Supporting your student during the college search process can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Below are the seven steps we suggest your family takes as you work together to find the university that’s the best fit for your student.

NARROW DOWN THE CHOICES

Work with your student to determine their needs and wants for their college experience, and begin narrowing down the field. Make a list of institutions you’re interested in learning more about. You can always add and subtract names, but try to keep your list of potential colleges at five or fewer. These are the schools you will want to apply to, visit and spend significant time researching.

APPLY FOR ADMISSION

When your student has their list of colleges worked out, check out the universities’ websites for details about admission deadlines and any benefits offered to early applicants.

We’ve invited your student to apply for admission as a Top Candidate. That means we believe your child could flourish as a student here, and applying by September 1 guarantees admission and scholarship notification by September 15. ACU’s Top Candidate application opens in July, so watch for your student’s unique ID and password for the personalized application to arrive soon.

VISIT CAMPUS

Once your student’s been admitted, you will need to visit his top choices – even if you’ve been before.

Our admitted student visit days hosted by ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert are designed to specifically address your family’s needs, and they give your student an opportunity to begin building community with future classmates. We want you to see more than buildings and classrooms. We want you to visit with professors, experience Chapel and see firsthand that we understand the significance of you entrusting your child to us for the next four years and welcome the responsibility. Click here to view upcoming visit opportunities.

DISCUSS FINANCES 

College is a huge investment, and there could be some sticker shock with one year’s tuition and fees ranging from $5,000 to $60,000+ depending on the institution. The good news is your student’s costs will shrink as they receive scholarships (awarded by the university and outside sources) and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

But remember, like most things you buy, you get what you pay for, so be sure to evaluate the give-and-take of choosing a low-cost institution or a large public universities (low retention and graduation rates; fewer undergraduate research, study abroad and experiential learning opportunities; larger class sizes; graduate assistants as teachers rather than terminally degreed professors, etc.).

TALK AS A FAMILY ABOUT WHAT YOUR STUDENT’S COLLEGE EXPERIENCE COULD BE.

Many colleges direct their communication to students only. We believe choosing a university is a family conversation. You know your child – their strengths, weaknesses, hopes, and dreams. We encourage you to talk with your student about academic rigor and the importance of Christian professors who will know their name, eat with them and get to know them outside of the classroom.

Talk about the importance of making lifelong friends – from across the world – who share similar beliefs and values. Consider the type of education that will help your student connect their chosen career path with what God has called them to be. We believe these conversations will allow your family to feel confident in your child's college selection, wherever it may lead her.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Choosing a college is an important decision and one that will literally affect the rest of your student’s life. Know we’re praying alongside you and here to answer any questions you have about your student’s college options.

DECIDE AND CELEBRATE!

Congratulations! You’ve taken the time and steps necessary to make an informed decision. Now, buy out the university’s bookstore – stick a decal on your car, wear a hat, sport your sweatshirt – and be proud.

ACU's long purple line of 86,000 alumni, living in 110 nations, forms a worldwide network of support for graduates. 

OUR GRADUATES GO ON TO BE: 

• Best-selling authors

• Advisors to U.S. presidents

• Winners of the Pulitzer Prize, five Olympic medals, and Emmy, Grammy, Telly and Dove awards

• Inventors of the year

• NFL coaches and players

• National leaders in education, business, science, ministry and the media.
   

HERE ARE SOME OF OUR LATEST OUTCOMES STATS: 

95: percentage of May 2018 ACU graduates were employed or accepted to graduate or professional school within six months of graduation. Our grads’ average starting salary was just under $47,336.

85: percentage of May 2018 graduates who applied to medical, dental, occupational therapy, physical therapy and veterinary schools were accepted. Nationally, the average acceptance rates are 50 percent.

98: percentage of May 2016 College of Business Administration graduates employed or enrolled in graduate or professional school within three months of graduation.

PARENT E-MAILS

As a parent, we know you may want to stay up to date with news and next steps regarding your student’s enrollment. Complete this form to verify your email address.

ACU MOMS

Sometimes it’s just nice to talk with other parents about their experience – and their students’ experiences. ACU Moms events held throughout the year in cities across Texas are a great way to get plugged in and hear from people we’re not paying to say nice things about us. Stay tuned for upcoming events to be posted.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

ACU’s mandatory new-student orientation also features parent sessions, where you’ll learn important information about the business side of academics, student financial services, technology support and other on-campus services available to your family.

FAMILY WEEKEND

ACU freshman families are invited back to campus multiple times a year, including Family Weekend, Homecoming and Sing Song.

These are the top 10 questions our Office of Admissions receives from prospective parents. Have a question not listed here? Simply give us a call at 800-460-6228 or email us at info@admissions.acu.edu

WHEN SHOULD MY STUDENT APPLY FOR ADMISSION?

The short and sweet answer is “as soon as possible.” Below are this year’s admission deadlines:

Early Action Deadline: November 1, notification by November 15

Regular Deadline: February 1, notification by February 15

If your student has been named a Top Candidate, then he/she is invited to apply by September1. Admission and scholarship notification is guaranteed by September 15.

IS ACU’S CAMPUS SAFE?

Student safety and wellness are a top priority at ACU. The ACU Police Department is composed of 10 full-time police officers and six part-time public safety officers, in addition to office and clerical personnel. Some of their services include:

• 24/7 police patrols
• ACU ALERT text messaging (for weather and other emergency notifications)
• Emergency management
• Motorist assistance (open locked vehicle doors, jump-start batteries)
• Night-time safety escorts

WHAT TYPE OF ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS CAN MY STUDENT GET INVOLVED IN?

A big part of successfully acclimating to college life is becoming involved and making friends. More than 100 organizations at ACU give your student the opportunity to meet people who share like interests and skills. Students can choose from intramural sports and academic, social, cultural, performance and service organizations.

WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ENSURE MY STUDENT’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING?

ACU offers over fifty health-related courses and physical activities as well as a state-of-the-art recreation and wellness center. The 113,000-square-foot facility features four gyms, two pools, racquetball courts, a bouldering wall, an indoor track, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, two exercise studios, and the Weber Medical and Counseling Care Center.

ACU also offers many services to ensure the well-being of your student. ACU Services that are free or low cost to students include the Medical and Counseling Care Center, nutrition consultation, Office of Multicultural Affairs, service-learning and volunteer resources, and career counseling.

Along with these services where students can seek out help, ACU has implemented a program called Student Opportunities, Advocacy and Resources (SOAR). SOAR is a referral program that partners with faculty, staff, students and parents to identify struggling students and connect them with campus resources such as the counseling center, Alpha Scholars Program, career counseling, the medical clinic, and residence life.

WHAT ACADEMIC STUDENT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?

ACU offers several academic services to ensure your student is challenged and supported in the classroom. All students are assigned an academic advisor within their major to help them plan and schedule the courses they need to graduate on time. ACU’s Honor’s College, McNair Scholars program, academic honors organizations and student research programs are all opportunities for students who excel in academics. ACU also offers several programs through the Brown Library to assist students in their course work including an academic coaching center, a writing center, a speaking center and the SOAR program.

WHAT IS ACU’S RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION, AND HOW DOES IT PLAY OUT IN DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

ACU was founded in 1906 as a Christian University of the Stone-Campbell movement most closely related to the Churches of Christ. Today, ACU honors its heritage by combining exceptional academics within a Christ-centered environment. Students are taught by Christian faculty. ACU requires students to complete 15 hours of Bible courses to have a firm foundation in the Word of God. ACU continues its tradition of setting aside 30 minutes every weekday for students to gather in community and fellowship. Students and faculty will regularly pray with each other inside and outside of class to offer support and ask for guidance and wisdom.

ACU does not set out to “convert” or change a student’s belief system to one that more closely aligns with the university’s; instead ACU serves as a place of community and support that puts Christ’s love and service to others first and foremost as a model of how to live out our lives.  

HOW MUCH ARE TUITION AND FEES, AND WHAT IS ANNUAL BLOCK TUITION?

For the 2019-2020 school year, ACU’s annual block tuition is $36,300 with $11,065 for room and board bringing the direct cost total to $47,365. The average financial aid package for last year’s freshman was $20,365. ACU’s annual block tuition covers up to 36 hours of courses during the fall, spring and summer, including short courses, online courses and study abroad courses. By taking advantage of ACU’s block tuition, your student can graduate in three and half years regardless of major. Learn more about block tuition here.

WHAT IS YOUR SIX-MONTH PLACEMENT RATE FOR GRADUATES?

95 percent of our May 2018 graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate or professional school.

HOW MANY CLASSES ARE TAUGHT BY REAL PROFESSORS (VS. A TEACHING ASSISTANT)?

All of our classes are taught by real professors. Occasionally, your student may have a professor who uses a graduate assistant to proctor an exam or lead the class in small group discussions.