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ALFRED UNIVERSITY

1 Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802-1205

Admissions: 800-541-9229 • Financial Aid: 607-871-2159

Email: admissions@alfred.edu • Website: http://www.alfred.edu

From the College

“Alfred University focuses on providing academically challenging programs in a student-centered environment in order to prepare well-educated, independent thinkers ready for lives of continuous intellectual and personal growth.” This university states that it values “a learning environment that promotes open exchange of ideas, critical thinking, global awareness, technological literacy, intellectual honesty and community involvement; a work environment that promotes open communication, recognition of achievement and the development of personal potential; research and scholarship that advance the frontiers of knowledge, contribute to graduate and undergraduate teaching and demonstrate creativity in all fields of endeavor; diversity in people and cultures, ideas and scholarship; a campus that is safe, attractive and promotes health and wellness; and a caring community that respects each individual, fosters intellectual curiosity and growth, promotes and models good citizenship and encourages enlightened leadership.”

Campus Setting

Pioneer Seventh Day Baptists founded Alfred University as a select school in 1836. Alfred became the first co-educational institution in New York State and the second in the nation. About 2,000 full-time undergraduate and 300 graduate students work and live on a scenic 232-acre hillside campus in Alfred, New York. Another 400 acres of recreational land is just minutes away. The nonsectarian University is comprised of the privately endowed College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the New York State College of Ceramics (Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering and School of Art & Design). Bachelors, masters, advanced certificates and doctoral degrees are awarded as the culmination of Alfred University’s academic and professional programs. A four-year private institution, Alfred University has an enrollment of 2,319 students. In addition to a large, well-stocked library, the campus facilities include: ceramic art museum • galleries • observatory • equestrian center • carillon. Alfred University provides on-campus housing with 26 units that can accommodate 1,456 students. Housing options: coed dorms • single-student apartments. Recreation and sports facilities include: artificial turf field for football, lacrosse, soccer and recreational use • tennis courts • fitness center • 6-lane swimming pool with one and three meter diving boards • gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and recreational use • racquetball/squash courts • tennis courts • equestrian center.

Student Life and Activities

With 77 percent of students living on campus, there are plenty of social activities. Popular gathering spots include Powell Campus Center, Brick Lawn, the Bandstand, the Moka Joka and Terra Cotta. Favorite campus events include Hot Dog Day, Glam Slam and The Alfies. Alfred University has 83 official student organizations. The most popular are: Chamber singers • Habitat for Humanity • Kanakadea • Spectrum • Pet Pals • Student Activities Board • SAFE • Green Alfred • Alfred Steppas • AU Swing Society • Friday Night Live • Pirate Theater. For those interested in sports, there are intramural teams such as: basketball • soccer • racquetball • golf • volleyball. Alfred University is a member of the Empire Eight (Division III).

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. Alfred University has 165 full-time and 34 part-time faculty members, offering a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. The most common course size is 10 to 19 students. Alfred University offers 65 majors with the most popular being art/design, psychology and business administration and least popular being French, Spanish and mathematics. The school has a general core requirement. Cooperative education is available. All first-year students must maintain a 1.7 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: self-designed majors • pass/fail grading option • independent study • double majors • dual degrees • honors program • Phi Beta Kappa • internships.

B Student Support and Success

Rumored to have been the inspiration for the 1980s television series “Northern Exposure,” this college is quiet and small but active. The school is especially known for its School of Engineering’s glass and ceramic programs and is one of the few schools that offers a degree in Ceramic Engineering. Classes are typically less than 10 students. The general atmosphere appeals to the back-to-nature student who likes cold, snowy winters.

Alfred University provides a variety of support programs including dedicated guidance for: academic • career • personal • psychological • minority students • family planning. Additional counseling services include women’s and wellness counseling. The average freshman year GPA is 2.6, and 71 percent of freshmen students return for their sophomore year. Companies that most frequently hire graduates from Alfred University include: Corning Inc. • Dresser Rand • Pratt and Whitney • Alfred University.

Support for Students with Learning Disabilities

Students with learning disabilities may take advantage of specific support programs offered by Alfred 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. High school foreign language waivers are accepted. According to the school, the progress of students receiving services from Special Academic Services is monitored. Students with learning disabilities will find the following programs at Alfred University extremely useful: tutors • testing accommodations • untimed tests • extended time for tests • oral tests • readers • note-taking services • tape recorders • diagnostic testing service • waiver of math degree requirement. Individual or small group tutorials are also available in: time management • organizational skills • learning strategies • specific subject areas • writing labs • study skills. An advisor/advocate from the LD program is available to students.

Highlights

Alfred University

Alfred, NY (Pop. 3,000)

Location: Rural

Four-year private

Founded: 1836

Website: http://www.alfred.edu

Students

Total enrollment: 2,319

Undergrads: 1,909

Freshmen: 465

Part-time students: 4%

From out-of-state: 24%

From public schools: Not reported

Male/Female: 49%/51%

Live on-campus: 77%

Off-campus employment rating: Poor

Caucasian: 68%

African American: 5%

Hispanic: 3%

Asian or Pacific Islander: 2%

Native American: 0%

International: 2%

Academics

Calendar: Semester

Student/faculty ratio: 12:1

Class size 9 or fewer: 21%

Class size 10-29: 64%

Class size 30-49: 12%

Class size 50-99: 2%

Class size 100 or more: 1%

Returning freshmen: 71%

Six-year graduation rate: 69%

Most Popular Majors

Art/design

Psychology

Business administration

How to Get Admitted

For admissions decisions, non-academic factors considered: interview • extracurricular activities • special talents, interests, abilities • character/personal qualities • volunteer work • work experience • state of residency • minority affiliation. 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. SAT Subject Test scores are considered, if submitted, but are not required. According to the admissions office: There are no minimum requirements. Admission is determined on an individual basis. Academic units recommended: 1 Foreign Language.

Insight

Sue Goetschius, director of communications, says Alfred University has always been an institution “championing the underserved.” Alfred was the first co-educational institution in New York State and among the first to enroll students regardless of ethnicity or religion. A large percentage of students today continue to be economically disadvantaged; more than 90 percent receive institutional financial aid, which is one reason why both U.S. News & World Report and the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2010 rate Alfred as being a good value. Another population the university has traditionally served is those whose high school records might not be the strongest, but who the admissions officers believe have the potential to do well. Goetschius explains, “Often, when I speak with our alumni, I hear the recurring theme, ‘Alfred took a chance on me.’ “

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 • state aid form • Non-custodian (Divorced/Separated) Parent’s Statement • Business/Farm Supplement. Alfred 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 • state scholarships and grants • creative arts and performance awards • leadership scholarships/grants.

Highlights

Admissions

Applicants: 2,579

Accepted: 1,816

Acceptance rate: 70.4%

Average GPA: 3.2

ACT range: 22-27

SAT Math range: 510-600

SAT Reading range: 490-600

SAT Writing range: 470-590

Top 10% of class: 22%

Top 25% of class: 54%

Top 50% of class: 86%

Deadlines

Early Action: No

Early Decision: 12/1

Regular Action: 2/1 (priority)

8/1 (final)

Common Application: Accepted

Financial Aid

In-state tuition: $25,096

Out-of-state tuition: $25,096

Room: $5,766

Board: $5,262

Books: $1,000

Freshmen receiving need-based aid: 79%

Undergrads rec. need-based aid: 77%

Avg. % of need met by financial aid: 85%

Avg. aid package (freshmen): $24,067

Avg. aid package (undergrads): $22,557

Freshmen receiving merit-based aid: 5%

Undergrads rec. merit-based aid: 7%

Avg. debt upon graduation: $30,731

Prominent Alumni

Joel Moskowitz, CEO of Ceradyne; Robert Klein, actor.

School Spirit

Mascot: Saxons

Colors: Purple and gold

Song: Hail to Thee Alfred