University of New Hampshire

<h4 id="section---Pros"> Pros</h4> <ul><li>4-year graduation rate is 60%, 20 percentage points higher than the national average </li><li>High number of academic programs </li><li>Accepts AP credits </li><li>Offers career counseling, disability services, and on-campus day care </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons"> Cons</h4> <ul><li>Total cost is $11,364 more than the national average for in-state students, and $12,117 more than the national average for out-of-state students </li><li>Following graduation, student debt is $7,534 more than the national average </li><li>High number of TAs teaching classes </li></ul><h3 id="section---TheUniversityOfNewHampshireAtAGlance"> The University of New Hampshire at a Glance</h3> <p>The approximately 13,000 undergraduate students who study at UNH have over a hundred academic programs to choose from. With a broad number of majors, you'll have some room to explore and even change your major if your first choice isn't your final choice. A graduation rate that's higher than the national average means that there's a better-than-average chance that you'll be finished your schooling after 4 years. After 6 years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 76% of students have graduated, meaning that just over three-quarters of students have finished within 150% of 'normal' time. </p> <p>UNH has a higher total cost than many similar schools. The total cost includes more than just tuition; it also covers fees and living expenses. While a high total cost can be offset by financial aid, UNH has an average student debt following graduation of $34,194, which is about $7,500 more than average. </p> <p>At the University of New Hampshire, you'll encounter a student to faculty ratio of 18:1, just higher than the national average. According to <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>, most of your classes will have between 20 and 49 students. About 42% of your classes will have less than 20 students, while 15% will have more than 50 students. Graduate teaching assistants (TAs) make up about 31% of instructors, which is higher than average. </p> <p>The school offers a number of services to students, including counseling, on-campus daycare, and an office of disability services. The Center for Academic Resources offers academic mentors, and seminars to help students improve specific academic skills. </p> <p>UNH is located in a small suburb in Durham, NH, and it's far from the nearest airport, so if you prefer the big city, you might want to consider if you'll be content with a more rural atmosphere. </p> <h2 id="section---AdmissionsAndFinancialAidAtTheUniversityOfNewHampshire"> Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of New Hampshire</h2> <p>The application deadline for the University of New Hampshire is February 1st. UNH accepts the common application, but requires a UNH-specific supplement. While online applications are preferred, paper applications are accepted. In addition to the application, you will submit your high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, a letter of recommendation, and an application fee of $50 if you are a resident of New Hampshire or $65 if you are not. No interview is required, however if you're applying as a music major, you will have to audition. </p> <p>According to <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>, 90% of the entering class of fall 2011 chose to submit their SAT scores, and 17% chose to submit their ACT scores. The average SAT scores for critical reading, math, and writing were 544, 557, and 546 respectively. The average ACT composite score was 24. NCES reports that the acceptance rate at UNH is 74%. Of those who were admitted, 23% chose to attend. </p> <p>At UNH, you will need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1st and before March 1st. You must complete the FAFSA in order to apply for all need-based aid. Because the March 1st deadline is before the usual notice of acceptance, it's important not to wait until you get notice of acceptance before starting the process of applying for aid. <i>U.S. News and World Report</i> says that, in 2011, 88% of freshmen applied for need-based aid, and 71% of them were determined to have a financial need. Of those students, 17% had their financial aid need fully met. On average, 82% of financial aid need was met. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> February 1*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Financial Aid Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> March 1*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Notification of Acceptance (2013)</i> </td><td> Early April*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2013)</i> </td><td> $50 (NH residents) <br /> $65 (non-residents)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 74%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Tuition &amp; Fees (2011)</i> </td><td> $28,500 (in-state) <br /> $41,820 (out-of-state)**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Financial Aid Package (2011)</i> </td><td> $21,512***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Percent of Students with Need Met (2011)</i> </td><td> 17%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2011)</i> </td><td> $34,194****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 2.5%**</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtTheUniversityOfNewHampshire"> Student Life at the University of New Hampshire</h2> <p>At UNH, in 2011, the retention rate of students from freshman to sophomore year was 87%. In that same year, according to NCES, the male-to-female ratio was 46% to 54%. In-state students made up 55% of the student body, and out-of-state students accounted for 44%. <i>U.S. News and World Report</i> states that 99% of domestic students came from the Northeastern region of the United States. Just 1% of students were classified as international. The student body is not especially racially diverse. The NCES reports that 86% of students enrolled in fall 2011 were white. There are, however, 11 minority and international student organizations, as well as an Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. The majority of the student body was 24 or younger, with just 4% of students being older than 24. </p> <p>The majority of students live on campus, however 41% do choose to live elsewhere. UNH does not require any students to live on campus. Whether you choose to live on or off campus, meal plans are available for access to about 8 on-campus dining locations. </p> <p>You can get involved in the almost 250 clubs and organizations. If you are thinking about pledging, there are 10 fraternities and 7 sororities. About 7% of male students, and 10% of female students choose to pledge. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Small suburb**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 13,122 undergraduates <br /> 2,526 graduate students**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 46% to 54%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Full Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 96%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of In-state Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 55%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of International Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 1%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 87%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Students Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 59%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 5*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> About 250***</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *University of New Hampshire, **National Center for Education Statistics, ***U.S. News and World Report, ****College Board</i> </p> <h3 id="section---ContactInfo"> Contact Info</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> University of New Hampshire, Office of Admissions, Smith Hall, 3 Garrison Avenue, Durham, NH 03824 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> (603) 862-1360</li></ul>