Enrollment: 12162
Average SAT: 614
Average ACT: 25
Most Popular Majors: Biology/Biological Sciences, General,Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN),Psychology, General,
Student Faculty Ratio: 15:1

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $15,395.00

Alternative Lifestyles Not an Alternative
Future Rotarians and Daughters of the American Revolution
Most Conservative Students
Most Religious Students

Students Say - Academics
Baylor University, the largest Baptist school on the planet, "provides a great education and a wholesome Christian atmosphere where the professors seem to genuinely care about their students." "There is quite a bit of studying" for everyone, and "most professors are very involved with the students," exudes a nursing major. "I cannot say enough good things about my professors and about my academic experience at Baylor." Other students are more moderate in their praise. "There are some great professors and some not-so-great ones," sagely counsels a senior. "You just have to pick the right ones." Also, freshmen and sophomore classes can be sizeable, and "all the tests are multiple-choice" in these larger courses. There is a "fantastic" Honors College. Other outstanding programs here include engineering, the entrepreneurship program, and "strong science programs." The rather conservative administration receives mixed reviews. There is "what can only be described as a profound disconnect between the student population and the administrative personnel," says one student. Others say that management "keeps things running smoothly most of the time."

Students Say - Campus Life
The surrounding town of Waco offers "absolutely nothing to do." Consequently, life at Baylor is centered on campus. Students call it "the Baylor Bubble." "Baylor is not small and lonely, but it is also not overwhelming like most public universities." Intramural sports are big, and the student recreation center is an athletic paradise. School spirit is "outrageous." Here, "you become a Baylor Bear, and you are really part of the family." "Traditions are crazy." Homecoming is a huge deal and features a tremendous parade. On Diadeloso in the spring, classes are cancelled and students are treated to athletic events, live shows, and a campus-wide party. Given Baylor's Baptist affiliation, it's not surprising that "rules are very strict." It's a gravely dry campus, and you can't have anyone of the opposite sex in your dorm room after midnight. "Required chapel sessions" for freshmen involve "lectures about how people found Christ" as well as discussion about time management and study techniques. "There is a large sect of students who do not do anything besides church and religious activities." These students also participate in mission trips around the world and go forth to "serve the city of Waco"-mentoring disadvantaged kids, taking care of the elderly, and building houses. "There is a party scene at Baylor" too, and it's dominated by a large Greek system. "Most people think of Baylor as an innocent Baptist school, which is semi-correct, but it for sure has its wild partiers," explains a sophomore. Still, "it is not the normal thing to go get drunk every night."

Students Say - Student Body
Baylor's undergrads are overwhelmingly female, and "the bounty of beautiful Baptist babes is unmatched." Sadly though, at least according to one female, "Baylor boys aren't the greatest." Ethnic diversity isn't bad, and students swear it's getting better. "Gays or lesbians are almost nonexistent or do not identify themselves." Baylor is generally "conservative" and "very Christian." "It is an expensive private university, so you have plenty of students here that are very financially well off." While some students are "preppy, rich types who drive a Lexus and have a 2.0 GPA," "the vast majority of students seek out Baylor for the Christian environment and strong academic reputation." "The stereotype of Bobby and Betty Baylor...actually does not fit nearly as many students as I thought," reckons a freshman. "Many of us work hard to get the money to come here through scholarships and jobs." "There are good people at Baylor, and there are many of them." Virtually everyone is "super nice." There are "radical Pentecostals" and "the kids who have never committed a sin in their lives and are somewhat naove." There are others "who become obsessed with Greek Life" or "who party and drink all night." If you don't embrace religion, chances are you'll fit in fine. "As an atheist at a Christian school it might be expected that I would find myself isolated from the broader population, but this simply wasn't the case," reflects a senior.

Rice University
Texas A&M University--College Station

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