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Kalamazoo College is held in high regard to their Midwest natives, as well as internationally for the unique approach to academic development implemented in the core foundation. Consistently ranked in the top ten colleges in the Midwest, Kalamazoo College has devoted over 175 years to the advancement of students into career trained, professionally educated leaders in their field. Offering a versatile assortment of programs, majors and minors – Kalamazoo College is internationally known for the outstanding Economics program, as well as the extensive English Language and Literature department offered on campus. Helping students to approach the world with an open-minded and accepting perspective is a daily priority at Kalamazoo.
The Kalamazoo College student body accounts for over 35 states and 20 countries, forming a close bonded, multi-cultural community and peer support system. With a strong focus on student needs and resources, the College offers smaller class sizes to ensure that each student receives the attention they deserve. Faculty members remain dedicated to creating stimulating lectures and creative lesson plans that maintain student attention and eagerness to learn. To achieve this, Kalamazoo College is proud to offer an experienced staff, over 85% of which holds an advanced degree in their field of study.
School History
Kalamazoo College is one of the oldest colleges in the country that are still in operation. Founded in 1833, the building blocks of the College were laid by Thomas Merrill and his devotion to establishing a Baptist college in Michigan. Starting with less than $10, Merrill and local Judge Caleb Eldred began laying the ground work for what is known today as an iconic part of educational history. Upholding traditions established during the earlier years of the College has been carried out through generations, through economic crisis, through war, poverty and evolutionary movements. The early educators implemented a strict curriculum that embraced the beauty of liberal arts with the advancement of science – beginning an academic journey of evolution within the campus walls.
Kalamazoo College is accredited by the North central association of Colleges and secondary Schools, as well as an active member of the American Council on Education, the Association of American Colleges and the College Entrance Examination Board. The athletic department at Kalamazoo College has also established individual accreditation from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The Kalamazoo Curriculum has been developed, mastered, enhanced and re-mastered continuously for over 175 years. Over these years, faculty, staff, board members, alumni and supporters have enabled the College to continuously enhance the curriculum, programs and opportunities available to each student. In order to accomplish this, programs and traditions such as the study abroad program and the Senior Individualized Project have been created to help students develop socially as well as professionally.
Campus Life
Life on the Kalamazoo College campus is based on a strict Honor System that was implemented by the early founders , educators and student body. As students are surrounded by a multi-cultural and diversity accepted environment, it is this Honor System that delegates and maintains the serene and community-like environment found on campus. Students can enjoy the freedom of their own choice in over 35 activities and group participation. Student engagement is important at Kalamazoo, which is why students continuously work together to establish new clubs, organizations and group activities to increase involvement on campus and for various community causes. The Health Center is available for student use throughout the school year, including semester breaks., to ensure student safety at all times.
First year students at Kalamazoo College can enjoy an array of student services to help them adjust to the college life such as intercultural courses and The First Year Experience offered on campus. This program has received national recognition for building a strong community of first year students and introducing them to opportunities offered in the world around them. This offers students an ongoing learning experience, usually offered in a one-day orientation event. Many students participate in the summer reading program offered during the first year, which enables students to enter into their college career with a shared interest to discuss during the orientation course.
All Kalamazoo College students are required to live on campus until their junior year. Students can choose between several residence halls located throughout the campus, as well as the Living Learning Housing Units. All meals and dinning services are offered in the Hicks Center, accommodating students with the required meal program to ensure health and nutritional safety. Residential apartment housing is available for graduate students and seniors. This enables students the freedom to develop and create their own inter-community systems with their peers, regardless of class standing.
Financial Aid
College is meant to enhance the lives of the students while attending school. For this reason, Kalamazoo College makes every effort to reduce the financial stress on students during their college experience. In order to accomplish this, however, a strict dedication to offering financial aid funding and resources is vital to the success of each student. Over 95% of the Kalamazoo student body received financial aid to help with tuition and college related expenses. Kalamazoo College accepts all forms of student aid and government funding, as well as offers a wide variety of private grants and scholarships.
All students are given the opportunity to apply for multiple forms of financial aid each semester to optimize their schedules. Upon being accepted to the College, each student is considered for merit-based, athletic and artistic scholarships based on need and previous achievement. There are also a series of scholarships offered to students based on aptitude and placement test scores. These forms of funding offered directly through Kalamazoo College do not require repayment, resulting in an easier transition for students during their college years, as well as a faster transition into their professional careers.
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