Colleges Villanova University

Villanova University www1.villanova.edu

Villanova University is a private institution that was founded in 1842. It sits on a 260-acre suburban campus just outside the city of Philadelphia. The University is the oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania and one of two Augustinian institutions of higher learning in the US. The campus has roughly 1,500 trees and was formerly known as Arboretum Villanova. There are three named areas on the campus: Main, West, and South. Villanova offers more than 280 student-run organizations, such as the Blue Key Society, which gives admissions tours and hosts prospective student days, and Rays of Sunshine, the student community service office. Villanova is also the host of the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world. Incoming freshmen are guaranteed campus housing for their first three years. Villanova is also home to the famous Philadelphia Liberty Bell’s twin, known as the “Sister Bell.” The most prominent campus feature is St. Thomas of Villanova Church, whose dual spires are the University’s tallest structure.

Academics

Villanova University has six colleges, four of which serve undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate programs include those in the School of Business and the Charles Widger School of Law. Villanova is classified as R2 Doctoral Universities: High Research Activities. Undergraduates can choose from more than 45 majors split between the university’s School of Business, College of Engineering, College of Nursing, and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  The student-faculty ratio at Villanova University is 10:1, and the school has 43% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include Nursing, Finance, Communications, and Economics.

Special Highlights

Office of Student Involvement. The office seeks to foster the growth of the total person, one who builds community, values differences, leads ethically, and serves others. It also provides a variety of services, programs, and activities to enhance campus life. Life at VU is filled with many opportunities for you to become an integral part of the community, as well as enriching your time at the university. There are so many options to choose from that will add to your experience on campus.

Villanova Leadership Program. The Villanova Leadership Program is free and open to all Villanova students who are looking to complement their ongoing leadership journey. Students that attend four of our six workshops will receive a Certificate of Leadership and are invited to attend a leadership dinner. Topics for these fun and interactive workshops include Attributes of Effective Leadership, Strategies for Influencing Others, Interpersonal Intelligence and Relationships, Effective Communication, and Principles of Ethical Leadership.

School Mission & Unique Qualities

Villanova allows students to take their commitment to service to the next level, whether through service break trips, tutoring at local schools, or helping at the Special Olympics. Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week originated at Villanova to recognize the power education could play in the fight against homelessness. In the years since, this week of coordinated activities and education expanded beyond Villanova to more than 500 campuses and communities. Villanova is one of the few universities to provide EMS to their campus. Villanova Emergency Medical Service is a student-run ambulance service licensed and dedicated to serving the campus community. VEMS membership consists of more than 40 undergraduate student volunteers, most of whom are certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. Villanova’s School of Engineering maintains a student chapter of Engineers Without Borders, a non-profit organization that helps to improve the living conditions of communities worldwide.

Student Reviews…

“Everyone at Villanova is outgoing and welcoming. The atmosphere is friendly, classes are challenging. The downside is that there is a little lack of diversity. Food and dorms are both better than I expected, and the campus and surrounding area are beautiful and very safe.”