academic success, retention and the successful graduation of students.” Peer mentors are paired with six freshmen based on academic majors. KEAP, or Knowledge Enriched through Academic Performance, helps students with issues like poor grades and poor attendance. Students with a GPA of 2.0 or lower are required to take part in KEAP. Bowie State University provides a variety of support programs including dedicated guidance for: academic • career • personal • psychological • minority students • military. Recognizing that some students may need extra preparation, Bowie State University offers remedial and refresher courses in: reading • writing • math • study skills. The average freshman year GPA is 2.5, and 39 percent of freshmen students return for their sophomore year.

Support for Students with Learning Disabilities

Students with learning disabilities may take advantage of specific support programs offered by Bowie State University. If necessary, the college will grant additional time to students with learning disabilities to complete their degree. Also, a lightened course load may be granted to LD students. Students with learning disabilities will find the following programs at Bowie State University extremely useful: tutors • learning center • testing accommodations • extended time for tests • take-home exam • oral tests • typist/scribe • note-taking services • reading machines • tape recorders • early syllabus • priority registration. Individual or small group tutorials are also available in: time management • organizational skills • writing labs • math labs. An advisor/advocate from the Disability Support Services is available to students.

How to Get Admitted

For admissions decisions, non-academic factors considered: extracurricular activities • state of residency. A high school diploma is required, although a GED is also accepted for admissions consideration. SAT or ACT test scores are required of all applicants. According to the admissions office: Minimum combined SAT score of 900 and minimum 2.2 GPA required of in-state applicants; minimum combined SAT score of 950 and minimum 2.6 GPA required of out-of-state applicants.

Highlights

Bowie State University

Bowie, MD (Pop. 50,000)

Location: Large town

Four-year public

Founded: 1865

Website: http://www.bowiestate.edu

Students

Total enrollment: 5,617

Undergrads: 4,400

Freshmen: Not reported

Part-time students: 16%

From out-of-state: 11%

From public schools: 90%

Male/Female: 37%/63%

Live on-campus: Not reported

Off-campus employment rating: Fair

Academics

Calendar: Semester

Student/faculty ratio: Not reported

Class size 9 or fewer: 8%

Class size 10-29: 81%

Class size 30-49: 11%

Class size 50-99: -

Class size 100 or more: -

Returning freshmen: 39%

Six-year graduation rate: 37%

Most Popular Majors

Business administration

Computer science

Education

How to Pay for College

To apply for financial aid, students should submit the following: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • institution’s own financial aid forms. Bowie State University participates in the Federal Work Study program. Need-based aid programs include: scholarships and grants • general need-based awards • Federal Pell grants • state scholarships and grants • college-based scholarships and grants • private scholarships and grants. Non-need-based aid programs include: scholarships and grants • general need-based awards • state scholarships and grants • creative arts and performance awards • athletic scholarships • ROTC scholarships.

Highlights

Admissions

Applicants: 3,526

Accepted: 1,704

Acceptance rate: 48.3%

Average GPA: Not reported

ACT range: 16-20

SAT Math range: 400-480

SAT Reading range: 410-480

SAT Writing range: 390-480

Deadlines

Early Action: No

Early Decision: No

Regular Action: Rolling admissions

Common Application: Not accepted

Financial Aid

In-state tuition: $4,286

Out-of-state tuition: $14,724

Room: $2,300

Board: $1,276

Books: $1,388

Freshmen receiving need-based aid: 80%

Undergrads rec. need-based aid: 47%

Avg. % of need met by financial aid: 49%

Avg. aid package (freshmen): $7,913

Avg. aid package (undergrads): $8,359

Freshmen receiving merit-based aid: 2%

Undergrads rec. merit-based aid: 1%

Avg. debt upon graduation: $17,108

School Spirit

Mascot: Bulldog

Colors: Black and gold