West Chester University - A practical choice

I opted for this college because it was local and I could commute from home to save money. It was also one of the less expensive schools in the area and it was one of the few schools that offered my major. The admission process was straightforward and I only applied to 2 other schools, both of which were private and much more expensive.

I chose the program because it was the path to what I want to do as a career. The exam required was the SAT, for which I scored 1260. I don't recall if there was an explicit minimum score to get accepted into the program. The total credits required for the program are 120. West Chester University was one of the only local schools that offered the CSD major.

I have not had experience with placement or job opportunities. My field requires a graduate degree, so I still have a few years before I am able to look for jobs. The college holds career fairs but I have never attended.

I am uncertain of the logistics of internship opportunities or on-campus jobs at West Chester University. As a commuter, I have worked several jobs off of campus. I'm aware that the university offers tutoring positions on campus.

The tuition is approximately 5,000 a semester. I have not had to take out a loan, as I have been awarded two scholarships. The first is the Highmark scholarship through the Pennsylvania system of higher education. The amount is 1,000 for junior and senior years. Criteria was a major related to healthcare, financial need, and a high GPA. Additionally, an essay was required. Secondly was a scholarship through the school, called the Schock Foundation scholarship. It is for all four years in the amount of 1,800.

In my experience, the majority of faculty members at west Chester have been very helpful and excellent teachers. Most of them hold PhDs in their field.

I stay at home and commute to school, primarily to save the expense of a residence. I am able to have my car and my local jobs nearby to where I live. A challenge is certainly parking, as there is never enough spots in the student lots. Unless you arrive early in the morning, it is a struggle to find a spot.