America's Best Colleges for B Students. Tamra B. Orr
include a gymnasium.
Student Life and Activities
Most students live off campus. However, Bowie State University has 71 official student organizations. The most popular are: gospel choir · university singers · jazz ensemble · concert, marching and pep bands · departmental and political clubs · honor societies · team managers. Bowie State University is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (Division II).
Academics and Learning Environment
Bowie State University has 220 full-time and 192 part-time faculty members, and a student to faculty ration of 16:1. The most common course size is 20 to 29 students. Bowie State University offers 37 majors with the most popular being business administration, computer science and education and least popular being English, mathematics and fine/performing arts. The school has a general core requirement. Cooperative education is not offered. All first-year students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher to avoid academic probation and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required to graduate. Other special academic programs that would appeal to a B student include: pass/fail grading · independent study · double majors · honors program · internships · distance learning certificate programs.
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Highlights
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD (Pop. 56,759)
Location: Large town
Four-year public
Founded: 1865
Website: http://www.bowiestate.edu
Students
Total enrollment: 5,430
Undergrads: 4,315
Part-time students: 18%
From out-of-state: Not reported
From public schools: 99%
Male/Female: 42%/58%
Live on-campus: 18%
In fraternities: 25%
In sororities: 22%
Off-campus employment rating: Good
Caucasian: 3%
African American: 86%
Hispanic: 3%
Asian: 1%
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%
Native American: 0%
Mixed (2+ ethnicities): 4%
International: 1%
Academics
Calendar: Semester
Student/faculty ratio: 16:1
Class size 9 or fewer: 8%
Class size 10-29: 81%
Class size 30-49: 11%
Class size 50-99: -
Class size 100 or more: -
Returning freshmen: 40%
Six-year graduation rate: 37%
Most Popular Majors
Business administration
Computer science
Education
B Student Support and Success
Bowie’s Writing Center helps students with English class assignments. The school also has a Student Success and Retention Center. The center assists students through programs and activities that “foster student academic, social and personal development.” It is focused on helping freshmen transition into college life with the aid of placement testing, mentoring and tutorial services. In addition to these services, Bowie State sponsors the Freshman Seminar course. It is designed to help each student pursue academic excellence and includes lessons about the college’s history and its contribution to Maryland. Students learn to critically analyze specific readings that introduce them to concepts in liberal arts and to broaden their understanding of global awareness, critical thinking and oral and written communication skills. According to the college, “The goal is for students to become academically, personally and socially successful within and beyond the intellectual community.” Mentoring is popular at Bowie State. Mentors are matched with students to help foster a strong relationship that “promotes academic success, retention and the successful graduation of students.” Peer mentors are paired with six freshmen based on academic majors. KEAP, or Knowledge Enriched through Academic Performance, helps students with issues like poor grades and poor attendance. Students with a GPA of 2.0 or lower are required to take part in KEAP.
Bowie State University provides a variety of support programs including dedicated guidance for: academic · career · personal · psychological · minority students · military. Recognizing that some students may need extra preparation, Bowie State University offers remedial and refresher courses in: reading · writing · math · study skills. The average freshman year GPA is 2.5.
Support for Students with Learning Disabilities
Students with learning disabilities may take advantage of specific support programs. If necessary, the college will grant additional time to students with learning disabilities to complete their degree. Also, a lightened course load may be granted. Students with learning disabilities can also find support through the following Bowie State programs: tutors · learning center · testing accommodations · take-home exam · oral tests · readers · typist/scribe · note-taking services · reading machines · tape recorders · early syllabus · priority registration. Individual or small group tutorials are also available in: organizational skills · writing labs · math labs. An advisor/advocate from the Disability Support Services is available to students.
How to Get Admitted
For admissions decisions, non-academic factors considered: extracurricular activities · state of residency. A high school diploma is required, although a GED is also accepted for admissions consideration. SAT or ACT test scores are required of all applicants. According to the admissions office: Minimum combined SAT Reasoning score of 900 and minimum 2.2 GPA required of in-state applicants; minimum combined SAT Reasoning score of 950 and minimum 2.6 GPA required of out-of-state applicants.
How to Pay for College
To apply for financial aid, students should submit the following: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) · institution’s own financial aid forms. Bowie State University participates in the Federal Work Study program. Need-based aid programs include: scholarships and grants · general need-based awards · Federal Pell grants · state, college-based and private scholarships and grants. Non-need-based aid programs include: scholarships and grants · general need-based awards.
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Highlights
Admissions
Applicants: 3,130
Accepted: 1,782
Acceptance rate: 56.9%
Average GPA: Not reported
ACT range: 15-20
SAT Math range: 434-470
SAT Reading range: 447-490
Deadlines
Early Action: No
Early Decision: No
Regular Action: Rolling admissions
Common