VAST UD FAQ 2011– 2012

GENERAL UD INFORMATION ……………………………………………………….…………….…Page 2

  1. How many students attend UD?
  2. Is UD a state school?
  3. Where is UD located?
  4. How much does it cost to attend the University of Delaware?

ADMISSION/FINANCIAL AID……………………………………………………………………..…...Page 3

  1. What are the minimum test score and GPA requirements?
  2. Do you require that applicants take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or ACT?
  3. How can I arrange a campus tour?
  4. Do you have rolling admissions?
  5. What are the application deadlines for admission?
  6. Do you have early action? Early decision?
  7. How many applications did UD receive last year?
  8. What is your acceptance rate?
  9. Do you give AP or IB, or college Credit for courses taken in high school?
  10. How do you receive financial aid?
  11. How do you apply for scholarships and financial aid?
  12. How do I apply to the Honors Program?
  13. What type of student is admitted into the Honors Program?
  14. How can I apply for admissions and is there a preference given to a specific method?

ACADEMIC LIFE………………………………………………………………………………..……… Page 5

  1. How is your (any major) program?
  2. When do I have to choose a major?
  3. What types of internship or co-op experiences are available?
  4. Are there programs for study abroad?
  5. What percentage of a typical freshman class will actually graduate from your college?
  6. What is UD’s retention rate?
  7. What is the average class size?
  8. What is the student to faculty ratio?
  9. Are classes taught by Teacher Assistants or Graduate Assistants?
  10. When will I select my classes?
  11. Will I have an advisor?
  12. What kinds of computer resources are available to students?
  13. What additional academic services do you offer to students (tutoring and study skills workshops)?
  14. What career counseling resources are available?
  15. What programs are available for students with learning disabilities?
  16. What special programs are available that will enrich my academic experiences?
  17. Are there support programs for underrepresented students?

STUDENT LIFE …………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 8

  1. How many students reside on campus?
  2. Do you guarantee housing?
  3. What types of extracurricular activities are there on campus?
  4. How are roommates selected?
  5. How safe is your school?
  6. Can freshmen have a car on campus?

General UD Information

Questions:

  1. How many students attend UD?
  2. Is UD a state school?
  3. Is UD a “suitcase school”?
  4. Where is UD located?
  5. How much does it cost to attend the University of Delaware?

Answers:

  1. How many students attend UD?
    UD is a mid-size school with just over 16,000 undergraduates and about 3,500 graduate students.The focus is on undergraduate education.
  1. Is UD a state school?
    Well, not exactly. The University is actually an “independent, state-related” institution.
    That means that the University receives some of its funding from the state of Delaware, with the remainder coming from private sources. Also, this means that the University’s Board of Trustees is not fully appointed or controlled by the state of Delaware and that the state’s approval is not needed to change or add academic programs. We have all of the resources of a large state public institution, but we look and function more like a smaller, private, liberal arts school.
  2. Is UD a “suitcase school”?
    Absolutely not! One survey conducted by the University confirms that 75% of our students stay in the campus community on the weekends.
  1. Where is UD located?
    UD is located in the classic college town of Newark, Delaware.(Please refer to the map inside the University of Delaware 2011Brochure.)
  1. How much does it cost to attend the University of Delaware?
    (Please refer to the University of Delaware 2011 Brochure for a breakdown of tuition and fees.)

Admission & Financial Aid Information

Questions:

  1. What are the minimum test score and GPA requirements?
  2. Do you require that applicants take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or ACT?
  3. How can I arrange a campus tour?
  4. Do you have rolling admissions?
  5. What are the application deadlines for admission?
  6. Do you have early action? Early decision?
  7. How many applications did UD receive last year?
  8. What is your acceptance rate?
  9. Do you give AP or IB, or college Credit for courses taken in high school?
  10. How do you receive financial aid?
  11. How do you apply for scholarships and financial aid?
  12. How do I apply to the Honors Program?
  13. What type of student is admitted into the Honors Program?
  14. How can I apply for admissions and is there a preference given to a specific method?

Answers:

  1. What are the minimum test score and GPA requirements?
    The Admissions Committee reviews all applications holistically. (Please refer to the Profile of the Class of 2015 in the University of Delaware 2011 Brochure for details regarding what the admissions committee considers; the profile is also available on line at
  1. Do you require that applicants take the SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Tests, or ACT?
    All students are required to submit SAT Reasoning or ACT with Writing Test scores. Students who take both may submit both scores. We will combine the best subsection scores. SAT Subject Test scores are not required for admission, but they are recommended for all University Honors Program applicants.
  1. How can I arrange a campus tour?
    Please visit the following website for more information on tours and open houses. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
  1. Do you have rolling admissions for freshman?
    We do not offer rolling admissions. All freshman applicants hear from UD in mid to late March.
  1. What are the application deadlines for freshman admissions?
    The deadlines are December 1stand January 15th. *In order to be considered for Merit-Based Scholarships and The Honors Program students must apply by December 1. Students who apply to the University of Delaware after January 15 will be considered on a “space available” basis.
  1. Do you have early action? Early decision?
    No, we do not offer any type of early admissions.
  1. How many applications did UD receive last year?

We received more than 25,000 applications last year.

  1. What is your acceptance rate?
    We generally admit between 45-55% of the out-of-state students who apply.
  1. Do you giveAP or IB, or college Credit for courses taken in high school?
    Yes. For a list of credits and courses please visit this page
  1. How do you receive financial aid?

UD distributes over $100 million in federal, state, and institutional aid to undergraduates each year. To be considered for financial aid, families need to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal StudentAid) after January 1st with a final deadline of March 15th. Need-based aid includes federal and state financial aid programs, such as loans, grants, and work-study.UD has need based grants for both resident and non-resident applicants.

  1. How do you apply for scholarships and financial aid?

All applications, received by December 1st, are reviewed for merit scholarships. These are awards based on a holistic review of your application. No additional step is needed. To be considered for financial aid, families need to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after January 1st.

  1. How do I apply to the Honors Program?
    The Honors Program Application is a section on the UD Common Application Supplement. The UD Common Application Supplement is available online. You must submit your Honors Program Application by December 1st.
  1. What type of student is admitted into the Honors Program?
    Admission into the Honors Program is highly selective. Although there are no rigid test-score or grade-point cutoffs, certain levels of achievement are typical of Honors students. Most Honors freshmen are in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, and they are taking challenging courses (several at the honors, AP and/or IB levels). Refer to the Profile of the Class of 2014 to view the middle 50% ranges for GPA and SAT scores for students admitted to the Honors Program last year.
  1. How can I apply for admissions and is there a preference given to a specific method?
    You can apply using the Common Application, either paper or online. There is no preference given to any one method.

Academic Life

Questions:

  1. How is your (any major) program?
  2. When do I have to choose a major?
  3. What types of internship or co-op experiences are available?
  4. Are there programs for study abroad?
  5. What percentage of a typical freshman class will actually graduate from your college?
  6. What is UD’s retention rate?
  7. What is the average class size?
  8. What is the student to faculty ratio?
  9. Are classes taught by Teacher Assistants or Graduate Assistants?
  10. When will I select my classes?
  11. Will I have an advisor?
  12. What kinds of computer resources are available to students?
  13. What additional academic services do you offer to students (tutoring and study skills workshops)?
  14. What career counseling resources are available?
  15. What programs are available for students with learning disabilities?
  16. What special programs are available that will enrich my academic experiences?
  17. Are there support programs for underrepresented students?

Answers:

  1. How is your (any major) program?
    Our reputation is built upon every student that graduates from our programs. Therefore, all of our majors are strong. We would not risk keeping a program that wasn’t fully preparing students for successful careers or solid graduate/professional programs.
  1. When do I have to choose a major?
    Undeclared students are encouraged to choose a major by the end of their fifth full-time semester or before the completion of 75 credits. Students cannot graduate without a declared major. About 1/3 of freshman are undeclared.
  1. What types of internship or co-op experiences are available?
    Experiential programs include the Field Experience program, internships, volunteer opportunities, and part-time and summer jobs. Resources are available for locating local, regional, national and international internship and volunteer placements. Undergraduates may participate in these opportunities concurrently with classes, in the summer or winter Sessions, or during leave of absence from the University. Positions relate to a wide variety of academic disciplines.
  1. Are there programs for study abroad?
    Yes. In fact, UD was the first school in the country to offer such a program in 1923. All students can take advantage of semester, winter, or summer course offerings in a wide variety of disciplines and countries. We go to every continent, including Antarctica.
  1. What percentage of a typical freshman class will actually graduate from your college?
    More than 75% of freshmen who enroll graduate. This figure is above the national average for competitive state-assisted institutions.
  1. What is UD’s retention rate?

Over 90% of freshmen return for sophomore year.

  1. What is the average class size?

The average class size is 26 students per class. There is a pie chart of class sizes in the University of

Delaware 2011 Brochure.

  1. What is the student to faculty ratio?
    The student to faculty ratio is 14:1.
  1. Are classes taught by Teacher Assistants (TA) or Graduate Assistants (GA)?
    95% of class sections are taught by full time faculty.
  1. When will I select my classes?
    All new freshmen attend a one-day new student orientation during the summer. On that day students meet with an academic advisor to register for fall courses.
  1. Will I have an advisor?
    All students at the University, regardless of major, receive advisement from faculty members or trained academic advisors.
  1. What kinds of computer resources are available to students?
    There are 28 computing sites with more than 900 workstations available for student use throughout campus. The University’s computer labs include and support both IBM-compatible and Macintosh formats. Although, students are not required to have a computer, 95% of all undergraduates have their own computer.
  1. What additional academic services do you offer to students (tutoring and study skills workshops)?
    The Academic Enrichment Center provides extensive academic assistance through individual tutoring, group study sessions, mentoring, academic success and study skills workshops, personal and social advising, and referral assistance, throughout the year. For
    more information please visit
  1. What career counseling resources are available?

The Bank of America Career Services Center strives to provide the highest quality comprehensive career services to all matriculated undergraduate and graduate students and alumni of the University of Delaware. The Career Center functions as a vital component in the total educational experience of students, primarily in the development and implementation of career and educational plans. Career Services fosters partnerships with employers, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, and the greater community to increase their participation in providing opportunities for the career development of students.

  1. What programs are available for students with learning disabilities?
    Students with documented disabilities receive accommodations as determined by the University’s Documentation Review Committee. Documentation guidelines are available on line at
  1. What special programs are available that will enrich my academic experiences?
    Enriched degree options: The Honors Degree with Distinction, the Honors Degree, the Degree with Distinction and the Dean’s Scholars Programs allow exceptionally talented and dedicated undergraduate students to pursue their academic interests in greater depth and breadth than is required for the regular bachelor’s degree.

Honors Program: The nationally acclaimed Honors Program serves the many exceptionally talented undergraduate students who chose UD. For more information visit
Undergraduate Research: Undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in a variety of research opportunities that are usually reserved for graduate students at other institutions. Some undergrads are publishing and presenting research nationally with their professors. For more information visit

Study Abroad: At Delaware, students have the opportunity to study abroad at any time of their academic program. UD travels to over 35 countries (on all 7 continents). Over a third of the students take advantage of this opportunity. For more information visit

  1. Are there support programs for underrepresented students?

The programs listed below provide some combination of academic monitoring, mentoring, professional development, advisement, tutoring, scholarship information and leadership development for traditionally underrepresented populations.
Education Majors

A.S.P.I.R.E

Academic Support Programs Inspiring Renaissance Educators
For more information please visit:

Business Majors

UDREAM

Providing Excellence in Education and Leadership

For more information please visit:

Sciences Majors

NUCLEUS

(Network of Undergraduate Collaborative Learning Experience for Underrepresented Scholars)

For more information please visit:

Engineering Majors

RISE

(Resources to Insure Successful Engineers)

For more information please visit:

Student Life

Questions:

  1. How many students reside on campus?
  2. Do you guarantee housing?
  3. What types of extracurricular activities are there on campus?
  4. How are roommates selected?
  5. How safe is your school?
  6. Can freshmen have a car on campus?

Answers:

  1. How many students reside on campus?
    Approximately 90% of freshmen live on campus and approximately 50% of all undergraduates live on campus. Freshmen are required to live on campus unless they are living with a parent or guardian.
  1. Do you guarantee housing?

In addition, we guarantee housing for all four years for any student who wants it.

  1. What types of extracurricular activities are there on campus?
    Athletics: The intercollegiate Athletics Program includes 23 varsity sports. Recreation Services supports a wide variety of student-run competitive club sports. Currently there are 23 different club sport programs. The university provides an extensive intramural program. (Please refer to Athletics Information Sheet.)

Registered Student Organizations: Approximately 250+ Registered Student Organizations proved leadership experiences and special interest opportunities at the University. Students can choose from departmental clubs, professional societies, cultural associations, religious, recreational, social and educational and performing arts activities.
For more information please visit:

  1. How are roommates selected?
    Students will complete a Roommate Characteristics Questionnaire. For more information please visit
  1. How safe is your school?
    Our Public Safety officers are fully sworn law enforcement officials, and they patrol the campus 24 hours a day. The US Department of Education cited UD’s security program as a model, and the program includes education and crime prevention components.
  1. Can freshmen have a car on campus?
    Yes, freshman can bring their car to campus however it is not recommended. If you do bring a car, you will need to buy a parking permit and will not necessarily be parking your car near your residence hall.

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