Alma College: FAQs for Students and Parents

This is a great starting place for quick answers to common questions about Alma College! If you would like more details, or can't find the answer to your question, please call the Admissions Office at 1-800-321-ALMA, email admissions@alma.edu, or contact your admissions representative.

The Basics

What kind of school is Alma College?

Alma College is a four year, undergraduate, private liberal arts and sciences institution. This means while you will graduate with a bachelor's degree by studying your choice of over 40 majors, minors, pre-professional programs and self-designed Programs of Emphasis, you will also emerge from Alma a well-rounded individual with critical thinking skills and knowledge in a variety of topics. You will be cultivating your general intellectual ability and gaining specific expertise in your area of interest.

What is the difference between undergraduate and graduate school?

At undergraduate schools, students earn their bachelor’s degrees. Graduate school is the next educational step for many students, and refers to masters, doctorate or PhD programs, including medical or law school.

Where is Alma located?

Alma College is located in Alma, Michigan, right in the center of the Lower Peninsula and about one hour north of Lansing.

How many students does Alma have?

Alma’s enrollment is approximately 1,400 students.

What is the average class size?

Alma students enjoy an average class size of 19 students.

What is the student/faculty ratio?

Alma’s 13:1 student/faculty ratio means professors personally interact with their students.

What is the average GPA and ACT for incoming freshmen?

The average first year student enters Alma with a 24 ACT and a 3.5 GPA.

What makes Alma stand out among other colleges and universities?

Alma has a variety of unique opportunities and dedicated faculty that make student achievement possible. Specifically, we have an amazing number of nationally competitive scholarship winners; an academic schedule that features traveling courses; and unique leadership programs through the Center for Responsible Leadership and the Posey Global Leadership Initiative. If you want the full story, you’ll want to visit campus!

The Admissions Process

How do I apply to Alma?

Applying to Alma is as simple as filling out an application, sending in your high school transcripts and ACT scores, and having your counselor fill out a recommendation form. Transfer and international student have additional application requirements.

When should I apply to Alma?

The best time to apply to Alma is during the fall of your senior year. We have a rolling admissions process, however, and will accept applications at any time during your senior year.

What are the admissions requirements?

There are several factors Alma College considers when reviewing applications, including high school GPA, ACT/SAT scores, high school courses and your high school guidance counselor's recommendation. Generally, students who have a 3.0 GPA and 22 on the ACT or a 1530 on the SAT are accepted, but we review all applications on an individual basis.

I want to attend Alma College — what do I do next?

If you’ve applied, been accepted and decided Alma College is the place for you, you may send your $200 commitment deposit in to the Admissions Office by check or credit card, or pay your deposit online with a credit card here.

The online deposit system asks you for a username and password. You will need to create a new online payment system account; this is different than your My Alma portal account. Be sure to write down the information for the account you create, as you may need it to pay bills as a student.

I’m not sure about my college decision — what is the deadline for depositing at Alma?

The National Deposit Deadline is May 1, but many families make college decisions during the winter. We encourage you to deposit as soon as you’ve made up your mind, because items like your preference for housing, your choice of Preterm course and your chances for obtaining a parking pass are tied to your date of deposit.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

What scholarships does Alma offer?

Alma offers merit scholarships based on your ACT/SAT score and GPA. Performance Scholarships in art, dance, music and theatre, and some other specialty scholarships are also available. Click here to get the details.

How much does it cost to attend Alma?

Alma’s total cost (tuition, room, board and fees) for the 2009-10 school year is $34,916. For a cost breakdown, click here. Please keep in mind the average financial aid package for the current freshman class was $21,318. Of that, $17,912 was composed of gift aid - not student loans.

How do I apply for financial assistance?

Your merit-based scholarship is automatically awarded to you upon your acceptance. The other special scholarships require auditions or essays by specific deadlines, depending on the scholarship. To apply for state and federal aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1. Click here to see the entire financial assistance process.

What are the scholarship deadlines?

Religious Leadership Award - March 1
National Presbyterian Award - January 31
Pre-Law Scholarship - February 1
Performance Scholarships (Music, Dance, Theatre, and Art) - March 1

How many Alma students receive financial assistance?

About 99% of Alma students receive some sort of financial assistance.

What is work study?

Work study is a federal program where the government and the College share in paying your wages for employment. Eligibility is determined by a family’s demonstrated level of need on the FAFSA. If you qualify for work study, you will need to seek out employment on Alma’s campus. Jobs are not guaranteed, but they are not difficult to obtain. Please click here for current on-campus job postings (requires an Alma College username and password, which is provided upon acceptance to the College).

What is the payment schedule for tuition?

Each term is billed separately. Fall Term bills are mailed the first week in August and may be paid in two equal installments. The first installment is usually due the first week in September, and the second is usually due six weeks later (around October 20). Winter Term bills are mailed the first week in December, and may also be paid in two equal installments. The first installment is usually due the first week in January, and the second is usually due six weeks later (around February 20).

Alternatively, families may enroll in a monthly payment plan administered by Sallie Mae to spread out yearly tuition payments over 12 months.

When students enroll in Spring Term, tuition and board bills are mailed the first week of April and due by the end of April. Class fees for traveling Spring Terms are billed separately through the sponsoring faculty member, and payment schedules vary depending on the course.

Academics

What degrees does Alma award?

Alma awards the bachelor of arts (BA), bachelor of science (BS), bachelor of fine arts (BFA) and bachelor of music (BM) in education or performance.

What is a liberal arts education?

A liberal arts education is one that prepares you not only as an expert in your field, but also as a well-rounded individual knowledgeable in many different disciplines. A liberal arts education gives you the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects while still advancing toward graduation and helps you understand topics from many different perspectives. The benefits of choosing a liberal arts education include the ability to analyze situations from many viewpoints, the skills to think critically about complex issues, and the flexibility to tackle diverse challenges in our changing world.

Will I have an academic advisor?

All Alma students have an academic advisor in their field of interest. Your advisor will help you schedule your classes each term, and is an invaluable resource when it comes to pursuing independent studies, seeking internships, deciding when to study abroad, applying to graduate schools or searching for employment after graduation. To learn more about advising at Alma College, click here.

Can I do independent research at Alma?

We encourage students in all areas of study to perform independent research. You will have the opportunity to present your research at Alma’s annual Honors Day, or even at professional conferences.

Are my classes taught by real professors or graduate assistants?

Alma classes are only taught by professors, most of whom hold the highest degree possible in their fields.

Do you have an Honors Program?

Alma does have an Honors Program; click here for all the details.

What is Spring Term?

Spring Term is a short term during the month of May that allows you to delve deeply into a specific topic on campus or travel with a professor and other students around the nation and the world.

Can I study abroad?

Yes; Alma offers semester-long study abroad programs around the world, including France, Spain, Germany, India, Ecuador and New Zealand. For more details, please click here.

How well will Alma College prepare me for a job or graduate school?

Your Alma College liberal arts education will make you extremely marketable in today’s economy. Over 90% of our graduates report working in full-time positions or attending graduate school within six months of graduation; our medical school placement rate is 91%; and our law school placement rate is 92%.

Our many successful graduates are proof of the quality of an Alma education. If you would like us to connect you with an alumnus, please submit an Alumni Contact Request.

Athletics

Does Alma have varsity sports?

Alma competes at the NCAA Division III level for all sports and carries nine men’s varsity sports programs including football, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, track, cross country, soccer, and swimming and diving. We also carry nine women’s varsity sports: volleyball, basketball, softball, golf, tennis, track, cross country, soccer, and swimming and diving.

Does Alma give athletic scholarships?

Because Alma is a NCAA Division III institution, our athletic program features athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic skills. Make no mistake: our athletes are top competitors who excel at their sports. Alma College teams typically finish their seasons in the top half of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), Alma’s competitive league and oldest league in the nation.

What are the athletic facilities like?

Alma College takes great pride in its athletic programs and strives to reflect that pride in the facilities provided for student athletes. We are currently making majors improvements to the Hogan Center, including construction of a new LEED-certified arena/convocation center!

For details and photos of all our facilities, click here.

What do I do if I want to play varsity athletics for the Alma Scots?

The best thing to do if you are interested in competing in athletics while at Alma and the coach has not been contacting you is to fill out the online athletic questionnaire.

Do I have to try out for the teams?

While our coaches do recruit student athletes they think would be good additions to their teams and Alma College, all teams have try-out periods open to any student interested. The length, time and requirements for each sport are different, so please contact the appropriate coach. Coach contact information is available here.

Are intramural sports available?

In addition to our varsity athletics programs, we also offer a wide variety of other opportunities to compete in athletics for every student who is interested. Through the Alan J. Stone Center for Recreation, we try to offer something for everyone; students can compete in traditional sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer and flag football, as well as sports that are less traditional but equally competitive like dodgeball, Ultimate Frisbee, slow-pitch softball, and even poker.

Performing Arts

What performing arts programs do you offer?

Alma College offers vocal and instrumental music, dance and theatre.

Do I have to be a major or a minor to participate in performing arts?

No, you may participate fully in musical ensembles, dance productions and theatre productions no matter what academic major or minor you choose.

Can I get scholarships for the performing arts?

Yes, and you don’t have to major or minor in the performing arts, either! Performance scholarships are awarded based on an audition, which must be completed by March 1. Scholarship amounts begin at $1,000 and can range up to full tuition.

What are the performance facilities like?

Alma’s Heritage Center for the Performing Arts is the venue for most performances.

Can I attend a performance at Alma College?

We’d love to invite you to a performance! Click here to view the event schedule, then call 1-800-321-ALMA to reserve complimentary tickets.

Student Life

What is there to do on campus?

Alma College students are involved in numerous student organizations: major-specific groups, activity-based organizations, social Greek fraternities and sororities, service groups, religious organizations, intramural sports, and much more! Many students also participate in athletics and the performing arts; even those who aren’t on the field or the stage come to cheer on our athletes and performers. In addition, student groups like the Alma College Union Board and the Residence Hall Association plan social activities for the entire campus.

Can freshmen have cars on campus?

Yes, though space on campus is limited. The opportunity to purchase a parking permit is based on the order in which Alma receives your commitment deposit. Parking fees for first year students are $175 per year, and the city of Alma also has municipal parking lots. Students who have submitted their commitment deposits will learn more about the parking permit process through their portal accounts during the summer.

What is the town of Alma like?

The town of Alma is located in mid-Michigan and has a population of approximately 10,000. Students enjoy our local movie theatre, bowling alley, restaurants and shops. Mt. Pleasant is less then half an hour to our north, offering additional dining and shopping choices, while Lansing is about an hour south.

What do students do on the weekends?

Most of our students stay on campus over the weekend. Between athletic games, performing arts events, student organization sponsored activities, and just hanging out with friends, there is plenty to do on campus.

How do meal plans work?

First year students choose one of our three meal plans and the corresponding amount of Munch Money that can be spent at our campus convenience store or cafe: 19 meals per week with $100 of Munch Money; 14 meals per week with $165 of Munch Money; or 160 meals for the term with $165 of Munch Money.

Please click here for more information on meal plans and dining services.

What kind of food do you have?

Each of our three dining facilities serves different kinds of food:

The main dining area, Hamilton Commons, offers traditional style meals. They typically have two or three main entrees and several side dishes in addition to a full soup and salad bar, fresh fruit, deli sandwich bar, and the grill, which serves burgers, French fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza. The grill also makes omelets to order at breakfast and stir fry to order at lunch and dinner.

Open for lunch during the week, Van Dusen Commons offers primarily made-to-order subs, pasta and stir fry. Students choose from a variety of fresh ingredients and watch their meals being made!

Joe’s Place is similar to a café/grill. They serve burgers, pizza, hot pretzels, and nachos. They also have coffee, smoothies, shakes, and ice cream. Joe’s is even open for a late night meal!

Hours for all Alma's dining options are available here.

Do all students live on campus?

Alma College is a residential college where, by definition, students are required to live in College-owned or approved housing. We believe students benefit from this type of close learning community. Local students do, however, have the option of commuting to campus; some seniors also live off campus via a lottery process.

What are the residence halls like?

There are four co-ed residence halls in which all first year students live. Each of them is a traditional style residence hall with two students per room and a community bathroom in each hallway.

Sophomores and above have a few different options. They may live in the suite-style South Complex (two double rooms joined by a bathroom) or Wright Hall, our new environmentally-friendly, apartment-style residence hall. The rooms in Wright Hall feature bedrooms for four students, a kitchenette, a living room and a bathroom. Finally, Alma College owns fourteen houses in which students may live, depending on their involvement in a fraternity, sorority or other student organization.

More information on Alma's residence halls is available here.

Can I get a job on campus?

Many offices on campus hire student workers. The Financial Aid Office maintains a list of the offices are hiring at any given time. To search currently open positions or apply for on-campus jobs, click here (requires an Alma College username and password, which is provided upon acceptance to the College).

How does Alma assign housing and roommates?

Once you send in your $200 commitment deposit, you will have access to a housing questionnaire on your My Alma portal asking about your preferences in areas like sleeping habits, music tastes, and other factors important in selecting your roommate. After you submit it, our Student Life Office will use the information to match you up with your new roommate. Every attempt is made to match roommates as closely as possible based on preferences and the personal information provided.

Some first-year students would like to room with a friend who is also attending Alma. Others like to meet potential roommates at events like Becoming a Scot Day, our summer orientation program. If you have a specific roommate request, you can simply indicate your request on your housing form. If you've already submitted your housing form, just call Alma's Student Life Office at 989-463-7147 to make your request. Please note that both roommates need to request each other separately.

Most students find that having a roommate assists their adjustment to campus life. Your roommate need not be your best friend to be a good roommate. Open communication, respect, and compromise are all necessary to develop a positive relationship with your roommate. Students are encouraged to contact their future roommate after receiving their room assignment and roommate information in July.

Will I have a phone in my room?

Each room is equipped with a private telephone line, and most students typically provide their own phones to stay connected with each other. Each phone line also features private voicemail boxes for each roommate.

Are there laundry facilities on campus?

Yes; each residence hall and small housing unit comes equipped with coin-operated laundry facilities.

The My Alma Student Portal

What is the portal?

The My Alma student portal is a personalized communication tool for both accepted and current Alma College students.

How do I get on the portal?

Once you have been accepted to Alma, you’ll receive a letter containing your username and password. Then you’ll go to http://my.alma.edu, click the log-in link in the upper right hand corner, and sign in with your username and password.

What are the features of the portal?

Portal features vary based on your admissions status. When you are an accepted student, your portal account gives you a page of general announcements; a record of your steps through the admissions process; a list of Alma College scholarships you’ve earned; an easy way to contact your admissions representative; and a way to meet other future Scots.

The portal also features a “Financials” section where you can view your financial aid package. This feature is usually available beginning mid-March and allows you to see and accept your scholarships, grants and student loans.

When you have made your commitment deposit to Alma, we expand your portal access to include a special page with all the announcements you need to get ready to arrive at Alma; the forms you’ll need to complete, including your housing form; your Alma College Webmail account; and your tuition bill under the “Financials” section.

During the spring, deposted students will use the "Registration" tab to select a Preterm course, and will return to that tab again during the summer to begin the Fall Term course registration process for freshmen.

When you formally enter Alma College in August, you’ll have complete access to our regular online course registration, a teaching tool called Moodle, the Alma College library resources, and much more!

Why is the portal so important?

The portal is the main communication tool used by the Admissions Office. When something important comes up, the Admissions staff posts it on the portal first and looks to other communication methods – like phone, email and letters – second. If you get in the habit of checking your My Alma portal account, you’ll always have the latest information and will know exactly what you need to do, whether it’s completing forms, signing up for orientation events, or registering for a Preterm course.

Can you tell me more about my Alma College Webmail account?

Your Alma College Webmail account will be activated once you have submitted your commitment deposit. You’ll see a tab for it in your portal account, and you can send and receive messages just like any other email account. Your Alma email address will be your username followed by “@alma.edu.”

Get used to using your Webmail account right away! When you are an Alma student, important campus announcements and correspondence from your professors will arrive via that email account.

What if I have problems with my portal account?

Glitches are bound to occur in even the best technological tools. If you are having problems with your portal account, you may contact your admissions representative or call 1-800-321-ALMA. We can also help if you change your password and then forget it!

Getting Ready for College at Alma

What is Alma's freshman orientation like?

At Alma, there are two orientation programs: Becoming a Scot Day and Preterm. Becoming a Scot Day occurs during the summer and introduces you to your fellow students, our online course registration system, and other aspects of life at Alma College. You also receive your student ID at Becoming a Scot Day.

Preterm occurs the week before classes begin at Alma College. All freshmen move into campus a week before the rest of the students and spend that week taking one class, learning their way around campus and getting to know their classmates. We even have a group of upperclassmen called the Orientation Committee there to make sure you have a great time! Move-in and Preterm dates are listed on the portal, and specific details will be available during the summer.

How do I register for my Preterm class?

In early May, deposited students will receive a list of Preterm courses and their descriptions. You'll choose your top five choices and use the "Registration" tab on your portal account to select them. We'll begin assigning Preterm courses based on commitment deposit dates on June 1, and you can return to the "Registration" tab to see in which course you've been enrolled. Students who miss the June 1 deadline will manually register for a Preterm course with their admissions representatives.

When selecting your Preterm class, don't worry about choosing something that aligns with your intended major. These classes are designed to be interesting and help you get used to college-level academics; just pick something that sounds appealing, even if it's not related to your future program of study!

When do I register for Fall Term classes?

Incoming freshmen begin the course registration process at Becoming a Scot Day, our summer orientation event. On that day, you will use the "Registration" tab on your portal account to search classes and start developing your schedule. Nothing will be finalized, however, until you meet with your academic advisor during Preterm. This face-to-face contact with a faculty member in your area of academic interest will help ensure your schedule meets your individual needs.

What should I bring to college?

Here's a list of items you may want to bring to campus:
Telephone, alarm clock, computer and printer, bed linen and mattress cover (extra-long twin size), blankets and pillows, bath towels, a rug, a hot pot, a memo board for your door, shower sandals, a shower caddy, laundry supplies, a desk lamp, a wastebasket.

Please AVOID bringing:
Hot plates, frying pans, microwaves and other cooking implements, halogen lamps, candles, incense, space heaters or pets.

Students are permitted to have televisions, VCRs/DVD players, stereos, hair dryers, irons, fans, lamps (not halogen), computers, and small refrigerators that are no more than five cubic feet in size and draw no more than 1.7 amps.

Should I bring my own computer?

Many students choose to bring their own computers, but it’s not essential that you do so. We have numerous computer labs around campus, including one in each residence hall that is available 24 hours a day.

If I bring a computer, should I bring a laptop or a desktop? PC or Mac?

Alma's network supports both Macs and PCs, so you can bring whatever is most comfortable for you. Similarly, choosing to bring a laptop or desktop is a purely personal preference; a laptop is not necessary, though many students enjoy the flexibility they provide. Others prefer the cost effectiveness of a desktop - it's up to each individual.

Does Alma have Internet access in the residence halls?

Yes; all rooms are hardwired for high speed Internet access for both roommates. In addition, most common areas are wireless.

When will I get my housing and roommate assignment?

You should receive your roommate and residence hall assignment in July; please see the FAQ section on Student Life for a complete description of the housing process.

What are the room dimensions?

Room sizes vary, but once you have your room assignment, you can click here to see specific room dimensions.

Do the rooms have carpet?

Most of the rooms do not have carpet, so most students choose to bring area rugs or carpet remnants. Residents of first floor Mitchell do have carpet in their rooms, however.

Is there are question you would like to see added to this page? Please send it to Laurie DeYoung (deyoung@alma.edu).

FAQs for Students and Parents