College Spotlight: High Point University
Last week, I was fortunate enough to travel to High Point University, in High Point, North Carolina, for a college counselor fly-in, to learn more about the school. To be honest, I did not know much about HPU, but I was extremely impressed with what they have to offer for students. Since I spent an entire day there, I was able to gather a ton of information, which I will try to breakdown for you below. I hope this can help you get a good grasp on the type of place HPU is, and it just may possibly be the right place for you!
By the Numbers:
Campus:
So if you decide to visit HPU, get prepared to be blown away by the beauty of this campus. It is as beautiful of a campus I have ever seen, and definitely the cleanest. Everything seems to be perfect and I think it is best to describe it as the Disney World of College Campuses...minus the rides and crazy lines. They have an incredible student center, three outdoor pools, a beach volleyball court, free healthy snack stands for students throughout campus, and they have classical music playing throughout the main academic quad during the day.
HPU is a gated campus, and has hotel-like dorms. The dorms are so nice, that 99% of all students choose to live on campus all four years. There is even a 5-star steakhouse, 1924 Prime, on campus, solely for student use. Besides a delicious dinner, this steakhouse is where students learn to to interact with others at dinner, make reservations, order wine (for those 21 and over), and overall how to act and communicate at a fancy restaurant. I have been to a lot of college campuses, but I can tell you after being on the campus of HPU, I can honestly say there is no reason to leave while going to school there. Everything done at HPU is done intentionally to help the student, and they want their students accustomed to a beautiful and inspiring environment.
Academics
The mission at High Point University is to encourage students to be extraordinary...and HPU gives their students every opportunity to do just that. Starting in August of freshmen year, students are given success coaches, that will be their mentors throughout their first year at college...then they are given an academic adviser. Every freshman also takes a weekly seminar class with the President, Dr. Nido Qubein, who I will talk more about later, on skills on how to become successful.
Students at HPU have a choice of 47 different majors and 51 total minors. Their top 10 majors are: business administration, undeclared, communications, biology, exercise science, psychology, entrepreneurship, interior design, education, and criminal justice...they also have a good game design program Their health sciences program is growing, and next year, they will open a multi-million dollar, brand new health sciences building, that will house some incredible programs. Other popular programs include sales, sports management, visual merchandising, human resources, international relations, and pre-pharmacy. All of their majors are great, but I think they specialize in business, communications, and entrepreneurship minded students.
It is also important to note that usually about 25% of all classes focus on experiential learning, so students are out of the classroom and getting their hands dirty. Obviously, outcomes are huge for students choosing their college...and High Point has outstanding outcomes. Students looking to go to graduate school enjoy a 96% acceptance rate, and 87% being accepted to their first choice. They also have a 83% retention rate from freshman to sophomore year at HPU, and most importantly, 96% of High Point graduates are either employed or in graduate school six months after graduating.
President Nido Qubein
It wouldn't seem right to write this blog on High Point, and pass over their President. Dr. Nido Qubein, has been the President of High Point since 2005. He is an alumni of the school, and served on the board of trustees before being appointed HPU's seventh president. In just over ten years, under Qubein's leadership, High Point has seen dramatic changes including a 203% increase in undergraduate enrollment, 156% increase in faculty and 346% increase in campus acreage. Before this role, Dr. Qubein was an accomplished business leader, dedicated philanthropist, author, and motivational speaker. He has brought a whole new vision to High Point and his changes have had major positive effects. His mission is to provide a 100% student focused approach and wants his students to have access to an "experiential education and holistic, values-based learning, where graduates are prepared to live a life of both success and significance" Dr. Qubein deeply cares about High Point University, and each and every one of his students, and he even teachers a weekly seminar class to all freshmen titled, "The President's Seminar on Life Skills". Dr. Qubein is a remarkable person and is truly doing extraordinary things at High Point University.
Final Thoughts
One thing is extremely clear after visiting High Point University, and learning what they are all about: HPU does everything within its power to ensure all students have a positive experience while at school and have every opportunity to be successful. Everything the HPU administration and faculty does is for the benefit of the student, which is great to see. They have top notch facilities, residential life, academics, and career counseling. This is a place that has seen dramatic changes, all for the better...and is a school that is getting more and more attention, which is well deserved. HPU of course is not for everyone, but it is definitely a place where I am positive students will be happy, supported, and successful. High Point University really does have it all, and is a place that will continue to make waves in the world of higher education.
Joseph D. Korfmacher
By the Numbers:
- High Point University was recently ranked the #1 most innovative college in the south and for the past four years, HPU has been ranked the #1 Best Regional University in the south by US News & World Report
- HPU has also been ranked by students as having the #1 food options in the country
- 20% of students are from North Carolina, while 80% are from the other 49 states and 38 countries
- There are just about 5,000 undergraduate students, which has grown from 1,400 just 10 years ago and the campus size has grown from 100 acres to over 450 acres in that same time period
- HPU has a 75% admission rate, with the following averages for acceptance: SAT:1108, ACT: 24, and GPA: 3.3
- 100% of classes are taught by faculty and there is a 15:1 student to faculty ratio
- Total cost of attendance is just under $47,000 per year, with 83% of students receiving some type of merit or financial need aid, and an average award of $16,000
Campus:
So if you decide to visit HPU, get prepared to be blown away by the beauty of this campus. It is as beautiful of a campus I have ever seen, and definitely the cleanest. Everything seems to be perfect and I think it is best to describe it as the Disney World of College Campuses...minus the rides and crazy lines. They have an incredible student center, three outdoor pools, a beach volleyball court, free healthy snack stands for students throughout campus, and they have classical music playing throughout the main academic quad during the day.
HPU is a gated campus, and has hotel-like dorms. The dorms are so nice, that 99% of all students choose to live on campus all four years. There is even a 5-star steakhouse, 1924 Prime, on campus, solely for student use. Besides a delicious dinner, this steakhouse is where students learn to to interact with others at dinner, make reservations, order wine (for those 21 and over), and overall how to act and communicate at a fancy restaurant. I have been to a lot of college campuses, but I can tell you after being on the campus of HPU, I can honestly say there is no reason to leave while going to school there. Everything done at HPU is done intentionally to help the student, and they want their students accustomed to a beautiful and inspiring environment.
Academics
The mission at High Point University is to encourage students to be extraordinary...and HPU gives their students every opportunity to do just that. Starting in August of freshmen year, students are given success coaches, that will be their mentors throughout their first year at college...then they are given an academic adviser. Every freshman also takes a weekly seminar class with the President, Dr. Nido Qubein, who I will talk more about later, on skills on how to become successful.
Students at HPU have a choice of 47 different majors and 51 total minors. Their top 10 majors are: business administration, undeclared, communications, biology, exercise science, psychology, entrepreneurship, interior design, education, and criminal justice...they also have a good game design program Their health sciences program is growing, and next year, they will open a multi-million dollar, brand new health sciences building, that will house some incredible programs. Other popular programs include sales, sports management, visual merchandising, human resources, international relations, and pre-pharmacy. All of their majors are great, but I think they specialize in business, communications, and entrepreneurship minded students.
It is also important to note that usually about 25% of all classes focus on experiential learning, so students are out of the classroom and getting their hands dirty. Obviously, outcomes are huge for students choosing their college...and High Point has outstanding outcomes. Students looking to go to graduate school enjoy a 96% acceptance rate, and 87% being accepted to their first choice. They also have a 83% retention rate from freshman to sophomore year at HPU, and most importantly, 96% of High Point graduates are either employed or in graduate school six months after graduating.
President Nido Qubein
It wouldn't seem right to write this blog on High Point, and pass over their President. Dr. Nido Qubein, has been the President of High Point since 2005. He is an alumni of the school, and served on the board of trustees before being appointed HPU's seventh president. In just over ten years, under Qubein's leadership, High Point has seen dramatic changes including a 203% increase in undergraduate enrollment, 156% increase in faculty and 346% increase in campus acreage. Before this role, Dr. Qubein was an accomplished business leader, dedicated philanthropist, author, and motivational speaker. He has brought a whole new vision to High Point and his changes have had major positive effects. His mission is to provide a 100% student focused approach and wants his students to have access to an "experiential education and holistic, values-based learning, where graduates are prepared to live a life of both success and significance" Dr. Qubein deeply cares about High Point University, and each and every one of his students, and he even teachers a weekly seminar class to all freshmen titled, "The President's Seminar on Life Skills". Dr. Qubein is a remarkable person and is truly doing extraordinary things at High Point University.
Final Thoughts
One thing is extremely clear after visiting High Point University, and learning what they are all about: HPU does everything within its power to ensure all students have a positive experience while at school and have every opportunity to be successful. Everything the HPU administration and faculty does is for the benefit of the student, which is great to see. They have top notch facilities, residential life, academics, and career counseling. This is a place that has seen dramatic changes, all for the better...and is a school that is getting more and more attention, which is well deserved. HPU of course is not for everyone, but it is definitely a place where I am positive students will be happy, supported, and successful. High Point University really does have it all, and is a place that will continue to make waves in the world of higher education.
Joseph D. Korfmacher
