College of the Holy Cross is a selective, liberal arts institution with a focus on discovery. Students are encouraged to explore their talents and intellectual capabilities, while applying their skills to improve the local and global communities.
Student Profile
Fall 2015 Enrollment
2,729 undergraduate students
99% of undergrad students are full time
50% male — 50% female
Faculty Profile
2015-2016 Academic Year
294 full-time faculty
48 part-time faculty
10 to 1 student/faculty ratio
Residence Life
Fall 2015
99% of first year students live on campus
91% of all students live on campus
High-Impact Practices
Read more about the importance of High-Impact Practices
| First-Year Seminars and Experiences | X |
| Common Intellectual Experiences | X |
| Learning Communities | X |
| Writing-Intensive Courses | |
| Collaborative Assignments and Projects | |
| Undergraduate Research | X |
| Diversity/Global Learning | X |
| Service Learning, Community-Based Learning | X |
| Internships/Coops/Practicums | X |
| Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience | X |
Retention Fall 2015
96% of students began in Fall 2014 and returned in Fall 2015 (full-time, first-time freshmen)
6-Year Graduation Rate 2015
92% of students graduated in 6 years
ENROLLMENT BY RACIAL/ETHNIC CATEGORY - FALL 2015
| Nonresident aliens | 2% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 10% |
| Black or African American | 4% |
| White | 70% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% |
| Asian | 5% |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 0% |
| Two or more races | 3% |
| Race and/or ethnicity unknown | 6% |
Fall Gateways
Fall Gateways is an orientation session that starts on move-in day. Students are enthusiastically welcomed to campus through a series of community-building activities and information meetings. Fall Gateways is a crucial part of the undergraduate experience. In so many cases, students are nervous to leave their families for the first time. Fall Gateways eases that transition by getting students excited about the upcoming year.
Montserrat
Montserrat is the First-Year Experience at College of Holy Cross. The name refers to a mountain and symbolizes a student’s upward academic and personal journey. Montserrat invites each student to act as an engaging and lively member of the intellectual community. Students will explore a broad range of topics that span over several disciplines, and they will learn to become thoughtful in their approach. They will ask questions and contribute to class discussion. Montserrat pushes students to pursue their own journeys of intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth.
The Cluster: The Cluster is a component of Montserrat that organizes students into one of six groups, based on an interdisciplinary theme. Under the direction of faculty, cluster groups come together throughout the year to engage in common texts, topics, and activities. Cluster-wide activities draw connections between disciplines and can be super fun events. In the past, some of the cluster-wide activities have included trips to museums, hiking a mountain, or seeing a theatrical performance.
Living with the Cluster: Each cluster will live together in a residence hall. This is meant to encourage learning outside the classroom, as well as provide a structure of support. The different clusters include: Contemporary Challenges, Core Human Questions, Divine, Global Society, Natural World, and Self.
Washington Semester Program
Students have the option to participate in the Washington Semester, a highly competitive program that connects students from all disciplines to professional experiences. The Washington Semester program is incredibly beneficial. Students gain hands-on experience while learning how to connect their studies to real-world situations.
The program has three components: a seminar, an internship, and research. Students are required to complete all sections of the program. The seminar is a useful resource, pushing students to critically analyze their experience and tie their discipline to their work. The internship provides hands-on learning, which is a valuable experience to all employers. Finally, the research project is completed under the supervision of a faculty advisor. By the end of the program, students will have finished an entire thesis.
Semester Away
Semester Away allows students to expand upon their discipline by studying through another institution. This is a great opportunity for students to experience another school’s programs, culture, and social life. In the past, students have studied through institutions like New York University, Boston University, and Union College.
Study Abroad
There are 42 study abroad programs at Holy Cross, and the College ranks #1 for long-term study abroad. There are 29 host countries for students to choose from, opening the possibilities to several regions around the world. Students can narrow down their options by searching for programs based on language and subject matter. There is also the choice to study through a full-immersion program—a culture rich experience that forces participants out of their comfort zones.
Independent Cultural Immersion Project
The Independent Cultural Immersion Project is required of all study abroad students, but should not be viewed as an academic burden. Instead, students are encouraged to view the project as an extracurricular activity and immerse themselves in some aspect of the local culture. The project can be fulfilled in three ways: study abroad internship, community-based learning project, or development a hobby or passion that immerses the student in the culture.
Domestic Spring Break Immersion Program
Students may opt to join the Spring Break Immersion Program. The domestic sector of this program allows students to act as volunteers for various projects around the U.S. Not only are participants involved in a variety of community service initiatives, but they also get to bond with a community in need.
A similar option is available during the first semester. Fall Break Immersion calls upon students to serve for a week in October. There are three immersion sites available at this time: L’Arche, Worcester Immersion, and Rural Immersion. L’Arche connects students with a community sector of both intellectually disabled and abled people. Worcester Immersion is only open to first year students and involves service within the city of Worcester. Rural Immersion maintains a focus on sustainable and contemplative living.
Activities Offered
| Campus Ministries | X |
| Choral groups | X |
| Concert band | X |
| Dance | X |
| Drama/theater | X |
| International Student Organization | X |
| Jazz band | X |
| Literary magazine | X |
| Marching band | X |
| Model UN | X |
| Music ensembles | X |
| Musical theater | X |
| Opera | |
| Pep band | X |
| Radio station | X |
| Student government | X |
| Student newspaper | X |
| Student-run film society | |
| Symphony orchestra | |
| Television station | |
| Yearbook | X |
The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies is an awesome way for students and faculty to explore their interests across a wide range of disciplines. Students can work with faculty to design their own major/minor multidisciplinary program. This is a great way for students with varying interests to combine programs and pave a whole new path. Students can also participate in off-campus, collaborative programs such as Washington Semester Program, Academic Internship, and the Semester Away Program.
Common Core
| Arts/fine arts | X |
| Computer literacy | |
| English (including composition) | X |
| Foreign languages | X |
| History | X |
| Humanities | X |
| Mathematics | X |
| Philosophy | X |
| Sciences (biological or physical) | X |
| Social science | X |
Class size breakdown
| Size | 2-9 | 10-19 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-99 | 100+ | Total |
| Number of Classes | 79 | 309 | 159 | 27 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 585 |
CAMPUS HOUSING OPTIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATES
| Coed dorms | X |
| Men’s dorms | |
| Women’s dorms | |
| Apartments for married students | |
| Apartments for single students | X |
| Special housing for disabled students | X |
| Special housing for international students | |
| Fraternity/sorority housing | |
| Cooperative housing | |
| Theme housing | |
| Wellness housing | X |
| Other housing options |
Academic Internship Program
The Academic Internship Program is open to all third and fourth year students. Participants must complete both components of the program, which includes fieldwork and a seminar. With regards to field work, students must spend 8 hours a week on the job. Beyond this, students must dedicate 3-4 hours a week on their seminar and related academic work. Almost 25% of students participate in the Academic Internship Program.
ADMISSIONS
Admissions Fall 2015
6,595 Total Applicants
2,442 Total Admissions
738 Total Freshman Enrollment
Selectivity
37.03% of applicants admitted
Admissions Deadlines for 2016-17 Admission
Rolling Admission? No
Closing date: Jan 15
Admissions Factors
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record
Academic GPA
Recommendation(s)
Interview
Important
Class rank
Application Essay
Extracurricular activities
Character/personal qualities
Considered
Standardized test scores
Talent/ability
First generation
Alumni/ae relation
Geographical residence
State residency
Religious affiliation/commitment
Racial/ethnic status
Volunteer work
Work experience
Level of applicant’s interest
Freshman Profile Fall 2015
| 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |
| SAT Critical Reading | 600 | 690 |
| SAT Math | 620 | 690 |
| SAT Writing | 610 | 700 |
| SAT Essay | 8 | 10 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 31 |
| ACT Math | 27 | 30 |
| ACT English | 28 | 33 |
| ACT Writing | 8 | 10 |
TUITION AND COSTS
Net Price Calculator
http://www.holycross.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid-calculator
TUITION AND COSTS BEFORE FINANCIAL AID 2015-2016
| Expenses | |
| Tuition | $46,550 |
| Fees | $626 |
| Total | $47,176 |
| Room and Board (on campus) | $12,748 |
| Room Only | $6,878 |
| Board Only | $5,870 |
| Estimated Total On Campus | $59,924 |
FINANCIAL AID
Financial Aid Breakdown 2014-2015
69% of full-time, first-time undergraduates awarded any financial aid
52% of full-time, first-time undergraduates awarded student loan aid
$34,876 Average amount of federal, state, local, or institutional grant aid awarded
$6,407 Average amount of student loan aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates
