AAR Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Questions You May Encounter as an AAR
If you have questions that are not covered on this Web site, e-mail Alumnae Admissions Manager Jim Duffy, or call 800-745-7692.
Q: Do many students go away on the weekend? (Or, is Randolph a suitcase college?) What do students do on the weekend?
A: There is always something to do on the weekends, whether you choose to stay on campus or explore the Lynchburg area. The Macon Activities Council (MAC), a student-run organization, plans events like Murder Mystery Mixer; Night Snowtubing at Wintergreen Resort; Western Night; Opening Concert and Summer Send-off, bringing local bands to campus; MacDoodle Day (classes cancelled); and the Mexican Fiesta Dinner. Around town there is plenty to do including a dollar movie theater, bowling, laser tag, paintball, ice skating and frisbee golf. For the outdoor adventurer, Lynchburg offers proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains for hiking, camping, rock climbing, kayaking and fishing, in national and state parks, all within a short drive from campus! 
Q: How much math will I be required to take?
A: There are courses in many departments (mathematics, statistics, economics, psychology, chemistry, etc.) that will fulfill our combined science and mathematics requirement. Placement tests will determine the level of your class and are administered in August during Orientation.
Q: Will I have to take a foreign language?
A: Yes! The General Education Program at Randolph requires every student develop some capability in a language other than his/her own.
Q: What sports are offered?
A: Randolph has seven intercollegiate sports teams for women, which include Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Tennis, Volleyball, Softball, and Riding. Men compete in Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Cross Country, Lacrosse, and Riding. Randolph is an NCAA Division III school and is a part of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).
Q: Which states do most Randolph students come from?
A: Virginia, Texas, California, Florida, New York, Maryland and North Carolina, along with 29 other states and more than 30 countries.
Q: How do I apply for financial assistance? Scholarships?
A: Students who submit a completed application for admission are automatically eligible for a number of merit scholarships at Randolph. Students eligible for the Presidential Scholars Program are invited to the College in February to interview with faculty and compete for these full tuition awards. To be considered for the Presidential Scholars Program students must submit their application by December 1.
To determine if students are eligible for need-based financial aid, students and parents must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 (Randolph encourages students to file by February 1.) This application is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and students should apply, even though they and their families may think they are not eligible for need-based financial aid. Many families qualify!
Over 90% of our students receive some type of financial assistance each year through scholarships, loans, grants, and campus jobs.
Q: What percentages of students hold on-campus jobs? How do you get one? What types of jobs are available?
A: Many Randolph students include a campus job as a part of their weekly schedules. Positions are available in most academic departments, the dining hall, administrative offices and other offices, allowing students to become involved with many different aspects of the college community. Work study jobs are arranged through the Student Financial Services Office.
Q: What kind of grades and test scores do I need in order to be admitted to Randolph?
A: The middle 50 percent of students admitted generally scored between 1050-1250 on the Critical Reading and Math portions of the SAT I. The grade point average for the middle 50 percent of students is between 3.2 and 3.7. Because every student has unique achievements and academic potential, we consider much more than grades and test scores when we evaluate each admission application.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum criteria above may still qualify based upon the Admissions Committee’s decision in examining the “whole student.”
Q: What are the deadlines for applying to the College?
A:
December 1
· Early Action I Priority Application
· Presidential Scholars Program (Priority Application serves as application for this scholarship program for those who qualify)
· Spring Transfer Student Application Deadline
February 1
· Early Action II Application Deadline
· FAFSA Application Priority Deadline
April 1
· Regular Decision Application Deadline
The online application fee is $35 and the paper application fee is $50 (the application fees are non-refundable).
Q: What are the most popular majors?
A: Biology, English, Psychology, Global Studies, Political Science, Business, Economics, and Environmental Science are most popular among our students.
Q: I’d like to teach when I graduate. Does Randolph offer a degree in Education?
A: Actually, no college in Virginia offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. However, students at Randolph can major in a discipline, such as History or Math, and apply for entry into the Teacher Certification program which makes them eligible for licensure in Virginia and many other states. Or students may enter the Curricular Studies major in order to receive teacher licensure upon graduation. These are all four-year programs, not five years.
Also, Randolph now offers two Masters programs in Education: a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Education program, with specializations in Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction.
Q: Will I need to bring my own computer? Does Randolph have wireless service?
A: It is not necessary for students to bring their own computer to campus, although many choose to do so. The College’s Information Technology department will supply students with information about PC capabilities and requirements for students’ computers to be connected to the College’s network. However, for students who do not own a computer, there are a number of computer labs on campus that are open 24 hours a day. There is wireless internet access across campus.
Q: What is the enrollment?
A: About 500 students from over 60 different states and countries.
Q: Can first-year students have a car on campus?
A: Any student can bring his/her car to Randolph. However, if students don't bring a car, they will still be able to get around. Buses run throughout Lynchburg daily, including a stop in front of campus. The “ride board” on the college’s portal gives students a way to connect with others who offer rides or need rides, especially during breaks. If a student does opt to bring a car, there is a $50 annual parking fee.
Q: Do you accept AP credit? Dual enrollment?
A: There are several ways in which you can receive credit or advanced placement for college-level work completed prior to entry. The majority of our students enter with some sort of advanced credit. Be sure to check the catalog for exact requirements or ask your Admissions Counselor.
Q: What types of internships are available?
A: Through our Experiential Learning Center, you can become involved in an extensive network of internships worldwide. These internships will complement your academic work and enhance your professional portfolio. Recently our students have interned at Discovery Studios; Centennial Broadcasting; WSET Television Studios; the Maier Museum of Art; the Ghana Embassy; Royal Thai Embassy in D.C.; Amnesty International; The Opera Company of North Carolina; The Lyric Opera of Chicago; Sam Rasoul for Congress Campaign; Obama for Change Campaign; Mount Sinai School of Medicine; the Mayo Clinic; Mercy Care Center in Nairobi, Kenya; University of Alabama in Gene Therapy; and Virginia Baptist Hospital as a NICU intern, just to name a few.
Q: What percentages of faculty hold PhDs or other terminal degrees?
A: 92% of the full-time faculty holds PhDs or other highest terminal degrees.
Q: Are classes taught by teaching assistants or professors?
A: Professors teach every class at Randolph, including labs. The professors make themselves available to students through office hours, individual appointments and by making sure students have their home numbers.
Q: Who are Randolph and Macon?
A: R-MWC was named for two pre-Civil War statesmen: John Randolph of Virginia and Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina.
Q: What is the history of the College?
A: In 1891, William Waugh Smith at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, petitioned his Board of Trustees for the admission of women to the college. After being denied several times, he decided to establish a college for women where they could receive an education equivalent to that of men of the time. He was offered land in Lynchburg, Virginia for the establishment of such a college, and in 1893 Randolph-Macon Woman’s College opened to its first students. For a number of years, R-MWC and Randolph-Macon shared a Board of Trustees, however, this association between the two schools no longer exists—they are two entirely separate institutions with only the similar names, which frequently causes great confusion! On July 1, 2007, the College officially changed its name to Randolph College and in fall 2007 began enrolling men.
Q: How strong is the influence of the Methodist church? What worship opportunities do students have?
A: Randolph is affiliated with the Methodist Church, but we have students from all denominations and faiths on campus. Many churches are located within walking distance or short driving distance from the college; in addition, worship services are also held on campus. Some local churches even offer vans that pick up and return Randolph students who wish to attend their worship services. In the fall of 2009, Randolph hired part time Methodist pastor Rev. Rachel May.
Q: What is the political climate on campus?
A: Like many college campuses, there are all types of students at Randolph and they all hold differing political views. Here at Randolph you are going to find students who hold very conservative views as well as students who are extremely liberal. The college’s chapters of the College Republicans and the Young Democrats are also very active throughout the year within the school and the community.
Q: How heavy is the workload?
A: The workload is challenging, but tolerable. Through close contact with professors and resources such as the Writing Lab, the Learning Resource Center, the Ethyl Science Center, and the Library, students are able to mange their workload and still have time to participate in extra-curricular activities.
Q: Do many students go on to graduate school?
A: Approximately ⅓ of our graduates continue on to graduate school following graduation. the College ranks in the top 20% of all colleges and universities nationwide whose graduates go on to earn PhDs. Within five years of graduation, 60% of our graduates move on to graduate school, which is twice the national average. Information about what graduate schools our alumnae have attended is available in the Admissions Office.
Q: Is there a department on campus that can help me find a job after graduation?
A: Yes! The Experiential Learning Center (ELC) assists students and alumnae with the job search process. The ELC can help students research job opportunities using their website and the ELC library. The ELC also provides information and feedback on writing a resume; students can also practice their interviewing skills by participating in a mock interview and attend career workshops. Students are also encouraged to use the Career Network to talk with alumnae who have agreed to help students and other alumnae with career choices, job search, and graduate/professional school advice. The services of the ELC are open to students and alumnae alike!
Q: Who are some of your notable alumnae?
A: Just to name a few…
Pearl S. Buck ’14, the first American women to win the Nobel Prize for Literature
Emily Squires ’61, award-winning director of Sesame Street
Candy Crowley ’70, Senior Political Correspondent, CNN
Susan Webber Wright ’70, U.S. District Court Judge, Little Rock, ArkansasBlanche Lambert Lincoln ’82, U.S. Senator, the youngest woman elected to Congress
Mrinalini Lhila '99, research associate at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Q: What foreign languages are offered?
A: Foreign languages that are offered include: Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish.
Q: Are the first-years all housed in the same residence hall?
A: No, the population of each residence hall, with the exception of Webb Hall, is made up of first-years, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Every student fills out a questionnaire in order to be paired with a roommate.
Q: Are the residence halls non-smoking?
A: Yes, all of the residence halls are non-smoking.
Q: What is the policy on alcohol?
A: Randolph abides by the Virginia State law concerning alcohol, which states that persons under the age of 21 are not allowed to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.
Q: Do I have to live on campus?
A: Yes, all students are required to live on campus unless they live with their parents or other guardians in the Lynchburg area, they are married, or they are classified as a Prime Time student (age 24 and older).
Q: What are the Tri-College Consortium and the Seven College Exchange?
A: The Tri-College Consortium, involving Randolph, Lynchburg College, and Sweet Briar, allows undergraduate students to enroll in a course at any of the other institutions without having to pay for additional tuition. The Exchange, comprised of several liberal arts colleges in Virginia, including Randolph, Hampden-Sydney, Hollins, Mary Baldwin, Randolph-Macon College, Sweet Briar College and Washington & Lee, allows students to spend their junior year at one of these institutions.
Q: How safe is the College? In what sort of area is it located?
A: Randolph is located on 100 acres within one of the beautiful historic districts of Lynchburg and is surrounded by many lovely homes, a number of which are owned by faculty and staff of the College. We have a Card Access System installed on campus, which requires an encoded photo ID card to gain access to any of the residence halls and some of the academic areas, thereby enhancing the security of students and staff. There is 24-hour security on campus, as well as call boxes placed in many areas around campus, particularly in parking lots. Students may request an escort to or from a building or parking area if desired.
