Converse College

Enrollment: 756
Average SAT: 540
Average ACT: 23
Most Popular Majors: Business/Commerce, General,Education, General,Psychology, General,
Student Faculty Ratio: 11:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 34
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $16,853.00

School Says - General Information
The Converse Advantage A Converse education serves as a solid foundation for graduate school placements in some of the nationÂ's most renowned programs, launches incredible careers and develops engaged, adaptable, ethical and globally aware citizens who effect positive change in the world. Converse Prepares Students for Advanced Study • 90% of Converse applicants are accepted to medical school on their first attempt and have been consistently for the last 20 years • 100% of Converse applicants are accepted to veterinary school and have been consistently for the past 5 years • 100% of Converse applicants are accepted into pharmacy school programs and have been consistently for the past 30 years • 85% of Converse applicants are accepted into law schools on their first attempt • 100% of Converse education majors pass their Praxis II certification exam • 95% of survey respondents either have a job or a graduate school placement upon graduation from Converse A Tradition of Excellence Among Converse graduates are: • One of the nationÂ's top heart researchers • South CarolinaÂ's only Pulitzer Prize winner • A Texas Supreme Court Justice • The National Coordinator of The Association of Missing and Exploited ChildrenÂ's Organization • A Forensic Scientist for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division • A New Mexico State Senator • WachoviaÂ's Managing Director and Head of Sales for Americas for Global Exchange Desk • A community leader who biked across the continental U.S. to raise money for leukemia research Converse Scores Among NationÂ's Top Colleges in 2007 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Results of the 2007 NSSE, the most comprehensive assessment of effective practices in higher education, demonstrate that a Converse College education prepares young women for the dynamic demands of the professions, workplaces and communities that await them in the twenty-first century. In fact, Converse students evaluated their overall educational experience as Â"excellentÂ" at nearly twice the rate of students at other NSSE institutions. Converse exceeded the national average in all five benchmarks of excellence: • Level of academic challenge • Active and collaborative learning • Student-faculty interaction • Enriching educational experiences • Supportive campus environment Converse scored in the top 10% of colleges in the nation for providing enriching educational experiences. As compared to the national average, ConverseÂ's best ratings are: • Converse freshmen are 2x as likely to ask questions or contribute to class discussions • 2x as many Converse students discuss their career plans with faculty • More than 2x as many Converse students study abroad • Nearly 2x as many students study a foreign language • 2x as many Converse freshmen interact with faculty on activities other than coursework • 2x as many Converse students receive regular feedback from faculty on academic performance Converse also received high scores on encouraging students to take advantage of cultural and social opportunities: • 2x as many Converse seniors say they often attend music and theatre performances, art exhibits, athletic events, guest lectures, etc. • 2x as many Converse freshmen discuss ideas from classes with others outside of class at nearly twice the national average • 66% of Converse students say they often have serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity of their own

School Says - Student Body
Converse is all about women, and leadership opportunities on campus abound with more than sixty student organizations. The Converse Student Government Association (SGA) is the second oldest in the Southeast. In addition, a big sister/little sister mentoring program begins in the freshman year and often creates lifelong friendships. Student can take advantage of concerts, cultural events and sporting events on campus as well as the numerous opportunities to have fun and meet people in a metropolitan area of 250,000 people.

School Says - Academics
The Daniels Center, a partnership between academic affairs and student affairs, assists faculty with integrating service learning into their curriculum. The Center also oversees The Bonner Leaders Program, President's Leadership Program, Converse College Institute for Leadership, Project Serve and others. In a typical year, Converse students will work 5,550 service hours at 60 local agencies. The Nisbet Honors Program provides academically gifted students with opportunities to learn in specially-designed honors seminars, conduct independent research with faculty mentors, meet nationally known visiting scholars and gather socially to discuss intellectually challenging topics. Ideas and Culture is a required interdisciplinary course. Classes are taught by faculty from a variety of fields, introducing students to the unique perspectives that result when different academic disciplines approach and interpret a topic. Ideas and Culture also sponsors a series of events that bring the Spartanburg and Converse communities together to examine contemporary issues that mirror the topics of the course. The College's academic calendar includes a four-week January Term designed to encourage students to participate in study/travel, internships, interdisciplinary courses, and other learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. January Term also provides faculty with opportunities for innovative course design and collaborative teaching.

School Says - Admissions
Priority deadline for freshmen admission - April 1 Priority deadline for freshmen scholarships - February 1 Priority deadline for transfer scholarships - April 1 Candidate reply deadline for enrollment deposit - May 1(freshmen only) Sixteen units of high school academic work are recommended. Admissions criteria in addition to high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores include a personal essay, the teacher or guidance counselor recommendation, extracurricular activities and demonstrated exceptional talent. Converse participates in the Advanced Placement program administered by the College Entrance Examination Board, and accepts credits earned through dual enrollment or through participation in the International Baccalaureate program. Transfer students are accepted each academic term from accredited institutions. Scholarships are available to transfer students. Application and Information To begin the application process, students must send a completed application for admission, an official transcript of at least six semesters of secondary school, official SAT or ACT scores (for freshmen), a teacher or counselor recommendation form, and a graded writing sample. Admissions information and an online application are available from the Converse web site. Send inquiries to: Office of Admissions Converse College 580 East Main Street Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302 United States Telephone: 864-596-9040 800-766-1125 (toll-free) admissions@converse.edu www.converse.edu

School Says - Campus Life
Converse is located in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, a college town with six colleges that collaboratively offer social and academic events for the city's 14,000 college students. The Upstate region is commonly dubbed as South Carolina's "melting pot," blending diversity with Southern hospitality. Spartanburg offers a culturally rich community with beautiful scenery, historically significant sites and a plentiful supply of arts events. More than 100 international firms--including German automaker BMW--make Spartanburg an international and cultural center. The city offers a multitude of internship and job placement opportunities, and local and regional companies visit the campus each year to recruit Converse graduates. The Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville, Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte and Myrtle Beach are all within a short drive. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, located 20 minutes west of the city, is served by six major airlines.

School Says - Cost Aid
2008-2009: Tuition $24,500; Room and Board $7550More than 90% of Converse students receive some form of financial assistance through scholarships, federal student assistance programs, loans and work-study programs. Converse awards $7 million each year in scholarships for academics, music, visual arts, theater, the natural sciences and math, athletics, and leadership. These merit-based awards do not require the FAFSA, and are renewable for three additional years. Scholarships and grant awards range up to the full comprehensive fee. A scholarship calculator is available on the Converse web site. South Carolina residents may also qualify for South Carolina state scholarships and/or grants, such as Palmetto Fellows, the Life and Hope Scholarships, and the Tuition Grant program ranging up to $3,360 for freshmen. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted by students who wish to be considered for need-based loans and grants.

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