Photo: Allegheny College. Retrieved from: www.allegheny.edu
Allegheny College represents a quality residential education that incorporates the traditions of the liberal arts culture, with the advancements of science and he future of professional studies. Students that attend the College are surrounded by an atmosphere that is both nurturing and challenging pushing students to continuously achieve their goals and set new ones. Most famously known for the Performing Arts and Music program, in addition to the intense Economics program offered at the school, Allegheny College offers students a unique learning experience that is often missing from residential campuses. Since the College is highly focused on student involvement and advancement, all students are encouraged to utilize the amenities and offerings within the campus grounds but to also take advantage of opportunities beyond the campus walls as well, such as the study abroad program and various community missions.
Showcasing the importance of student involvement and the Allegheny College community, programs such as CARES have been established by students and faculty members to spread the Allegheny traditions into both local and foreign communities across the world. Allegheny College maintains a strict acceptance and honor system on campus, maintained by the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access that was developed at the College in 2010. It is this office, along with the Student Government, that actively works to showcase the power and accomplishments of the Allegheny College student body.
School History
Founded in 1815 and currently remaining one of the oldest college facilities that currently remain in operation, Allegheny College has succeeded through many national and global obstacles over the last two centuries, triumphing through each time. The College was founded in a town of early pioneers and settlers, many of whom had come from New England. Upon establishing the College, under the guidance of Rev. Timothy Alden, the College operated with the sole purpose of advancing the town into the new frontier by educating the people within the town.
Allegheny College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, updating their profile and status every ten years to ensure optimal education for students.
Throughout financial hardship, times of war and countless changes in evolution, Allegheny College has remained true to their heritage and educational platform – only adding courses and opportunities that would help to advance both the facility and its students. By 1824, Thomas Jefferson himself wrote a letter to President Alden, expressing his gratitude and appreciate for the establishment, expressing hope that his home school, the University of Virginia, would eventually live up to the same caliber. The school was not always coeducational, by 1870 women were admitted to the school.
Campus Life
Life on the Allegheny College campus offers students a lively and close-knit community of peers and faculty members that help them transition into their college and professional careers. This community stands as a strong support system and foundation for students to grow both personally and academically, strengthened through the activities, clubs, organizations and special interests events. Unlike the majority of colleges in the country, Allegheny College offers students a unique way to pass the time in between classes with the extensive Game Room located on campus. Students can take advantage of plenty of arcade games, air hockey and many others to unwind and enjoy themselves with their peers. At times, you may even catch faculty members enjoying some down time as well!
There are also many late nigh programs offered throughout the campus to accommodate students who prefer to take several classes throughout their day. These include special interest groups, academic and social workshops and professional training courses. Students involved in the fraternity and sorority life, better known as Greek Life on campus, can enjoy spending time with their houses and displaying their codes of honor throughout the campus, hosting various events, fundraisers and campus awareness rallies throughout the year. Despite the time of year, you will always find clusters of students gathered in or around the Campus Center, which many students utilize to organize their group meetings, participate in study groups or to hold student mentorship sessions as well.
Over 85% of the student body resides on campus, maintaining the community-like setting amongst the students. Being a strong residential college, Allegheny is best known for its accommodations for student’s hat live on campus, such as the convenient laundry facilities and exquisite dining services offered on campus. Students can choose between residence halls, which accommodate between 2-4 students per dorm, or the apartment-style complexes that consist of two-bedroom apartments. Many students prefer to live in one of the sorority or fraternity houses on campus, while the seniors choose to live off-campus in the College owned residential homes.
Financial Aid
Allegheny College offers students various financial aid resources to help reduce the stress of funding throughout the school year. Faculty members understand how difficult it can be for students to pay for their own tuition and the stress I can cause on the families as well. For this reason, all students are presented with several financial aid opportunities during the Freshman and Incoming Student Orientation before each school year. This introduces students to the federal and state funding options available as well as the work study program that offers employment on campus to reduce tuition costs.
When applying for financial aid, it is recommended that students consider all available options. This includes private funding options offered by Allegheny College, local community and charity organizations as well as smaller grants and scholarships offered by corporate sponsored programs. Every penny counts when it comes to solid education and Allegheny College ensures that all students are offered every possible option to help reduce the fees. Need-based funding is available for students that meet the eligibility requirements. Allegheny College also offers assistance for disabled students and those meeting veteran eligibility.
