CostIF YOU DON’T COME TO SAINT VINCENT?

WhatWill It

What are your actual costs?Although the “sticker price” of a private college can seem expensive compared to a public school, the actual price gap is signifi cantly smaller once you factor in fi nancial aid. At Saint Vincent:

• More than 90% of students who apply for fi nancial aid receive an off er of aid.

• Approximately 50% receive academic scholarships and 60% receive leadership scholarships.

• The average annual fi nancial aid package is substantial.

Will you receive fi nancial aid every year?No matter where you are looking to enroll, if your choice is based on fi nancial aid, question the school about its long-term fi nancial commitment to you. Many institutions off er more generous to incoming freshmen than returning students. At Saint Vincent, the amount of aid you receive your freshman year is a good indication of what you’ll receive your sophomore, junior and senior years.

“If you like Saint Vincent and it

fi ts you, don’t let the price tag scare you away. It’s your

education for the rest of your life.”

– Betsy Boland, mother of Melissa Boland Elias (C’99)

and Amy Boland (C’03)

As you narrow your choice of colleges, cost becomes a factor—especially when comparing a private college to a public university. Either choice can provide a bachelor’s degree, but in most other aspects, private and public schools diff er dramatically. Is a private education worth the extra investment? Ultimately, the answer depends on what you and your parents want from your college experience. Asking yourself the following questions can help you decide if you can aff ord not to attend a college with the size, academic, community and fi nancial advantages of Saint Vincent College.

How does the price gap compare to a lifetime of earnings?According to a recent study*, where you go to college can infl uence how much you earn over your lifetime. The more selective your college, the greater your earning power. It may only take a few years for the extra income to make up for a cost diff erence. Spread over 40 years of earning potential, the price gap can shrink substantially.

How serious are your fellow students?How selective a college is in admitting students infl uences the quality of your education. An invitation to Saint Vincent College is based on your academic record in high school, essay and reference letter. While some universities enroll thousands of freshmen each year, Saint Vincent admits a select group of approximately 425 students who share a desire to learn, and are ready for life after college.

Do you want to be challenged?Why just get a degree on paper when you can secure a lifelong education as well? High-caliber classes make it impossible to breeze through without working hard at Saint Vincent—a fact that pays off when your knowledge is put to the test in the workforce.

What about moral support?Adjusting to college life can be tough, especially during your fi rst year away from home. Most schools provide confi dential counseling services when you need to talk with a professional. At Saint Vincent College, moral support is also off ered. Founded in 1846, the College shares a campus with the Saint Vincent Monastery and parish, including the Basilica. About one-fi fth of the faculty are Benedictines, making it easy for students to reach out for advice or spiritual guidance.

*Th e Return to Attending a Highly Selective College, by Caroline Hoxby, Harvard University

How does the school get you ready for life?At many large universities, a social sciences student can

go for four years without having to take a math class. While that may be great for your GPA, how prepared would you be if your

career took an unexpected turn? Saint Vincent’s liberal arts core curriculum requires a wide range of electives in addition to your major courses. An emphasis on writing in every fi eld, even if your major is math, teaches eff ective communication. And many majors require an internship or fi eld experience.

Who is at the head of the class?Not that there is anything wrong with Teaching Assistants, but wouldn’t you rather be taught by professors with years of professional and teaching experience instead of a graduate student? Saint Vincent professors are focused on students and teaching. While many publish books and papers and win competitive research grants, their primary focus is in the classroom.

Are resources accessible?Large universities may have more computers, labs, equipment and volumes in the library than smaller colleges, but they also have thousands more students that need to use them. Saint Vincent’s campus-wide computer network includes Internet access in every residence hall and e-mail accounts for every student. We also have state-of-the-art natural science labs, multimedia and interactive classrooms, art museum, and an award-winning Environmental Education Center — an abundance of resources to rival those of any public school.

Do we have your major?In addition to more than 50 degree programs, Saint Vincent off ers specialty curriculums in Education, Pre-Med, Pre-Law and others, specifi cally designed to prepare you for application to a graduate program. For example, students planning to become an M.D. can major in Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Biochemistry and cooperative programs such as the 3/2 Engineering program. If it looks like we do not have your major, ask!

Who will help you chart a course?Without an advisor to guide you, graduating with a college degree in four years can be challenging. While most colleges and universities have an academic advising program, not all provide an advisor willing to spend time making sure you are taking the right courses and credits, particularly if you switch majors or career objectives midway. At Saint Vincent, the academic advisor assigned to you in your freshman year will follow you through to graduation, unless you request a change. Your advisor is accessible in person, by phone or through e-mail, virtually 24/7. Do not be surprised if it turns out to be a lifelong relationship!

What else is there to do?Having a range of extracurricular activities to choose from is important. In addition to dozens of intercollegiate, intramural and club sports, Saint Vincent off ers 48 student-run organizations, including Student Government, which typically sponsors at least two social events each week. For a change of pace, Pittsburgh is an hour away.

How important are sports?If a sport is an important part of your life, you will not only suit up for games your freshman year at Saint Vincent, you will actually play on the team. A member of the National College Athletics Association (NCAA), Saint Vincent competes in the very competitive Presidents Athletic Conference.

Men’s Women’s

Baseball Basketball

Basketball Cross Country

Cross Country Equestrian (Club)

Football Field Hockey

Golf Golf

Ice Hockey (Club) Lacrosse

Lacrosse Soccer

Soccer Softball

Swimming Swimming

Tennis Tennis

Track Volleyball

Saint Vincent College Sports

What are your chances of getting a job or into graduate school?Surveys show that Saint Vincent graduates are consistently satisfi ed with their academic experience. In addition, our acceptance rates to postgraduate programs are impressive: 100% for law and 3/2 engineering programs, 95-100% for allied medical professions (depending on the program), and 70% for medical school (well above the national average of 40%).

How eff ective is the Alumni Network?A big benefi t of a small school with rich traditions is that generations of students have shared the same fond memories as you. That opens doors, whether you are looking for a new position or need advice on a business matter. In addition, small college alumni are an elite group of far more accessible alumni, than those from large universities.

Are you a small college or big university person?While Saint Vincent’s popularity and is growing, the student body totals just over 1,900 students and the student/teacher ratio is a consistent 13:1. It is easy to stand out, whether in class, the cafeteria or at a party. (It is also easy to enroll in the classes you want.) Compare that to a university with a student body of 30,000, hundreds of students in some classes and a campus the size of a small city.

“One of my friends went to a university with 40,000

students because she wanted to meet more people. It turned

out to be diffi cult to make friends because she didn’t see the same people oft en enough to develop relationships like

I did at Saint Vincent.”– Jennifer Beserock (C’02)

Acceptance Rates to Professional Schools

Law 100%3/2 Engineering 100%Medical (national average 40%) 70%Allied Medical Professions* 95-100%

* Depending on program - Dental, Osteopathy, Physical Th erapy, Podiatry, Pharmacy and Veterinary

What will it cost if you change your mind?Choosing a college for its lower price can be costly in the long run—especially if you decide to transfer after your freshman or sophomore year. Undergraduate courses are not all created equal, which means you risk paying for credits that will not be transferable if you decide to switch schools. You also risk losing a year, and missing out on the bonding experience that happens your freshman year in a close-knit, environment.

Would another visit help you decide?Even after crunching the numbers, there is only one way to fi nd out if a school is right for you—visit! Spend time on campus, either on your own or during a Get Acquainted Day. Be our guest for lunch in the cafeteria. Observe a class (or two or three). Meet with professors. Spend an evening with a student ambassador who will show you around. If it feels like home, you will know you belong here.

To Arrange a Visit:• Log onto www.stvincent.edu,

Admission and Financial Aid, for upcoming Get Acquainted Days

• E-mail admission@stvincent.edu

• Call 1-800-782-5549 or 724-805-2500

• Fax 724-805-2507

Square Peg, Round HoleYour heart is set on a small school, but your family fi nancials are pulling you in the other direction? Tell us what would help you make what will be one of the most important decisions of your life. _____

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

■ Attending a Get Acquainted Day on _______________________(see www.stvincent.edu for specifi c days)

■ Observing class on ____________________________________

■ Scheduling a personal tour and interview

■ Staying overnight with a student to get a feel for college life

■ My major ______________________ (please fi ll in preferred course of study)

■ Help for Undeclared Majors

■ Honors Program ■ Campus Life

■ Athletics ______________________ (please fi ll in preferred sport)

■ Tuition and fi nancial aid

■ Admission requirements ■ Application for admission

■ Other: (Let us know and we will give you the details) _______________

Name __________________________________ Gender M___ F ___

Address _________________________________________________

City ________________________ State_______ Zip _____________

Phone (include area code) __________________________________

E-mail __________________________________________________

High School _____________________________________________

High School Graduation Date (mo/yr) _________________________

College attended (if any) ___________________________________

300 Fraser Purchase Road • Latrobe, PA 15650-2690www.stvincent.edu

4582-10M-3/09

Saint Vincent College subscribes to a policy of equal opportunity and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, veteran status, ethnic origin or handicap in any of its programs, activities or employment decisions.