Denison University

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School Says - General Information
You'll feel a sense of momentum and vitality as you arrive at Denison University's picturesque campus in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective, independent, residential college of liberal arts and sciences for men and women, Denison was founded in 1831. It is steeped in tradition and focused on the success of its approximately 2100 students who can select from 48 courses of study and 12 pre-professional programs. Denison has an alumni body of 28,000 and an endowment of $642 million that places it among the top colleges and universities in the United States. United States Senator Richard Lugar and ESPN and ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer are among its well-known alumni. Denison is situated atop a ridge overlooking Granville, a quaint, New England-like village with shopping, restaurants, and services conveniently located adjacent to campus. Denison's continuing enhancement of its hillside campus includes the award-winning Campus Common project (2003) of Samson Talbot Hall of Biological Science and Burton D. Morgan Center for student, faculty and alumni activities; eight apartment-style residence halls (2005) to accommodate interested seniors; and the current $13-million restoration of historic Cleveland Hall, scheduled for completion in 2009. The student body is geographically and ethnically diverse, representing 46 states and territories and 22 countries, with nearly 18 percent being multicultural. The 201 members of the faculty are both teachers and scholars and thrive on the stimulation provided by their students through joint research and lively discussions in small classes, all of which are taught by professors, not teaching assistants. Typically, more than 125 students do research with faculty as Summer Scholars. In 2007, 77 percent of Denison graduating seniors were accepted into medical school; 86 percent were accepted into law school, both numbers well above national averages. Each year, approximately 10 percent of Denison students may opt for off-campus study in 85 selective programs abroad and in the United States. The University offers 3-2 programs in engineering, forestry, medical technology, natural resources management and occupational therapy. The unique Denison Internship Program allows students to select from more than 300 internship offerings each summer. Denison is a founding member of the North Coast Athletic Conference and offers a broad-based program of 23 varsity sports for men and women. The University has won 94 conference championships since 1984, and nine consecutive All-Sports Championships. Denison athletes rank third among more than 400 NCAA Division III colleges throughout the country in Postgraduate Scholarship winners and are regularly honored as All-Americans and Academic All-Americans.

School Says - Student Body
The Denison Campus Governance Association (D.C.G.A) with its annual budget of approximately 700,000, supports 100 campus organizations, providing the students with opportunities to participate in athletics, write for several publications, volunteer in the local community, learn about various cultures and hear nationally recognized speakers. Denison students are active volunteers and contribute more than 18,000 hours each year through the Denison Community Association in such areas as adult literacy, the AIDS task force, Habitat for Humanity, homelessness and hunger, and Hope for Autism. Thirty-five percent of the students are members of the 7 sororities and 7 fraternities; 26 percent play varsity sports, 35 percent play club sports and 73 percent participate in intramural sports.

School Says - Academics
Denison expects its students to profit from exposure to a broad liberal arts education and to achieve proficiency in a major field. Degree requirements include successful completion of approximately 35 courses (127 semester hours) with a 2.0 or better average, both overall and in the major and minor fields; fulfillment of all General Education requirements; achievement of passing scores on comprehensive examinations if required in the major; and fulfillment of minimum residence requirements. About one-third of a student's course work (13 courses) must be chosen from core course offerings in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and fine arts. Another one-third is taken in the major field of study, and the remainder is fulfilled in electives. Denison offers opportunities for directed study and independent study. Students may receive advanced placement or credit through College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) tests, Â"AÂ" Level or International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. Credit is usually given for an AP score of 4 or 5. Denison's academic calendar consists of two semesters and an optional Denison Internship Program that includes internships and travel seminars. The academic year begins in late August and ends in early May.

School Says - Admissions
The quality of the academic performance, rigor of courses selected and grade point average are the most important factors considered by the Admissions Committee. Submission of the results of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I) or the American College Test (ACT) is optional. SAT II Subject Tests are also not required although these scores may be provided as additional information in support of the application for admission. International applicants must submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the results of the SAT I. The application essay, as well as written statements from the college advisor and an academic teacher, provide a greater understanding of personal characteristics and motivation. Important also is the quality, rather than the quantity, of extracurricular accomplishments, whether school, community, job-related or life experience. Independent of the admission process and solely for the purpose of the college's research, students who have taken the standardized tests must submit the official results of these tests upon matriculation. An interview is strongly encouraged but not required. Denison University admits students of any race, color, religion, age, personal handicap, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and national or ethnic origin. All students requesting admissions information will receive the Viewbook. Denison is an exclusive Common Application college. The Common Application (www.commonapp.org) may be submitted any time between September 1 and January 15 of the senior year. Denison University has a three-part application. Completing Part I will begin the application process and enable Denison to start the file. Part I may be completed online at www.denison.edu/admissions/apppart1.html. Part II requires the student to fill out the Common Application and Part III requires the applicant to complete Denison's Supplement. Denison will waive the $40 application fee for students who apply online at www.commonapp.org (Part II and Part III can be completed there.)

School Says - Campus Life
The 900-acre Denison campus overlooks the village of Granville. Founded in 1805 by settlers from Massachusetts, Granville bears a marked resemblance to a New England village and has several fine restaurants and shopping facilities. Columbus, the state capital with a population of 1.5 million, is 27 miles to the west and is served by numerous national airlines. The University is a cultural and recreational center for the local community, and the Denison Community Association encourages student participation in community service activities, providing more than 18,000 hours of volunteer fieldwork each year.

School Says - Cost Aid
Annual charges for the 2008-2009 academic year are as follows: tuition, $34,410; room and board, $8,830; and student fees, $890, for a total annual cost of $44,130.The financial aid decision is entirely separate from the admission decision. In 2007-2008 academic year, $34,017,000 in Denison grants and merit-based scholarships was awarded to 95 percent of the students. Financial aid packages based on need are composed of grants, loans, and employment on campus. Applicants for both federal and Denison grant aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible after January 1 and request that the information be sent to Denison. In addition to the institutional need-based grants, Denison offers nearly 2,000 merit-based scholarships ranging from $8,000 to full tuition. Among these is the Paschal Carter Scholarship that approximates full tuition and is awarded to as many as 30 applicants who earn National Merit Finalist status. Recipients also receive a $3,000 fellowship to do research, travel abroad or internships while enrolled at Denison. Alumni Awards that recognize academic achievement, leadership, and talent range from $8,000 to $13,000. For more information, students should write to Denison's Office of Financial Aid and ask for the financial aid brochure.

Students Say - Academics
Students describe Denison University as "a mecca of top-notch academics" located "in the seclusion of rural Ohio." By necessity Denison University may be "huge on community," but regardless of the impetus, students, faculty, and administrators here "become like a big family where everyone takes care of one another." Students agree that that's a good thing, as this environment provides "academically motivated students a chance to excel in their respective studies through a supportive student population and dedicated faculty, while also providing many social opportunities." Denison is "all about educating the whole student, whether it be through classes, speakers, sports, clubs, or even Greek life." Academically, Denison can be "challenging." "It is possible to spend an entire semester stressed out to the extreme with 20-plus academic credits and no time to do the readings for every class. But it is also very possible to manage your time well and get everything done in a mannerly fashion, without overexerting yourself, but still having a successful and productive semester." Students who find themselves in over their heads can count on "professors who are willing to go the extra mile with their students." Professors "have organized study groups before exams and extend their office hours so that you can meet with them about a paper or project." As one student observes, "It's your own fault if you do poorly, because there are so many ways for you to get help through teachers, study groups, tutoring, etc."

Students Say - Campus Life
What is nice about Denison is that most people stay on campus during the weekends, so there is always something to do, students here report. The school and the Student Activities Committee "always sponsor concerts, speakers, and events around campus," and, of course, there is always a party or two available on the weekends. "There is so much to do all week, every week," which "is somewhat necessary, as the town of Granville is quite small and offers few diversions." A party scene "is available if that's what you want," and quite a few students do, telling us that "go-out-and-party nights" are Fridays and Saturdays and "Mondays and Wednesdays also, since some students have fewer classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays." Greek life encompasses about 30 percent of the student body. Denison has "a number of sports teams that are nationally ranked," but students are just as likely to follow OSU as Denison. While hometown Granville is "small" and "very quiet," Columbus "is only 30 minutes away, which allows [students] to visit other restaurants, bars, concerts, and, of course, big sister OSU." Easton "is just 25 minutes away and has a huge shopping center."

Students Say - Student Body
While "There are not a lot of atypical students on the extreme ends of 'different'" at Denison, students hasten to point out that "Denison does not solely consist of popped collars and Uggs. Those students just like to make themselves known." There are "a lot of athletes on campus, and fraternities and sororities are pretty big." "Kids are hardworking and usually friendly." Also, Denison is not without its "internationals, artsy types, and [even] the socially awkward." There's "even a small counterculture made up of environmentalists and hippies who live at the Homestead and hang out at Bandersnatch." These people "are the minority, but there's a niche for them." As one student explains, "It's pretty easy to find a core group of friends."

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