<p>I am currently a parent of a new freshman. I would love to answer any questions from parents or prospective students based on our experiences.</p>
<p>Hello - First, let me congratulate you and your daughter for her admission to Villanova!! Could you tell me what attracted your D to Villanova and what major she chose. Thank you!</p>
<p>My D was attracted to Villanova for the following reasons:
Distance from home, 3.5 hours
Beautiful campus
Size of school
Type of students
Proximity to Philly but not a city college
Christian atmosphere but not too religious, community service is important
Good sports team spirit</p>
<p>My D has absolutely loved Villanova from the moment we dropped her off in August. My husband just visited her yesterday on his way home from a business trip and she is so happy! She loves her friends and says there is plenty to do. My D attended a competitive public suburban H.S., graduated 5th out of 300 students and she finds the academics very challenging. She has decided to double major in Chemistry and Bio-chemistry. She says that the students study very hard and it seems like all the kids are smart. You don't get criticized if you want to stay in and study instead of going out. </p>
<p>Let me know if there's anything else I can answer for you.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply! Those words about Villanova is very comforting. My daughter has applied EA and we're saying our prayers. She has applied to the School of Nursing. She, too, will be coming from a very competitive public school but not quite at the top 10% (more like in 12%). We're counting on her challenging AP courses, leadership experiences, EC activities and essays to get her in. Her strength is in math and science.We've visited Villanova twice and we really feel it's a good fit for her. And everything you've mentioned about the school has reconfirmed all of that. </p>
<p>I heard that the majority of the students who attend Villanova come from private schools. Does your daughter sense any difference coming from a public school? Our public school is the next best thing to private schools in our area. So we see a lot of kids with money around the school. But I've always made sure to teach my D that life is not all about Coach purses and Ugg boots. I would like my D to be among students who are more concerned about community services and worldly events, then the latest fashion. Any thoughts you might have on this, I would greatly appreciate it.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Both my D's roommates are nursing majors so if you have specific course questions, I'll ask her to ask them. :) My D has said that many, many of her Villanova friends came from private schools. She does not really notice any difference since we always thought our public school was often better than many private schools. Yes, you do see a lot of money at Villanova, however, my daughter never felt like people were flaunting it. You do see the Coach bags and the Ugg boots but I think you'd find that on any college campus. We come from a very affluent area and have taught my kids that many people have more than us and many people have less. Be happy with what you have and who you are. </p>
<p>The students at Villanova are very concerned about community service. In fact this weekend is the Special Olympics on Villanova campus and I think the whole school is involved. My D also wants to go on a mission trip and live in a hut in Guatemala or Costa Rica to help the people there. My husband and I were shocked. Villanova has been a wonderful experience so far.</p>
<p>My D also applied EA but was deferred. She was absolutely crushed! Like I said she as #5 in her class with a terrific transcript, essay, rec's etc. Her SATs however were average as she was never a good test taker. She repeatedly wrote to admissions stating how Villanova as her first choice and why. She kept them updated on any awards or achievements she received throughout the year. We held our breath and Villanova was the last acceptance we received. (Lehigh, Lafayette, UConn, Holy Cross, RPI, Miami Ohio all said "yes") We travelled to the campus the following weekend to buy our sweatshirts and decals.</p>
<p>I've been long winded on this b/c if your D does not get in EA don't get discouraged. Villanova is a great school but popular. Thirty students from my D's class applied, 4 were accepted and 2 are attending. I think if admissions knows that your D really wants to go Villanova and is qualified they do work with you.</p>
<p>Let me know if there's anything I can help you with.</p>
<p>Villanova is very appealing in so many ways, but my D has been lukewarm because of its reputation as a party school, and very preppy. What have you and your daughter observed?</p>
<p>I really appreciate your insights. My d is the oldest of 4 so we are all pretty new to this. Applying to colleges are definitely more stressful and more competitive than what I remember. I really can't wait for these next 6 months to be over.</p>
<p>My d also is not a great test taker. It's so frustrating!! She loves reading and writing but she just could not get her verbal SAT score up. So we are submitting her ACT scores instead which fell well into Villanova's 50th percentile. However, I will do my best to prepare her for the "deferral" responses, especially for Villanova. Other EA schools she applied EA to are Boston College, Georgetown, Penn State and University of Maryland (the first two being her reach schools and the other two her match). I would rather her be in a smaller campus than the big ones. Fortunately, the size doesn't matter too much for her ...just as long as it has a School of Nursing.</p>
<p>I think that's great your d has found an interest in studying abroad. It's nice to hear Villanova starts planting those ideas in their heads as early as freshman year. That is so exciting.</p>
<p>How does your d like Villanova's dorm living? I've been hearing other "horror" stories from other parents with the schools their kids have gone too and it really concerns me (i.e. lots of drinking and sex in the dorms). Also, is the dorm living pretty secure? Having that train station so close to the dorms was a little disturbing. Also, does your D go off campus much? If so, where and what does she do? We're not from Pennsylvania...so just curious what non-campus activities there are for the students.</p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions. :) Thanks again!!</p>
<p>We have always been told that Villanova is referred to as "Villa-no-fun" because it is not a party school. My D has found that there is plenty to do on and off campus. If you decide to stay in and watch a movie with friends, that's o.k. too. Everyone seems to be acceptable of others social habits.
About being too preppy, we found that not to be true.</p>
<p>newdawn6--- My D was our oldest so we were rookie college parents also. I remember breathing a sigh of relief last March as my "Six Months of College Hell" were finally over.<br>
I hope your D gets accepted EA, then you can enjoy her senior year. Don't be frustrated if she doesn't get accepted EA. A very few students do get that EA. My D's friends who applied to BC and Georgetown were disappointed with rejections and wait lists. I made sure my D did not get her heart set on any one school although I knew Villanova was one she wanted most.
Because of the high number of acceptances, my D was placed in a forced triple. ( a double room with 3 students) At first we were upset but when we saw the set up, its o.k. Half the class of 2010 is tripled and they somehow make it work. The freshman also have dorm rules. For example, males and females cannont be in each others rooms past midnight during the week and 2am on the weekends. The RA's are great and deal with any roommate issues that come up. Also, there is an Campus Ministry person (usually a grad student) on each floor. They are very well respected and are involved with all the students. Dorm living is very secure. You need to swipe your card to enter the building and people usually lock their rooms when they go out.
I never thought of the train as a security issue. The train stop near the freshman dorm is a local trolley type train. The train on the opposite side of campus (West Campus) is the train to Philly. I think some students go to Philly for shopping, dinner, theatre, baseball games etc. There is always things to do on campus. Also, King of Prussia mall is 15-20 minutes away. I don't know if you've ever been there, but it is amazing. (We are not from PA either)
Phew!!! I know I'm rambling. Let me know if you need more information.</p>
<p>I'm a very bad test taker so it makes me very worried that I won't get into Villanova. I'm applying business and I know that school is even more competative. I'm trying to stay positive as hard as it right now. I applied EA. I was just wondering if you could share some stats that would be so helpful and appreciated even if its just estimates. Thanks! =)</p>
<p>Here are some of my D's stats:
Class rank: 5/280 Competitive suburban H.S.
GPA : 3.87 unweighted
AP's : History, Psychology, B/C Calculus
SAT's : 660 math, 580 writing, 580 reading (not very good)</p>
<p>National Honor Society
4 Year vasity softball,
3 Year varsity volleyball
1 Year varsity soccer</p>
<p>Great recommendations, Tons of extra curriculars</p>
<p>As I said in a previous thread, if you don't get EA, keep updating the Admissions office with more info for your file. They will know that you really, really want to go to Villanova
Good Luck</p>
<p>Could you talk more about the religious influence at Villanova.</p>
<p>Also, I have heard Villanova described as Vanilla-nova...do you find that this is true?</p>
<p>I have a URM friend very interested in Villanova for nursing. She is from the South but has been looking at Catholic colleges and knows Villanova has scholarships to recruit URMs because diversity isn't one of their strong points. Her stats and geographic hook could get her in without the URM hook but using that gets her the money. (Lots of APs, Top 2%, Decent SATs, Long list of ECs, etc). Being middle class minority from a public high school out of the region, she is concerned that she will have trouble fitting in with the student's at Villanova. What does your daughter think? Will she be accepted or just tolerated?</p>
<p>Is your friend willing to fit in? Will she come with a "I don't belong" attitude?
While Villanova does have a large percentage of white middle class, my D has found all races within her own dorm from all over the country. One thing to think about, the majority of the students come from loving, well educated parents. These parents have taught their children tolerance and acceptance. I think your friend will be pleasantly surprised.</p>
<p>surfette- There is a religious feel to the school. However, it is not forced upon anyone. What is encouraged is community service and charity. There is a beautiful church on campus. Many of my D's non-religious friends often visit the church for the peacefulness and beauty of it.</p>
<p>There is the reputation of Vanilla-nova. I think that started because Villanova sounds like vanilla and it does have a large percentage of middle to upper class white students. There are many colleges and univerisities with the same type of students, it is just their name doesn't fit in with the word "vanilla" :) My D thinks there is enough diversity. She also goes into Philly often and that certainly is a diverse city.</p>
<p>Congrats on your D getting in and esp enjoying her freshman year. What, if any, financial aid did you get (loans, scholies, grants, etc.)? I am particularly interested in merit aid.</p>
<p>We did not apply for any loans or grants. My d did not get any merit aid due to the fact that her SAT's were low. (She was a poor test taker.) So we had to pay the full amount :( The first semester bill was $22,135, ouch!!! I am assuming the second semester is the same which is due on the 8th of December will be the same.</p>
<p>Depends on what you're looking for in the school. I can vouch very much for the term "Villa-no-fun". In comparison to big public state schools there is definately not much going on. There are no frat/sorority houses on campus. RAs in certain dorms are out to write people up. Fake ID is necessary if an underage student wants to go out. Being close to Philly is one of the few positives I have found at the school, but students soon find that going out to Philly Bars/Clubs costs in excess of $30 each night. I have also noticed that the facilities, in comparison to other 40K+ schools, are not as up to date. The most recent construction was Stanford Hall built in 1995. Maybe I am too much of a pessimist but if you're going to be paying 40K a year there are definately better options.</p>
<p>Momsworried,
Hi, I'm a senior in highschool, and applying EA to Villanova, and it's my first choice. I was wondering if you could tell me if you think I have a good chance of getting in (or if anyone else can tell me).</p>
<p>SATs aren't so great (not a great test taker), 28 on ACT
7th in class of about 250 kids
4.727 weighted cumulative GPA
Always took honors classes and have 3 APs under my belt now including the one I'm taking this year. (AP History, English, and now Chem)
Current schedule: AP Chem, Religion, Hon French V, Honors Sr Seminar (Research class to write a 50 page paper), Honors Calculus, Honors Anatomy, Gym/Health
Tons of EC's:
field hockey team for 4 years, Lax for 2
student govt 1 year
NHS 3 years, 2 years in french nhs (treasurer/secretary)
2 years in Key Club
3 years in STAND
4 years in both French Club and Covenant House (2 years as co-treasurer) </p>
<p>Awards:
3 years Gold and White award (award for being an example of school motto) 3 years perfect attendance
highest average award in french II
3 years of community service award with a minimum of 35 hours of service required (usually average about 80 or more though)</p>
<p>I have coached a cheerleading team (not being paid) for the past 3 years, and I am currently doing Christian Service through a school organized program where I go to a elementary school.</p>
<p>Wow, I made that a lot longer than i expected (rambling, sorry). Well if you could just tell me what you think, I would really appreciate it. Thanks =)</p>
<p>All your stats look good. Like my D, your SAT's will cause a problem. You may not get in EA but should be OK for RD. If Nova is your first choice, make sure you keep in contact with admissions so they know that. Also, send them any updated info throughout the year such as awards etc.
GOOD LUCK :)</p>