Bradley University (BU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Founded in 1897, Bradley University is located in Peoria, Illinois and is situated on an eighty-seven acre campus in the historic West Bluff residential neighborhood. The school offers bachelor’s degrees, graduate programs and continuing education courses in over two hundred areas as well as providing an active study abroad program. The school is extremely active in the community and strives to provide assistance by working closely with local organizations and providing youth programs.

There is a lively student life, including on-campus housing, more than 250 student organizations and an athletics club that offers fourteen varsity sports teams and numerous intramural activities and club sports. The school is also one of only a handful of small schools that offers Internet2 access that allows students to work collaboratively with students and faculty at other educational institutions.

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Information Summary

Ranks 9th in Illinois and 300th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	90.4
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$47,820
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	28 / 1290
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	82% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	5,882

Academics

Bradley University offers over eighty bachelor’s degrees and over forty graduate degrees that are available via seven different colleges. Some of these include the Foster College of Business Administration, the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts and the Graduate School. Undergraduate degrees include a wide array of choices including standard subjects such as accounting, civil engineering, psychology and biology but they also offer several areas of study that are not found at every college. Some of these, such as construction, learning behavior specialist, interactive media specializations and biomedical mechanical engineering prepare students for careers in budding industries that have become more and more in need in recent years.

The university also offers numerous centers and institutes that exist to serve the needs of the students or act as research facilities that address real-world issues and seek to find solutions to those issues via interactive projects that provide students with relevant, functional experience in their chosen fields of study. Some of these programs, including the Institute for Talented and Gifted Youth and the Illinois Small Business Development Center, provide valuable community services as well.

Bradley University also offers an extensive study abroad program supported via the International Programs Office. This provides students in any major with the opportunity to study abroad either for a full year or semester or during group travel periods that allow the student to travel abroad with other BU students and faculty for short, intensive periods. This program provides valuable experience to students that are going to be working in a global economy. Some of the places that students may choose to study include Africa, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Austria, Ireland and Egypt among many others. Financial aid is also available via the student’s on-campus financial aid award to help offset the expense of this program.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Undergraduate Admissions

Bradley University has three application periods that undergraduate freshman can apply within. Each application period applies for enrollment for fall semesters which begin in August. Admitted students will need to reserve their seat in the class by submitting the enrollment fee postmarked by May 1. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus except when they are living with parents in a place close enough for daily commuting. Should a student miss the May 1 deadline, they will be considered only if there is space.

First-year undergraduate students must submit a competed application that is available online, official high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores that have been sent directly from the testing center and a short personal essay or statement. Students will also need to submit at least one letter of recommendation but the applicant may submit more than one if they feel that it will be helpful.

Graduate Admissions

Though each graduate school may require different application materials, there are minimum documents that must be submitted regardless of any other requirements. All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a nationally accredited university or the equivalent and a minimum GPA in all undergraduate coursework. Students with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale are automatically admitted. Students without the minimum GPA will be considered depending upon graduate school admissions tests, undergraduate preparation, recommendations and other factors.

Other documents required for each graduate school include the application and fee, an admission essay that explains achievements, career goals and experience as it applies to success in graduate school, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume and official test scores. Applicants should be aware that just because they meet the minimum requirements, that does not guarantee acceptance to any graduate program. Application reviews do not start until the application packet is complete so students should refer to the individual graduate school to which they would like to apply for more information and to determine what exactly is needed to apply.

Meeting requirements for admission to the Graduate School does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Individual programs may have additional admission requirements. Please refer to the Graduate Catalog or the Program page on the web site for the requirements specific to the program in which you are interested.

Financial Aid

Bradley University offers a comprehensive financial aid package to help needy students defray the cost of college including university, local, state and federally subsidized scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs. There are numerous independent need-based scholarships that are available only to Bradley students. Any student who wishes to apply for financial aid should begin the process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online beginning in January. Financial information for both the student and family will be required in order to complete the application, so students should have this information prior to starting the application process.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2260th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Illinois.

Athletics

The Bradley Braves are an NCAA Division I athletics department that offers several varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, tennis and golf. Men may additionally choose to participate in baseball and soccer while women have the alternative options of softball, track and field and volleyball. The team’s colors are red and white, and there are numerous facilities that the teams may utilize for competition including Shea Stadium, Laura Bradley Park and WeaverRidge Golf Course.

Bibliography

Bradley University. Bradley University. 2011. Web. 14 June 2011.

Bradley Braves. The Official Website of Bradley University Athletics. Bradley University. 2011. Web. 14 June 2011.

“Bradley University.” The Princeton Review. The Princeton Review. 2011. Web. 14 June 2011.

Bradley University