About
Is Kendall College the School for You?
Kendall College is a four-year professional training institute in downtown Chicago, on the Chicago River. Kendall is part of the Laureate International Universities system and offers associate's degrees in culinary arts and bachelor's degrees in business, culinary arts, early childhood education, and hospitality management. In addition, some study abroad opportunities offer certificate programs. Keep reading to see if Kendall College is the college for you.
<h4 id="section---Pros"> Pros</h4>
<ul><li>Acceptance rate is 31.5 percentage points higher than the national average
</li><li>Accepts AP and life experience credit
</li><li>Offers academic and career, employment and placement, and remedial services
</li><li>Diverse student body
</li><li>Located 2.4 miles from downtown Chicago and 11.2 miles from Midway International Airport
</li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons"> Cons</h4>
<ul><li>Graduation rate is 18 percentage points lower than the national average
</li><li>Limited number of academic programs
</li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsSchoolAnalysis"> Rankings & School Analysis</h3>
<p>Kendall College offers professional training programs in the Schools of Business, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, and Hospitality Management. While it does not have a wide variety of academic programs, Kendall's focus has produced highly-regarded programs, particularly in hospitality and culinary arts. In 2011, Michelin Guide Chicago restaurant managers were surveyed and recognized Kendall as the best culinary program in Chicago for preparing culinary arts professionals. In the same year, Michelin Guide hotels in Chicago identified Kendall as having the best program in Chicago for preparing hospitality management professionals. In 2008, Kendall was named cooking school of the year by the Academy of Culinary Arts.
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<p>Students in the hospitality management program have study abroad options through the Glion Institute in Switzerland and the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School in Australia. These programs offer Kendall hospitality students additional training opportunities. Students in all of Kendall's programs gain hands-on, practical experience through small class sizes and internships with local businesses.
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<p>According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Kendall's graduation rates were lower than the national average in 2009; only 22% of students who enrolled in 2005 graduated within four years and 34% finished in six years. Kendall reported that the six-year graduation rate climbed to 46.3% for students pursuing bachelor's degrees in 2011; however, according to Kendall's consumer information summary, the graduation rate for students in associate's programs was only 33.3%. According to NCES, 53% of full-time students who enrolled in four-year degree programs in 2010 returned to Kendall in 2011, and only 27% of part-time students resumed their studies.
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<h2 id="section---GettingInFinancialAid"> Getting In & Financial Aid</h2>
<p>As a prospective Kendall student, you must submit an application form, fee, official high school transcript, and personal statement. You'll also need to make an appointment for an interview and campus tour. You need a high school GPA of at least 2.0 to be admitted. In addition, if you are within five years of your high school graduation, you'll need an ACT score of at least 18 or an SAT score of 1350 or higher.
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<p>If you decide to live on campus, you'll have a choice of single or double occupancy in Kendall's student apartment housing. NCES estimated that the annual cost of room, board, and other living expenses was $16,659 as of 2011. According to Kendall's tuition and fees schedule, double-occupancy housing with a meal plan cost $2,999 per quarter as of 2013. Students with financial need can apply for federal and state financial aid; you are encouraged to apply by March 1 for aid to be awarded during the following academic year. Both merit scholarships and need-based scholarships may be available to you if you meet the requirements.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline</i> </td><td> Accepted year-round*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Financial Aid Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> April 15****</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2013)</i> </td><td> $25*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2010)</i> </td><td> 98%**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>All Tuition & Living Expenses (2011)</i> </td><td> $41,369 (on-campus)**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Average Financial Aid Package (2011)</i> </td><td> $5,505 (grant or scholarship aid), $8,978 (federal student loans)**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 11.4%**</td></tr>
</table><h2 id="section---LifeAtKendallCollege"> Life at Kendall College</h2>
<p>As a Kendall student, you'd attend classes in the heart of Chicago, surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and Fortune 500 companies. This rich professional and cultural environment provides valuable opportunities for future business, hospitality, and culinary professionals. You'd also have the chance to participate in Kendall's active campus life through one of its campus organizations, including student government, a mentoring program for at-risk youth, a book club, and several professional and honor societies.
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<p>The residential life program organizes activities such as movie nights and cultural events for students who live on campus. Even if you choose an off-campus housing option, you won't be at a loss for things to do; you can visit Chicago's planetarium, zoos, aquariums, and museums. In addition, Kendall students play on varsity basketball, soccer, and volleyball teams.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Large city**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 2,225 undergraduates**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 26% to 74%**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of Full-Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 58%**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of In-state Students (2010)</i> </td><td> 78%**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of International Students (2010)</i> </td><td> 4%**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 53% (full-time)**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 1*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> Over 10 student organizations*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Noteworthy</i> </td><td> All qualified degree program students complete internships*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Article Sources: *Kendall College, **NCES College Navigator, ***U.S. News & World Report, ****The College Board.</i>
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<h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation"> School Contact Information</h3>
<ul><li><i>Address:</i> Kendall College, Office of Admissions, 900 N. North Branch Street, Chicago, IL 60642
</li><li><i>Phone:</i> (888) 905-3632</li></ul>
