• Freshman Students
• Transfer Students
• International Students
• Prospective Parents

What is an average financial aid package?

For the 2006-2007 school year, the average total financial assistance package was $14,000.

What percent of your students receive financial aid?

For the 2006-2007 academic year, 98% of our students received some kind of financial assistance.

How much does your college typically increase its cost per year?

For the 2006-2007 academic year, costs for a full-time, residential student increased 6%.

Are students required to live on campus?

All Westminster students are required to live in campus housing until they are 21 years old, married, or a senior, unless they are residing with a parent or legal guardian.

Is your college a “suitcase college” on the weekends? What types of activities are available for students on the weekends?

Westminster is not a “suitcase college”. At least 75% of our students remain on campus each weekend. There is a variety of opportunities for students both on and off campus. Our student government and other student groups sponsor week-end activities. Westminster has an active varsity and intramural athletic program. We also have an active Greek system. And, we are less than 30 minutes from Columbia (a town of 80,000) and Jefferson City (the state capital). For more complete details of our campus activities and the surrounding area see the Student Life and Local Community sections of this web site.

How are roommates assigned if no preference is given?

Westminster College has a very personal approach to assigning roommates. All students who commit to attending the College submit a Housing Application, which includes information about your personal habits and preferences. Your admission representative will also spend significant amounts of time getting to know you throughout the admission process. Students are matched based on the information they submitted and information from their admission representative.

How do I register for classes?

Incoming freshmen are given several opportunities to register for classes. Typically, early registration days are held in late spring and early summer. All in-coming students work with a faculty advisor to select courses and begin discussion of future plans.

How do you register and advise freshmen for their first semester of classes?

Your Westminster Seminar professor will be your faculty advisor until you declare a major. You also have an upper-class student mentor who is a part of your Westminster Seminar course.

What is the average grade point average (GPA) for freshmen? For seniors?

Incoming freshmen have an average GPA of 3.46 on a 4.0 scale. After completing their freshmen year, the average GPA is between a 2.4 and a 2.6. Our senior average GPA is between a 3.0 and a 3.2. Westminster will teach you to think, to analyze, to critique and to communicate. We don’t inflate grades and we challenge you to constantly improve.

How many students returned for their sophomore year that entered their freshmen year?

For 2006-2007, our freshman to sophomore retention rate was 83%.

How many of your students go on to graduate school?

Approximately 25% of our students go directly to graduate and professional schools upon graduation from the College. For a listing of recent graduate and professional school placements, see the Career Planning and Placement section.

What is your placement rate for graduates?

For students graduating in May of 2007 (our most current data available), 96% of them had full-time jobs within 6 months or were attending graduate and professional schools in August. For a complete listing of placements from our recent graduates, see the Career Planning and Placement section.

What kinds of jobs are your students getting when they graduate?

Westminster College students receive a variety of job offers upon graduation. Students pursue careers in fields across the spectrum from corporate America, to the non-profit sector, to government agencies, to education fields. Westminster students have been very successful in securing employment upon graduation whether the economy has been booming, or whether there is an economic slow down, as there is at the present time. For a complete listing of placements from our recent graduates, see the Recent Graduates section.

Do you award credit for AP courses or dual enrollment courses?

Westminster College will consider AP courses and/or dual enrollment courses for the awarding of academic credit. Whether these courses will transfer to the College and which degree requirements they will fulfill is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Generally speaking, AP courses will be considered for transfer if a student scores a 4 or 5 on the AP exam. Dual enrollment courses will be considered for transfer as long as the student has received a grade of “C” or better in the course. We do not recommend that students interested in either pre-medical studies, the natural sciences or engineering take science courses for transfer. All students are encouraged to take our Academic Writing course as it will better prepare you for the type of written requirements in all departments.

What kinds of career planning and placement services do you provide?

Our Career Services Center is staffed by professional career counselors who will help you discover your unique strengths and which professional opportunities might suit you best. They will also help you investigate careers through shadowing programs and internships. And, they help you conduct your job search each step of the way through workshops, resume preparation, one-on-one counseling, job fairs, networking programs and scheduling of actual interviews. Our Career Services Center is available to our students and alumni throughout their professional lives.

Do you have an internship program?

Westminster has an internship program which is coordinated through our Career Services Office. Students may participate in internships during the school year or over the summer break. Westminster is so committed to assisting all students in securing internships that we even hired a full-time internship coordinator.

Do you have any off-campus study programs?

Westminster sends students to a variety of off-campus programs both here in the United States and overseas. Some are even on the seas – Westminster participates in the Semester at Sea program. Westminster strongly encourages students to broaden their horizons by taking advantage of one of the many opportunities available. We offer financial assistance to students participating in many of these programs. For complete details about our programs, please see the Academic Programs section of this web site. You might also want to visit our Off-Campus and International Studies section.

How many students are typically in a freshman course and an upper class course?

Freshmen usually have courses ranging from 14 to 20 students. A large course at Westminster has 25 students in it. Upperclassmen usually have courses ranging from 10 to 15 students and often have courses with fewer than 10 students.

What is a typical freshman schedule like?

Most freshmen students are required to take Westminster Seminar, an orientation program to assist in the transition to college and Academic Writing, our first level English course. Students supplement these two courses with General Education classes. For more information on our course selections and degree requirements, please refer to the Academic Programs section of this web site.

What do you do for students who are undecided about a major?

Westminster’s liberal arts foundation allows students to explore a variety of areas before officially declaring a major. Students typically can take until the end of their sophomore year before having to make a decision. Westminster also has a strong advising program which focuses on helping students explore options and learn about themselves prior to making a major choice. Additionally, our Career Services Center is staffed by professional career counselors who will help you discover your unique strengths and help you investigate careers through job shadowing programs and internships.

How are admission decisions made?

Westminster College considers a student’s total admission packet when making an admission decision. Student’s application information, high school and/or previous college course selection and performance, recommendations and standardized test scores are all reviewed.

What types of merit scholarships are available?

Westminster College offers a wide array of merit scholarships for both academic performance and leadership qualities. Students may receive awards valued from $1,000 per year to full-tuition. For complete details on our merit scholarship programs, please see the Financial Aid and Scholarships section of this web site.

Do I need a separate application for scholarships and financial aid?

To be considered for academic and other scholarships you need to only submit your completed Application for Admission. To be considered for federal, state, and institutional need-based funds, as well as institutional endowed scholarships, you must submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It is recommended that you file the FAFSA prior to February 15 to be considered for all institutional, federal and state moneys for which you may be eligible. For complete information on applying for financial aid, please see the Financial Aid and Scholarships section.

What is your application deadline?

Westminster admits students on a rolling basis but we encourage students to apply in the Fall of their senior year in high school. Priority for registration of classes and housing is given to students who make a commitment early. Space is limited in the Learning Disabilities Program, so we recommend applying prior to Dec. 31.

What tests do I have to take for admission?

Westminster College requires that all applicants submit either an official ACT or SAT score. International students from countries where English is not spoken should submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score along with an ACT or SAT. Students applying to the Learning Disabilities Program must submit an untimed ACT or SAT score as well as diagnostic testing results which include the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) test.

How do I get an application for admission?

For a paper application: download it now, call toll-free 1.800.475.3361 or email admissions@westminster-mo.edu. You can also Apply online!