Hollins University PO Box 9707, Roanoke, VA 24020-1707 • Admissions: 540-362-6401 • Fax: 540-362-6218

CAMPUS LIFE STUDENTS SAY “. . .” Quality of Life Rating 85 Academics Fire Safety Rating 82 Green Rating 81 “Tiny,” all-female “drips in” “unique traditions” and Type of school Private offers “an intimate atmosphere” that “feels like a community or family, not an Affiliation No Affiliation institution.” Students assure us that “a Hollins education is inspiring and nothing Environment City short of life-changing.” There are fabulous opportunities to study abroad. Double-majors are mundane. Among the thirty or so majors available here, the STUDENTS “strong English program” is especially notable. The creative writing program in Total undergrad enrollment 568 particular is “one of the nation’s best.” Classes are small and extremely “interac- % male/female 0/100 % from out of state 45 tive.” “The discussions in class will start slowly,” observes an English major, “but % frosh from public high school 85 they’ll suddenly be out of the teacher’s control the next minute.” “Don’t go if you % frosh live on campus 97 didn’t do the readings,” adds a physics major. “Professors pour so much time into % ugrads live on campus 79 their students,” relates a studio art major. They “want to hear from their students” % African American 10 % Asian 2 and “are always more than willing to help.” The staff in the financial aid office, % Caucasian 72 on the other hand, can sometimes be “unwilling to help.” % Hispanic 6 % Native American <1 Life % international 5 Students at Hollins “adore the school.” Life on this “gorgeous” and “peaceful” # of countries represented 17 campus is “a unique amalgam of individualistic zaniness and required academic hustle and bustle.” “People are very concerned about homework.” “Sleepless SURVEY SAYS . . . nights during weekdays” aren’t uncommon. At the same time, the student com- Students are happy Students are friendly munity is “hugely strong.” “Hollins really embodies the concept of sisterhood.” Theater is popular “Everyone comes together for” a throng of “crazy and not-so-crazy traditions.” Alumni active on campus “It isn’t uncommon to put on odd costumes or break into songs or see seniors in Active student government decorated robes. It’s hard to explain these things other than to say, ’it’s a Hollins Active minority support groups thing.’” In the fall, the school president cancels morning classes and declares Tinker Day. “Everyone dresses up in wacky costumes, everything from a wetsuit ACADEMICS to a prom dress, and hikes Tinker Mountain.” Ring Night (“the best weekend of Academic Rating 86 your life”) and faculty Christmas caroling are a couple other noteworthy tradi- % students returning for sophomore year 67 % students graduating within 4 years 56 tions. Hollins is also home to “amazing extracurriculars” including “a great % students graduating within 6 years 59 horseback riding program.” “There is a high level of student involvement” across Calendar 4-1-4 the board, and “there is always something happening on campus.” Lectures, Student/faculty ratio 8:1 concerts, and recitals are abundant. The theater program “is excellent, and the Profs interesting rating 90 Profs accessible rating 82 shows are always worth going to.” “There are several subcultures people can fit Most classes have 10–19 students. into”—everything from intercollegiate athletics to a surprisingly strong anime Most lab/discussion sessions have contingent. “If you want to attend frat parties and keggers, it is very easy with the 10–19 students. number of coed universities nearby,” but “this isn’t the typical ’party school.’” “Life at Hollins is walking down the dorm hall with all the dorm doors open and MOST POPULAR MAJORS girls running down the hall to each other’s rooms to talk and have fun or do English; fine/studio art homework together,” explains one student. “The friends we make here are still going to be our sisters long after we have gone out into the world to accomplish what our experience at Hollins gave us the courage to do.” “The dorms are hos- pitable but old.” “Every now and then, the food is great and wonderful” but, for the gourmand, meals here general have some room for improvement. Student Body The women of Hollins describe themselves as “empowered, enthusiastic,” “worldly, aware,” “strong, and confident.” “There are all sorts at Hollins: horse girls, anime girls, art majors, writers, filmmakers, bio students, dancers, femi- nists, scientists.” The gay and transgender population is “large.” “The glory of Hollins is that there is seldom a stereotype,” agrees another student. “There is no mold that any student must fit, regardless of what activities and groups you are involved in. It is a place to be yourself.” “Odd ducks” proliferate. “You name it; you see it (minus males, that is).” “Everyone is so different, and every- one is so amazingly tolerant of everyone’s differences.” However, some stu- dents can be “cliquey and exclusive.” “Most people are involved in several clubs and organizations so it’s easy to have a very diverse group of friends,” describes one student. 298 THE BEST 379 COLLEGES Hollins University

Financial Aid: 540-362-6332 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.hollins.edu

THE PRINCETON REVIEW SAYS SELECTIVITY Admissions Admissions Rating 80 # of applicants 824 Very important factors considered include: Class rank, GPA, rigor of secondary % of applicants accepted 69 school record, standardized test scores, application essay, recommendation(s). % of acceptees attending 26 Important factors considered include: Extracurricular activities, interview, talent/ # offered a place on the wait list 0 ability, character/personal qualities. Other factors considered include: Geographical residence, racial/ethnic status, volunteer work, work experi- FRESHMAN PROFILE Range SAT Critical Reading 500–640 ence, alumni/ae relations, level of applicant’s interest. SAT or ACT is required; Range SAT Math 470–580 ACT with Writing component is not required. TOEFL or IELTS required of all Range ACT Composite 21–27 international applicants. Academic units required: 4 English; 3 mathematics; 3 Minimum paper TOEFL 550 science; (1 science lab); 3 social studies; 2 foreign language. Academic units rec- Minimum web-based TOEFL 80 ommended: 4 mathematics; 4 science; (2 science lab); 4 social studies; 3 foreign Average HS GPA 3.5 % graduated top 10% of class 24 language. % graduated top 25% of class 54 % graduated top 50% of class 83 Financial Aid Students should submit: FAFSA, State aid form. The Princeton Review suggests DEADLINES that all financial aid forms be submitted as soon as possible after January 1. Early action Need-based scholarships/grants offered: Federal Pell, SEOG, State scholarships/ Deadline 12/1 Notification 12/15 grants, private scholarships, the school’s own gift aid. Loan aid offered: Direct Nonfall registration? Yes Subsidized Stafford Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Direct PLUS loans, Federal Perkins Loans, State Loans, College/university loans from insti- APPLICANTS ALSO LOOK AT tutional funds. Federal Work-Study Program available. Institutional employ- ; ; ; ; ment available. Off-campus job opportunities are excellent. University of Mary Washington; Tech The Inside Word While the overall stats at Hollins are solid, the admit rate is high, and gaining FINANCIAL FACTS admission won’t be terrifically difficult if you have decent test scores and Financial Aid Rating 79 Annual tuition $33,660 above-average grades. Keep in mind, though, that the applicants here are a Room and board $11,940 highly self-selecting group and the admissions staff is able to take a long look Required fees $635 at everyone who applies. Consequently, your best bet is to demonstrate a sin- Books and supplies $1,000 cere desire to be a part of the unique milieu on this campus. % needy frosh rec. need-based scholarship or grant aid 100 THE SCHOOL SAYS “. . .” % needy UG rec. need-based From the Admissions Office scholarship or grant aid 100 % needy frosh rec. non-need-based “Hollins University’s slogan, ‘Women who are going places start at Hollins,’ scholarship or grant aid 100 endures because it captures what this independent liberal arts institution % needy UG rec. non-need-based means to its students. Hollins has been a motivating force for women to go scholarship or grant aid 100 places creatively, intellectually, and geographically since it was founded over % needy frosh rec. need-based 170 years ago. As Hollins graduate and Pulitzer Prize–winner self-help aid 91 % needy UG rec. need-based said, Hollins is a place ‘where friendships thrive, minds catch fire, careers self-help aid 91 begin, and hearts open to a world of possibility.’ % frosh rec. any financial aid 100 % UG rec. any financial aid 98 “Hollins offers majors in twenty-seven fields. While perhaps best known for its % UG borrow to pay for school 77 creative writing discipline, the university features strong programs in the visual Average cumulative indebtedness $30,660 and performing arts and the social and physical sciences. Hollins also has an % frosh need fully met 22 innovative general education program called Education Through Skills and % ugrads need fully met 18 Average % of frosh need met 85 Perspectives (ESP). In ESP, students acquire knowledge across the curriculum. Average % of ugrad need met 80 One of the most sought-after programs at Hollins is the Batten Leadership Institute, a comprehensive curricular program designed to maximize each stu- dent’s leadership style and potential and teach her skills she will use both now and in the future. It is the only program of its kind in the nation. “Hollins was among the first colleges in the nation to offer an international study abroad program. Today, more than 40 percent of Hollins’ students— many times the national average—study abroad. Internship opportunities are another of Hollins’ distinctions. Thanks to an active, dedicated network of alumnae and friends of the university, 65 percent of Hollins seniors put their education to work with a diverse group of organizations. “Hollins’ slogan underscores the most important question each student is asked from the moment she arrives until the day she leaves, and it is asked by her professors, her peers, and especially by herself: ’Where do you want to go?’” THE BEST 379 COLLEGES 299