Appalachian State University

free essayLocated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Appalachian State University has a breathtaking location. Moreover, the university offers challenging academic program, and active campus life. In fact, Appalachian State University combines attributes of a small library college with parameters of a large research university. The university is widely known for its affordability and value; thus, it enrolls about 18 thousand students annually. In addition, Appalachian State University offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors for the students. The Appalachian hallmark is a strong sense of community, which was created by the close interaction of faculties and students. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, N.C., and it is one of sixteen universities in the university system of North Carolina. The university has rich history, and there is a lot of useful and interesting information regarding the student life on campus and academic activity.

History of Appalachian State University

The university has rich and interesting history, which is very prominent for its students. Appalachian State University was founded in 1899 in Watauga County. Dauphin D. Dougherty and his brother Blanford B. Dougherty began a movement for education of citizens in northwestern North Carolina. Daniel B. Dougherty and father of leaders, J. F. Hardin donated the land for the future university. By the contribution of citizens of town and county, the wooden frame, costing 1,000 dollars was built. In fact, not only brothers made their contribution to the foundation of the university, but also other citizens that wanted to educate people in Watauga County. In the autumn of 1899, the Dougherty brothers, working as co-principles, started the school called Watauga Academy. After the first year, fifty-three students enrolled in three grades from Watauga Academy.

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In 1903, the interest in school spread around the adjoining countries; thus, this step gave a push for the development of educational institutions in the region. In fact, D. D. Dougherty was sure that the government would fund such institutions for the training of teachers. Therefore, after drafting a bill, he traveled to the state capital, Raleigh. W. C. Newland of Caldwell County introduced the bill in the North Caroline Legislature in order to make this building a state school with appropriate maintenance. However, there were many people such as Captain E. F. Lovill of Watauga County, Clyde Hoey of Cleveland County, R. B. White of Franklin County, and E. J. Justice of McDowell County, who spoke in support of measure. In 1903, the bill officially became a law; thus, according to this law, the Appalachian Training School for Teachers was established. On October 5 1903, the school opened with 2,000 dollars of funding from state and 320 students. For the next 25 years, the school experienced steady development, academic growth, and the school provided valuable services to the State. In 1925, the name of the school was changed to Appalachian State Normal School. The state authorities provided additional funding for maintenance and further improvement of the institution.

In 1929, the school became the four-year degree granting institution. Moreover, the school was renamed to Appalachian State Teachers College. About 1,200 students were enrolled in degree programs for primary grades. Therefore, there were such majors as English, physical education, math, science, and history. In 1939, Appalachian State Teachers College achieved national standards because the school was accredited by the American Association for Teacher Education. In 1942, the school was additionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. However, the graduate school was formed in 1948. In 1955, Dr. Dougherty retired after the fifty-six years of serving to school. He was replaced J. D. Rankin, who became interim president. However, William H. Plemmons lead the institution from 1955 to 1969. In fact, his administration witnessed the development of campus. On the territory of the campus, many new building were added. The campus expanded and the enrolment grew to 6,000 students. The real transformation Appalachian underwent in 1967, when the institution became a multipurpose regional university. Simultaneously, the institution was renamed to Appalachian State University. However, the growth of the university continued in the 1970s. There were about 9,000 students and 500 faculties at the university. As a result, four granting undergraduate colleges were established such as Education, Fine and Applied Arts, Arts and Sciences, and Business. Appalachian State became part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972.

Description of College

Appalachian State University is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The institution is a comprehensive, public, educational university with many faculties. In fact, Appalachian State University has one of the highest elevations than any other university in the United States. The institution is situated on the height of 3,300 feet (1,010 meters). The main campus of the Appalachian is situated in downtown Boone. This city supports a population of 13,000 people. However, the total enrollment of the Appalachian is approximately from 15,000 to 16,000 students. However, the total size of the campus is 1,300 acres (5, 2 km2), plus a main campus of 400 acres (1,6 km2). Nevertheless, there are such facilities as 19 academic buildings, 4 dining buildings, 21 residence halls, and 11 athletic, or recreation facilities on the territory of campus. In addition, there is a monument of Daniel Boone in the Appalachian Mountain, which is visited by many students.

In fact, the center of the campus is nicknamed after Terry Sanford, a former governor of the state. Stanford mall opens a grassy land, where dining halls, student union, and library are located. Stanford hall is situated on the mall’s edge. However, Rivers Street, the road for the university and the town itself, essentially divides the campus into two sections: east and west. Moreover, there are underground tunnels and a pedestrian bridge that connects both halves of the campus. There are many places that are useful for the students. The eastern section includes Plemmons Student Union, the Central Dining Hall, Sanford Mall, and Belk Library. In addition, there are two communities of residence halls, and those are Pinnacle and Eastridge. On the other hand, the western section includes the Student Recreation Center or SRC, Trivette Dining Hall, the Quinn Recreation Center, Stadium Heights and Yosef Hollow, Kidd Brewer Stadium, and the two remaining communities of residence halls. At the north end of the campus, Appalachian Heights (residence hall in style of apartments), the Broyhill Inn, Conference Center, The Living Learning Center are located. The driveway and entrance to the campus are situated at the south end. Besides, The Living Learning Center is situated at the south end of River Street.

Application process

In Appalachian State University, the application process and timing vary, depending on a person’s student type.

However, there are several types of students who can apply to the Appalachian and those are:

  • Freshmen;
  • Transfer Students;
  • Distance Education;
  • Returning and Second Degree;
  • Military;
  • International student;
  • Non-Degree Seeking.

Any student can apply online on the web site of the institution; thus, all applications will be reviewed by the commission. However, there are some specific details for every student; thus, all these norms and requirements should be reviewed.

In fact, if a person wants to apply to the Appalachian, they should meet the minimum course requirements (MCR) and SAT or ACT score in order to receive a positive admission decision.

  • Average weighted GPA – 4.06
  • Average ACT score (composite) 27
  • Average SAT score (reading and math combined without the writing) 1160

The person should send application with accordance to the below mentioned notification period deadlines:

Admission Application Completion Date:

  • First Notification Period: November 15, 2013
  • Second Notification Period: February 1, 2014
  • Third Notification Period: March 15, 2014

Admission Decision Mailing:

  • First Notification Period: January 25, 2014
  • Second Notification Period: March 1, 2014
  • Third Notification Period: April 4, 2014

The students should make a non-refundable payments with accordance to the next deadlines:

  • First Notification Period: May 1, 2014
  • Second Notification Period: May 1, 2014
  • Third Notification Period: May 1, 2014

The future students should send the following package of documents to the admission commission:

  • A fully completed online application;
  • A non-refundable application fee of 55 dollars;
  • A full official copy of high school transcript with grades from 9 till 12;
  • Official test scores (either ACT or SAT, including written tasks);
  • Some additional information previously requested by the admission commission;
  • Supplemental Application Materials (Resume or Personal Statement). The applicants should note that the institution does not require the letter of recommendations or an essay as a part of application of admission.

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All applications that were submitted after March 15 will be considered on space available basis. However, the commission cannot make decision on the incomplete applications. All decisions made by commission will be send via American Mail. Decisions cannot be released via phone, email, or in person. In addition, the institution can consider a person as transfer student if the person meets the some criteria stated by the university.

Academics

Appalachian State University offers 103 undergraduate and 49 graduate majors for its students. In 2013, the average GPA for the new students was 3.91. In fact, the Appalachian organized the study process into eight colleges and one graduate school. The College of Arts and Sciences have fifteen programs in social sciences, humanities, natural science, and math. There are the following departments in college: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English, Psychology and Sociology, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Geography and Planning, Anthropology, Geology, Government and Justice Studies, Mathematical Sciences, Philosophy and Religion, Physics and Astronomy, History.

There are five departments in The College of Fine and Applied Arts and those are Art, Military Science and Leadership, Communication, Theatre and Dance, and Technology.

The College of Health Sciences educates students in such spheres as nutrition, nursing, exercise science, health care management, and communication disorders.

The Honors College takes new students as well as those who already attend the university. Students live in one of the Honors residence halls and attend at least one honor class every semester. Besides, the Honors College helps students with their future careers and gives study abroad experience for its students.

The Mariam Cannon Hayes School of Music has the following undergraduate programs in industry and music performance: Theory & Composition, Music Education Music Industry, Studies Sacred Music, Music Performance, and Music Therapy.

The Reich College of Education educates pre-school, primary school specialists, and secondary school teachers as well as other educational specialists. The Reich College of Education has six departments and those are Family and Consumer Sciences, Curriculum and Instruction, Reading Education and Special Education, Psychological Counseling and Human Development and, Leadership and Education Studies. In addition, there is the only one University’s decorate program, which is called Educational Leadership.

Additionally, University College houses the first year of seminar, learning assistance program of Appalachian State. University College offers five degrees for its students: Sustainable Development, Women’s Studies, Appalachian Studies, Global Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies.

The Walker College of Business has the following academic departments: Computer Information Systems, Accounting, Finance, Banking and Insurance, Economics, Marketing, Business Management, and International Business.

The college additionally houses the MBA programs. The Cratis D. Williams Graduate School offers several programs for its students:

  • Helping Professions – Health, counseling, and human services
  • Arts, Culture, and Humanities
  • Business and Professional
  • Academic Common Market Master’s Programs – great or unique programs that may qualify students for in-state tuition.
  • Environmental protection and conservation programs.
  • Higher Education Programs – prepare students for college or university teaching and administration
  • Peace Corps Master’s Worldwide Programs – Program connected with master’s programs with Peace Squad service
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Distance Learning in Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University offers distance learning and more than 3,000 million students are now enrolled in over 253 online distance-learning programs. The unprecedented increase in distance education in the Appalachian can be explained by three major trends: the increased use of personal computers by the public (some American homes are now Internet-connected); the spread of user-friendly online learning software that allows colleges to launch new distance courses quickly; and the demand from the consumers – students – who place a premium on the convenience and features of distance learning. The Appalachian campus is undergoing a transformation that promises to be the most powerful change. There are, of course, some faculties that maintain that the ‘context’ of learning is being sacrificed. However, most faculties are rushing to embrace the new technology, and statistics suggest that within a decade most students will be primarily distance students who will have periodic and short-term residencies on a campus, perhaps throughout their lifetime. Other trends in the Appalachian distance education scene are that the institution is being forced into becoming global providers, without understanding the challenges involved. Competition for students is no longer a matter of regional turf battles between colleges in one area, making it truly a global village, and institutions that can deliver the most convenient and relevant educational service will dominate.

Most online classes with more than 20 students in them are designed for both faculty and students. Each student is likely to send several dozen emails each week in a 15-week online course, and each one-class section has more than 20 students.

The quality of the instructional materials is also a major advantage of Appalachian State University. Chances are that if one selects Appalachian State University, which is accredited by a nationally recognized agency, one will have a wonderful and exciting learning experience.

Surrounding Area Activities

The Appalachian community is a very developed, environmentally aware area, where students enjoy the outdoors activities, cultural diversity, and other things in their lives. At Appalachian State University, students enjoy many outdoors activities. Due to the fact that the Appalachian State University is located in the mountainous area, students can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, hiking, rock climbing, rafting, camping, and tubing. Moreover, around the Blue Ridge Parkway, students can enjoy fishing. The McCaskey Center for Student Involvement and Leadership runs over 200 clubs and organizations such as diversity and academic clubs, Greek organizations, and sport clubs. In addition, the university has many volunteer organizations such as the Women’s Center, the LGBT Center, and the Multicultural Center. The Multicultural Student Development Office supervises all these three centers.

In fact, the campus is a very beautiful place, where all people can find what to do. Every student can participate in the life of the Student Union and hang out in the coffee shop. The weather in Boone is great. Usually, students just go outdoors, and enjoy picnics and other outdoor activities. At night, students usually can pick up a movie just for one dollar. In addition, there are many local bands at the on-campus nightclub. Appalachian State University has many football teams: therefore, on weekends, students usually attend Kidd Brewer Stadium to support football teams such as the Mountaineers. In fact, there are several local restaurants, coffee shops, and other shops. Moreover, there is a mall and Wal-Mart store, where one can always go shopping. Sometimes, people get off the campus for a while, and they go to the downtown Boone, which is just few minutes away.

In fact, there are many places at Appalachian State University. People enjoy studying there, and they can find many things to do. Moreover, many organizations will help one to spend one’s time efficiently.

Scholarships

People, who like academic challenges and are intellectually curious, can apply for scholarship in Appalachian State University. The university provides many opportunities for students who want to change the local community, environment, and the world for good. Moreover, people, who have present evidence of success in high school, can apply for one or more scholarships. In Appalachian State University, partial and full scholarships for students are available. The institution awards need-based and merit-based scholarships. In fact, Appalachian’s most recent class of scholarship students have an average SAT of 1328, an average ACT of 28 and an average weighted high school GPA of 4,55.

To apply for scholarships at Appalachian State University, an individual should submit application by November 15. Moreover, a person should follow the scholarship application steps in order to undergo admission measures. In fact, there are many scholarships available at the Appalachian. Wilson Scholars Program or Wilson Scholars Program

Wilson Scholars Program

This program was founded by Carole and Brad Wilson in order to support students-leaders who wanted to change the world. Moreover, this scholarship gives the highest potential for the students to aspire for being leaders in the future.

Students with excellent academic records, who have shown history of leadership and service and want to make an impact on the community, can apply for the Wilson Scholars Program, at Appalachian State University. The Wilson Scholars Program is premier scholarship; moreover, it is a prestigious program that covers full institutional costs including fees, tuition, board and room, book rental, out of state fees. Besides, this scholarship includes an annual 2,500 dollars for experiential academic activity such as investment in learning processes, undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, or service-learning trips. Students spend four years at Appalachian State University, while being on Wilson Scholarship. Students are transformed by professional academic mentors and classrooms, and they get exception real-world experience.

Chancellor Scholars in Dublin

For forty years, Appalachian State University has awarded this scholarship to seven of most skillful and highest ability students in the Honors College.

Highest-achieving students, who have earned the entry to the Honors College, receive this scholarship. The Chancellor’s Scholarship is a four-year program, which covers all institutional costs including fees, tuition, board and room, book rental. The Chancellor’s Scholarship provides study abroad for its students, and these programs begin in the freshman year. There are many opportunities for the Chancellor’s Scholars. Experiential research opportunities and numerous classroom and personalized academic mentors forge out exceptional professionals. Moreover, students study in a unique, living-learning community.

Career Services

As for the career building, Appalachian State University supports its students and helps with future jobs. Moreover, many programs provide jobs for students and future specialists.

The Career Development Center helps current students, graduating seniors and alumni internship and job. In fact, there are professional career counselors at the Career Development Center, who can help students to build their professional cover letters, resumes. Moreover, there are special courses oriented on the development of interviewing skills. The Career Development Center works with many national and foreign companies, which always hire skillful and professional workers. However, Career building counselors connect students to employers, who offer jobs and internships. Every month, the department of career services posts full time, part time, local and non-local jobs, on campus, temporary, and seasonal positions. There are many jobs that students can find; however, the university does not take responsibility for finding jobs for students. Nevertheless, Appalachian State University is always ready to help and assist its students in finding good jobs.

In fact, students should not be very worried about the life after graduation because Appalachian State University always helps its students to find appropriate jobs for their future career.

Social Activities

Appalachian State University provides a wide range of social and academic activities for people who have different interests. All year around, students of Appalachian State University are involved in many social activities. In fact, there are twelve fraternities and nine sororities. Approximately, 8 percent of the campus is population involved social life of clubs. Many events are held each year by these organizations. For instance, there is such an event as Lip Sync, which is held during Greek Week. The money raised during this week is sent to a local nonprofit agency. Every sorority and fraternity has individual philanthropic goals. Moreover, each fraternity and sorority on campus held Greek community service events.

Appalachian State University has Panhellenic Residence Hall, where members of Alpha Phi, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Chi Omega, Sigma Kappa, Kappa Delta,Zeta Delta, Zeta Tau and Phi Mu reside.

Fraternities on campus include the following communities: Alpha Tau Omega, Alpha Sigma Phi, Delta Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Theta Chi, Kappa Sigma, Delta Sigma Phi, Pi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Nu.

NPHC Organizations on campus include Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Kappa, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Zeta Phi Beta, and Kappa Alpha Psi.

However, there is also active sport life in Appalachian State University. The Appalachian football team is named the Mountaineers. The Mountaineers participate in the First Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Moreover, the team is the member of the Southern Conference.

Meal Plans

When students apply for housing, they have a choice to select the needed meal plan. Then students, who live in the undergraduate residence halls, have their meal plan already included in their contracts. There are three types of meal plans offered by the university:

  • Classic Meals and Caf? Credit plan;
  • Classic Meal only plan;
  • All Included Caf? Credit plan.

Classic meals are food that one eats every day, including breakfast, dinner, and lunch. Caf? Credits are cards that people use to purchase some extra food items, which are priced individually for every student. In addition, Caf? Credits are used to purchase classic meals or to buy something for one’s friends to a classic meal or some other food items. In fact, Caf? Credits are purchased as the part of the meal plan. It should be noted that the minimum meal plan for student in the undergraduate halls includes the 12 classic or 15 Caf? Credits plans.

Apartment Residents and Graduate Hall

Residents of southern halls are not required to purchase a meal plan; however, they are able to join it. Many graduate students enjoy dining halls, while spending busy hours in their classes. If student is interested in purchasing a meal plan, then a person should contact the Housing Information Office for assistance. However, students are able to use credit cards in the university’s dining location.

Off-Campus Students

People, who live off campus, can also purchase their meal plans by simply completing the appropriate form at the Housing Information Office or an online form. The purchase of meal plans begins at the beginning of school year, or at the beginning of the semester with accordance to study plan.

Extra Credit

Students purchase Extra Credits separately from the basic mealtime. Therefore, Extra Credits will be the supplement to a student’s standard meal plan. In fact, students can use them like Caf? Credits in most locations of the campus in order to purchase classic meals of other food items. Moreover, Extra Credits can be even used for laundry. People can use their Extra Credits at any time; moreover, they never expire as long as person has an active i-card.

Clinical Psychologist

In fact, the clinical psychologist is a very responsible profession. Moreover, there are many subjects that student should learn and many practice hours that a person should take during their student years. While taking a clinical psychologist course, one should consider that the students have to master the same disciplines as any other psychologists of any other branch: common, age, educational, social, clinical psychology, fundamentals of psycho-diagnostics, psychophysiology, anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system, etc.

However, the foundation of the profession is “clinical” component of the curriculum; thus, the students take the following classes: neurology, psychiatry, psychopathology, neuropsychology of children, psychopharmacotherapy, diagnostic methods of development in health and disease, etc. Such an inventory of knowledge will make a person a truly unique and demanded expert.

For more information, incoming freshmen can find some extra information about the major of clinical psychologist on the university’s web site or contact the Information Center of Appalachian State University.

Conclusion

Appalachian State University is a great place to study and to get one’s degree. In addition, the university has online educational courses, which become more and more advanced. The university has some of the best professors and teachers. In addition, the university offers a great diversity of courses for its students. Therefore, students get access to friendly and productive learning environment. Moreover, there are many faculties in the university, and any student can find the interesting major for their future profession. However, there is a program for students who are interested in clinical psychologist major. People, who want to study this profession, can easily apply to Appalachian State University. In fact, there are many subjects that are interrelated to this major; thus, the students should work hard to get their degree in this area.

Taking into consideration all above-mentioned information, there are still some questions that can be interesting for students and have not been covered in this paper, and those are:

  1. For what may the students expelled from the university?
  2. Does the student have the right to return to the university after exclusion?
  3. In what cases may a student get a sabbatical?
  4. Is the student allowed to combine study and work?
  5. What foreign languages do the students learn at Appalachian State University?
  6. How much time does degree in clinical psychology take?
  7. Can one use the library?
  8. If one has already studied at a university, can one apply to admission to Appalachian State University?
  9. When should the student choose subjects?
  10. How to choose the subjects?

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