Benedictine College
Atchison. KS 66002
(915) 367-5530, ext 2475 (800) 467-5340; FAX: (913) 367-6102

Benedictine College, an independent Roman Catholic institution, was established in 1971 by the merger of Benedict’s and Mount Scholastica colleges. Benedictine offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, and the fine arts. In addition to re¬gional accreditation, Benedictine has baccalaureate program accredita¬tion with ADA, NASM, and NCATE. The library contains 310,000 vol¬umes, 16,292 microform items, and 2000 audiovisual forms/CDs, and subscribes to 570 periodicals. Computerized library services include the card catalog, interlibrary loans, and database searching. Special learning facilities include a learning resource center and radio station. The 225-acre campus is in a small town 45 miles north of Kansas City. Including residence halts, there are 22 buildings.

Student Life: 62% of undergraduates are from Kansas. Others are from 35 states, 6 foreign countries, and Canada. 92% are white. 54% are Catholic; 14% Protestant. The average age of freshmen is 18.4; all undergraduates, 20. 34% do not continue beyond their first year; 43% remain to graduate.

Housing: 1046 students can be accommodated in college housing, which includes single-sex dormitories. On-campus housing is guaran¬teed for all 4 years. 85% of students live on campus. Alcohol is not per¬mitted. All students may keep cars.

Activities: There are no fraternities or sororities. There are many groups and organizations on campus, including band, cheerleading, choir, chorale, computers, drama, drill team, ethnic, honors, interna¬tional, jazz band, literary magazine, newspaper, orchestra, pep band, photography, political, religious, social, social service, student govern¬ment, and yearbook. Popular campus events include Parents Weekend, All School Mass, and performing arts events.

Sports: There are 7 intercollegiate sports for men and 7 for women, and 5 intramural sports for men and 4 for women. Facilities include a gym, 2 swimming pools, handball courts, a weight room, and an isomet¬rics room.

Disabled Students: 80% of the campus is accessible. Wheelchair ramps, elevators, special parking, and special class scheduling are avail¬able.

Services: Counseling and information services are available, as is tu¬toring in most subjects. There is remedial math, reading, and writing.

Campus Safety and Security: Measures include 24-hour foot and vehicle patrol, informal discussions, pamphlets/posters/films, and light¬ed pathways/sidewalks.

Programs of Study: Benedictine confers B.A., B.S., and B.Mus.Ed. degrees. Associate and master’s degrees are also awarded. Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE (biochemistry and biology/biological science), BUSINESS (accounting, business adminis¬tration and management, and sports management), COMMUNICA¬TIONS AND THE ARTS (classics, dramatic arts, English, French, jour¬nalism, Latin, music, Spanish, and theater management), COMPUTER AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE (astronomy, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, natural sciences, and physics), EDUCATION (elementary, music, physical, and special), SOCIAL SCIENCE (economics, history, liberal arts/general studies, philosophy, political science/government, psychology, religion, social studies, sociology, and youth ministry). Physical science, biological science, and history are the strongest aca¬demically. Business administration, education, and sociology are the largest.

Required: To graduate, students must complete 128 semester hours, pass a comprehensive exam in their major, and earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and in the major. Core curriculum requirements include English composition and literature, foreign language, philosophy, logic, religious studies, world civilization, social science, lab science, math, fine arts, phys ed, speech, and dean’s colloquium.

Special: Benedictine offers cross-registration with the 14 other mem¬bers of the Kansas City Regional Council for Higher Education and study abroad in 6 countries. The school also offers a 3-2 engineering de¬gree, a 3-2 occupational therapy program with Washington University of St. Louis, and 3-1 medical technology degree programs with area hospitals. Internships, work-study programs, dual majors, an interdisci¬plinary music marketing major, student-designed majors, pass/fail op¬tions, and nondegree study are also available. There are 4 national hon¬or societies, including Phi Beta Kappa, and 4 departmental honors programs.

Faculty/Classroom: 60% of faculty are male; 40%, female. All teach undergraduates. No introductory courses are taught by graduate stu¬dents. The average class size in an introductory lecture is 30; in a lab, 20; and in a regular course. 30,

Admissions: 98% of the 1997-98 applicants were accepted. The ACT scores for the 1997-98 freshman class were 17% below 21, 37% be¬tween 21 and 23, 30% between 24 and 26. 6% between 27 and 28, and 10% above 28. 17% of the current freshmen were in the top fifth of their class; 40% were in the top two fifths.

Requirements: The ACT is required. Applicants should graduate in the upper 50% of their class at an accredited secondary school, with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students should have 16 academic units, includ¬ing 4 in English, 3 to 4 in math, 2 to 4 in foreign language and science, 2 in social science, and 1 in history. An interview is recommended. AP and CLEP credits are accepted. Important factors in the admissions de¬cision are advanced placement or honor courses, recommendations by school officials, and recommendations by alumni.

Procedure: Freshmen are admitted to all sessions. Entrance exams should be taken before the July following graduation from high school. There is a deferred admissions plan. Early decision applications should be filed by March 1; regular applications, by August 1 for fall entry, along with a $25 fee. Notification is sent on a rolling basis.

Transfer: 38 transfer students enrolled in 1997-98. Applicants must submit transcripts from all colleges attended, a statement of courses in progress, and a reference report, A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required. 30 credits of 128 must be completed at Benedictine.

Visiting: There are regularly scheduled orientations for prospective students, consisting of an advanced placement exam, preregistration, meetings with the dean, student affairs personnel, and business office and financial aid representatives, and campus tours. The orientations are scheduled for May, June, and July. There are guides for informal vis¬its and visitors may sit in on classes and stay overnight. To schedule a visit, contact the Admissions Office.