Loved HPU but have concerns.

Colleges and Universities A-Z High Point University
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<p>I'm a senior and I just applied EA to HPU. I visited the campus for the open house last week and I absolutely loved it. It is definitely one of my top choice schools and I'm pretty sure I can get accepted. While there, I had a few concerns and wanted to see if anyone that went, goes or knows someone at HPU could help me. Here are my concerns...</p>

<p>1) The town of High Point- I visited and I didn't fall in love with it as much as the campus. It's definitely not a college town. It seems pretty abandoned and boring. Is there a lot to do off campus? Although there is a lot to do on campus, I know one weekend I'll just want to go out and do something fun and I'm not sure if there's much to do. I know Raleigh, Greensboro, and Durham are close, but is there a lot of things to do there too? </p>

<p>2) Academics- I have fairly decent grades (3.5 GPA and 26 ACTS) and I really want a good, solid, hands-on education. I want to major in Communications with a minor in International Studies. How challenging are the classes? I really want something hands-on and want to make sure HPU will be give me just that.</p>

<p>3) Life on campus- How are the activities at HPU? Are there a lot of parties? I was thinking about rushing because I'm very involved in volunteer work. </p>

<p>4) Internships- I want to go somewhere that has a good internship program. Does HPU have good internships? Does everyone have a good opportunity of receiving one? </p>

<p>I know these are a lot of questions but I'd really appreciate it if someone could give me some feedback. Thanks! :)</p>

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<p>My son is a freshman at HPU this year. He graduated from a good private school and had 3.4 GPA, 26 ACT, and 1240 SAT (Math/Verbal), he was accepted at most schools he applied to (recruited athlete). He had already accepted and decided to attend another great LAC. At the last minute he decided to visit HPU where he was accepted but never really considered or visited. He visited himself and fell in love with the school. Before he made his decision to actually accept and send his deposit in, my wife and I traveled to the school and met with the Dean of the Busisiness School and toured the campus to make sure we were on board also. We were also very impressed with the academic programs and the student facilities (classrooms, campus technology, and programs). HPU is growing rapidly and it is slowly becoming a school that is getting alot of press based on it’s growth, new academic programs, and incredible facilities. </p>

<p>For my son the rest is history, he absolutley loves HPU, he has already selected on a Major and a Minor. He loves the school, has made great freinds, is being challenged academically, and says the social seen (parties and activities) have all met his expectations, whatever that may be. He said the town is small, but has plenty of shopping, and the people he has met have been very freindly. He has spent nights in Greensboro and Raliegh Durham, as well as attended weekend football games at neighboring colleges such as wake Forest, UNC, and Duke. This past weekend he went skydiving with some classmates. As far as internships the upper classmen we talked to during our visits confirmed that they are readily available to students if they apply themselves to their programs and receive good grades. The communications school is actually incredible, the facility and program has been growing steadily.</p>

<p>Please note that some people on this forum seem to have a negative opinion on HPU based on the campus being so flashy and that they cater to much to the students ect…ect…I can tell you that we did our homework before my son accepted. </p>

<p>Do not let anybody’s opinions sway your decision to attend a school, in my opinion there is no bad school. The college experience is largely about what you put into it, and how you embrace the opportunities that the school offers. Remember this process is about you and the next four years of your life. Make sure you do your reasearch then visit schools that are a good all around fit for yourself. At some point make sure you get your family involved, it will insure any dissapointment regarding the ability for them to afford the cost of a school you have selected or been accepted to, also they need to be involved to help you through the financial aid process if needed.</p>

<p>Good Luck, I hoped this helps you !!!</p>

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<p>Thank you so much! This did help! It’s my top choice school and I really lived North Carolina. I’m out of state so it’s different than what I’m used to. I’m glad to hear your son is enjoying it. I haven’t heard of many people that haven’t liked it so they must be doing something right.</p>

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<p>This post is SO helpful thanks so much guys! senioritis70, HPU is my top choice too - I’m completely in love and haven’t even visited campus yet, but from talking to representatives and current students it sounds absolutely perfect! I’m also applying EA.</p>

<p>Even though I’m crazy about it, I’m a little worried about the reputation of it just being a “spa school.” I’m from a New England Prep School and some of my friends and teachers were joking around about HPU’s valet parking, hospitality kiosks, dorms that are better than hotel rooms, etc. But personally that just adds to the appeal for me :slight_smile: And I love the fact that the school really wants to prepare students for social and business interactions. Like did you know there’s an elegant steakhouse on campus just for teaching students proper etiquette so during business interactions they will know how to conduct themselves! I think that’s so great, I love that whole philosophy. I can’t wait to visit!</p>

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<p>pinkpolkadots,
I TOTALLY agree with you! I’m from the NE too and no one in my school has ever heard of HPU. I have also heard about the “spa school” reputation and I try to ignore it because I have a feeling it’s a lot more than that. I’m also applying to schools that have gotten a good reputation and I’m just worried that HPU hasn’t received one yet, even though I know it will in a few years.
I’m just trying to ignore people’s comments because when I visited, I LOVED it. The atmosphere, the people, the campus, everything. You HAVE to visit it! I saw the Steakhouse and I thought it was amazing that they did that. They want to encourage people to grow as a person and I loved that. I got to hear the President speak and he is such a great speaker. He really knows what he’s doing with the school and I think in a few years it’ll be really well known.
I hope we both get in! :)</p>

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<p>pinkpolkadots you have to visit! It is incredible! I thought I loved the school before I went to visit but then after the visit love did not even discribe it. Dont worry about the rep. It is also getting a really good reputation as well. It keeps building its way up. I hope you visit soon and love it as much as I do!</p>

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<p>Ahhh you guys are making me sooo excited!! senioritis70, you’re SO right - I have the exact same feeling that it’s a lot more than just a spa school! And you described it perfectly, they seem to encourage you to grow as a person! I heard the new President is one of the top 10 most inspiring people in the country, I’m so jealous you got to hear him speak! What other schools are you applying to? caroline5, I definitely think I’m going to love it as much as you do :)</p>

<p>The representative I talked to also told me that next year they are opening a brand new Greek Row and starting a D1 Lacrosse team! I mean seriously could it get any better than this?!! I’m filling out my application right now, and I even love the essay questions :)</p>

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<p>I just applied EA also. I have a sister who goes to Elon, and having been to both High Point and Elon many times, I feel as though there is no comparison. I feel like High Point goes out of there way to make you feel welcome once you step on campus for a visit. No other school I have visited has done anything like High Point did. Listening to President Qubein speak was amazing, and you also take a class that he teaches. They just put down a 2.1 billion dollar expansion plan, which includes the greek row, a new science and education building, and a new basketball arena. I love the area of North Carolina, and High Point is no different. The pool and University Center are nice additions too! :slight_smile: Best of luck to both of you!</p>

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<p>Pinkpolkadots, I’m applying to the University of Miami, University of Tampa, Elon University, Fordham University, and Drexel University. What about you? :slight_smile: And you DEFINITELY have to visit the school. You’ll fall in love with it even more.</p>

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<p>Yeah when I was visiting high point we decided to stop by elon as well. There really was no comparison. I know elon is a great school but it did not seem to be as warm and welcoming to me. EA to hpu for me as well!</p>

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<p>senioritis70, I’m also applying to Elon University, College of Charleston, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, and University of Virginia. Maybe I’ll see you at Elon or HPU :slight_smile: Good luck to everyoneee applying EA I hope we all get in!</p>

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<p>I kind of hate to put a damper on this conversation but I think it’s appropriate to point out that what most of you are describing here is called marketing, and no school does a better job of marketing themselves to OOS high school students than High Point University. (obsiously - in my opinion) </p>

<p>If your truly interested in finding out more about the Academics, Local Area, and just about everything you should be interested in before investing both your valuable college years and tuition money - please do a search here on CC for “High Point University”. </p>

<p>Three quick thoughts, </p>

<p>(1) You may want to look at the join date / number of posts that a member has because some members with more experience may be able to speak deeper into the subject. </p>

<p>(2) Not everyone who posts here is really a student, parent, or unbiased observer - some may even be marketing to you here. </p>

<p>(3) Ranking isn’t everything but HPU folks often quote they are ranked #3 in the south. The truth is that they are ranked #3 in the Regional College - South ranking, not the Comprehensive College ranking or even the Regional University rankings. For your info the other schools ranked higher than HPU on the list of Regional College - South , are #1 - Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR and #2 - John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR</p>

<p>I hope this helps and I don’t mean to discourage anyone who knows the full story and has made an informed decision that works for them, but it’s easy to overlook the important reasons to select a school in the face of all out marketing… Good luck all….</p>

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<p>Ncmentor-
My sister is at Elon and has some friends that are at high point. Truthfully you can’t do wrong at either school as she loves it at elon and her friends love it at high point.</p>

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<p>ncmentor,
you bring up a valid point and i will look for that. yes, high point does do a good job at “selling” the school but i’ve never talked or heard of a single unhappy student there. they MUST be doing something right because everyone keeps donating money. i think it’ll keep growing and reach its full potential. also, each school is different for everyone.</p>

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<p>I am the parent of a freshman (S) at HPU and so far he loves it. I agree it is important to do your research and visit schools. We visited about 10 schools in different categories, big, little, private, public, in-state, out. HPU has great marketing, but so far for us and our friends who have a sophomore there it has also all been true.</p>

<p>S went to an Early college high school, and started as a freshman with 66 credits. He didn’t need freshman classes, and his adviser worked with him to get the schedule he needed. Many of his high school classmates at other colleges ended up wasting their first semester just getting hours to fill their fall semester in order to remain full time students until next Spring, when hopefully they will be able to take needed classes. S was extremely happy. </p>

<p>Freshmen met with their adviser several times, and were assigned small mentor groups with an upperclassman so that they would meet lots of students both in and out of major. At Family Weekend first weekend in October S introduced us to many new friends, as well as one of his professors walking across campus. Classes are small, and the prof knew my son by first name. Prof talked about the class presentation my S had given.</p>

<p>S and friends love the steak house, and eat there about once a week, the maximum allowed on the meal plan. Required to dress business casual, and so far he has had several etiquette lessons and an introduction to jazz. Each meal has had an educational theme, which my S thought was really cool. </p>

<p>Parent weekend was lots of fun. All the parents kept asking everyone else’s kids how they liked the school, and one parent said to me that she was waiting for someone to tell her they were unhappy. The students don’t leave campus much, so the size of High Point is not really relevant. Greensboro is 20 minutes away, and Charlotte is about an hour away if the need to shop or attend a NFL game comes up. S took his car and had to get a jump start to move it. </p>

<p>No school is right for everyone, but this one seems right for S. The UNC system in NC is great, and we have great private colleges like Wake, Duke, and Davidson. At the end of the day each student should choose the school where they can be successful. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>