University of Louisville (UL) Academics and Admissions

Academics

This public university was founded in 1798. One amazing fact about this school is that it is one of the first schools chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. Another distinguishing characteristic about the University of Louisville is that is one of the first city-owned public universities in the U.S.

Notable accomplishments of the University of Louisville include creating one of the first blood banks in the country, creating the Pap smear test, creating an effective cervical cancer vaccination, administering the first successful hand transplant, and conducting the first self-contained heart transplant. These are just a few of the many accomplishments of this successful research university.

Students come from all 50 states and 116 countries to attend the University of Louisville. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges currently accredits the university. Students that enroll in the university can earn associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, or a professional degree (M.D., J.D., and D.M.D).

The university has 12 amazing colleges and schools:

School of Public Health and Information Sciences (1968)

School of Nursing (1979)

School of Music (1932)

School of Medicine (1837)

School of Dentistry (1887)

Louise D. Bradeis School of Law (1846)

Kent School of Social Work (1936)

J.B. Speed School of Engineering (1925)

Graduate School (1918)

College of Education and Human Development (1968)

College of Business (1953)

College of Arts and Sciences (1907)

A few of the departments that make up these fine schools and departments are the Department of Classical/Modern Languages, Department of Biology, Department of Urban and Public Affairs, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.

The university does offer undergraduate and graduate level degrees online in such areas as workforce leadership, human resource education, and higher education.

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Information Summary

Ranks 7th in Kentucky and 497th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	86.7
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$27,980
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	29 / 1290
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	16 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	80% / 57%
Enrollment Total (all students)	21,430

Admissions

Incoming freshman must meet the basic requirements for admission, which include a completed application with a non-refundable application fee, SAT or ACT scores from a testing agency or an official high school transcript, high school verification form and an official high school transcript, and an official copy of GED scores for GED applicants. Applicants interested in admission into the School of Nursing must first enter the lower-level division as a freshman and re-apply for admission as a junior for the upper-division. Those interested in entering the School of Music as a freshman must pass an audition as well. The deadline for admission for the fall semester is early February, spring semester is early November, and summer session is early March.

International students applying for undergraduate admission must complete an application and submit an application fee, submit a complete academic record that include certificates earned and completed degrees, and an official transcript. Additionally, undergraduate students must submit academics records for evaluation to World Education Services, Inc. (WES) or Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) if records come from institutions outside of the United States. The addresses of these companies can be found on the University of Louisville’s website under international admissions.

Students that want to pursue a graduate degree must complete the application and include an application fee, submit 2 letters of recommendation, submit official transcript of all college level courses completed, submit test scores, submit TOEFL scores for international students that do not speak English as a native language, and provide a purpose statement of goals and interests. The minimum GPA varies according to which school students plan to attend. Some schools require a “C” average and others require a “B” average. Additionally, some programs may require specific essays, a resume, and other test scores (LSAT, PRAXIS, etc.). Application deadlines vary so please view the University of Louisville’s website to determine the deadlines for a particular program.

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Financial Aid

Students must first complete a FAFSA form to determine eligibility. Students may begin apply in early January but no later than early March. Students may qualify for loans, such as Direct Parent Plus, Perkins, Direct Stafford, Alternative Loans, or Direct Graduate/Professional Plus.

Grants are a great way to pay for an education, and students do not have to worry about repayment. Students may qualify for such grants as Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant, U of L Need Based Grant, TEACH Grant, and many other Pell Grants. Work-study programs are also available to students. Pell Grant eligible students receive priority for work-study awards. As of April 13, 2011, the hourly wage for work-study positions is $7.25.

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Assistantships are available through the university and outside sources. A few of these programs that students may be interested in are U of L Admission Based Scholarship, KCTCS Academic Transfer Scholarship, and Continuing Undergraduate Academic Scholarship. The deadline date to apply for university scholarships is early April in most cases. Each department offers various fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships to students who qualify.

Students with disabilities may also qualify for special funding opportunities. The Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitations helps disabled individuals receive educational funding toward the cost of an education. Prospective students can find this information of the University of Louisville’s website. Some students may also qualify for waivers to receive an education. A few of those who apply are dependents or spouses of veterans, disabled children of veterans, dependents of firefighters, foster and adopted children, faculty and staff, and senior citizens. A tuition waiver must be completed to qualify.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3745th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Kentucky.

Students

The campus of the University of Louisville has much to offer students. There are 6 libraries at this university. All of the libraries are top college libraries that are members of the fraternity the Association of Research Libraries. The libraries contain over 400,000 volumes of published works. The libraries include the Margaret M. Bridwell Art Library, William F. Ekstrom Library, University Archives and Center, Brandeis Law School Library, Dwight Anderson Memorial Library, and Kornhauser Health Sciences Library.

Residential life is important to college students. The university has 12 residential housing options for students that include The Bellamy, Cardinal Town, Bettie Johnson Hall, The Providence, Herman & Heddy Kurz Hall, Billy Minardi Hall, Louisville Hall, Community Park, and Miller House.

The University of Louisville has quite a few fraternities and sororities that students may be interested in, including Alpha Phi Omega, Zeta Tau Alpha, Pi Beta Phi, Delta Phi Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Chi, Alpha Sigma Kappa, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Triangle, and Sigma Gamma Rho.

The campus media is noteworthy. The campus has a student maintained radio station that has been in existence since 1968. The university plays an important role in Louisville’s “Public Radio Partnership” that has 3 stations in one setting. The campus also has a student operated weekly newspaper, The Louisville Cardinal. The newspaper has been in operation since 1926 and currently has a student editor in chief. The university also has a wonderful theatre called the Floyd Theatre. The 228 seat movie theatre operates under the control of the Student Activities Board. The theatre features movies on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday night. The theatre gives attention to foreign and independent films that get little or no run in commercial theatres.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The University of Louisville has a magnificent athletic program. The teams are part of the NCAA Division 1 and the Big East Conference. There are 10 men’s teams and 13 women’s teams at this university. The proud Louisville Cardinals sport the colors red and black, and the Cardinal bird is the mascot. The Cardinals have gained national attention during the recent years due to the high level of competition that these teams offer. The Cardinals have 15 bowl appearances, 8 men’s NCAA Final Four appearances, and 2 men’s basketball championships to show as proof of the team’s strength. The men’s basketball team receives recognitions as the most profitable NCAA basketball team, collecting 18.5 million dollars in revenue to date.

Other notable accomplishments by Cardinal teams include two consecutive Sweet 16’s by the women’s basketball team, two individual national championships by the track and field teams, Big East championship title and consecutive Sweet 16 appearances by the volleyball team, and consecutive Big East Conference titles and a college World Series appearance by the baseball team.

A few of the arenas and stadiums in which the teams play are Freedom Hall (basketball), Cardinal Arena (volleyball), Trager Stadium (hockey stadium), Trager Center (indoor practice facility), Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium (football), Lacrosse Stadium (lacrosse), and Musselman Center (golf).

Students interested in intramural sports have something to look forward to at the University of Louisville. Intramural sports create a sense of belonging to the many individuals who participate. A few of the sports that students have to choose from are Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, Tug O War, softball, badminton, and sand volleyball. Students who are interested in joining recreational clubs may consider joining one of the 22 clubs, including Aikido Club, ballroom dance, gymnastics, Fencing Club, bowling, Kempo Karate Club, Power Tumbling Club, and Racquetball Club.

Notable athletes who graduated from the University of Louisville include Audry Rendon, Rockford Thunder’s third baseman; Kelly Bowman, two time All-American High Jumper; Sean Green, pitcher for the New York Mets; Angel McCoughtry, first round pick for the Atlanta Dream; Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets player; Otis Wilson, defensive end for the Chicago Bears; and William Gay, corner back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bibliography

Cox, Dwayne D and William J. Morison. The University of Louisville. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1999. Print.
Kleber, John E. The Encyclopedia of Louisville. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 2000. Print. University of Louisville. 13 April 2011. Web. 13 April 2011.
University of Louisville. 13 April 2011. Web. 13 April 2011.

University of Louisville