Office of Admissions Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia 30314
404-270-5193
800-982-2411 (toll-free)
E-mail: admiss@spelman.edu
2006-2007 COSTS:
Tuition:
$13,825
Room and Board:
$8,855
Fees, books, misc.:
$2,670
Atlanta, Georgia
Overview
Spelman, a private, independent, historically black, four-year liberal arts college for women, was founded in 1881. The campus has grown from 9 acres of drill ground and five frame barracks used for federal troops after the Civil War to 42 acres and twenty-five buildings. As an integral part of the Atlanta University Center, Spelman benefits from proximity to and cooperation with the other member institutions, but it maintains its own identity nonetheless, thus offering outstanding opportunities for the education of women for leadership roles.
A focal point of campus activity for the 2,063 women enrolled is the Manley College Center, which houses the dining hall, a food court, faculty and student lounges, student government offices, and some administrative offices. Health and physical education facilities include a gymnasium, tennis courts, a swimming pool, bowling lanes, dance studios, and a weight room.
Location and Community
Spelman College is located in Atlanta, “The Gateway to the South,” a city that is rapidly becoming one of the most dynamic and vital urban areas in the country. Proximity to other colleges and universities in the area provides additional educational, social, and cultural opportunities. Spelman College is one of five institutions that constitute the Atlanta University Center (AUC) consortium.
The city is one of the most exciting learning laboratories imaginable. Here, women can observe politics at work and can meet some of the world's leaders. As an urban center with crucial social problems, Atlanta challenges students to become involved in community programs. An extensive community services program coordinates the placement of students in community agencies.
Academic Life
Spelman operates on a two-semester academic calendar. Through its core curriculum, the College introduces students to the principal branches of learning—languages and literature, natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences, fine arts, and humanities. All students are enrolled in courses designed to develop effective writing and reading skills and critical, analytical, and problem-solving skills. An honors program is offered to academically outstanding students.
Credit-hour requirements vary with the major area. The core curriculum requirement includes a two-semester interdisciplinary survey course, African Diaspora and the World, computer literacy, English composition, foreign language, health and physical education, mathematics, and international or women's studies. A minimum of 4 credits is also required in each of the following areas: fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.
Under the AUC consortium, three undergraduate colleges, one graduate and professional university, and one graduate theological seminary share facilities, resources, and activities. Through cross-registration, Spelman students may elect to take such courses as business administration, mass communication, and social welfare at the other undergraduate institutions.
Spelman's full-time faculty numbers 158 members. More than 84 percent hold doctoral or other terminal degrees. The low student-faculty ratio (11:1) permits individualized instruction and small classes.
Majors Offered:
Spelman offers the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees. Majors are offered in art, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, child development, comparative women's studies, computer and information sciences, drama, economics, engineering (through participating schools), English, environmental science, French, history, human services, international studies, mathematics, music, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, religious studies, sociology/anthropology, and Spanish. An independent major option is also available. Special minors are available in dance, Japan studies, management and organization, teacher certification, and women's studies. Premedical, predentistry, and prelaw sequences are offered.
Spelman participates in a dual-degree engineering program through which students may combine three years of liberal arts courses at Spelman with two years of engineering studies at Auburn University, Boston University, California Institute of Technology, Clarkston University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Georgia Institute of Technology, North Carolina A&T State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Alabama at Huntsville , University of Florida, University of Michigan, and University of Missouri at Rolla. Students receive a bachelor's degree from each institution upon completing the program.
Facilities and Resources
The College's newest building, The Albro, Falconer, Manley Science Center, is state-of-the-art and was completed in 2000. It is a site for intellectual exchange and scientific creativity, accommodates current research and teaching practices, and supports the use of technology in teaching. The Camille O. Hanks Cosby Academic Center provides classrooms and laboratories for students studying in the humanities. It houses several interdisciplinary programs and departments and offices for faculty members in English, history, philosophy, religion, and modern foreign languages. The center also features an auditorium, an art museum, the Spelman College archives, the Ennis Cosby Reading Room, educational media, a writing center, and the Women's Research and Resource Center. The Fine Arts Building houses a small, up-to-date proscenium theater, music and art studios, and practice rooms. Spelman students are entitled to use the facilities of the Robert Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, which contains approximately 1,476,500 volumes. This facility also houses media, curriculum materials, and academic and administrative data processing.
Campus Life
Student thought is expressed through several publications: Reflections, the yearbook; Spotlight, the newspaper; and Focus, the literary magazine. Religious life and services form an important part of campus life. Opportunities to experience fellowship in a meaningful fashion, special convocations, and counseling are provided.
There is a varied program of student and professional cultural activities on the campus. Many of the extracurricular activities are planned and sponsored by the Student Government Association. Others are presented by departmental honor societies and clubs, excellent dance groups, and both jazz and classical instrumental ensembles. The strong tradition in fine arts at Spelman gives students maximum cultural exposure through the renowned Spelman Glee Club, the Spelman-Morehouse Chorus, and the Spelman-Morehouse Players.
Sports/Varsity Athletics
The intercollegiate athletics program is recognized by the College as a valuable asset in developing campus spirit. Spelman College athletics teams are known as the Jaguars.
Spelman College is a provisional member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division III . This affiliation permits all Spelman College athletes to receive regional and national recognition for their accomplishments. In addition to becoming a member in the NCAA, the College is planning to implement new sports initiatives to upgrade and further develop the intercollegiate athletic and club sports programs.
The intercollegiate athletics program is a new member of the Great South Conference. Spelman College teams compete with NCAA member institutions in cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis and golf. Other athletics activities include: club track & field and cheerleading. There is also an Athletics Advisory Committee.
Expenses
Tuition costs in 2005-–06 are $13,525 per year; room and board is $8,455 per year; fees are $2,670. Total costs for students living on campus were $24,650; for students living off campus, costs were $16,195. Additional costs include transportation, $1,273; books, $1,678; and personal expenses, $2,107. These costs are subject to change.
Financial Aid / Scholarships
The College makes every effort to assist students with financial need through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. The amount of aid is determined by need as indicated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Spelman cannot meet the full documented need of every student who applies for financial aid. Students who submit their FAFSA by February 15 receive priority processing and consideration.
The Spelman scholarship program is meant to encourage academic excellence and to recognize outstanding achievement. Scholarships are awarded to entering first-year and continuing students on a competitive basis. Consideration is given to academic and personal achievement as evidenced by academic records, standardized test scores, leadership, special talent, character, community service, and, in some cases, financial need. All incoming students are considered for scholarships at the time of application. Additional forms are not required unless students are applying for the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program Scholarship and the Bonner Scholar Program.
Admission Requirements / Application
Applicants for first-year admission are selected on the basis of their high school records, SAT or ACT scores, recommendations, and personal information submitted in the application for admission.
A limited number of spaces are available each term for transfer students. Students admitted as transfers are selected based upon their complete academic records, recommendations, personal information submitted in the application for admission, and whether space is available in requested academic majors. In some instances, applicants who have achieved the equivalent of senior status are not considered.
The College selects qualified women candidates without regard to race, religion, color, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or physical challenge. The College seeks to admit students whose credentials give evidence of potential for academic success at Spelman and who demonstrate personal characteristics of high motivation, purpose, and integrity. Interviews are not required. Prospective applicants may request individual information sessions and tours through the Office of Admissions and Orientation Services.
Completed first-year applications for admission under the Early Decision plan must be postmarked and mailed by November 1 of the senior year. Notification of the admission decision is made by December 15. Completed first-year applications for admission under the Early Action plan must be postmarked and mailed by November 15 of the senior year. Notification of the admission decision is made by December 31. Completed regular first-year applications must be postmarked and mailed by February 1 of the senior year. Notification of the admission decision is April 1.
Transfer applications for the fall term must be postmarked and mailed by March 1. Notification of the admission decision for transfer applicants is May 1. Completed transfer applications for the spring term must be postmarked and mailed by November 1. Notification of the admission decision is made by December 1.
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