Frequently Asked Questions

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Academics

Are tutors available if I need one?

Yes, you’ll have a variety of tutorial resources available to you.

  •  Most departments offer upper class tutors. 
  •  The math department, as one example, provides regular study sessions so you can do your homework while tutors are present. 
  •  Some courses even have tutors attend classes so they can better assist you with the information imparted during class lectures and discussions.
  • You will have ongoing access to the Center for Writing and Speaking. The center, located on the ground level of the library, is staffed by trained tutors who can help you with papers and presentations, regardless of the assignment, professor or department.

How do Agnes Scott professors interact with students in and outside the classroom?

Professors at ASC will awaken your mind to new ideas and inspire you to work and study for the sake of your own personal development. In the classroom you may listen to a lecture, discuss concepts in small groups or teach the lesson yourself to your classmates. Professors use many different teaching styles because our students have various learning styles.

Interaction with professors does not end with class. Professors make themselves available by appointment and for walk-ins during regular office hours. You’ll also see professors in the dining hall and walking around campus where they are approachable and eager to talk with you.

Can I double major or have a self-designed major?

Yes, you will have the opportunity to double major or design a major at Agnes Scott.

Self-designed majors are for students who want to use the current curriculum at ASC to create a distinct major. Students interested in designing a major must write a proposal, listing courses that can be completed on campus and any that must be taken at an affiliated institution. Two self-designed majors that were recently approved are in East Asian Studies and in Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

Do you offer academic advising?

Yes, the college will assign an academic adviser to you during orientation. Your adviser will help you select the courses best suited to achieve your ultimate career and/or graduate school goals. Learn more

Who will be my adviser?

Your adviser will be a member of the Agnes Scott faculty assigned to you before your arrival for the fall semester. The College’s liberal arts curriculum is designed to encourage wide academic exploration, and all faculty advisers are well qualified to assist you with this process.

Upon declaration of your major (by the end of your sophomore year or beginning of junior year for new transfers), you will be assigned a new faculty adviser from the department in which you are majoring. This adviser will use her or his specialized knowledge to guide you through your final two years at the college. In addition, there are pre-health, pre-engineering, pre-business and pre-law advisers available to assist you.

Do you offer study abroad programs?

Yes, Agnes Scott offers a variety of faculty-led and independent study abroad programs that will enhance your area of study and fit your academic schedule. Learn more

Do you offer independent research, collaborative research with members of the faculty or independent study?

Yes, Agnes Scott encourages independent and collaborative research.

Many departments offer an upper level seminar in which majors choose a topic to develop into a senior paper or presentation or in which they work with a professor on research.

You will also have the unique opportunity to present your research at our Spring Annual Research Conference (SpARC). On this day in April, all classes are cancelled so that students can attend the lectures given by their classmates.

Some professors use student assistance for their own research. At a larger institution, these collaborative opportunities would go to graduate students, but at ASC, our focus is on undergraduates. Professors may ask an undergraduate student to help collect data or to synthesize texts. Sometimes the professor and student will publish the results or present them at a national conference, a tremendous accomplishment for an undergraduate student.

What do students do with a liberal arts degree after graduation?

Agnes Scott students make their mark through a variety of post-college plans—they join the work force, enter graduate school or enlist with programs like the Peace Corps, JET or Teach for America. Whatever an Agnes Scott student does, her liberal arts degree has given her the tools to think and adapt in an ever-changing, global society.

Agnes Scott graduates are employed in a wide variety of settings, including General Mills, Turner Broadcasting, Federal Reserve Bank, Hewitt Associates, the Environmental Protection Agency and Time Warner.

According to Agnes Scott’s Senior Survey, about 25 percent of each graduating class plans to go directly to graduate or professional school. Recent graduate or professional programs that have accepted ASC students include Harvard, New York University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Texas, University of Michigan, Emory University and University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.  In addition, graduates go into fellowships including Fulbright, Jack Kent Cooke and Emerson.
Learn more 

Admission

Can I attend a class, meet a professor or coach?

You may request to attend a class and to meet an athletic coach during your scheduled visit. The Office of Admission will try to place you in the class of your choice but depending on the course schedule and availability, you may visit in an alternate choice class. Similarly, the Office of Admission will make every attempt to arrange a meeting with an athletic department, but such arrangements depend on the availability and schedule of the coaches.

How do I arrange a campus visit?

ASC hosts prospective students five days a week and offers tours twice a day. The admission office is also open on some Saturdays during the academic year.  For more information 

How do I apply to ASC?

You may apply to Agnes Scott in one of two ways: a paper application or online. All applicants using the paper application will pay a $35 application fee, but for online applicants, the fee is waived. For more information

What courses should I be taking if I want to attend Agnes Scott?

You need to have a solid base in the five major academic categories: math, science, English, social studies and foreign language. It is also advisable that you take at least a few college-level courses, whether they be AP/IB classes or a dual-enrollment course at a local college. Other than these general guidelines, there are no specific courses that the admission committee expects.

Sometimes there may be a tough decision in high school about which courses to take because scheduling is tight. If a student is facing a choice of between Physics or French 4, for instance, the admission committee looks for evidence that the student made an informed decision, not necessarily that that she chose a particular course.

What are you looking for in an applicant?

The admission office is looking for women who have proven academic capabilities and who have dedicated themselves to extra curricular activities that are important to her. The admission committee will evaluate the courses each student has taken relative to the courses offered at her high school, looking for evidence that she has taken academically challenging courses. Consistent achievement in high school is one of the best indicators of how well a student will perform at Agnes Scott. Other factors the committee considers include involvement in a few select extracurricular activities such as school clubs, community or religious groups, athletics or the arts. The committee also notes any honors or awards a student has received and any part-time work in which she is engaged. 

Does Agnes Scott accept AP or IB credit?

If you have taken an AP exam, ASC will take the credit if you scored a four or a five. For IB exams, scores of five or higher on higher level exams are available for credit.

How does the admission process work for an international student?

If you are an international student, you’re in good company, because we have students from approximately 30 countries. For more information 

How important are SAT or ACT scores in your admission decision?

SAT and ACT scores are an integral part of the admission process at ASC. The admission committee evaluates test scores relative to the applicant pool for a given year. For the class of 2010 the middle 50 percent range of SAT scores was 1110-1300, and the middle 50 percent ACT range was 24-29. While the test is important, it is not the only factor that the admission committee considers. If a student does not score as high as she would like, there may be other impressive features to her application that boost her admissibility. The bottom line is that you should take standardized tests seriously but also understand that colleges are looking for students with a variety of talents and abilities.

What do I do if I want to transfer from another college?

If you are a transfer student, there are three steps to the application process. The first step is to fill out a transfer application, which is available online. The second is to provide a letter of reference from someone who knows you in an academic context. The final step is to submit transcripts and standardized test scores, including those going back to high school. There is an admission counselor who works specifically with transfer students, and it is advisable to contact this counselor to discuss the particulars of transferring academic credit from the first institution to ASC as well as other questions you may have. For more information

Do you require an on-campus interview?

The Office of Admission recommends but does not require an on-campus interview. When you arrange your visit to campus, we will ask if you would like an interview. This is an informal discussion between you and an admission counselor. All students are encouraged to interview because it offers us a chance to get to know you. It also provides you with an opportunity to ask the counselor questions you may have about Agnes Scott.

What are the admission deadlines?

Learn more about your admission deadlines

Financial Aid

Is there a deadline to apply for financial aid?

February 15 is the priority deadline for filing the FAFSA. Applications will be accepted past this deadline, but in order to receive the full amount of need for which a family is eligible, it is advisable to meet the deadline.

How is financial need determined?

The FAFSA first estimates how much your family can contribute to your education, a figure referred to as the expected family contribution (EFC). The FAFSA then determines if your family is eligible for federal assistance.

ASC receives FAFSA results for each student who completed the FAFSA, and based upon that information, aid eligibility is calculated. The aid may consist of one or more of the following types: grants, loans or work study. Students and their families have the option to accept or decline any part of a financial aid package.

What are the tuition, room and board and other expenses?

Charges for the 2011-12 year total $42,345. This includes tuition, room, 21-meal plan, student health insurance and student activity fee. Families can expect to spend an additional $1,000 to $3,000 for their daughter’s books, personal items, and travel home on the holidays.  Tuition and fees

Will my financial aid award change from year to year?

Financial aid packages reflect a family’s financial situation each year, so you must re-submit the FAFSA each year. If your family’s financial circumstances have changed during the previous year, it is possible that your need-based assistance will reflect the change. However, merit-based scholarships do not change in relation to a family’s financial situation.

What are the FAFSA and CSS Profile? Are they required?

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and is required in order for you to be considered for need-based assistance. Families who do not believe they will be eligible for need-based assistance should still consider filling out the FAFSA because you may be eligible for some assistance and having a FAFSA on file for your family allows ASC to consider you for institutional aid. The CSS Profile is a similar form but is not required by ASC. For a copy of the FAFSA

Parents

What should I do in case of an emergency?

Contact Agnes Scott's Office of Public Safety at 404.471.6355. They will be able to locate your daughter or her resident advisor, or advise you in case of an emergency.

Where may my daughter get proof of enrollment?

Students may receive a letter of certification from the registrar, who may be contacted at 404.471.6289.

What is involved in the study-abroad program?

The study-abroad experience provides students with new perspectives on a global level and gives them clarity in pursuing their academic and career endeavors.

Learn more about international education

Learn about study-abroad financial aid

Learn about study-abroad fellowships and scholarships

How does my daughter vote while at Agnes Scott?

The office of student life provides voting information and voter-registration opportunities for students.

What should I do if my daughter is having academic problems?

Your daughter should contact the office of academic advising at 404 471-6200. The college has writing tutors available in the Center for Writing and Speaking (404.471.6242) as well as math tutors through the math learning center (404.471.6875).

Academic advising contracts with Baldridge Reading and Study Skills to facilitate a comprehensive program to improve students’ reading and learning skills. Offered each fall, the program is unique in that it allows students to use their textbooks and other reading material during instruction. By centering instruction on students’ courses, students see immediate results in their studies. The program includes techniques designed to:

  • Increase reading speed
  • Deepen concentration
  • Improve comprehension
  • Strengthen recall

The program also includes techniques for completing research papers and for developing critical analysis. Additionally, many students benefit from practical strategies for overcoming procrastination, taking better organized lecture notes, budgeting time more wisely and preparing more thoroughly for tests and examinations.

Throughout the year, academic advising offers supplemental workshops to enhance students’ overall academic success.

Are residence halls closed during breaks?

Yes, residents halls close for the semester and spring breaks. Students must register for the Thanksgiving break if they plan to stay on campus.  In certain approved situations, students may apply to stay in break housing during semester and spring breaks.

Are residence halls open during fall and Easter break?

Yes, residence halls remain open during fall and Easter breaks.

What if problems develop with my daughter’s roommate or hallmates?

Your daughter should contact the resident assistant on her hall. RAs are sophomore or junior students who live on the halls and are trained in roommate mediation and conflict resolution.

Each building also has a resident director, who is a junior or senior and manages the building. Together RAs and RDs work with residents regarding problems with everyday life.

Also present in residence halls are residence life coordinators. These adult staff members help students with conflicts and problems. When a room change is needed, these staff members work with the student and the director of residence life to find the right solution.

What should I do if my family has a financial emergency?

If your family financial circumstances have changed, have your daughter contact the financial aid office at 404.471.6395. If your daughter needs an emergency loan, she should contact the dean of students office at 404.471.6391.

If my daughter is a senior, when must she vacate her residence hall?

Graduates must vacate their housing space by noon on the Monday following commencement.

May my daughter leave her gear in her residence hall room during breaks?

Students may leave their belongings in their rooms. However, the college encourages students to take home valuables and items they may need during breaks.

What should I do if there are problems with my daughter’s financial aid?

Have your daughter contact the financial aid office at 404.471.6395.

What is the best way to get around Atlanta and Decatur?

MARTA trains connect the east/west lines through Decatur with access to the entire rail system as well as MARTA buses that run through all areas of Decatur and Atlanta. Emory’s CLIFF buses also run between Decatur and Emory and Zipcar car sharing is also an option, with several convenient pick-up and drop-off locations near campus.

When are tuition payments due?

Tuition and fees for the fall term are due by Aug. 1; spring term fees are due by Jan. 1. All accounts not paid in full by the deadline are accessed a $250 late fee.

What banking options are available on campus?

Students may not cash a check on campus. However, several major banks have branches in Decatur within walking distance from campus, and there is a SunTrust ATM located in Alston Campus Center. If SunTrust is not your regular bank, you may incur a service charge.

When must my daughter check out of her room at the end of spring semester?

All students (excluding seniors and commencement volunteers) must vacate their rooms by 10 a.m. on the Thursday before commencement.

Student Life

I’m not so sure about attending a women’s college. What’s it like?

Most graduates of women’s colleges will probably say that they never saw themselves attending a single-sex institution. Post-graduation, research shows that the single-sex college experience is almost uniformly positive.

In “Four Critical Years,” Alexander Astin found that students in same-sex colleges “become more academically involved, interact with faculty frequently, show increases in intellectual self-esteem and are more satisfied with practically all aspects of the college experience compared with their counterparts in coeducational institutions. Women’s colleges increase the chances that women will obtain positions of leadership, complete the baccalaureate degree and aspire to higher degrees.”

When a student looks around, she sees her classmates and friends who, just by coincidence, are all women. And what impressive women they are! Where else but a women’s college can every leadership role be held by a woman? This gives power and voice to many women who may not have had the opportunity to lead and who want the experience.

What is the environment like at Agnes Scott?

Agnes Scott College is a close-knit community where professors and students interact on a daily basis. Located in Decatur, GA, a historic residential community six miles from downtown Atlanta, Agnes Scott students have the best of both worlds, a small-town feel on campus and a large metropolitan city close by.

What opportunities do you offer for internships and other experiential learning?

Because Atlanta is a thriving metropolitan city, there is an enormous variety of internships and experiential learning opportunities to explore career opportunities. The Office of Career Planning supports students looking for one of these experiences. ASC students have interned at organizations including CNN, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, High Museum of Art, Merrill Lynch and The Carter Center.

The Hubert Scholars Program provides academic internships in public service, while the Atlanta Semester focuses on women, leadership and social change.  Learn more

What kinds of student activities are available?

ASC provides a full range of activities, including competitive athletics, intramural clubs, recreational athletics, academic clubs, musical groups, publications, service organizations, social clubs, religious groups and political alliances. Membership varies by organization but generally is open to any interested student.   Learn more

Where do Agnes Scott students live?

Agnes Scott requires all students, except Woodruff Scholars, to live in campus housing. Any exception must be approved by the dean of students. Students in the Atlanta area who live with their parent(s)/guardian(s) may apply for approval to commute. A variety of options are available to students based on their class standing, from traditional residence halls to theme houses and apartment living. Learn more 

Can I have a car on campus?

All students, including first-years, may bring a car to campus. You must purchase a parking permit at the beginning of the school year from the Department of Public Safety. Cars are not necessary to get around campus, though. On our one-hundred acre campus, it takes a maximum of 10 minutes to walk anywhere. Additionally, the city public transportation system, MARTA, is a 10-minute walk from campus in the city of Decatur. MARTA can take you to the airport and to many of the places you want to go in metro Atlanta.

What is orientation like?

Agnes Scott’s comprehensive orientation program for new students begins just prior to fall semester, before the rest of the student body arrives. Orientation kicks off with faculty, staff and students helping you move into your room.

As a first-year student, you’ll meet with your ASC 101 group to start learning about life and traditions on campus. Your ASC 101 group will also help you register for classes and navigate the first few days of college.

During orientation weekend, you’ll participate in a variety of activities with the Orientation Council taking trips to local attractions such as CNN, The World of Coke, The Atlanta Braves, the High Museum and Piedmont Park. Orientation makes it easy for you to acclimate quickly to college life and make new friends from day one. 

Do you have career planning services?

Yes, the office of career planning is located conveniently in the Alston Campus Center and we encourage you to visit as early as your first year on campus. Career planning offers individual appointments for career counseling, weekly walk-in hours, a Career Resource Library, internship and work opportunities, as well as many other career and graduate school resources.   Learn more

How does Atlanta benefit a college student? Do Agnes Scott students have access to Atlanta?

Atlanta offers a wide range of internship and employment opportunities, cultural and recreational events and it is the home of 13 metro area colleges and universities. Students can cross register for courses through ARCHE.

Can I participate in music?

There are a wide variety of music options ranging from chorus, vocal chamber ensemble, a gospel choir and musical theatre workshop to the college/community orchestra, jazz ensemble, a world percussion ensemble and chamber groups for strings, winds and piano.  In addition, the Luchsingers are a student-led a cappella group.

Ensembles are open to non-majors as well as music majors and minors.  Some ensembles require a low-pressure audition, but several are open to all interested participants.  Groups include the Collegiate Chorale, Sotto Voce (vocal chamber), the Agnes Scott Community Orchestra, the Jazz Ensemble, Flute Choir and others.  Lessons are available (additional fee applies) on all standard instruments and some non-standard ones.

What’s the social life like at Agnes Scott?

Social life at ASC is what you decide it will be. You can spend nights and weekends watching movies and eating popcorn with friends. You can go to Georgia Tech football games in the fall with plenty of others excited to join you. And, you can take a leadership role in one of almost 100 student organizations or get involved in the college’s many community service activities.

One thing that social life is not at ASC, though, is imposing. There is not one particular culture or activity that defines the campus. You decide what your social life will be. You may decide to attend on-campus events and gatherings, go to parties around town or just spend a quiet evening on campus—it’s your choice!

Learn more about student activities

How safe is the campus and surrounding area?

The on-campus Department of Public Safety works hard to maintain an atmosphere of peace and safety. The department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by police officers who are certified by the State of Georgia and have full enforcement authority. The jurisdiction for the department includes all property owned or leased by Agnes Scott and extends 500 yards beyond the boundaries of the main campus; this allows officers to establish a perimeter around the school by patrolling adjacent streets in addition to the campus. This high visibility helps to discourage crime. Learn more 

What services does the career planning office provide?

The career planning office provides:

  • Career interest and personality assessment for deciding majors and career goals 
  • Experiential learning opportunities, including the mentoring program, internships, externships and career observation days
  • Resume workshops, clinics and an annual employer-judged exhibit
  • Career fairs 
  • Part-time and summer job opportunities 
  • Graduate-school advising through individual meetings and group workshops
  • An alumnae network for information gathering, interest verification and referrals
  • Life skills education to help enhance your career satisfaction, including etiquette and dress for success dinners and senior transitions programming 

Learn more

What health services are available on campus?

Agnes Scott’s Wellness Center is located on the ground floor of Hopkins Hall and is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Wellness Center offers comprehensive services including health and counseling services, consultation, education, stress management, massage therapy, nutritional counseling, dermatology and psychiatric care. Most services are free for students.  Learn more 

Can I participate in athletics?

ASC competes in six NCAA Division III sports, including basketball, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. A student interested in playing a sport should contact the appropriate coach to discuss her potential role on the team. Additionally, there are a number of recreational activities for students including yoga, triathlon training, jazzercise and rock climbing. Learn more 

Transfer Students

What if I want to transfer as a college senior?

A student must complete her final two years of courses at Agnes Scott to receive an Agnes Scott degree.

What are you looking for in a transfer applicant?

Agnes Scott is looking for demonstrated success in a college environment. Each year Agnes Scott accepts a number of transfer students with strong academic records and letters of good standing from accredited two- and four-year institutions. We require a 3.0 minimum college GPA for transfer students. Agnes Scott accepts transfers from a variety of institutions, including four-year private and public colleges and universities, community and junior colleges, and international institutions.

I withdrew from Agnes Scott and would like to re-enroll. Do I have to fill out the entire application again?

Students who have withdrawn from Agnes Scott and now wish to re-enroll do not have to re-submit a full application. Simply fill out the quick and convenient re-enroll application.

Am I a transfer student?

If you attended a college or university after you received your high school diploma, you are a transfer student. Students who are 24 years or older, married, or have a child are non-traditional students and should apply for the Woodruff Scholar Program. 

Will my credits transfer?

In the weeks following your acceptance, you will receive a tentative credit evaluation, which estimates your number of transferable credits. The college determines the actual amount of credit only after evaluating your final transcript. No more than 64 credits (the equivalent of two years) may be transferred into Agnes Scott. You must have an A, B, or C in a course to receive course credit. For more information

As a transfer student, am I guaranteed housing?

All transfers are guaranteed housing. To live off-campus you must live with a parent or guardian in the Atlanta area. Our residence halls, apartment complex and theme houses accommodate all residential students.

I already applied to Agnes Scott as a high school senior. Do I have to fill out the entire application again?

In most cases students who submitted an application as a high school senior do not have to re-submit a full application. Simply fill out the quick and convenient re-apply application.

Are there scholarships and financial aid available for transfer students?

Yes, there are merit-based scholarships and need based aid available for transfers. There is no separate paperwork or essay to apply for most scholarships, but you need to fill out the FAFSA for financial aid. Although we strongly encourage you to meet application deadlines, all transfers including those accepted on a rolling basis will be eligible for merit-based aid.  For more information 

Do you require the SAT or ACT for transfer students?

We require an official score for either the SAT or ACT. Scores sent directly from your high school on your transcript are accepted.

I am a transfer student applying to Agnes Scott for the first time. How do I apply?

How to apply for transfer students.

What are the deadlines for transfer students?

To apply for spring semester, our application deadline is November 1. To apply for fall semester, the priority deadline is March 1. We will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis once these deadlines have past, but it’s in your best interest to apply early.

Do transfers participate in orientation?

All transfer students participate in orientation as a way to welcome them to the Agnes Scott community. Orientation takes place the week before classes start and includes time for you to meet with your adviser, get accustomed to the campus, move into your residence hall, register for classes, and set up campus accounts.