What Parents Should Know
When your child leaves for college, he or she will be concerned with classes, roommates, food and fun. You'll have concerns, too. Is Richmond the right school? Is the faculty outstanding? Can I afford it? Will my child be safe? What if my son or daughter needs help inside or outside the classroom?
At Richmond, we understand your concerns. To find the answers you need, see our admitted student profile, check out some Fast Facts about the University or refer to the list of frequently asked questions below.
Is Richmond the right school?
Can I afford it?
What is the tuition?
Will my child be safe?
What if my child needs academic help or some form of counseling?
Tell me about your Career Planning services.
How does the University help prepare students for medical school?
Is there a major in pre-law?
Do you offer engineering?
Are there medical services on campus if my child gets sick or has chronic health needs?
Can my son or daughter bring a car to campus?
Is there any form of family programming?
Is Richmond the right school?
The University of Richmond blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. Recognized as one of America’s premier liberal arts universities, Richmond offers demanding undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its schools of arts and sciences, business, leadership studies, law and continuing studies.
A low 9:1 student-faculty ratio (with zero teaching assistants) and a strong emphasis on undergraduate research in all disciplines allow our students to work collaboratively with faculty both in and out of the classroom, as early as their first year. A wealth of majors, minors and concentrations allow for academic exploration prior to selecting a major.
Can I afford it?
At the University of Richmond, we promise something unique—an outstanding education at one of the nation’s best liberal arts universities coupled with truly comprehensive financial resources to make it affordable. This year, Richmond gave $42.2 million in financial aid to over two-thirds of its students. The average “need-based” aid package awarded was $32,310. And, 1 out of every 15 incoming students receives a full-tuition, merit scholarship. In addition to making Richmond affordable, we also make the process as clear and as easy as possible. You will receive real guidance from real people in a timely manner.
In addition to undergraduates, financial aid programs are available for international students, as well as students in graduate business, law and continuing studies.
What is the tuition?
For the academic year 2008-09, our total charges will be: $38,850 Tuition, $8,200 Room and Board (based on a double room and the Spider Premium Meal Plan).
Total: $47,050
Visit our Affordability site to learn more about financial aid, merit-based scholarships, student employment and tuition payment plans.
Will my child be safe at Richmond?
Your child's safety is our greatest concern. Join us on campus and you'll discover a very safe environment tucked away in a quiet residential area. Our campus is located in a secure and self-contained community on 350 acres six miles from downtown Richmond. University Police actively patrol the campus 24 hours a day, and residence halls are equipped with a 24-hour card-access system and an alarmed exterior door system. A shuttle service is available during evening hours. Additionally, our University Police Department is just one of four in the nation who are fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. They do a tremendous job of being proactive about safety, helping students understand the risks they take in order to help them learn to make good decisions. Programs such as self-defense classes and vehicle safety checks before holiday breaks reinforce the commitment to overall safety and wellbeing of the student body.
What if my child needs academic help or some form of counseling?
Every young adult needs help now and then. Whether your student is overwhelmed by a classroom challenge or just homesick, there is support close by to help. When that help requires more than a conversation with a roommate or a phone call home to Mom and Dad, staff in Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Academic Skills Center and the Writing and Speech Centers are there to help.
At the Academic Skills Center, students have access to discipline-specific tutoring as well as workshops on note-taking, test-taking strategies, time and stress management. Because Richmond's curriculum is so writing intensive, many students turn to the Writing Center for assistance in honing their writing skills. The Speech Center is a highly innovative way to help students improve their oral communication skills. Because many classes require both solo and group presentations, students are able to practice on video and work with a trained Speech Consultant to perfect the presentation before it is given.
At CAPS, professional counselors are available to handle issues as diverse as depression and eating disorders and are trained in one-on-one consultation as well as group therapy. Of course, the content of any counseling/therapy session and any questionnaires or testing results, are treated as confidential information between your child and the staff psychologist.
Tell me about your Career Planning services.
Richmond's Career Development Center (CDC) is a full-service office to help students with many different phases of their career preparation. There is a staff of professionals trained to work with students in the midst of many decisions: What will I major in? Should I do an internship? What kind of careers are available to liberal arts majors? How do I prepare for an interview? The CDC Web Site is extensive and gives information about the full range of programs and services.
How does the University help prepare students for medical school?
Students interested in the health professions (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, pharmacy etc.) are encouraged to work closely with faculty members of the Health Professional Advisory Committee from the time they arrive on campus. While not required to major in a science field, interested students will need to take a program strong in the sciences in order to meet admission requirements to various professional schools. Consult the Health Professions Fact Sheet for more information.
Is there a major in pre-law?
While there is not a pre-law major, there is a strong advising program to work with students interested in furthering their education by attending law school. Any liberal arts major is appropriate preparation for law school because all require substantial writing, critical analysis and discussion skills. Some majors are more popular than others, however. Political science, business, economics, international studies, environmental studies, English and philosophy are among the most commonly chosen. The pre-law advisor is a member of the political science faculty and works closely with students interested in legal careers. You are welcome to take a look at the Pre-Law Handbook to learn more about the process of applying to law school and the services the University provides.
Do you offer engineering?
The University of Richmond does not offer degrees in engineering, but we offer cooperative programs that enable students to complete a bachelor's degree at Richmond and an accelerated master's degree in engineering from one of our partner institutions—all within a five-year period. Partner institutions include George Washington University, Columbia University, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University. Each program varies in offerings and approach.
Are there medical services on campus if my child gets sick or has chronic health needs?
From the sniffles to the flu, scratches to gashes, Richmond students have the same health issues as other young adults. The Student Health Center offers a comprehensive program in health education and maintenance, as well as treatment for illness and injury. You'll rest easy knowing that your child is in the hands of a Health Center staff that includes two board-certified family practice physicians and registered nurses. A nurse is just a phone call away and will discuss symptoms with a student and immediately determine a plan of care based on that conversation. If an appointment with the doctor is necessary, the nurse can schedule an appointment. A wide range of services is offered at the Student Health Center, including acute care for illness and injury, general medical care, gynecology, allergy shots and immunizations. There is also an available on-campus rescue squad called SAVERS (Spider Advanced Volunteer Emergency Rescue Service); and, if your child is in need of more serious medical care, several world-class hospitals are only a short drive away.
Can my son or daughter bring a car to campus?
While the University places no restrictions on who may or may not bring a car to campus, many parents do. For the most part, the social life of the student body is on-campus, so there are few reasons to need a car. In addition, downtown Richmond is accessible by public transportation from the front gate of the campus. There is a ride board in the Commons Building that helps students identify others with whom they could share rides home for holidays and breaks. The University is located a 10-minute cab ride from an Amtrak station and about 30 minutes from Richmond International Airport.
Is there any form of family programming?
New Student Orientation includes an important component for parents--and that's not just moving all your student's belongings up to the third floor of a building on a hot August day! You will have a chance to meet with your student's academic advisor to have questions about academic issues answered directly from a faculty member. You'll also meet your student's Orientation Advisor, an upper-classman assigned to a small group of incoming first-year students and attend sessions with the Dean and other key administrators.
When your children leave for college, it's hard to tell who misses whom more, the parents or the kids. That's why each fall the University of Richmond plans a Family Weekend designed to invite parents, siblings and other family members to spend time with their Richmond students. A full weekend of activities is planned, including Arts Around the Lake, a concert featuring various Richmond ensembles, a golf outing, movies, an ice cream social...all kinds of fun programs.
Ring Dance is an annual tradition for juniors in Westhampton College that invites parents to be a part of a formal dance and celebration held at the Jefferson Hotel every spring. Once upon a time, this was when class rings were given out. While the rings are no longer a part of the event, this long-lived tradition carries on.
Of course, these aren't the only opportunities to visit your child--you and other members of your family are always welcome on our campus. In the fall, make sure to join us for Family Weekend. And whenever you're in town, you can choose to just relax or take in the sights and sounds of historic Richmond, Virginia.
