B Student Support and Success
Alma College’s Academic Effectiveness Program is designed for students who are struggling academically. A counselor works with each student to figure out the source of the problem and then develop a plan of action. The Center for Student Development also offers “Learning Lunches” each term on the topics of time management methods, note taking, classroom strategies, study skills, test taking strategies, test anxiety, preparing for employment and graduate school and pursuing internship options.
Alma College provides a variety of support programs including dedicated guidance for: academic • career • personal • minority students • non-traditional students • family planning • religious. Recognizing that some students may need extra preparation, Alma College offers remedial and refresher courses in: reading • writing • math • study skills. The average freshman year GPA is 2.8, and 78 percent of freshmen students return for their sophomore year. Among students who enter the work force, approximately 42 percent enter a field related to their major within six months of graduation. Companies that most frequently hire graduates from Alma College include: AmeriCorps • Deloitte & Touche • Dow Corning • Ernst & Young • Hewitt Associates.
Support for Students with Learning Disabilities
Students with learning disabilities may take advantage of specific support programs offered by Alma College. If necessary, the college will grant additional time to students with learning disabilities to complete their degree. Students with learning disabilities will find the following programs at Alma College extremely useful: tutors • learning center • testing accommodations • untimed tests • extended time for tests • take-home exam • oral tests • exam on tape or computer • readers • note-taking services • reading machines • tape recorders • early syllabus • priority registration • waiver of foreign language degree requirement. Individual or small group tutorials are also available in: time management • organizational skills • learning strategies • specific subject areas • writing labs • math labs • study skills. An advisor/advocate from the Academic and Career Planning is available to students and this person also sits on the admissions committee.
Highlights
Alma College
Alma (Pop. 10,000)
Location: Small town
Four-year private
Founded: 1886
Website: http://www.alma.edu
Students
Total enrollment: 1,444
Undergrads: 1,444
Freshmen: Not reported
Part-time students: 5%
From out-of-state: 6%
From public schools: 91%
Male/Female: 44%/56%
Live on-campus: 87%
In fraternities: 25%
In sororities: 27%
Off-campus employment rating: Good
Caucasian: 91%
African American: 2%
Hispanic: 3%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 2%
Native American: 1%
International: 0%
Academics
Calendar: 4-4-1 system
Student/faculty ratio: 13:1
Class size 9 or fewer: 17%
Class size 10-29: 66%
Class size 30-49: 14%
Class size 50-99: 3%
Class size 100 or more: -
Returning freshmen: 78%
Six-year graduation rate: 63%
Most Popular Majors
Business administration
Biology
Exercise/health science
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 • alumni relationship. 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 not required. According to the admissions office: Minimum composite ACT score of 22 (combined SAT score of 1030) and rank in top half of secondary school class required; minimum 3.0 GPA recommended. Academic units recommended: 2 Foreign Language.
How to Pay for College
To apply for financial aid, students should submit the following: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Alma College 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. Non-need-based aid programs include: scholarships and grants • state scholarships and grants • creative arts and performance awards • special characteristics awards.
Highlights
Admissions
Applicants: 1,822
Accepted: 1,334
Acceptance rate: 73.2%
Average GPA: 3.5
ACT range: 21-27
SAT Math range: 483-668
SAT Reading range: 470-708
SAT Writing range: 503-710
Top 10% of class: 30%
Top 25% of class: 57%
Top 50% of class: 87%
Deadlines
Early Action: No
Early Decision: No
Regular Action: Rolling admissions
Common Application: Accepted
Financial Aid
In-state tuition: $27,340
Out-of-state tuition: $27,340