Enrollment: 2125
Average SAT: 603
Average ACT: 25
Most Popular Majors: Biology/Biological Sciences, General,Economics, General,Psychology, General,
Regular Application Deadline: 02/15
Student Faculty Ratio: 13:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 21
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $20,833.00

Students Say - Academics
Allegheny College "allows students to follow a very unique path by encouraging distribution within majors and minors." Indeed, the school requires students to declare both a major and a minor concentration outside their major division of knowledge (e.g. natural science majors must minor in a humanities or social science discipline), a requirement that undergraduates say "pushes students to achieve more than they ever thought." Likewise, a mandatory research-based senior project in one's major field of study makes for a "challenging" academic experience. One student says the school is so tough that "it over-prepares us for the 'real world,'" and that toughness helps give the school its "amazing reputation for a higher standard of learning." Pre-meds are especially drawn by the school's success in placing graduates in better medical schools; the psychology and English departments also earn students' praise. Allegheny goes the extra mile on service; professors "are always available when you need help or someone to talk to," the college president "is always walking around campus talking to the students," and the career services office "is excellent," offering "all forms of out-of-class learning in a central location. A student can go there to find out about internships, community service, or international services (studying abroad)." All of those combined elements explain why students tell us that "Allegheny College is the perfect place to get a well-rounded education and a jump start on your career after graduation."

Students Say - Campus Life
Allegheny academics are demanding, so "students are often found in the library studying and/or other various areas on the campus during the weekdays. We take our studies very seriously and spend a lot of time getting our work done." Weekends, however, "are filled with various activities held on campus and usually sponsored by the school or random parties at off-campus houses." Some brag that "There are infinite things to do on campus. There is always an event going on, or a play, or a dance, or many other possibilities." Greek life is fairly big on campus, and the school's alcohol policy "is pretty moderate. The college treats us like adults who can make our own decisions." Students add that "We aren't one of those schools where drinking is the only thing to do. We run around and sled in the snow, go to movies (Tuesday is only $5!), go out to eat in town, see concerts, etc." It's fortunate that campus is so busy because hometown Meadville is a small town that "doesn't offer much" in the way of diversions. The weather isn't so hot either; "The school is located near Lake Erie, so there is a lot of precipitation throughout the year....Slush builds up, and students, faculty, and visiting families must leap across snowdrifts in order to access the sidewalks."

Students Say - Student Body
The typical student at Allegheny "is white, middle class, and prepared to learn." Many are "extremely devoted to both their schoolwork and involvement in extracurricular activities," and they "'overload' [on] credits every semester while taking on leadership position after leadership position." "Those who go Greek" and the "tree-loving hippie liberals" are among the more conspicuous groups at Allegheny, but "There are all types here. Qualities that most students have are intelligence and openness to new ideas. We do have people that look quite strange sometimes, but people are nice to them. We have so many groups that even the crazy art kids who have colored hair and don't wear shoes find their niche and interact positively with sorority girls who always wear heels."

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