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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What kind of students go to Philadelphia University? Our undergraduate students are serious about college. While some change their academic program after they are here, most have a good idea of what they want to do after they graduate and take classes of special interest as soon as they start. You'll find people from about 40 states, with most from the Middle Atlantic part of the U.S. The average high school GPA is 3.46. Most SAT test scores are in 960 to 1150 range. And, we have students from more than 25 countries who have chosen to pursue their degree here. If you like to explore what interests you, meet new people and are serious about your learning, you'll find lots of people like yourself on our campus.  |
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What are the advantages of your location? You really have to visit us to appreciate the special benefit of our location. Here you'll find the peacefulness of a campus located next door to the nation's largest park system, yet part of one the country's best and most historic cities, with all the urban activity and excitement that it brings within a ten-minute drive or bus ride. Simply said, our students have a beautiful, park-like 100-acre campus on which to learn, live, and play, and an exciting, easy-to-get-to downtown area where there is lots to do and see. That's a very special thing for any university. Visit us and see for yourself. |
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What academic programs do you offer? Our six schools are Architecture, Business Administration, Design and Media, Liberal Arts, Science and Health and Engineering and Textiles. When you review our list of more than 30 individual academic majors you'll be able to learn about each one that interests you. For a list, visit our academic programs page. |
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What are your most popular academic programs? Our five most popular programs are Fashion Merchandising (11%), Architecture (8%), Graphic Design (8%), Physician Assistant (8%) and Fashion Design (6%) and Marketing (5%). |
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How difficult is it to be admitted? Philadelphia University practices selective admissions and about 68 percent of the more than 4,000 people who apply each year are admitted. Most of those are in the top third of their high school class with GPAs above 3.0, earned in college prep classes. |
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What's most important in an admissions decision? We are most interested in your academic record in high school and the courses you took to earn it, along with the results of your SAT or ACT test. We also look at your class rank, if available, and any recommendations that come along with your application for admission. If you feel that you have special abilities not reflected in your formal record, be sure to tell us about those. |
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How expensive is it to attend a private university like Philadelphia? Today, very few students pay the full cost of a year's education at Philadelphia University - $26,630 for tuition and $8,914 for room and board on campus. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends of the University and financial programs from the Federal and State government, we are able to offer substantial aid packages to most of our students that result in a significantly lower cost to attend. For most people, actual expense is best determined after you apply for scholarships and financial aid. In addition to programs based on financial need, there are many scholarships and grants available that don't require financial need that are awarded for academic merit and other criteria. |
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Who receives financial aid? How difficult is it to receive? Over 90 percent of our students receive some form of aid, so it isn't difficult at all. Remember, the formula compares your family income and resources with the cost of each school that you are thinking about attending. If you don't qualify for aid at a public university, for instance, you may still be likely to qualify for help with the higher cost of a private university. The average financial aid package at Philadelphia University is about $14,500 and on average about $9,940 of that amount is "gift aid" that you don't have to repay. Your own amount may be higher or lower, depending on not only family income but also things like the total number of children in your family and the number attending college at the same time. So be sure to complete the Federal Government's FAFSA form and have the results sent to us. We'll review your application carefully after we receive it. For your best opportunity, submit the FAFSA form as soon as possible after January 1 and no later than April 15. |
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How do I obtain information or an application for financial assistance? The Financial Aid Office provides information to students regarding financial planning and distributes financial aid resources to qualified students. Students seeking financial assistance from the University are encouraged to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form no later than April 15. This is a government form available in early December at high schools as well as college and university financial aid offices. The Financial Aid Office also mails a FAFSA to any student who applies for admission to Philadelphia University. The amount of financial aid available to any student is based upon academic performance, need and the availability of funds. More detailed information is available from the Financial Aid Office. Philadelphia University has committed funds to reward students for their academic success. The awards are based solely on academic merit and not on financial need. They are awarded to entering freshman on the basis of cumulative high school grades point average and SAT or ACT scores and awarded to transfer students on the basis of all previous college level work. Freshman student awards range from $2,500 to $13,000 per year. Transfer student awards range from $1,500 to $9,000 per year. All scholarships are renewable each year of full-time attendance provided you maintain academic progress. To determine if you are eligible for one of these awards, I encourage you to complete the Merit Award Card or contact the Office of Admissions at: 1.800.951.7287 or 215.951.2800. |
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Why should I visit your campus? One of the most important elements in selecting a college is your comfort with the other students who are enrolled. The best way to find that out is to visit campus. You'll take a formal tour but after that you'll be able to wander around and talk to people. Indeed, it is not unusual to visit two or three times before making up your mind about the college that's best for you. And of course, you have to visit to see for yourself the beauty of our 100-acre campus located right beside Fairmont Park, the largest park system in the United States. Make an appointment to visit us now. To schedule at visit, please contact our Visit Coordinator. She can assist you with setting up a tour and a meeting with a member of the Admissions staff. For more information please see our Schedule a Visit page. |
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What do people do after they graduate? Year after year, 90 percent of our graduates have found jobs or have continued on to graduate school within months of Commencement. About 24 percent go directly to graduate or professional school. For those continuing their education, an MBA program is most popular, followed by master's degree programs in the arts and sciences, medical school, and law school. Results like that show the value of a Philadelphia University degree. Most of our graduates have a wide range of options to pick from. |
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What is the student/faculty ratio? 14:1 |
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What is the average class size? 18 |
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How many students live on campus? Slightly more than 50 percent of our undergraduate students live on campus in our residence halls, townhouses or Independence Plaza apartments. An additional 400-500 students live in off-campus housing located nearby the University. While these students are considered "commuters," they frequently make use of the facilities and resources available on campus. |
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What is the cost of tuition? Room and Board? For the 2007-2008 academic year:
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Are out-of-state students charged a different tuition rate? Because Philadelphia University is a private institution, both in-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition. |
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What is the deadline for applications? The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis (with the exception of the Physician Assistant program) beginning in late October. Because many programs fill quickly, we encourage high school students to apply early in their senior year. Transfer students are advised to apply by March 1 for the fall semester and November 15 for the spring semester. Physician Assistant application deadlines are December 15 for students applying as transfers and January 31 for students applying as freshmen. |
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After submitting my application, how soon can I expect to get a decision? The Admissions Committee will begin reviewing applications in October for the following fall semester. Review usually begins in June for the following spring semester (January). Once all required materials (admissions application and transcripts including SAT or ACT scores if applicable) have been received, the student usually has a decision in approximately four weeks. If the Committee requests additional grades and/or SAT I/ACT scores, a decision is usually rendered two to three weeks after the requested materials have been received. |
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I am applying for a design program. Do I need a portfolio? Portfolios are required for some majors. For more information, visit our portfolio information page. |
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Do you have a minimum grade point average (GPA) and/or SAT or ACT requirement? Each student is evaluated on an individual basis. We consider the level of difficulty of the student's coursework, the grades received (GPA) and his/her performance on the SAT I or ACT test. Because of the competitive nature of some of our programs, it is difficult to provide one set of GPA or SAT/ACT requirements. You are encouraged to speak with an Admissions Counselor by telephone or while visiting campus about your particular academic history. |
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Does Philadelphia University award credit for AP exams? Students who score a 3, 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) test may receive credit for courses at the University. Students wishing to receive AP credit should submit a score report prior to enrollment directly from the testing agency to the Office of Admissions. AP tests with course equivalents are provided in the University catalog. |
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Are interviews required? Interviews are required for Physician Assistant applicants only. Students interested in all other programs are encouraged to visit campus for a tour lead by a current student and to meet with an Admissions representative. A campus visit is an excellent way for you to get to know about the great programs and resources available to students here at Philadelphia University. |
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How can I make the most of a campus visit? If you would like to get a feel what a typical day on campus is like, we encourage you to visit during the week when classes are in session (September to early December and mid-January to early May). However, we realize that your schedule may prohibit you from visiting during this time. Therefore, we are available for visits Monday-Friday (January-December) and many Saturdays (from October until the end of April). |
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How do I arrange a visit? If you wish to visit the campus, we encourage you to contact our Visit Coordinator. She will be able to tell you what time tours will be available on the day you wish to visit. For more information please see our Schedule a Visit page. |
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How can I learn more about Safety & Security on campus? Officers of the Department of Safety and Security patrol the campus 24 hours a day. Most officers have prior police or security training. The Department also works closely with the Philadelphia Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. A campus van transportation system (the Ram Van) operates daily between Main Campus and Ravenhill Campus. After the van stops running at night, an on-campus escort system is available to students. The residence halls are kept locked 24 hours a day. The entrance to each hall is also monitored around-the-clock by contract security staff who serve to restrict access and register guests. Academic buildings are locked after evening classes and unlocked in the morning when classes are scheduled. Students are permitted to work in studios and labs after hours when working with at least one other classmate and with permission from Safety and Security. Lighted emergency phone boxes are located throughout the campus. |
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Do I need to bring a computer? Students are welcome to bring their own computer to campus, or to work in the University's academic computing labs. The labs are updated on an ongoing basis as technology changes. Frequently, machines and software programs that might be cost prohibitive for students to purchase on their own are readily available in the University's labs. High-speed laser printing is also available. For students interested in bringing their own computer, please review the hardware and software recommendations made by the Office of Information Technology. These specifications will allow you to make the best use of our campus network and technologies. |
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Are the residence halls wired for Internet access? Students who chose to bring a personal computer to campus can plug right in (without the need for a modem) to the University network directly from the residence halls. The Office of Information Technology recommends that student machines conform to specific hardware and software specifications to make best use of our campus network and technologies. |
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What division is Philadelphia University athletics? soccer (men's)
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How do I apply for an athletic scholarship? All students who wish to qualify for an athletic scholarship must file all federal, state, and college financial aid application forms. Failure to do so will result in your inability to be considered for an athletic scholarship. The head coach of each team makes initial recommendations to the director of athletics in regard to athletic scholarships. If you wish to explore athletic scholarship opportunities, you should make (and maintain) contact with the respective head coach. We strongly suggest early application, acceptance and a campus visitation. If you would like to get more information, you're encouraged to complete our Prospective Student-Athlete Interest Profile. |
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Do you have an intramural program? The Department of Athletics organizes and promotes extracurricular activities that are open to students, faculty and staff. The intramural program provides an opportunity for everyone to participate freely in an enjoyable physical activity, as well as to develop an appreciation for the benefits and importance of physical exercise. Activities are offered in league format for the competitive team player. Also offered are fitness programs for the individual who wants to meet personal objectives and special events that provide one-day athletic activities for student groups. Please visit our Athletics page for more information at http://www.philau.edu/athletics/recsports/. |
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What are the school colors? Maroon and gray |
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What is the school mascot? The Ram |
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Will I be able to do an internship? The Internship Program is an optional academic program designed to enrich students' educational experiences by providing them with salaried work experience(s) related to their majors, minors or career goals. To be eligible for an internship, students must attend Philadelphia University full-time and have earned 60 college credits (90 credits for architecture students). Of the college credits, 15 must have been taken at Philadelphia University. Students must also have an overall 2.5 GPA in their major. Internship students are placed in either full- or part-time positions. They may elect to receive credit for their placement or they may participate in the non-credit option. The student's coursework and placement is monitored by a faculty member. More than 100 employers list training positions with the University each year. The majority of them are located in the Greater Philadelphia area. Employers from Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington D.C., and England also participate. |
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Do I have the opportunity to participate in a Study Abroad program? The Study Abroad Program encourages students to add an international dimension to their education while experiencing the culture of another country firsthand. Students may study abroad for a few weeks or an entire semester. The University currently offers study abroad options in Austria, Britain, France, Italy, Mexico, Scotland and Spain. In most cases, students who study abroad for a full semester are enrolled full-time at a host institution and have access to housing and all the services, facilities and privileges available to the host institution's students. GPA requirements vary depending upon the program you choose. |
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What services are available for job placement? The Career Services Center provides the educational programming, resources and support necessary for students and alumni to prepare for, commence and continue their pursuit of meaningful and lifelong career development. The Center provides personal career advising, group seminars, and library resources to assist with the development of the knowledge and skills necessary for students to successfully make the transition from University to professional careers. On-campus recruitment programs like the Corporate Connections Job Fair and Resume Referral System provides entry-level and experienced candidates immediate access to employers. |
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What support services does the University offer to students who may need assistance with coursework? The Learning and Advising Center offers comprehensive and integrated services designed to support and enhance student learning and personal development. A variety of services are provided by professional staff and members of the teaching faculty to help students identify, plan and complete educational goals in a supportive environment. Both professional help and peer tutoring are available to all students who wish to improve their performance or maintain their high grades in a variety of subject areas. Students can work one-on-one or in small groups with the professional staff or with a peer tutor. Workshops are offered in areas such as time management and note- and test-taking strategies. Other workshops target skills needed for particular courses. All of these services are available at no cost to Philadelphia University students. |
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Are freshmen permitted to have a car on campus? Resident students with 30 or more credit hours are permitted to have a car on campus. However, resident students who have completed less than 30 credit hours are not eligible to park on campus. |
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Is housing guaranteed for all four years? The University's housing accommodations are extremely popular and in high demand. The University is able to accommodate approximately 1,250 undergraduate residential students each year and while it cannot guarantee that all residential students will have on-campus housing for all four (or five) years at the University, many students are able to stay on-campus through graduation. |
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What meal plan options are available?
All
students living in Ronson, Mott, Partridge, Fortess
or Scholler Hall are required to purchase a meal
plan. Freshman residents are required to purchase
the 19-meal
plan, while upperclass residents have the option
of purchasing the 14- or 19-meal plan. In addition
to the 14- and 19-meal plan, commuters and those
students living on-campus in the townhouses and Independence
Plaza apartments have the option of selecting a 5-
or 10-meal plan.
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What health services are provided for students? All full-time undergraduate students and international students pay an annual health fee that entitles them to visit Student Health Services as often as needed at no charge (fees are charged for prescription medications and laboratory tests). Part-time undergraduate students may elect to pay an annual fee or may visit Student Health Services as needed for a fee of $10 per standard visit. Student Health Services/Wellness Center is staffed by one full-time nurse, one part-time nurse, and two part-time physicians, and a part-time certified nurse/midwife. An on-call nurse is available for emergency phone consultation after hours. Students who require additional treatment are referred to local physicians, hospitals, and laboratories at their own expense. There is no fee for gynecological services, which are by appointment only. All lab tests must be paid by the student. All others services are on a walk-in basis. The Wellness Center offers individual health counseling and group programs on issues such as gynecological concerns, smoking and weight control. The Wellness Center also sponsors a student Diabetic Support Group. Health-promotion programs on various topics are also offered in the residence halls. |
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What extracurricular clubs/Organizations are available? Student Organizations are a valuable component of the student experience at Philadelphia University. Through their activities and efforts, organization members develop interpersonal skills, develop their leadership style, and learn to motivate, delegate, and work with diverse people. The University offers many opportunities to participate in clubs and Organizations including student government, related to a major, both professional and social fraternities and sororities and special interest groups. |
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What types of religious services/resources are available to students? It is the mission of the Spiritual Development staff to foster among the members of the University community the promotion of the relationship with God and one another through faith-based action. The Spiritual Development Program provides an environment in which all members of the University community are able to develop the spiritual aspects of their lives and share in the dialogue with others who have the same goal. Appreciating the pluralism of the University community, the Spiritual Development staff is drawn from several faith traditions. While remaining faithful to their respective traditions, they are committed to interfaith activity. Student Organizations include Campus Crusade for Christ, Hillel and Minaret. In addition, there are a variety of places of worship students can attend in the local community. |
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Who should I contact with questions about the University? It is our goal to make the admissions process as individualized as possible. Each prospective student is assigned to an admissions counselor. This counselor can be reached by telephone or e-mail with questions about all aspects of Philadelphia University. Counselors also meet with students during campus visits to provide information about the University and the admissions process, as well as address questions and concerns. To contact your counselor click here. |
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Do I need to submit scores from the new SAT I? Philadelphia University requires that freshmen applicants graduating in 2006 or beyond, submit results from the new SAT I. Results from the new Writing test will be used for research purposes only and not in admissions or scholarship decisions for fall 2006 admission. At this time, the University is not requiring the new optional Writing test portion of the ACT. If you have questions regarding SAT I or Act requirements, please contact an Admissions Counselor at 215.951.2800 or 800.951.7287. For information about the new SAT I, visit www.collegeboard.com. For information about the ACT, visit www.act.org. |
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