STUDENTS AND FACULTY

Enrollment: 16,979.

Student Body: 60% female, 40% male, 29% out-of-state, 1% international (69 countries represented). Asian 5%, African American 4%, Caucasian 81%, Hispanic 3%.

Retention and Graduation: 64% freshmen graduate within 4 years. 40% grads-go on to further study within 1 year.

Faculty: Student/faculty ratio 16:1. 906 full-time faculty, 78% hold PhDs, 8% are members of minority groups, 45% are women. 1% of classes are taught by teaching assistants.

ACADEMICS

Degrees: Bachelor’s, master’s, post-master’s certificate.

Classes: Most classes have 20-29 students. Most lab/discussion sessions have 20-29 students.

Majors with Highest Enrollment: Community health services/liaison/counseling; marketing/marketing management; psychology.

Special Study Options: Accelerated program, distance learning, double major, English as a Second Language (ESL), honors program, independent study, internships, study abroad, teacher certification program, continuing education programs offered on campus.

Honors programs: Academic honors program, honors scholars (3.25 or above), honors courses, and senior honors project (3.25). Combined degree programs: BS in Bio. JMU/Master of Forestry VA Tech 3-2. Special programs offered to physically disabled students include note-taking services, reader services, tape recorders.

Career services: Alumni network, alumni services, career/job search classes, career assessment, internships.

Career services highlights include: The school offers a course designed for first and second year students who have not selected a major called Life and Career Planning. It is offered for academic credit and serves over 10% of the freshman class. Our assessment data has demonstrated the effectiveness of this course in enhancing students’ understanding of career decision-making processes, career decisiveness and career decision-making self-efficacy

FACILITIES

Housing: Coed dorms, special housing for disabled students, fraternity/sorority housing, apartments for single students, wellness housing, theme housing 90% of campus accessible to physically disabled. Special Academic Facilities/ Equipment: Language lab, music and fine arts buildings, herbarium, university farm, planetarium, arboretum, mineral museum, Science on a Sphere.

Computers: 25% of classrooms, 100% of dorms, 100% of libraries, 50% of dining areas, 100% of student union, 25% of common outdoor areas have wireless network access. Students can register for classes online. Administrative functions (other than registration) can be performed online.

CAMPUS LIFE

Environment: Town.

Activities: Choral groups, concert band, dance, drama/ theater, jazz band, literary magazine, marching band, music ensembles, musical theater, opera, pep band, radio station, student government, student newspaper, student-run film society, symphony orchestra, yearbook, campus ministries, international student organization.

Organizations: 298 registered organizations, 28 honor societies, 28 religious organizations. 15 fraternities, 9 sororities.

Athletics (Intercollegiate): Men: Baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, golf, soccer, tennis. Women: Basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, diving, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track/field (outdoor), volleyball.

On-Campus Highlights: Quad, Taylor Down Under, UREC, East Campus Library, Festival Student Center. Environmental Initiatives: JMU s President formed a Commission on Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability and later created an Institute and five supporting committees to coordinate campus environmental stewardship efforts. JMU s recycling program is award-winning. They employ six full time and four wage employees. JMU offers extensive academic and co-curricular experiences that allow students hands-on exploration of sustainability.

ADMISSIONS

Freshman Academic Profile: Average high school GPA 3.8. 28% in top 10% of high school class, 72% in top 25% of high school class, 98% in top 50% of high school class. SAT Math middle 50% range 530-630. SAT Critical Reading middle 50% range 520-610. ACT middle 50% range 22-27. Minimum paper TOEFL 550. Minimum computer TOEFL 213.

Basis for Candidate Selection: Very important factors considered include: Academic GPA, rigor of secondary school record. Important factors considered include: standardized test scores. Other factors considered include: Class rank, application essay, recommendation(s), alumni/ae relation, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, geographical residence, state residency, talent/ability, volunteer work, work experience.

Freshman Admission Requirements: High school diploma is required and GED is accepted. Academic units required: 4 English, 4 mathematics, 3 science, (3 science labs), 2 foreign language, 3 social studies. Academic units recommended: 4 English, 4 mathematics, 4 science, (4 science labs), 3 foreign language, 4 social studies.

Freshman Admission Statistics: 22,221 applied, 60% admitted, 30% enrolled.

Transfer Admission Requirements: High school transcript, college transcript(s), minimum college GPA of 2.0 required. Lowest grade transferable C.

General Admission Information: Application fee $50. Regular application deadline 1/15. Regular notification 4/1. Nonfall registration not accepted. Admission may be deferred for a maximum of 1 year with. Credit offered for CEEB Advanced Placement tests.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

Annual in-state tuition $4,182. Annual out-of-state tuition $16,946. Room and board $8,020. Required fees $3,678. Average book expense $876.

Required Forms and Deadlines: FAFSA. Priority financial aid filing date 3/1.

Notification of Awards: Applicants will be notified of awards on a rolling basis beginning 4/1.

Types of Aid: Need-based scholarships/grants: Federal Pell, SEOG, state scholarships/grants, private scholarships, the school’s own gift aid. Loans: Direct Subsidized Stafford, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford, Direct PLUS, Federal Perkins, Federal Nursing.

Student Employment: Federal Work-Study Program available. Institutional employment available. Highest amount earned per year from on-campus jobs $3,640. Off-campus job opportunities are good.

Financial Aid Statistics: 17% freshmen, 15% undergrads receive need-based scholarship or grant aid. 2% freshmen, 2% undergrads receive non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. 31% freshmen, 26% undergrads receive need-based self-help aid. 2% freshmen, 2% undergrads receive athletic scholarships. 58% freshmen, 53% undergrads receive any aid. 51% undergrads borrow to pay for school. Average cumulative indebtedness $18,183.

Criteria for awarding institutional aid: Non-need-based: Academics, alumni affiliation, art, athletics, leadership, minority status, music/drama, state/district residency.