Elmhurst College (EC) Academics and Admissions

Academics

Founded in 1871, Elmhurst College (EC) is a private, four-year college in Elmhurst, Illinois. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. This college is accredited by the Department of Education of the State of Illinois, The Higher Learning Commission, and The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The college’s curriculum combines a strong liberal arts foundation with career preparation in order to help students fully prepare for life in a global society. The College offers more than 50 majors and nine graduate programs, as well as 4 accelerated majors for adults and 15 pre-professional programs. The most popular majors at this school include: Business, Communications, Education, Health professions, Science, and Psychology. Class sizes are small; the college has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, and the average class has 18 students. Nearly all of the professors at EC have earned the highest degree in his or her field.

The College has consistently been ranked among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest, according to “America’s Best Colleges,” the survey conducted each year by U.S. News and World Report. The Princeton Review also recognizes EC as being one of the best in the region, praising the college’s “excellent” internships, “gorgeous” campus and “intimate academic experience.”

Elmhurst graduates frequently get into graduate programs at the University of Chicago and Northwestern. Two resources that can assist students are the Center for Professional Excellence and the Niebuhr Center. Both provide students with off-campus learning experiences such as internship, study abroad, and service opportunities.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 35th in Illinois and 824th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	82.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$51,199
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	26 / 1190
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	78% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,426

Admissions

Students who wish to apply to this school must complete the (online or paper) application form and submit a personal statement explaining the student’s plans to achieve academic excellence. Students must also submit an official high school transcript or a GED score report, an official SAT or ACT score report, and a letter of recommendation from an academic instructor or faculty member. A personal statement and an interview are recommended, but not mandatory. The deadline for submitting an application is rolling, beginning in October for freshmen and November for transfer applicants.

Graduate students, adult students, transfer students, home-schooled students, and international students may need to use different procedures, so they should refer to the college’s website or contact the Office of Admissions for more information about the admissions process and application requirements.

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Financial Aid

This college offers a wide variety of financial aid programs. In a single year, almost all of the college’s full-time students received some form of state, federal, private or institutional financial assistance. Forms of aid that are available for students include grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. The college also has a limited number of scholarships and awards that are awarded directly from the school. All students who wish to be considered for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1st each year.. If selected for verification, students will also need to complete a Federal Verification Worksheet and/or additional documents. Students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office for more information and assistance with completing the financial aid application process.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2915th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Illinois.

Students

Elmhurst College students represent many different states and countries, and nearly every religious, racial, and ethnic background is represented in the college’s student body.

This school offers students countless opportunities to get involved. There are more than 100 clubs, organizations, and activities that include academic, professional, political, social, talent, athletic, student government, media, religious, service, multicultural, special interest, and honor groups. Greek Life is a significant part of the college’s student life. There are ten Greek organizations on campus. Spiritual life is emphasized at this school. Other popular programs include the EC Bicycle Program, which provides free bikes, helmets, and locks to students, faculty, and staff, on the condition that the renter pledges not to bring a motorized vehicle to campus for an entire academic year, with the exception of the winter.

Many of the students choose to live on campus. There are six traditional residence halls, as well as a number of apartments and houses. All of the units in the residence halls are fully furnished with twin extra-long beds, desks, shelves, dressers, and closets. Units also feature phone lines, Internet access, voice mail, and access to shared laundry facilities, lounges, and study rooms. Some halls feature suite-style accommodations.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Known as the Blue Jays and proudly wearing the school colors of blue and white, EC’s 18 athletic teams participate in NCAA Division III. Being part of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), the Blue Jays have won conference championships in five sports during the last ten years. Sports played include football, basketball, soccer, bowling, golf, tennis, cross country running, volleyball, track and field, softball, wrestling, and baseball. This college offers just one club sport, which is men’s rugby.

Traditions

Many of the students at this college are weary of the “Bad Luck Tree,” which hangs over the sidewalk to the north of Memorial Hall, because of a myth that the tree gives students bad luck. Some students walk around the tree to avoid its curse.

The original nativity scene that was used in the movie Home Alone was given to this school. This display this scene during the holiday season each year.

It is believed that the gates of knowledge on the east edge of campus bless students with knowledge. It has long been a tradition for students to run under the gates before major tests and exams for good luck.

Alumni

Reinhold Niebuhr, famous 20th-century theologian
Terri Hemmert, radio personality
Peter M. Blau, famous sociologist
Ricardo Lamas, WEC fighter
Brett Eldredge, country music singer
Doug Beach, Grammy award winning composer, arranger, and adjudicator

Elmhurst College