<p>I received my transfer acceptance letter from Villanova today and it states two things that I found very confusing. First, that I will not be able to receive aid from the school for my first year. Is that true? If I write a letter will they reconsider? Also, the letter stated that I have to live off campus as well. Is there a way around that? Thanks!</p>
<p>It is not unusual for a private college to not offer financial aid to people admitted from the waiting list. Villanova does not meet full need even for students admitted during the regular cycles.</p>
<p>There is a housing shortage at Villanova. That is why so many freshmen students are living in triple rooms.</p>
<p>There is really no money for anyone at VU. Transfers do not receive financial aid from what I understand. </p>
<p>Housing is a joke. Freshman are getting stuck in triples/quads, since VU housing is a total mess. They even put kids on the Rosemont College campus due to lack of housing. Transfers used to get guaranteed housing in the junior apartments for three years but from what you say this is over. Again, no surprises since increasing class enrollment without adequate facilities logically creates housing shortages. They don’t seem to understand this though! Who wants to live in a triple/quad…these rooms were intended for two students max. Dorms are nothing special though, and most on campus need to be renovated. </p>
<p>Housing off campus is probably a bit cheaper, good luck finding anything at this point in time. Single efficiency apartments are usually 1000 dollars a month, but you may be able to find a room mate. Train adds to cost unless you drive. Good luck finding a parking space on a daily basis though, especially in bad weather when it takes days to clean up an inch of snow. Some days it is absolutely impossible, and you need to pay for a permit. </p>
<p>Let me know if you have more questions! I am a current student. I would say go to a cheaper school. They have no resources at all, and I think the lack of alumni donations says everything about the school. A 300m endowment is nothing for such a supposedly “prestigious” school (Lol). Not bad but nothing special except for engineering and sciences.</p>
<p>Thanks Charlieschm! And thanks for the extensive breakdown aesthetics5! As far as housing goes, that sounds pretty discouraging about the dorming situation. Since Im not offered housing on campus anyway, Im either going to rent an apartment with a friend of mine who just graduated or either try to live at Rosemont. I believe the main reason that I want to live on campus is because I want to meet a lot of people at the school. Im sure I could if I still get involved with activities right? </p>
<p>Also, Ive heard about people graduating with massive amounts of debt, but Ive also heard that people havent had trouble getting jobs. The school that I am coming from is .not that good and Im pretty anxious to go to Nova!</p>
<p>A few things about getting involved on campus. Nova is really a weird place socially. It is just like high school, the cliques are still everywhere and you will start to realize that groups still exist. This is so childish for a college community but you can overcome it and find good friends with a little effort. </p>
<p>I would say that campus ministry is the best way to meet the broadest range of people. They have a multitude of opportunities for clubs and leadership, whether spiritual or just for fun. Try a campus retreat, they have at least 5-10 per year for all interests and backgrounds. many people feel “changed” after these retreats, so maybe that is a good thing? </p>
<p>Political clubs are blah at best, not really much going on the campus politically. Most people are more conservative, but there is no political discussion at all. Don’t bother looking for any critical discussion actually, unless you are in the philosophy department or something along those lines. You will not find political demonstrations at all, most people don’t care…I mean even in business school a lot of people do not even read the WSJ (available everyday for free) since they always have tons of copies left over at night. So if you want real world discussion and debate find a close group of friends or join a model UN type organization (Mock Trial is the closest thing). </p>
<p>Business has the best array of clubs, with engineering in a second I would say. They have a million societies, and just for professional development I would suggest attending a few. They have sheets every semester in the Clay Center (Bartley Hall) listing all of the major events. </p>
<p>Service trips are another great way to get involved, they can be around 500-2000 depending on location (domestic or international) and length of time. Study abroad also rock, they are very relaxed through VU and you will make at least 3-5 close friends no doubt. Classes are straightforward abroad unless you are at a foreign university. </p>
<p>Lets see, dorming is a mess but living off campus has its benefits. RAs are chill but can be a pain for certain small things. Most don’t care what goes on, as long as you do not attract attention to yourself. Definitely explore the Main Line towns, and go into Philly a lot. The train is easy, but gets expensive so get a monthly pass no doubt!!! Philly is awesome!!! But lots of Nova kids only go a few times a year, usually for frat/sorority events at clubs and bars. You will have to go yourself or find people to tag along with. </p>
<p>Meeting people will be easy. Have a FB obviously, everyone on Nova seems to be friends with each other through social media. Then again that is our generation. You will find friends in class and your major no doubt. Hang around places where you will find someone you know, like Connelly Center and Bartley Exchange. Trust me, you will start to see the same people every day since it is such a small campus. Again, everyone tends to be chilll and against competition so you will find friends in classes. I guess the issue is that people tend to stick to their own social groups, and I hate how it resembles HS so much. It is not like this on other campuses I have seen (i.e. state schools) but if you try I guarantee people will accept you. </p>
<p>As far as being anxious for Nova, no worries. Trust me I was a total social outcast first semester, but charted my own course and found some close friends after that. It is true, everyone is very preppy and some people are arrogant but you will find everyday middle class kids from all walks of life easily. You will get a great education, really try to learn as much as possible in ACS. All depends on the teacher, but if you open your mind to the possibility of new thoughts and perspectives it will be great!</p>
<p>Feel free to send me a message, I can answer any questions anytime.</p>
<p>WOW ok great, thanks again for the very detailed advice. That was very generous of you. </p>
<p>As far as ministry goes. I was a reader, eucharistic minister and sacristan at my college Freshman year. Btw I’m from philly. I actually was an altar server at the cathedral in Philadelphia for 4 years during my time in high school. My friend told me that ministry at Nova is popular and if I want to get involved with it I’ll have to wait? But I would jump at the opportunity to be involved with ministry. I will also consider going on a re-treat, thanks for the heads up. </p>
<p>I went on Kairos my senior year of high school and had a great time!
As far as politics go….I’m a dual major in Political Science and Communications. I like politics…alot. In short, I am going to be in a book which is being released by the Washington Post in October.The book is about President Obama(which im sure helped my application haha). But if politics aren’t that big on campus, im sure no one will notice lol.
I really know my way around Philly. It’s really a beautiful city once you get to know your way around. Ive made some connections at some popular nightclubs and radio stations.</p>
<p>Btw as far as concerts go, I heard that you had B.O.B this year? How was that?
Sorry my responses have not been as detailed as yours, lol.</p>
<p>Lets see, one of my friends just received a position with Ministry. Do not quote me on this, but you definitely have to apply, interview and show that you have a record of church service. With all those positions I am sure you have a good chance. I think you need to be at least a second year student, but I am not definitive. </p>
<p>Church itself is interesting. They have typical Sunday morning masses for general public, and then student masses at 6,8,10pm every Sunday night. The 6 and 8 are always packed with students, 10 is a bit quieter. You should have no problem finding volunteer opportunities at these masses. </p>
<p>As far as Ministry itself they have a variety of events, and I would suggest you take a look into the website I copied below and contact some of the people with your questions/concerns. Everyone at Nova is quite receptive if you want to get involved! Just note that attaining leadership position is HIGHLY competitive, so do not get discouraged early on. Everything starts in the fall so get involved from day one no doubt. </p>
<p>[Villanova</a> University Campus Ministry](<a href=“http://www.villanova.edu/campusministry/]Villanova”>http://www.villanova.edu/campusministry/)</p>
<p>Great to hear about your political involvement. Listen, DEFINITELY join the Ryan Center Fellows. It is a political science organization on campus with many scholars and opportunities for students; between the reading club, lectures and off campus events you will find lots of opportunities to get involved. </p>
<p>As far as politics, don’t worry about it. No one will judge you for whatever ideology you hold. All I meant was that there is not much opportunity for campus wide discussion (AKA do not expect to hear discussions about politics in the student center). Sometimes I wish there were protests or something along those lines in the center of campus about national issues, but all you will find is either frat/sority or charity type stuff throughout the week. Center of campus=“The Oreo” if you are not aware…the big piece of abstract art near Connelly that looks just like an oreo. </p>
<p>Philly is great no doubt. I started to explore over the past few months, and I have enjoyed the city very much. </p>
<p>Unsure about B.O.B but I know that Girl Talk was on campus. I am not into pop music so I did not attend but as you know there are some great venues in Philly! </p>
<p>No worries at all, I am happy to help!</p>
<p>Aesthetics is right about Villanova its pretty much a high school. Lots of cliche and get use to knowing or seeing a lot of familiar people. It’s not really a bad thing as long as you get involved early. Most girls I’d say 40% join sororities because there quite frankly are not that many parties going on unless you have mixers with fraternities. So trying to get into Greek life is very crucial if you like to party. Without greek life you are probably like 1/10 in finding a party if you are a guy. Most parties get busted 50% of the time anyways cops are real *******s. Fraternity life really isn’t that big even if you do join I’d say compared to states schools i’ve visited. No fraternities houses/too much involvement on campus. School hates fraternities actually. If not greek life, try joining a club sport. I find that about 85% people here are Catholic but many of my friends don’t actually attend mass maybe roughly 10%. Service trips are great ways to meet new people for sure. There is a huge housing shortage because my grade class of 2015 was one of the biggest and Good Council on south is now completely full of sophomores instead of freshman. Any other questions let me know. I would say that it seems that it is harder to mingle with people at Villanova than a state school. Girls are either totally rich/stuck up on 1 spectrum or really down to earth/maybe a little interesting on the other. Lots of lax bros and just be ready for a preppy school not only in clothes but just the mentality of everybody. Hell I would even say I’m a bit preppy.</p>
<p>Thanks BarrenBuffalo! I’ve hear before that people at Nova can be really “cliche”. That concept is a little foreign to me, because despite going to a catholic high school, it was all guys and there weren’t any cliches. I’m looking to get really involved with ministry and I heard before that the service trips are great. Also, they placed me in kaul hall at Rosemont, is that a distance from Nova’s main campus? btw you mentioned that “my grade class of 2015 was one of the biggest and Good Council on south is now completely full of sophomores instead of freshman.” Did you mean 2014? Because if that’s the case I am also in 2014.</p>
<p>Clique or cliche ?</p>
<p>Clique :an inclusive group of people who share common interests, views, purposes, patterns of behavior, or ethnicity</p>
<p>Cliche: stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse</p>
<p>As for Greek life Total Female :31% Greek,Total Male : 15% Greek , sororities and fraternities are active but do not dominate campus life.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that the students can be very cliche in their mindsets and very clique, similar to high school students.</p>
<p>I come from a somewhat diverse setting and am not preppy in the least…will I be ostracized(going into my freshman year there in the fall)?</p>
<p>ostracized:Excluded from a society or group.
It is up to you , if you are sociable , you will find your group. If you are a loner and hide in your dorm , you will not make friends.</p>
<p>There are 6000 undergrads , 1600 freshman , many are alike , but they do not congregate en masse. Early on , make friends in your orientation group , dorm hall and classes. Join a club or intramural sport team , blue key society or a club that interests you. </p>
<p>You are going to school with very smart and active students , give yourself and your fellow students a little credit. You will be fine.</p>
<p>^ thanks, Ill try to mingle as much as possible and plan on joining sports and organizations although I won’t pledge to a fraternity…btw does anyone know how good the laptops are that we automatically receive for freshman year?</p>
<p>You can order your Dell laptop from the university and receive it in about a week.
That way you can become familiar with it before orientation.</p>
<p>Hey, I’m going into Villanova this year too as a freshman. As for the laptop, its not all bad. I ended up just selling my iMac to put the money towards books and whatnot, and I just use the laptop as my primary computer. Although, I am also bringing a separate monitor to campus this year, just to have a dual monitor setup. The laptop that they send is a Dell Latitude E6420 intel core i5 (Dual core, but runs 4 threads). It’s a matte, 14" screen, running Windows 7 Enterprise, loaded with all the MS office programs. Let me know if you want to know anything else! </p>
<p>Also, I don’t think making friends and being ostricized is anything to worry about. I mean, I’m not preppy whatsoever, if anything the complete opposite (Not goth, emo, etc… just normal), but yea there are people like us at Villanova too!</p>
<p>haha thanks both for the laptop info…yeah I just got my lap top and it actually seems pretty good. I hope I don’t have to buy too much calvin klein and ralph lauren to not look like a sore thumb on campus. lol.</p>
<p>hahah, to be honest, i’m not even going to bother buying any new clothes to fit in… I mean, tuition is already high as it is, and if they can’t handle someone wearing regular jeans or a flannel, then i’d rather not be friends with such superficial people.</p>
<p>^ditto…I read on websites that Villanova’s student body was concerned with this overall preppy look but I don’t think anyone should buy clothes just to fit in!</p>
<p>btw, a lot of students at Villanova I don’t think are that preppy. I imagine it is similar to other top catholic/northeast schools, Boston college, Fordham, Holy Cross, Georgetown.</p>
<p>does anyone know the median GPA of the villanova graduating class?</p>