Top
A compilation of the questions our parents and families most often ask, along with helpful information and answers from those on campus who can best assist and explain.
About Evansville
Academics
Adjusting to College Life
Campus Living
Career Development Resources
Financial Aid Information
Harlaxton College and Study Abroad
Housing and Meals
Student Activities and Involvement
University Events & Campus Performances
AEABOUT EVANSVILLE
With the mighty Ohio River flowing as its southern border, Evansville thrives as a bustling center of activity. This financial, medical, educational, and cultural arts center of the Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky Tri-State area is geographically located near the nation's population center and is less than 200 miles away from four major U.S. cities (176 miles southwest of Indianapolis, IN; 156 miles north of Nashville, TN; 126 miles west of Louisville, KY; and 174 miles east of St. Louis, MO.)
Since its incorporation as a city in Vanderburgh County in 1847, Evansville has grown to become the third largest city in Indiana (with more than 171,000 people in the greater Evansville area). Evansville observes Central Standard Time from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April and Central Daylight Time the balance of the year. The area has four distinct seasons and a moderate climate with average monthly temperatures ranging from 32° F to 78° F. The annual average precipitation totals approximately 42 inches of rain and 13 inches of snow.
Learn more about Evansville here.
Top
ACACADEMICS AND MAJORS
My child is uncertain about a major. Is this a problem?
It is more common for students to be unsure of their major than to be certain. In fact, the brightest students often have multiple interests and talents, causing uncertainty about career direction. At least 60% of the students who enter UE with declared majors change to another major at least once. Our dedicated team of academic advisors, along with the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education, will assist students in exploring their interests and options, while keeping them on track toward graduation. Our general education requirements are designed to allow students to explore many disciplines, while concurrently working toward the degree requirements for virtually any UE degree. Formal changes of major are made in the Center for Academic Advisement and are official at that time.
My child is interested in music/theatre/art. Are there special admission procedures or scholarships for these programs?
Students who wish to major in music or theatre must audition to gain admission into the program and to be considered for a talent-based scholarship. Students who would like to be considered for a scholarship in art need to present a portfolio, but art majors are not required to submit a portfolio to be accepted into the department . Students who wish to major in another academic area but continue to pursue their love of the arts, will find many opportunities for this outlet at UE.
For more information about admission procedures for these areas, please visit the links below.
Art
Music
Theatre
Does UE accept “dual credits” from other colleges that my child earned while still in high school or in the summer after high school?
UE accepts another college’s credit for which a grade of “C” or higher was earned, if an equivalent course is offered at UE. The number of credits accepted for entering freshmen is liberal, while the credits are limited to ten after the student has already matriculated at UE.
Does UE accept the College Board’s Advanced Placement Tests?
UE grants credit from an AP test for scores of four or higher.
What about the International Baccalaureate?
Scores of five or better for a higher level subject are required for UE credit from IB courses.
How can my child “test out” of courses at UE?
All entering freshmen will attend a program in the summer prior to their freshman year called SOAR (Summer Orientation and Academic Registration). During this weekend, students will have the opportunity to take placement tests. In some cases the tests serve to “place” the student in the proper level of a course. In other cases, the tests allow students to show proficiency in a subject, and therefore enroll in a higher level course or be exempt from taking the course altogether. In a few cases, the test may alert the Office of Academic Advising that a student needs special assistance, such as a tutor for math or writing.
Top
ADADJUSTING TO COLLEGE LIFE
How much spending money is needed?How much money to spend will be different for each student. Spending an average of $75-$100 per month, or $10-$20 per week is fairly typical; however, a student will expect to be able to spend what he or she has become accustomed to spending while at home. It is strongly advised that you work out a budget with your child before the year begins. Some parents find it helpful to set up a bank account for their child to which the parent also has access, so parents may help track spending and add money as necessary. This can be a good way to teach your student about the realities of personal finance, as well, if they have not yet had experience with managing money on their own.
Is my child required to have his/her own computer?
Only students majoring in one of the programs in the College of Engineering and Computer Science are required to have their own computer. The University of Evansville offers numerous computers for student use in labs throughout campus, for students who do not have their own computer.
If my student chooses to bring a computer, are laptops or desktops a better option?
A wireless network has recently been created throughout campus, making laptops more adaptable to the campus environment. However, students should choose the type of computer that they are most likely to use regularly and with which they are already most comfortable.
How often should students come home?
Students will probably not come home very often, probably longer breaks such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. As a parent, you can foster and support your student's success in college by actively enncouraging them to stay on campus as much as possible and get involved. You will be amazed at how much they grow. Each student will adapt to college life at different times, and it is certainly not uncommon for students to become homesick. Moving to campus is simply the first big step toward a life of their own, and they will need to learn how to adapt and adjust gradually. They should know that they are not alone, but you should discourage frequent visits home.
If your student does become homesick, the University offers this advice:
• DO stay in touch with your student! Frequent e-mails and calls will help.
• DO encourage the student to get involved socially and academically. With over 160 student organizations and clubs on campus, it’s easy to become a part of what’s happening!
• DO NOT encourage an early visit back home. Such a visit has been shown to actually increase the feelings of homesickness once the student returns to campus.
• DO visit your student here on campus early in the semester. Family Weekend is held toward the end of September and is a great opportunity to visit.
• If your student’s homesickness persists or seems serious or debilitating, inform an Office of Residence Life staff member.
What are generally the most difficult adjustments for students?
One of the most difficult adjustments for students is managing their time. College is very different from high school, no matter how prepared a student thinks they may be. There are always difficulties with adjusting to their classes and the time they have to do what they need and want to do. It is important to be open to that.
How often should we communicate?
There is no right or wrong amount of communication - however, we generally suggest you plan a weekly call or daily e-mail, but let the student ultimately discover the frequency with which they are comfortable contacting you. Remember that students should be busy making friends, studying, finding their place on campus and adjusting to newfound independence. As they become more comfortable at UE and with their new campus life, more routine communication patterns with home should emerge. Do not be surprised to discover, however, with e-mail and instant messenging, that you may actually communicate more than you did when your student lived at home!
How should we communicate?
E-mail is a great way to stay in touch. Handwritten letters and packages from home are always a joy to receive. Things that come only from home, like a local newspaper, are great ways for students to continue to feel connected. It is beneficial, when you leave your student at UE for the beginning of the year, to have a plan in place as to how and when you plan to talk, e-mail, instant message, etc. As a student's college career continues, this plan may change, but contact with (and support from) home and family will always remain important.
Top
CMCAMPUS LIVING
Can my student have a car on campus?Currently, all students are allowed to have a car on campus, although most freshmen do not bring one, and are discouraged from doing so. Most academic and social activities happen on campus. The annual cost for a parking permit is $50.
How safe is the University of Evansville campus?
Located in a central residential section of Evansville, the campus of the University of Evansville is a very safe environment. To ensure the safety of our students and campus community, we staff the Office of Safety and Security 24/7, offer an evening escort service, and have 18 emergency call boxes placed throughout campus. An annual crime report (link) is available, providing statistics for the previous three years.
Top
CD
CAREER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
What should my student be doing to keep on track with their career development?
http://careerservices.evansville.edu/students/knowyourself/lifelongguide.html
What does the University do to help my student with career development?
http://careerservices.evansville.edu/parents/summaryofservices.htm
Will my student find a job after graduation?
Of course, no University can guarantee employment following graduation – and job placement is not the primary focus of any institution of higher learning. However, the results from our annual surveys of alumni following graduation from UE are good:
Over the past 10 years, 97% of all graduates were employed within one year of graduation<
Four out of five of these graduates were working in their field of study
One of out two alumni had attended graduate school during that same 10 year period
Of course, employment and career choices are far more complicated than charting information from people who complete surveys. A student’s personal choices about their academic options, internship participation, campus involvement, study abroad and leadership are the important critical variables that affect employment. It would not matter what institution a student attended if they did not attempt to make the most of their opportunities and actively engage their academic curriculum. Higher education environments are not passive places where the name of the institution alone substitutes for accomplishment and the development of critical skills.
The many benefits of the Evansville Experience lie in the richness of the opportunities, the depth of options and the connection students make with their faculty and resources. With its emphasis on citizenship, study abroad, and experiential education, the University of Evansville does more than produce employees; it graduates the next generation of leadership for tomorrow’s workplace, wherever and however that may be. As a truly international education institution, UE prepares students for their best job, not just their first job.
Top
FAFINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
What is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and how does it determine financial aid eligibility?Eligibility for all forms of need-based aid, whether from University, state, or federal sources, is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be filed annually between January 1 and March 10 to ensure full eligibility. The FAFSA determines eligibility for grants (gift aid which is not repaid), student loans (loans which the student repays after graduation), and work on campus.
The office of Financial Aid has
detailed responses to other commonly asked questions about the FAFSA and need-based financial aid.
How can my student get a "work-study" on campus job?Most jobs on campus are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need according to the FAFSA. These jobs allow the student to earn up to $1,300 per year by working about 7 and a half hours per week. If your student was not awarded a “work-study” job, he or she can apply at the beginning of the academic year and be placed on a waiting list to fill openings that become available throughout the year. Several departments also have jobs on campus that are not funded through the work-study program. A list of these jobs is available from the Office of Financial Aid.
How can I be sure that my student has applied for scholarships and financial aid awards from all possible sources? Most forms of UE-funded scholarships are awarded at the time of admission to UE. There are a few special scholarships based on major that are publicized to new applicants, as well, during their admission process. To be sure your student has been considered for all available scholarships and awards, the information below should help.
UE merit-based aid for incoming freshmen: See the office of Financial Aid's
information on scholarships for first-time students.
UE merit-based aid for continuing students:
Students continue to receive their merit-based aid after the freshman year, as long as they meet the renewal standards. All students who finish an academic year with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.40 automatically receive an additional $500 scholarship called the UE Academic Achievement Award. The $500 awards are cumulative and can increase to $1,500 for the student’s senior year. Students must watch for announcements regarding scholarships that become available during the year. We post this information via our campus intranet site, AceLink; on fliers posted around campus; or in the campus newspaper, The Crescent. Furthermore, students need to watch bulletin boards maintained by their academic departments, where announcements about special aid is often found.
Outside scholarships: Tirelessly research scholarships sponsored by local groups and businesses, your own employers, your church, and any entity with which you have a connection. Continue searching after high school and throughout the student’s college career.
Top
HXHARLAXTON COLLEGE AND STUDY ABROAD
What is Harlaxton College? Our own program at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England offers an excellent opportunity for students in most disciplines to spend a semester abroad. Harlaxton, often called the British Campus of the University of Evansville, is ranked among the top 25 study abroad programs in the United States. Students live, eat, study, work, and play on the extensive and beautiful grounds of the Harlaxton campus, a nineteenth-century manor house in the English East Midlands, just an hour north of London. To provide support and service on campus is a full staff including a student affairs office, a college nurse, and an IT technician.
The British Studies course in which all Harlaxton students enroll is an exploration of British history, culture and identity. The course is taught by the permanent British Faculty of Harlaxton College. Each semester American faculty from the University of Evansville and our partner colleges go to Harlaxton College teaching courses in a variety of disciplines. Classroom instruction is supplemented by field trips to historic locations in the United Kingdom as well as optional excursions to cities such as Paris, Rome, and Florence.
To learn more about the long tradition of Harlaxton College as the British Campus of the University of Evansville, please visit www.ueharlax.ac.uk.
What other study abroad opportunities are offered by the University of Evansville?
For students who wish to spend a second semester abroad and/or who choose to study at another site for academic or cultural interests (international studies and language majors/minors, for example), there are other program options. The University of Evansville has reviewed and approved more than 100 programs managed by other colleges, universities, and organizations.
Students may choose from options during the academic year or a variety of faculty-led summer programs abroad each summer.
How many undergraduates study abroad?
Nationally, between one and two percent of undergraduates study abroad. At the University of Evansville, we have a study abroad participation rate of 58%, as determined by Open Doors, a publication of the Institute of International Education. This percentage places UE as the seventh highest among all master-degree granting universities in the United States. The majority of UE students study at Harlaxton College, the British Campus of the University of Evansville, but many students are engaged at other locations.
Can those students who study abroad graduate in four years?
Yes! With timely academic and financial planning, those who study abroad stay on track for graduation in four years.We recommend that students begin planning in their first semester on campus. Parents, academic advisors, the financial aid office, and the study abroad office should all be included in that planning process.
When is the best time for my son or daughter to study abroad?
For each student, the best time to study abroad depends on a number of factors (curricular, financial, professional, and personal), but the following are general guidelines:
80% of UE students who study at Harlaxton College do so in their sophomore year. Certain departments have established a designated Harlaxton semester for students in their majors (e.g. Engineering majors in the fall semester of the sophomore year; nursing majors in the fall semester of the senior year. International Studies majors and students pursuing language study are likely to study abroad in the sophomore or junior year.
Which majors expect students to study abroad?
The University of Evansville encourages ALL students to explore study abroad. Through our Harlaxton program we offer courses that should fit into the four-year plan of most UE students. Only International studies majors and language majors are required to study abroad and may choose to study one or two semesters at the site of one of our approved programs.
For students who declare or change majors later in their undergraduate careers, or who for other reasons are unable to spend a full semester or academic year abroad, UE faculty lead a variety of summer programs abroad each year, and Harlaxton College offers a five-week summer session.
How much does it cost for my student to study abroad?
The semester tuition, room, board, and fees for the University of Evansville’s Harlaxton campus are virtually identical to those on the Evansville campus. Additional expenses to the student include the cost of a passport, round-trip airfare, personal travel while abroad, and other discretionary expenses. In most cases, the financial aid package of a University of Evansville student is applied to the Harlaxton semester campus charges just as it is to the Evansville campus semester charges. This includes work-study awards and tuition exchange.
UE charges and the use of UE financial aid for semester-length study abroad are designed to be as consistent as possible with the way charges and aid are administered on the Evansville campus. All non-Harlaxton study abroad students are charged the UE Health and Wellness Fee and the UE rate for tuition, room, and board unless the program provider assesses a higher rate for any of these items; in that case, the student is also charged for the extra amount. Room and board charges depend on the student’s status prior to departure as well as options available for room and board while abroad. For most students spending a semester abroad on a UE approved program at another site, financial aid will be applied as it is on campus with a few important exceptions. Among those exceptions: Work-study awards do not apply to study abroad at any site other than Harlaxton. Tuition exchange does not apply to study abroad at any site other than Harlaxton.
There are also a number of UE faculty-led summer programs. These programs are typically very reasonably priced. Financial aid does not apply to summer programs. Financial aid is not awarded for summer programs either on campus or abroad.
Students and parents are advised to consult with the Financial Aid office for specific details as they relate to the individual student.
Top
HMHOUSING AND MEALS
Are all students required to live on campus?
All freshmen are required to live on-campus for their first year, unless they are from Evansville or a contiguous county. In that case, students are free to live at home with their parents. Furthermore, students may be permitted to live with a local adult relative, with permission from the Office of Residence Life. Transfer students are not required to live on campus. Students may choose either on-campus or off-campus housing after their freshman year.
On-campus housing options include the traditional residence halls, apartment-style Villages, and fraternity houses. Students who choose to move out of University-owned housing after their freshman year (unless they have a valid parent or relative alternative) will incur a reduction in their financial aid. Please consult with the Office of Financial Aid regarding the details of aid reduction due to moving off-campus as it varies based on the student’s first year of at UE.
How are roommate matches determined?
Most freshmen do not begin at UE knowing a roommate, and therefore, allow our Office of Residence Life to make the assignment. We use a “Lifestyle Key” (link) in an attempt to be make the best assignments and avoid obvious mismatches. If your student and a friend also attending UE would like to be roommates, their request will be honored, as long as it is mutual.
Can meal plans be changed?
Yes, within the first 2 weeks of each semester. Having too many meals, or not enough meals is not at all uncommon for students, so there is a 2 week grace period for students to figure out what best suits them.
Top
SA
STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVEMENT
What clubs, student organizations and activities are available at UE? (Link to list of campus orgs.)
Will participation in extracurricular activities hurt my student’s grades?
Research shows that active students get better grades and experience a lower drop-out rate than those students who do not participate in activities outside of the classroom. This statistics holds true up to approximately 20 hours per week spend in a combination of extracurricular involvement and work. Beyond 30 hours per week, academic performance tends to be negatively affected.
How can I find out if my child can play on an athletic team?
The University of Evansville competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Missouri Valley Conference. Some of our sports are highly selective, recruit nationally, and offer full-ride scholarships. However, other sports, while competitive regionally, offer the opportunity for students to participate as a walk-on
In all cases, a dialogue must begin with the coach. Click here (link) to find out more about Aces athletics. Then, to complete a student-athlete questionnaire that will be forwarded to the coach, click on “Play for the Aces.”
Top
UEUNIVERSITY EVENTS AND CAMPUS PERFORMANCES
Top