St. Edward's University Guide for Parents 2015–2016

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WHERE WILL YOUR STUDENT THRIVE?Guide for Parents

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“I am absolutely delighted with the experience St. Edward’s provided for my two daughters. I’m thrilled that they were encouraged to think critically, to question and think independently, and to exercise their creativity. Both are well prepared to go into the world and make a difference.”

– Brian Colwell, father of Emily ’14 and Hannah ’11 Colwell

CREATING A PURPOSEFUL LIFEAs you plan for your child’s college years, you’re looking for a school that allows your student to grow in confidence and become his or her best self. St. Edward’s is that place.

Life at St. Edward’s is full of ways to get involved, see the world and prepare for a fulfilling career. Here, your son or daughter will be surrounded by smart, curious, exceptional people who care about their passions, their communities and each other. In the tradition of our Holy Cross, Catholic education, your student will be inspired to think, reason and lead with a perceptive heart and mind, and achieve success with a sense of purpose.

QUICK FACTS

54COUNTRIES

REPRESENTED

45STATES

REPRESENTED

1122AVERAGE SAT

SCORE

24.6AVERAGE ACT

SCORE

4,690 TOTAL

STUDENTS

3,590 UNDERGRADUATE

STUDENTS

17AVERAGE CLASS

SIZE

12:1STUDENT-

FACULTY RATIO

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America’s Best-Bang-for-the-Buck CollegesBY WASHINGTON MONTHLY MAGAZINE

named one of

SEE MORE NATIONAL ACCOLADES AT STEDWARDS.EDU/AWARDS

top25

REGIONAL UNIVERSITY

12 y

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RANKED BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT OUR STUDENTS EXCEL NATIONALLYStudents at St. Edward’s earn highly competitive national awards like the Udall Fellowship, Boren and Pickering scholarships, and prestigious Fulbright scholarships. In fact, we’ve been a top producer of Fulbright U.S. Students five years in a row, with 37 Fulbrights awarded since 2004.

Q. How will my student benefit from a liberal arts education?

A. As technology constantly transforms the way we work, many of the jobs students will enter when they graduate don’t yet exist. Our academically challenging liberal arts education cultivates well-rounded, lifelong skills that are vital to any career field, now and in the future. Students learn to analyze and solve problems; write, speak and present effectively; work independently and with teams; and understand the world from different points of view — outcomes highly valued by employers in today’s rapidly changing workplace.

Hear four St. Edward's students talk about their time here — from academics and service opportunities to experiences abroad. Watch "Only at St. Edward's" at stedwards.edu/parents.

parents ask

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REALIZING DREAMS. ACHIEVING SUCCESS.At St. Edward’s, your student will be challenged — through rigorous coursework, opportunities for graduate-level research and hands-on internships. Students here are encouraged to take risks, question everything and surpass expectations (even their own).

Perhaps your student will conduct ground-breaking human genome research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, or develop an award-winning application for a SXSWedu codeathon competition, or channel a passion for writing into a prestigious summer internship with National Instruments, or design and implement an art therapy project for patients at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Here, students go beyond the classroom to put their learning into practice and pursue what they love.

“Jack has gained confidence and become aware of differing views. He is figuring out his place in the world. St. Edward’s has allowed him to grow and explore his possibilities. He’s appreciated the small classes and easy access to professors.”

– Matt Ikard, father of Jack Ikard ’16

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Jack Ikard ’16 developed a system that converts waste from a fish tank into fertilizer for a garden above the tank. His product, AquaSprouts, has been featured in national publications and launched in stores in Summer 2015.

Leslie Nix ’14 won an award at the Texas Academy of Science meeting for her undergraduate research. Now she’s a Molecular Biophysics PhD student at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.

David Nowlan '16 networked with professionals, boosted his résumé and found his calling as an event planner thanks to an internship at Austin City Limits Live.

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parents askQ. How do research and internship opportunities at St. Edward’s compare to other schools?

A. Our students engage in high caliber research typically reserved for graduate students, and they publish and present their work at regional and national conferences. And 72% of our students complete one or more internships before graduation — well above the national average of 61% (2014 National Association of Colleges and Employers Student Survey).

Our location in Austin, Texas — the top metro economy and job-growth area in the U.S. — attracts companies from all over the world, opening many doors to students for research, internships, volunteer positions and jobs. Industry leaders such as Whole Foods Market, Dell, Cirrus Logic, Sweet Leaf Tea, Freescale Semiconductor and Seaton Healthcare Family are headquartered in Austin, and Apple, Facebook and Google have offices here.

Q. What are your post-graduation outcomes?

A. 92% of our students say St. Edward's prepared them for the demands of their jobs. Our graduates find success in a variety of fields, whether they continue their education or enter the workforce.

Read their stories at stedwards.edu/academics/bachelors/alumni.

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INVESTING IN A PROMISING FUTUREYou have many factors to consider in your student’s college search, and cost is chief among them. St. Edward’s is committed to keeping our top-tier private education within reach, with generous scholarships and grants. In fact, you may be surprised how affordable we can be.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTSAll applicants are automatically considered for our academic scholarships of up to $20,000 annually.

In 2015–2016, 61% of freshmen earned academic scholarships, and an additional 25% received need-based aid only — money they don’t have to pay back.

We also encourage students to apply for additional financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov.

COST AND ASSISTANCE• Tuition for 2016–2017: $40,428

• Housing and food (estimated) for 2016–2017: $11,450

• Technology fee for 2016–2017: $400

• Average freshman scholarships and aid in 2015–2016: $24,373

• Average freshman tuition after scholarships and grants in 2015–2016: $10,626

ESTIMATE YOUR STUDENT’S SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND TOTAL COSTS. IT’S FAST AND

EASY AT STEDWARDS.EDU/CALCULATOR

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61%

$5,000–$11,000

OF FRESHMEN EARNED ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2015–2016

SMALL CLASSES

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP

WORLDWIDE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

INNOVATIVE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ADVISING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL AND PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIPS

TOP-QUALITY CAMPUS FACILITIES

INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI NETWORKRANGE OF FRESHMAN

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

parents ask

Q. What’s the most important thing to consider in choosing the right college?

A. Tracy Manier, dean of Admission at St. Edward’s, offers this valuable advice to students: “College is an incubator for the things in life that really matter. Look for a school that aligns well with your interests, that will allow you to make good friends and pursue your passions, and that will give you the confidence to make the most of your opportunities after college. If you find such a place, it will be worth the investment.”

Hear more insights from Tracy about making the best college choice. See her article and video at stedwards.edu/collegechoice.

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GAINING A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVECollege is about discovering who you are — clarifying your values and becoming a self-assured, independent adult with an informed worldview. St. Edward’s emphasizes international awareness in every aspect of education — preparing students to develop cross-cultural understanding and become socially responsible members of our global community.

Your student could spend a week studying international business in Japan, a semester in Jordan exploring Arabic culture and language, or a whole year taking in the literary history of England — or join a service trip to help children in need in Uganda. On campus, students learn from each other at multicultural events — like Diwali, the Hindu festival of light — and among international classmates and professors.

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parents askQ. What percentage of students at St. Edward’s study abroad, and where?

A. On average, a quarter of our students have studied abroad by the time they graduate. Last year, they visited 43 countries. France, Spain, Ireland, Chile and China were top destinations. Many students studied at one of our 19 partner universities, with most attending St. Edward's University in Angers, France, our flagship international program. Angers is a medium-sized city in the heart of the Loire Valley, about a 90-minute train ride from Paris.

Get more information about our study abroad programs and answers to common questions. View our Parents’ Guide to Study Abroad at stedwards.edu/parents.

“St. Edward’s has afforded Ethan life-changing international experiences. As a result of his study in France, his self-confidence grew and he matured greatly. Now, he feels prepared for his future, wherever it takes him. What more could a parent want?”

– Becky Willinger, mother of Ethan Willinger ’14

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AT STEDWARDS.EDU/GLOBAL

1,000+ STUDY ABROAD OPTIONS OFFERED IN 90+ COUNTRIES

19 PARTNER UNIVERSITIES IN 14 COUNTRIES

A WORLD OF STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

542650+

ON CAMPUS

LANGUAGES SPOKEN

MULTICULTURAL EVENTS ON CAMPUS EACH YEAR

COUNTRIES

STUDENTS FROM

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From campus traditions to sports to service activities, life on the hilltop is jam-packed with things to do: working in the Students for Sustainability garden … learning a new dance with Ballet Folklorico … competing against other student teams for the Homecoming Week Topper Cup … playing intramural dodgeball or club rugby or varsity soccer … lending a helping hand during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week … enjoying a moment of quiet reflection in an interfaith Taize prayer session.

St. Edward’s is a tight-knit community where students form close friendships that will last a lifetime. They study together in the shade of Sorin Oak, meet up regularly with their residence hall neighbors for board games and movie nights, and stay up late discussing philosophy or science under the stars.

PICTURING YOUR STUDENT HERE

40+32%

71,000

FAITH TRADITIONS REPRESENTED

STUDENTS IDENTIFY AS CATHOLIC

STUDENT VOLUNTEER HOURS LAST YEAR (APPROX.)

AND GIVING BACK

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parents askQ. Are freshmen required to live on campus?

A. Yes. Living on campus is the best way for your student to get involved in the St. Edward’s community. And national research shows that living on campus contributes to greater success in college.

Q. What are your residence halls like? Can we tour them?

A. All of our residence halls offer kitchen and laundry facilities, wi-fi, study areas and lounges, and basic cable. Residence hall tours are offered during Admission Open House and select visit programs. See details and RSVP for one of these events at stewards.edu/visit.

TAKE STUDENT-LED VIDEO TOURS OF OUR RESIDENCE HALLS AT STEDWARDS.EDU/HALLTOURS

1,380 STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS

6 RESIDENCE HALLS AVAILABLE TO FRESHMEN

6 FRESHMAN LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITIES AVAILABLE

3 DINING VENUES SERVING FRESH, LOCALLY SOURCED FARE

3 COFFEE SHOPS

2 CONVENIENCE STORES

STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

CLUB SPORTS AND INTRAMURAL

LEAGUES

NCAA DIVISION II TEAMS

LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

125+ 61+ 13

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SEEING THE HILLTOP FOR YOURSELF

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DallasFort Worth

San Antonio

El Paso Midland

Laredo

HoustonAustin

Amarillo

Lubbock

Brownsville

Campus visits can make a big difference in finding your student’s best-fit college. Explore our campus, speak with current students and faculty, and sample university life for a day. Come see what we’re all about. You can schedule a student-led tour or a group program visit. And be sure to make an appointment to meet with an admission counselor.

GET DETAILS AND BOOK YOUR TOUR AT STEDWARDS.EDU/VISIT

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TOWILD BASINCREATIVE RESEARCH CENTER

ZILKER PARK

BARTON SPRINGS

DOWNTOWN

AIRPORT

Riverside Drive6th Street

Lady Bird Lake

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ST. EDWARD’SUNIVERSITY

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EXPLORINGAUSTINTHE IDEAL

COLLEGE CITYVisit St. Edward’s and discover why everyone loves Austin. Our hometown regularly earns accolades: #1 economy in the U.S., Best City to Live, a top 10 college town, a top job market and tech-savvy city, the “Live Music Capital of the World” — the list goes on. If your student is looking for a place with a vibrant intellectual culture, thriving arts scene, plentiful outdoor activities, eclectic dining and rich cultural diversity, Austin fits the bill.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AUSTIN, AND TAKE A STUDENT-LED VIDEO TOUR OF OUR DYNAMIC CITY AT STEDWARDS.EDU/EXPLOREAUSTIN

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UNDERSTANDING COLLEGE FINANCIAL AIDThe financial aid process can raise more questions (and possible confusion) than any other step in your student’s college search. St. Edward’s is here to help you and provide answers.

We encourage your family to begin learning about the financial aid process early. The more you know about qualifying for scholarships and aid, the better you can plan. And the sooner you can meet with a college financial aid counselor, the clearer picture you’ll have of your financial aid status and costs over your student’s 4-year college career.

parents askQ. What’s the first step in applying for student financial aid?

A. Everyone should start by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Colleges use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal, state and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, loans and work-study programs. The FAFSA is available online beginning Jan.1 of your student’s senior year at fafsa.ed.gov.

Q. How do we begin filing a FAFSA?

A. First, get your 4-digit FSA ID at pin.ed.gov. Your FSA ID allows you to complete and sign your FAFSA electronically. Students and parents must apply for separate IDs.

Q. Do colleges have deadlines for their best financial aid offers?

A. Yes, and they vary. So be sure to check with each school. At St. Edward’s, Feb. 1 is our priority deadline to apply for admission, and March 1 is our priority deadline to file the FAFSA. Meeting these deadlines (the earlier the better) ensures your student will receive our most comprehensive financial aid package.

Q. Will the same financial aid my student receives as a freshman be awarded for the following three years?

A. This is an important question to ask each school. At St. Edward’s, your student’s first year of financial aid normally becomes his or her base offer for subsequent years. However, your student must file a new FAFSA each year and meet certain academic requirements to continue receiving funding.

GET MORE ANSWERS AT STEDWARDS.EDU/TOP10QUESTIONS

TOP 10 FINANCIAL AID QUESTIONSTo help you get started, we’ve compiled answers to important questions parents ask us about financial aid and a useful glossary of terms. View them at stedwards.edu/top10questions.

Here are just a few Q&As you’ll find on our website.

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COLLEGE SEARCH CHECKLISTKeep this timeline handy. Use it to help your student stay on track during the college search process.

JUNIOR YEARFALL

q Read mail from colleges, and visit campuses when possible.

q Start thinking about what attributes in a college matter (rural, urban, small, large, etc).

q Perform well in the classroom (the junior year is the last one reflected on the transcript that will be sent to most colleges).

SPRING AND SUMMER

q Take the SAT and/or ACT, depending on the requirements of the colleges that interest you.

q Find out whether the ACT’s optional writing test is required in the application.

q Start brainstorming creative ideas for your essay.

q Keep an updated résumé of activities and awards.

q Plan to visit the top colleges on your list, take a campus tour and meet with an admission counselor.

SENIOR YEARFALL

q Retake the SAT or ACT.

q Make a more thorough visit (try to sit in on classes or stay overnight) to colleges on your short list.

q Get recommendation letters for your applications.

q Apply early (by Thanksgiving) to take advantage of incentives like fee waivers.

q Understand early action/early decision policies for each college (usually explained in the application or online).

SPRING

q Fill out the FAFSA online by March 1 (available at fafsa.ed.gov on Jan.1).

q Keep track of all admission, financial and housing paperwork and deadlines.

q Maintain strong grades — colleges will receive a final transcript of your high school work.

q Decide on a college by May 1. Also, be sure to notify schools you will not be attending of your decision.

QUESTIONS? CALL OUR OFFICE OF ADMISSION AT 800-555-0164 OR 512-448-8500, OR VISIT STEDWARDS.EDU/ADMISSION

HEAR FROM HILLTOPPER PARENTSRead parents’ stories, and get helpful information and resources for the college search, at stewards.edu/parents.

Office of Admission3001 South Congress AvenueAustin, TX 78704-6489

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COLLEGE STUDENTLearn how parents stay involved with their students at St. Edward’s. And hear from other parents about the impact of a St. Edward’s education on their students.

Visit stedwards.edu/parents.

LOOK INSIDE FOR ADVICE ABOUT THE COLLEGE SEARCH