Catawba College

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School Says - General Information
At Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. , we're not just a beautiful campus or the ideal location with a great faculty to student ratio. We know that you've made a promise to yourself - a promise to strive, to achieve, and to become what YOU want to be. And that's why we're here Ââ€" to help you realize your full potential and keep that promise to yourself. At Catawba, "Our Purpose:"is "Your Promise."

Established in 1851, Catawba College is the sixth oldest college in North Carolina. It is a private, coeducational college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ, which has deliberately chosen to remain a four-year institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition. Its purpose is to enrich the educational experiences of students and to prepare these students for productive and meaningful lives of purpose following their graduation.

Catawba's enrollment stands at 1,300 students with just over 950 of them enrolled in the traditional day program and more than two-thirds of these students live on campus. The institution has students from 27 different states and several different countries enrolled.

Catawba's seal bears four words: Scholarship, Character, Culture, and Service, and the College strives to develop these attributes in its students. Students are encouraged to broaden their cultural perspectives, to strengthen their character, to become responsible citizens with a carefully crafted sense of community, and to enrich human life through their knowledge and personal talents.

A strong sense of community is fostered at Catawba. Caring and engaged faculty challenge and support new students making the academic transition from high school to college. With the average class including only 15-20 students, faculty can offer personal attention and get to know the strengths, weaknesses and dreams of students.

School Says - Student Body
If athletics and extracurricular activities are important to you, Catawba has plenty to offer. There are 18 NCAA Division II athletic teams and over 40 student clubs and organizations to join. MenÂ's teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, and tennis; womenÂ's teams include basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. From national honor societies to academic-related clubs and service-oriented societies, campus life is vibrant and active on the Catawba campus. Wigwam Productions, the student programming board, offers a variety of week and weekend activities for students, including the spring festival Catawbapalooza.

School Says - Academics
All students have faculty advisors to guide students through academic advising and registration. In addition, the college provides an Academic Resource Center that aids students with tutoring and disability services, and a Center for Career and Service Learning, which guides students through career choices and internship opportunities. All freshmen at Catawba enroll in a year-long First-Year Experience designed to help them make the academic transition to college-level study. Through an integrated set of programs, students are introduced to the interconnectedness of liberal and professional education. The College offers a strong Honors Program, challenging able students with opportunities to participate in research and study with engaging faculty. Honors courses may feature travel components, with recent CatawbaÂ's honors students traveling to Ireland, Costa Rica, Italy, Jamaica, and England. Beyond the Honors Program, the College offers opportunities for students to travel abroad, most notably through the Center for International Studies. A popular program is the Semester Abroad in Harlaxton, England, where students can participate in one of the nation's oldest and most highly regarded foreign study programs. Harlaxton College combines intensive study of British culture and history with a broad selection of elective courses and ample opportunity for additional travel within Britain and on the European continent. Other opportunities include a summer language program in Costa Rica, as well as travel excursions associated with classes (for example, to Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Estonia, Japan, and China, most recently). Students can also arrange independent foreign study through the center. CatawbaÂ's Academy for Teaching answers the ongoing need for excellent teachers by equipping its participants with 21st Century teaching skills and offering extensive field experiences through travel within the state of North Carolina, and community leadership development and service learning. The Academy selects students to become Teaching Scholars who demonstrate leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to teaching. Catawba's Lilly Center strives to promote thought-provoking journeys of self-exploration by helping students discover and use their gifts in ways that serve others and by encouraging students to consider how they can make a real difference in today's world through the Christian ministry.

School Says - Admissions
For students applying as a first-time freshman, each applicant must submit: a completed application for admission; either an official copy of the student's high school transcript (a notarized English translation is required when records are in another language), a General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate or a certified Adult High School Diploma; an official copy of scores on either the Scholastic Assessment Test or the American College Testing Program; a completed essay from a question on the application; a letter of recommendation (required from a teacher in a core class: math, science, history, etc.); and a non-refundable $25 processing fee for U.S. citizens or international candidates.

For students applying as a transfer, each applicant must submit: A completed application for admission; an official college transcript from every institution of higher learning that you have attended; an official copy of your high school transcript, a General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate or a certified Adult H.S. Diploma; a completed essay following guidelines provided on the application for admission; and a non-refundable $25 (USD) processing fee.

School Says - Campus Life
Catawba's campus is located in the historic Piedmont City of Salisbury and consists of 35 buildings on 276 acres. It is a beautiful blend of neo-gothic architecture set on a shaded hillside adjacent to its own ecological preserve. Centrally located, it is only two hours away from the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina and four hours away from some of the best beaches on the Atlantic Coast.

Catawba is half-way between Charlotte, a major metropolitan city with its own international airport (only thirty minutes away to the south down Interstate 85) and the Winston-Salem/Greensboro area, approximately 45 minutes to the north.

School Says - Cost Aid
Tuition and general fees for 2009-10 will be $23,740 with room and board totaling $8,200.Committed to making a private liberal arts education affordable to its students, Catawba offers generous, competitive scholarships and financial aid packages. In fact, over 95% of all Catawba students receive financial assistance. The most prestigious scholarship is CatawbaÂ's First Family Scholarships, which are by invitation only and range from full tuition to $14,500 for first-time incoming freshmen. Two competitions are typically held each year (one in the fall and the spring), and students must first be accepted by Catawba in order to be invited. Students competing for this scholarship are required to have a 3.5 high school GPA and a combined 1150 score on their SAT Critical Reading and Math sections (or a 25 on the ACT). Once you have applied for admissions, our Office of Financial Aid will forward information to you including a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You are expected to complete the FAFSA and submit it to the federal processor as soon as possible after January 1st of the year you intend to enter college. Once you have been accepted to Catawba College and we have received the valid results of your FAFSA, the Office of Financial Aid will process your financial aid package. Other Catawba scholarships include the Presidential Scholarships, which range from $5,500 to $8,000; Trustee Scholarships, which range from $4,000 to $7,000; athletic grants in aid; talent/performance scholarships; and other scholarship opportunities.

Students Say - Academics
Catawba College, a "small school with a student body of fewer than two thou- sand" "known for its environmental science and theater programs," is the sort of place where students meet "people who make a big difference in your life, whether it be your caring admissions counselor, easily accessible professor, friendly department head, or large group of friends," all of whom boast a "diverse range of interests. At Catawba, it's the people who define the school." An "atmosphere of creativity and curiosity" envelops a "learning community focused on involvement in academics, athletics, campus clubs, and volunteer work." This is abetted by faculty who "are generally very willing to work with and help you if you are confused," not to mention "a good tutoring system." An honors program "is top-notch, but underappreciated," providing participants with courses specifically designed to facilitate "discussion and interaction." The theater department "comprises one-fifth of the student population" and "puts a lot of effort into productions and regularly wins awards." The school is undergoing a growth spurt these days, and the administration "is continuing to change and update the buildings." Although "construction could go faster," students love the direction in which their school is headed, telling us that the college is "constantly improving and growing."

Students Say - Campus Life
Catawba's administration imposes some moderately strict regulations-students must be 23 years old in order to live off campus, for example-leading some to complain that the school "runs on a high school mindset." "It's as if the administration didn't get the memo that Catawba is a college, not a boarding school." Not all students mind the restrictions; some happily report that "for the most part people love Catawba" and that "there is almost always something going on around campus that you can get into. Everyone goes to the same places-movies, dinner, bars, clubs, on-campus events-and hangs out and has fun." As one student puts it, "life at school is dependent upon how many activities you are involved with. The more activities that you participate in, the more fun you will have on campus. We have outdoor movies, casino nights, late-night campus-sponsored events, intramurals, athletics, and much more." Some undergrads demur, reporting that "there are very few activities or facilities for us to enjoy on campus. After dark, there is nothing to do." All agree that sports are extremely popular. "People come from all over to see the Indians play. Tailgate parties are a regular thing." "There's not much to do as far as social events" in hometown Salisbury. "The music scene in Salisbury is nonexistent, which is frustrating, so parties tend to be kind of exclusive (theater majors tend to stick together, etc.). There is a lot drinking on Saturday nights." It's possible some drink to forget the school dining service. Student reviews range from "getting better but still not great" to "needs some help" to "really dreadful."

Students Say - Student Body
Catawba "is a very diverse school with all different people and majors, but it's very divided into sects: the theater kids, the e-sci kids, the sports kids, etc. Catawba's nickname-Catawba High-sums us up." The theater group is further divided into "the more 'bohemian' set and the musical theater set." While these groups don't actively socialize with one another, the campus is hardly Balkanized. "The athletes go to the plays and music events, and the theater people support the athletes in their events." Catawba undergrads "tend to be from within 200 miles of the school. This is reflected in the 'Southern values' mindset of the school. Being from New York, I find it to be a refreshing change." Students' activities tend not to be "limited to the classroom; instead, they are athletes, actors, and club presidents. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone on campus who isn't involved in something else other than just going to class. This involvement in school really makes Catawba as great as it is."

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