Benedictionary A useful reference guide to help parents and students master the language of the college experience at Benedictine University. 4th edition • 1 • A message from the Enrollment Center The goal of the Enrollment Center at Benedictine University is to assist prospective students and parents with every aspect of the admissions process. We strive to educate, inform, counsel and build relationships with you, making each individual experience our No. 1 priority. We Promise. Over the years, we have worked with numerous families and have learned that many are overwhelmed by the college search process. We designed the Benedictionary to help make this experience as effortless as possible and allow students to make an educated decision regarding their college choice. If you or your child are considering Benedictine University, we hope this piece provides answers to any questions you may have. Good luck, and enjoy! Kari Gibbons Vice President for Enrollment Services • 2 • Benedictionary A useful reference guide to help parents and students master the language of the college experience at Benedictine University. Table of Contents Admissions……………………………. 02 Accommodation Services…………… 05 Bookstore………………………………06 Career Development………………… 08 Everything Academic………………… 10 Financial Aid…………………………... 15 Good Food……………………………. 18 Information Technology………………20 Life as a Student……………………… 22 Managing Accounts………………….. 24 Odds and Ends……………………….. 28 University Police……………………….29 Residence Life………………………… 31 Sports………………………………….. 33 Student Health Services……………... 37 Transfer Guidelines…………………... 38 A Admissions — Benedictine University’s Enrollment Center assists in the admissions process for undergraduate students. Where is Benedictine University located? resources, study abroad and career development Benedictine is located 25 miles west of Chicago in the opportunities. Attendees may also speak with faculty suburb of Lisle (four miles from downtown Naperville). representatives and take a campus tour. “Benedictine University at a Glance” is a similar event designed What type of university is Benedictine? specifically for high school juniors held in the summer. Benedictine University is an independent Roman In the fall, we offer a “Science Open House,” an event Catholic, Benedictine and liberal arts institution. for high school and transfer students interested in Benedictine’s science programs. We also offer “Financial How many students attend Aid 101,” a workshop providing information on Benedictine University? institutional, state and federal financial assistance and As of fall 2013, 3,830 undergraduate students enrolled other options for affording college; “Preferred Visit with a total enrollment of 9,658 adult, graduate and Day” for prospective students who want to learn more undergraduate students. about Benedictine; and “Admitted Student Day” for students who are ready to take their next steps to become Who is involved in the admissions process? a member of the Benedictine community. Interested An admissions counselor works with prospective high students can also attend “Saturday Preview Days” or school students and their families to provide relevant schedule a personalized campus interview with an information about the University (history, characteristics, admissions counselor. academics, financial aid, admissions process, student life, safety, career development, housing, etc.). What are Admitted Student Days? Admitted Student Days are for students who are ready What events are offered during the year to to take the next step in their college experience or are allow me to learn more about the University? still deciding if Benedictine is the right fit for them. No We offer two open house events, one in the fall and one matter which category you find yourself in, we are here to in the spring. Both are an opportunity for interested help! At BenU’s Admitted Student Day, you can talk with students to ask specific questions about financial aid, current students, register for fall classes and meet with an admissions, athletics and to learn about academic Office of Financial Aid representative. • 2 • What is the application deadline for admission? What happens after I decide to attend Benedictine has rolling admissions, but we prefer to Benedictine University? receive an application by December 15. We have placement testing for all incoming freshmen in mathematics, writing and foreign language (if Spanish or What are the admissions requirements? French was taken in high school) which can all be taken There are three admission requirements: 21 ACT or online. The placement tests are required and ensure the 990 SAT, 2.5/4.0 cumulative GPA, and to be ranked in student is placed in the correct class level. All students the top 50 percent of your high school graduating class. are also required to submit a $200 nonrefundable tuition deposit. Once placement testing is complete and a deposit What happens if I do not meet all is submitted, students will be paired with an academic three admissions requirements? advisor in the New Student Advising Center who will If a student does not meet one or more of the admissions help them with advising, registration and planning their requirements, their admissions file will go before the course schedule. Advising and priority registration begins Admissions Committee which will make an admissions in March. Prospective freshmen should accept the offer of decision and decide if any restrictions are required to help admission and pay the tuition deposit no later than the student maintain performance standards. May 1 to secure their spot for the incoming freshmen class. March is our largest registration because students What is needed to make my admissions have the largest selection of classes, dates and times. file complete so a decision can be made? The Enrollment Center needs the following for a Do I have to declare my major my complete admissions file: completed application, $40 freshman year? application fee, official high school transcripts and No. Every student is assigned an academic advisor who official test scores. will mentor the student through declaring a major, scheduling, the registration process and career advice. Once my admissions file is complete, how long will I have to wait for an admissions decision? How many majors does Benedictine Once a file is complete, a student will be notified within University offer? 24 to 48 hours by an admissions counselor regarding Benedictine is a liberal arts college and offers 51 admission into the University and any scholarship awards traditional undergraduate majors. they will receive. What is the average class size? Should I schedule a campus interview? The average undergraduate class size is 18 students. Yes. The campus interview is a great time to ask specific questions about the University and the financial aid or What is the current student-to-faculty ratio? admissions process. Students will have an opportunity to We have an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. tour the campus, sit in on a class, meet with a coach and speak with a current student. Campus interviews can be scheduled by contacting the student’s admissions counselor. • 3 • Admissions Cont’d Does Benedictine University offer scholarships? Does Benedictine University have Yes. Benedictine offers merit-based scholarships, internship programs? Catholic high school scholarships, Benedictine family/ Yes. We have relationships with employers throughout alumni scholarships, music scholarships, leadership and the Chicago area. We work closely with the Illinois community service-oriented scholarships, and out-of-state Small College Placement Association to help identify grants. Please contact the Enrollment Center to learn internships for our students. Your faculty advisor and more about the scholarships you may be eligible dean can help you with internship opportunities as well. to receive. What is Benedictine’s job placement rate? Do I have to be Catholic to attend Ninety-four percent of our graduates work full-time or Benedictine University? are enrolled in graduate school programs within one year No. Benedictine University is dedicated to educating of Commencement. students from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. U.S. News & World Report consistently lists Does Benedictine University offer any special Benedictine among the top colleges and universities in assistance for students who require academic the nation and recognizes BenU for campus assistance outside of the classroom? ethnic diversity. Yes. We offer assistance through the Student Success Center, which includes the Study Zone, study skills Does Benedictine University offer housing workshops and study sessions with instructional on campus? assistants, math and writing learning specialists Yes. We have one female and one male residence hall, one and peer tutoring. coeducational residence hall and on-campus apartments at Founders’ Woods. If you have any additional questions, please Is there a meal plan available for contact the Enrollment Center at (630) 829-6300 commuter students? or [email protected]. Yes. There are special meal plans for our students who either commute or live in Founders’ Woods apartments. Are freshmen required to live on campus? No, but it is encouraged for students to receive the full college experience. Are freshmen allowed to have cars on campus? How much is parking? Yes. Parking is free once the student obtains a parking permit from the Benedictine University Police office located in the lower level