Virginia Wesleyan University
Virginia Beach, Virginia
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A Virginia Wesleyan University education involves developing relationships, learning new skills, cultivating new ways of looking at the world, stretching in new ways, and making connections.
That kind of meaningful education happens best…
- at a place where students have a multitude of opportunities both on and off campus
- within a community where values matter and where the value of education is linked to civic engagement
- on a small campus at which students receive personal attention, guidance, and advising, and
- in an inspiring setting on a 300-acre, park-like campus just minutes from the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Virginia Wesleyan University is Coastal Virginia’s premier university of the liberal arts and sciences. Situated on a 300-acre campus in Virginia Beach, the University annually enrolls approximately 1,600 students in undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.
An inclusive community dedicated to scholarship and service grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, Virginia Wesleyan University inspires students to build meaningful lives through engagement in Coastal Virginia’s dynamic metropolitan region, the nation, and the world.
Get to know Virginia Wesleyan University
Benefits
Student Activities
- Campus Ministries
- Choral groups
- Dance
- Drama/theatre
- International Student Organization
- Literary magazine
- Model UN
- Music ensembles
- Musical theatre
- Radio station
- Student government
- Student newspaper
High-Impact Practices
- First-Year Seminars and Experiences
- Common Intellectual Experiences
- Learning Communities
- Writing-Intensive Courses
- Collaborative Assignments and Projects
- Undergraduate Research
- Diversity/Global Learning
- Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
- Internships/Coops/Practica
- Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
Campus Resources
- Career Services
- Writing Center
- Academic Advisors
- Library Services
- Disability Services
- Health Services
- Academic Tutors
- Peer Mentors
- Counseling
- Gender & Sexuality Center
College Highlights
“Life changing.” That’s how many students describe the experiences available to them at Virginia Wesleyan University. The University employs a wide range of approaches to teaching and learning and provides opportunities to connect the study of the liberal arts with practical learning experiences on campus, in the Coastal Virginia region, and throughout the world.
THE EXTRA MILE
Students are exposed to a myriad of internship, study-away, and undergraduate research experiences through The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery. The Lighthouse assists students in gaining experiences that pave the way for success. From meeting the Maori in New Zealand, visiting film studios in Hollywood, and conducting biology experiments in Belize, to experiencing theatre in New York, studying ecotourism in Maui, and engaging in service-learning in Ghana, students have opportunities to expand their learning around the world.
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 87 | 10-19: 210 | 20-29: 47
30-39: 4 | 40-49: 2 | 50-99: 1 | 100+: 0
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Nonresident aliens: 1%
Hispanic/Latino: 8%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 26%
White, non-Hispanic: 53%
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 1%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 6%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 3%
INVOLVED FACULTY
Virginia Wesleyan professors are respected scientists. They are published authors and musicians. They are experts on environmental ethics, public relations, Buddhist philosophy, criminal behavior, supply-chain management, and Irish literature. But most of all, they are mentors and friends who develop meaningful relationships with the students whose lives they touch.
THE LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION
As a liberal arts institution, Virginia Wesleyan embraces the values inherent in a liberal education—an education dedicated to developing the open-minded, disciplined reflection necessary not only to professional success, but also to a life of personal accomplishment and social commitment. Classes are small, and students are actively engaged with fellow peers and faculty in a stimulating learning environment. They develop intellectual confidence and independent thinking skills as well as respect for others, intellectual humility in the face of complexity, and openness to meaningful dialogue.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Cooperative education program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
External degree program
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
Weekend college
There is no excuse for becoming one with the futon at Virginia Wesleyan. From the annual Mud Games to Greek Life, intramural sports, and community service opportunities, there is always something to keep both the body and soul active at VWU.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Students at Virginia Wesleyan discover just how rich and valuable the campus experience can be. There are many student clubs and organizations available to engage interests and ignite passions—everything from The Marlin Chronicle student newspaper and Habitat for Humanity to the Virginia Wesleyan Choirs and Marlins Vote. There’s something for everyone; the Wesleyan Activities Council, a student programming board, brings a steady stream of musicians, comedians, speakers, and other entertainment to campus to keep students’ days full of opportunities.
SCHOOL LOCATION
Virginia Wesleyan’s beautiful 300-acre campus is a refreshing, wooded oasis in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The park-like campus is situated in the heart of a bustling metropolitan area and just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay.
ATHLETIC
Virginia Wesleyan University Marlins work hard and play hard. With 22 varsity teams, VWU is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Virginia Wesleyan’s Softball Team garnered the 2017 and 2018 NCAA DIII National Championship! With nationally ranked teams and a committed and caring coaching staff, VWU student-athletes get the best of both worlds—academic and athletic.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 92%
Undergraduates: 66%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Women’s dorms
Apartments for single students
Special housing for disabled students
Special housing for international students
Fraternity/sorority housing
Theme housing
Wellness housing
Honors housing
CAREER SERVICES
Virginia Wesleyan University’s Career Development office is dedicated to assisting students to discover their academic and professional pathways and to create plans to achieve their professional goals. The office assists students at all levels, from first-year students exploring career options to seniors preparing for post-college employment.
PREPARED FOR THE WORLD
Providing the foundation for a good career is only one part of a Virginia Wesleyan education. First and foremost, Wesleyan seeks to prepare each student to be a Renaissance citizen—an honorable, caring, and culturally literate person who will lead a good and reflective life in service to family and community. This is the transformative Wesleyan experience.
ALUMNI NETWORK
Virginia Wesleyan students are connected to a network of more than 10,000 Marlin alumni across the country and the world. Graduates represent a wide range of professional backgrounds, gladly sharing their knowledge and experience with current students.
Admission
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Academic GPA
Level of applicant’s interest | Standardized test scores
Important
Extracurricular activities
Considered
Recommendation(s) | Interview | Talent/ability
Character/personal qualities | First generation
Alumni/ae relation | Volunteer work | Work experience
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 500 | 75th Percentile: 610
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 480 | 75th Percentile: 570
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT English
25th Percentile: 20 | 75th Percentile: 24
THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Virginia Wesleyan University seeks to enroll qualified students from diverse social, religious, racial, economic, and geographic backgrounds. Admission is based solely on the applicant’s academic and personal qualifications. Factors that are considered include grades, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities. Virginia Wesleyan requires either an SAT 1 or ACT score. If the applicant has taken the SAT multiple times, the Office of Enrollment Services will take the highest individual Reading & Writing and Math scores from all tests taken. A high school diploma is required (GED accepted), and proof of English proficiency is required for all international applicants. Virginia Wesleyan considers applications on a rolling-admission basis. Applicants can expect notification regarding admission within two weeks after the University receives a completed application and its supporting documents. Priority for spring freshman applications is January 1; for fall freshman applications, March 1. Prospective students are encouraged to visit VWU’s beautiful 300-acre campus for a tour and to meet with an enrollment counselor.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $36,010
Fees: $650
Room & Board: $9,988
Aid
A Virginia Wesleyan University education is made affordable by a generous merit scholarship program. Awards made to freshmen range from $8,000 to $24,000 per year, and are renewable through the student’s fourth year of attendance. Prospective students are encouraged to contact an enrollment counselor before applying for admission in order to learn the value of the award for which they will qualify. More than 99% of full-time day students receive financial assistance, and the average aid package has a value of $30,000.
Learn more about admissions and merit awards at vwu.edu/enrollment-aid.
Contact Virginia Wesleyan University
Contact Admissions
vwu.edu/enrollment-aid
(757) 455-3208
enrollment@vwu.edu
Campus Location
5817 Wesleyan Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
(757) 455-3200
Visit VWU Online
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