Buena Vista University Admission
Buena Vista University Undergraduate Program
Buena Vista University Application

The Facts

Buena Vista University is a rather small, private institution located in the town of Storm Lake, Iowa, and is affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The school is home to over 1,250 undergraduate students and approximately 120 graduate and part-time professional students who are able to take courses in one of the university’s five undergraduate schools or graduate school. The schools offer academic programs in the areas of business, education, communication and the arts, science, social science, philosophy, and religion. These academic divisions offer broad majors in the areas of biological science, business (a large program with such majors as banking, finance, and sports management), communications and the arts (home to a wonderful graphic design program), computer and physical science, education, and social sciences (which includes an innovative program in criminal justice). Buena Vista University offer its students a surprisingly diverse range of majors in both the liberal arts and sciences as well as preprofessional studies; some of the most popular choices are biology, mass communication, business, education, and management.

Admission to Buena Vista University is not terribly competitive among the few students who apply; however, the overall number of applicants has been increasing with each passing admissions cycle. Last year, over 600 students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 500 of those students were accepted; of those, about 320 enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1050 to 1100, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 22 to 28. Additionally, more than 63% of the admitted students were ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of about a 3.7.

Buena Vista University has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 15:1, and while some of the general education courses are held in lecture halls, the are usually supplemented by a significantly smaller seminar course where students are able to discuss the content of the previous lecture. Additionally, professors get high marks from students in terms of availability and willingness to help students who may need it.

The Social Scene

The town of Storm Lake is quite small, and doesn’t really offer students much in the way of entertainment. It is also quite far away from any major cities, so the option of getting away for a weekend is complicated. However, the on campus social scene is pretty vibrant, and students seem to be pretty good at creating their own opportunities to have a bit of fun. The school has no fraternities or sororities, but this doesn’t seem to make much of a difference to students. There are over 50 student groups and organizations that students are quite involved in that run the gamut from art to a debate team.

The dating scene isn’t terribly diverse, but people are friendly and eager to meet new people...

What’s Good

“I love the community here; people are really welcoming and want to get to know you.”

“The professors and even the administration is really dedicated to this place, and it shows.”

“There’s a nice, laid-back feeling here; people don’t compete, and don’t stress out too much.”

What’s Bad

“There is a total lack of stuff to do. I get extremely stir crazy.”

“I wish we had some frats here; I think it would amp up the party-scene significantly, which we desperately need!”

“There are some professors who seem to think that their course is the only one you have. Think again...”

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