Kalamazoo College Website
Twitter: @kcollege ("We do more in four years so students can do more in a lifetime.")
Kalamazoo, MI
1. Describe your institution and what type of student is the best fit.
Kalamazoo College is a highly selective, nationally renowned, and internationally oriented four-year college of arts and sciences. The college experience we provide is an excellent opportunity for students with interest in a variety of disciplines (e.g., fine arts, humanities, social justice, physical sciences, athletics), to shape a curricula that best fits them. Students who are curious about the world around them, open to new and challenging experiences, and partial to a smaller, close-knit campus community do well here. In addition, as an overwhelming majority of our students participate in a study abroad or study away experience (about 80%), and proficiency in a second language is a requirement for graduation from the College, most of our students demonstrate an interest in international and intercultural experiences.
2. What are your admission requirements?
Kalamazoo College does not have a minimum GPA or ACT/SAT requirement, although, for incoming students, the average GPA (3.8), ACT (27-28), and SAT score (1300) indicates that we attract some academically competitive students. Our evaluation process is more holistic in nature, with greater weight given to demonstration of success and rigor in the high school academic curriculum (40%) and variety and commitment in extracurricular activities (40%). We also review the general essay applicants complete on the Common Application (10%) and take into consideration test scores (10%).
3. Why is post-secondary training important?
While there is certainly plenty of data to indicate that people with college degrees are more likely to have a higher income level and greater success in the job market, an approach to post-secondary education that focuses solely on career advancement or preparation for entry into the job market is somewhat myopic, especially given the investment which students have to put into their education. Here at Kalamazoo College, we do not just want students to go to college to get a job; we want them to go to college to get an educational experience that matures them into globally-conscious citizens who can engage with their respective communities. Post-secondary education should create a safe space for students to develop communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, intangible assets which employers value much more than just a college degree. That being said, a four-year liberal arts college might not be the best fit for every student, but continuing education, regardless of the type of institution, will always carry both tangible and intangible rewards for people who value it.
4. As the parent of a middle school student, what steps can I take now to help my child succeed in the future?
Help your child identify the things about which they are most passionate (e.g., music, writing, sports). Look for opportunities in your community that can further develop those interests, so that they can deepen their commitment by the time they begin their high school experience. As far as academics, see if your school offers students opportunities to take high schools courses during middle school. If a student tries a foreign language, for example, or a Biology or US History I course, they might be more prepared to try more challenging courses. Overall, though, I would encourage parents to help students to discover their interests and find appropriate opportunities to challenge them intellectually.
Kalamazoo college is a private school founded by a Baptist minister in 1883. The curriculum is unique and experiential with individualized senior projects.
The following links are found at the website above:
K Plan
Fast facts ( tuition and student profile)
Admission How to Apply
Curriculum
Experiential Education
Marcus Johnson is the Admission Counselor at Kalamazoo College and has responded to the 3 questions in the following way:
Twitter: @kcollege ("We do more in four years so students can do more in a lifetime.")
Kalamazoo, MI
1. Describe your institution and what type of student is the best fit.
Kalamazoo College is a highly selective, nationally renowned, and internationally oriented four-year college of arts and sciences. The college experience we provide is an excellent opportunity for students with interest in a variety of disciplines (e.g., fine arts, humanities, social justice, physical sciences, athletics), to shape a curricula that best fits them. Students who are curious about the world around them, open to new and challenging experiences, and partial to a smaller, close-knit campus community do well here. In addition, as an overwhelming majority of our students participate in a study abroad or study away experience (about 80%), and proficiency in a second language is a requirement for graduation from the College, most of our students demonstrate an interest in international and intercultural experiences.
2. What are your admission requirements?
Kalamazoo College does not have a minimum GPA or ACT/SAT requirement, although, for incoming students, the average GPA (3.8), ACT (27-28), and SAT score (1300) indicates that we attract some academically competitive students. Our evaluation process is more holistic in nature, with greater weight given to demonstration of success and rigor in the high school academic curriculum (40%) and variety and commitment in extracurricular activities (40%). We also review the general essay applicants complete on the Common Application (10%) and take into consideration test scores (10%).
3. Why is post-secondary training important?
While there is certainly plenty of data to indicate that people with college degrees are more likely to have a higher income level and greater success in the job market, an approach to post-secondary education that focuses solely on career advancement or preparation for entry into the job market is somewhat myopic, especially given the investment which students have to put into their education. Here at Kalamazoo College, we do not just want students to go to college to get a job; we want them to go to college to get an educational experience that matures them into globally-conscious citizens who can engage with their respective communities. Post-secondary education should create a safe space for students to develop communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, intangible assets which employers value much more than just a college degree. That being said, a four-year liberal arts college might not be the best fit for every student, but continuing education, regardless of the type of institution, will always carry both tangible and intangible rewards for people who value it.
4. As the parent of a middle school student, what steps can I take now to help my child succeed in the future?
Help your child identify the things about which they are most passionate (e.g., music, writing, sports). Look for opportunities in your community that can further develop those interests, so that they can deepen their commitment by the time they begin their high school experience. As far as academics, see if your school offers students opportunities to take high schools courses during middle school. If a student tries a foreign language, for example, or a Biology or US History I course, they might be more prepared to try more challenging courses. Overall, though, I would encourage parents to help students to discover their interests and find appropriate opportunities to challenge them intellectually.
Kalamazoo college is a private school founded by a Baptist minister in 1883. The curriculum is unique and experiential with individualized senior projects.
The following links are found at the website above:
K Plan
Fast facts ( tuition and student profile)
Admission How to Apply
Curriculum
Experiential Education
Marcus Johnson is the Admission Counselor at Kalamazoo College and has responded to the 3 questions in the following way:
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