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Parents' Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Southwestern help my student be successful?
How does Southwestern College help my student be safe?
How does Southwestern College help my student prepare for a career?
How does Southwestern College help my student make lifelong friends?
How does Southwestern College help my student graduate in four years?
How does Southwestern College help my child afford college? How does Southwestern College help my student have a great experience? |
How does Southwestern help my student be successful? |
- Successful students are engaged. In a 2006 national survey of student engagement, Southwestern students scored higher than its peer schools (and higher than bachelor’s-granting schools nation-wide) in active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction, and supportive campus environment. (National Survey of Student Engagement, 2006 Benchmark Report)
- Successful students are equipped. SC provides each of our incoming students with a laptop computer and wireless network access campus-wide. This technology isn’t a gimmick; the way your student lives and learns at SC is the way he or she will live and work.
- Successful students are glad they chose Southwestern. In a 2006-07 survey, SC students overwhelmingly said that if they had to do it over again, they would enroll at Southwestern. (Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory)
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How does Southwestern College help my student be safe? |
- We’re located in a safe community—Winfield
- The college maintains a positive working relationship with Winfield City Police, fire department, and health organizations. A fully-staffed hospital is only few blocks away, and an on-campus nurse-practitioner takes care of day-to-day health needs of our students.
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How does Southwestern College help my student graduate in four years? |
- We expect our students to finish in four years, and students who follow a straightforward path to degree (without numerous changes of major) can do this.
- Southwestern offers generous college credit for successful completion of advanced placement (AP) high school courses. Some scores might even qualify as credit for two courses.Check out the AP credit guidelines here.
- A small core of general education requirements gives students the opportunity to explore other career fields without losing time toward graduation.
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How does Southwestern College help my child afford college? |
- A wide variety of financing plans and a helpful financial aid staff are available in our financial aid office. All of our students receive financial aid of some kind, and the average award from Southwestern College is several thousand dollars.
- We are committed to graduating every student we admit, and to helping them graduate in four years. This high graduation rate cuts the cost of college when compared to five years at a school with lower graduation rates. (see graduation rates above)
- During the mid-1980s, the federal government moved much of its assistance from grants to loans, so many students now take advantage of these student loan programs. SC is proud of its efforts to keep student debt down for its graduates.
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How does Southwestern College help my student prepare for a career? |
- At Southwestern we understand the difference between a job and a career. In career preparation we work to build an educated person with the skills and confidence to find, organize, and present information. The most crucial career assets (writing, speaking, and group interaction) are stressed across curricula.
- A student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1 ensures reasonably-sized classes, even in introductory or general education courses. With this kind of personal attention, the professors can serve as mentors and guides as students move toward careers. All of our classes are taught by degreed faculty members (no graduate teaching assistants).
- A director of career services provides a wide range of programs and individual assistance.
- Internships, practica, and real responsibilities abound at SC. Approximately 900 of our students have credit resulting from internships when they graduate.
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How does Southwestern College help my student make lifelong friends? |
- Southwestern recruits students committed to being involved and making a difference. Campus life and residence life provide a rich variety of ways to build meaningful relationships.
- The relationship-building doesn’t end with graduation. Our alumni office hosts events and publications that help graduates stay connected.
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How does Southwestern College help my student have a great experience? |
- A great college experience starts with the right fit. SC works hard to show prospective students who we really are. We are not for everyone. We make it easy to visit, meet professors, students, and staff.
- We ask our students what they need, both one-on-one and as a group. Results from our student satisfaction inventory (a questionnaire our students fill out every year) let us know where we’re succeeding, and where we have work to do.
- Academic assessments keep us on track. Besides the regular feedback process in classes (tests, homework assignments, meetings between professors and students) we set aside one day each semester so we can see where our students stand academically—are they reaching the goals they are aspiring toward?
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