Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, Michigan
As one of the oldest institutions in America, Kalamazoo College prepares its students for success. Collaboration with faculty and experiential learning opportunities groom students into intelligent and mindful leaders of tomorrow.
Get to know Kalamazoo College
College Highlights
SHARED PASSAGES SEMINARS
First-Year Seminars: First-Year Seminars lay the ground work for a fruitful undergraduate experience. Students are introduced to coursework through various individual and group assignments. The primary goal of the first-year seminar is to teach students valuable skills they will need in order to be successful throughout college. Students learn the basics of effective communication, information literacy, and proper writing habits.
Sophomore/Junior Seminars: Sophomore/Junior Seminars prepare students for abroad experiences by exploring topics of cultural understanding and tolerance.
Senior Seminars: Senior Seminars serve as the final step of the undergraduate experience. Students are asked to connect their studies to their experiences. Disciplinary seminars push students to draw conclusions from their experiences both in and out of their fields of study. Interdisciplinary seminars explore a topic with intersecting viewpoints/issues. Students from different majors come together to discuss that topic and work toward an understanding of the interconnecting ideas.
SENIOR INDIVIDUALIZED PROJECT
The Senior Individualized Project (SIP) is required of each student that intends to graduate from Kalamazoo College. Students may pursue their SIP in any department, but the majority of students will complete their project within their major. During the spring semester, Kalamazoo hosts several events to showcase student projects. This is a great opportunity for students to share their hard work, as well as practice public speaking and performance.
STUDY ABROAD
The average Kalamazoo student studies abroad for six months, and several choose to go longer than that. In total, nearly 80% of all students study abroad through 42 programs, in 23 countries. While abroad, students take on Cultural Research Projects, in which they explore an activity to experience and reflect upon. Individuals interested in participating in study abroad should visit the Center for International Programs.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Nonresident aliens: 9%
Hispanic/Latino: 10%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 6%
White, non-Hispanic: 58%
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 7%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 5%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 5%
K-PLAN
Kalamazoo’s K-Plan is a structure for liberal arts education. K-Plan is made up of four parts:
- Depth and Breadth in the Liberal Arts
- Learning Through Experience
- International and Intercultural Experience
- Independent Scholarship
There are several desired outcomes of the K-Plan. Upon graduation students will have studied a variety of subjects across various disciplines. Within those studies, students will have chosen a specific area to study in depth. Students will have also led engaging academic careers, having learned how to effectively communicate in their courses. Finally, all students are required to study a second language.
The K-Plan is specific to each student, and will be tailored to their individual needs and interests. There is plenty of academic and personal support available to students. Kalamazoo is concerned with graduating strong, intellectual leaders. With this goal in mind, K-Plan works to meet the needs and expose the talents of each student.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICE LEARNING
Most Kalamazoo students are involved in the community through service learning. Community based learning synthesizes education into volunteer efforts. In a 10 week quarter, students can apply academic theories to a community initiative in which they aim to enact positive change. All service learning programs are paired with reflection. Students are pushed to draw connections between their efforts and the needs of the local and global communities. At the core of service learning is social justice, and students are expected to conduct themselves as upstanding and thoughtful citizens.
SOCIAL JUSTICE LEADERSHIP
Kalamazoo values social justice and expects every student to observe tolerance and equality of all groups. The Arcus Center for Social Justice is the hub for service initiatives. Students and faculty can propose specific efforts and see that they are followed through. Kalamazoo’s commitment to social justice is outlined in a set of values: inspire unity, spark intellectual growth, nurture leadership, build community, and embrace change.
CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Making decisions about career choice and post-graduate plans can be a daunting task for many. Kalamazoo recognizes that students need assistance with some of those decisions and seeks to provide each individual with guidance. Students can receive one-on-one career counseling and attend workshops that focus on a specific skill.
THE GUILDS
Recently, Kalamazoo implemented the Guilds, a network of students and alumni. The Guilds are separated into different interests and careers held by students and alumni. The network is meant to draw certain students to specific areas so as to enhance communication with alumni.
THE DISCOVERY EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Discovery Externship Program links Kalamazoo students with alumni all over the world. Students have the opportunity to live and work with alumni—a priceless experience whereby students gain industry knowledge and build their professional network.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $44,418
Fees: $439
Room: $4,464
Board: $4,710
Contact Kalamazoo College
Contact Admissions
www.kzoo.edu/admission
(269) 337-7166
admission@kzoo.edu
Campus Location
1200 Academy Street
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006-3295
(269) 337-7000
Visit Kalamazoo College Online
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