Princeton Review
DeSales University

Contact Information

Center Valley, PA 18034
Phone: (610) 282-4443
Fax: (610) 282-0131
View Website
DeSales University Says...
Founded in 1964, DeSales University is a Catholic liberal arts university that offers courses in a wide range of disciplines. DeSales provides personal attention, small class size, and a feeling of community. The University uses a holistic approach to help students develop a "sense of self," enabling every student to reach their personal and academic potential. This student-centered philosophy is... Read More...

Statistics

Enrollment: 2366
Average ACT: 22
Most Popular Majors: Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General,Physician Assistant,
Regular Application Deadline: 08/01
Student Faculty Ratio: 14:1

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $18,007.00
School Says - General Information
Founded in 1964, DeSales University is a Catholic liberal arts university that offers courses in a wide range of disciplines. DeSales provides personal attention, small class size, and a feeling of community. The University uses a holistic approach to help students develop a "sense of self," enabling every student to reach their personal and academic potential. This student-centered philosophy is conveyed by an enthusiastic, accessible faculty.

School Says - Student Body
DeSales University has more than 31 campus organizations, including the Student Activities crew, which helps plan student events, bus trips, and on-campus performances. Recent renovations to the McShea Student Center include the Dog Pound, a student activities lounge open to students for entertainment and socializing, and Cafe McShea, an internet cafe with late night hours. Both new areas are just the beginning of increased special events such as independent movie nights, comedians, music acts, and expanded space for programs sponsored by various student organizations.

DeSales University has 16 intercollegiate varsity sports teams and all are members of the NCAA Division III, Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation (MAC) Freedom Conference, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).

The University's men's sports are baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and track and field. Women's sports are basketball, cross-country, field hockey, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The University also has six club sports: cheerleading, cycling, disc golf, equestrian, ice hockey, and men's volleyball

There are 30 intramural sports for all seasons, or student can visit the state-of-the-art Billera Hall fitness center, which offers aerobic, Nautilus, and free-weight training.

School Says - Academics
DeSales University defines "global competence" as using an open, inquisitive mind to understand the norms and expectations of other cultures, and using this acquired knowledge to communicate and to work effectively outside of oneÂ's usual environment in the promotion of human solidarity. DeSales University presents opportunities for students to enlarge their world view, from activities and concerts to short- and long-term study abroad programs.

The University's cultural affairs committee offers a diverse series of weekly performances that bring cultural liveliness to campus. Flamenco dancing, a Cuban percussion group, and a Japanese tea ceremony are recent examples of our Wednesday in the Commons series.

Study abroad programs through DeSales present the opportunity for our students to live and work in this vibrantly interdependent world and range from semester long study to short stay travel of 10 days. Our students have spent semesters in England, Australia, Italy, Latin America, among others. More importantly, DeSales is employing a new model of intensive hands on engagement through short-stay co-curricular trips of students, faculty, and staff. Trips to Ireland, Germany, Peru, and South Africa for short stay intensive travel have been combined with academic courses, the activities of student organizations such as SIFE or PACE, or out of season competition for our athletic teams. Freshman students are asked to participate in the Character U program, a self assessment program based on the Golden Counsels of St. Francis de Sales. Each month, University programming addresses one of these Golden Counsels or traits including patience, trust and cooperation, and perseverance.

The University's Academic Resource Center can offer assistance in reading comprehension, study skills, time management and effective writing techniques. Additionally they can help find a tutor if you need it or provide you with the opportunity to become a peer tutor.

School Says - Admissions
To Apply for Admission you need to: Complete a DeSales University application and submit it with a nonrefundable $30 fee to our Admissions Office.

Have your high school guidance department send your official high school transcript to our Admissions Office.

Have your standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) sent to our Admissions Office. Our code number for SAT scores is 2021. Have a guidance counselor and teacher complete the recommendation forms and send to our Admissions Office.

School Says - Campus Life
DeSales University' suburban campus is located 15 minutes south of Bethlehem and Allentown, Pa., and only 1 hour from Philadelphia, 90 minutes from Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pa., less than 2 hours from New York City, and 3 hours from Baltimore. The campus is 480 acres with more than 16 major buildings.

School Says - Cost Aid
Tuition and Fees (2009-10): $26,000
Room and Board: $9,750
Student & Technology Fee: $1,235
Total: $36,985Nine out of ten DeSales University students receive financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, work study, and loans. About 85 percent of the students receive grants directly from DeSales University, and funds are also available from federal and state programs to those who qualify. The amount of aid received and the composition of an aid package will depend on financial need and on academic achievement and potential.

Academic scholarships are also available through DeSales University. All applicants for admission are automatically considered for each of the scholarships offered by the University.

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