Frequently Asked Questions
(Residential undergraduate students only)

1. What are the admission requirements?
First-year students: Applicants are reviewed on an individual basis taking into consideration overall grade point average, high school curriculum, test scores and recommendations.

2. When is the application deadline?
Stephens College practices a rolling admission deadline with students receiving admission decisions within two weeks of submitting all application materials. Students are encouraged to submit their applications by March 1 of their senior year of high school.

3. How does the application process work?
First-year students: Applicants should submit the following paperwork to be considered for admission at Stephens College: signed and completed application; $25 application fee (waived if a student visits campus prior to applying, is referred by a Stephens alumna or if the student applies online); official high school transcript; official ACT or SAT I score; and a Counselor Recommendation Form/Letter of Recommendation.

Transfer students: Applicants should submit the following paperwork to be considered for admission at Stephens College: signed and completed application; $25 application fee (waived if a student visits campus prior to applying, is referred by a Stephens alumna or if the student applies online); official high school transcript; official college transcript(s); and official ACT or SAT I score.

4. What is there to do in CoMo?
Columbia, Missouri, has been called “Collegetown, USA” because Stephens College, Columbia College and the University of Missouri-Columbia are all located within walking distance of one another. Stephens plans events with both neighboring colleges. Students frequently attend events, visit restaurants and clubs, and other activities in the downtown area. In addition to the downtown area, Columbia is home to the MKT trail, various athletic facilities and art museums.

5. How do I schedule a visit to campus?
Click here to schedule a visit with the Admissions office at least two weeks prior to visiting.

6. Do you have athletics? How do I become involved?
Stephens competes in the American Midwest Conference of NAIA Athletics. Our students are involved in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. All students are encouraged to participate and our program focuses on scholar-athletes. Learn more about our athletic teams and schedules here.

7. Why should I attend a women’s college?
Studies have found that, by attending women’s colleges, women have more opportunities to hold leadership positions, are more likely to graduate, develop higher levels of self-esteem, participate more fully in and out of class, tend to be more successful and happier in their careers and are more satisfied with their college experience compared with their counterparts in coeducational institutions.

8. What is housing like for freshmen and transfer students?
As a freshman, students typically live in Pillsbury, Prunty, or Searcy Hall. Pillsbury has suite-style rooms, with a bathroom adjoining two rooms. In Prunty and Searcy Halls, students may live with their pets (limited availability and special restrictions apply). In Searcy and Prunty, students share a community bathroom. Transfer students who are above freshman standing (Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors) have the option of all residence halls, including Tower Hall and Pillsbury Hall (limited space on one floor for upperclasswomen in Pillsbury, as it is predominately a freshman class residence hall). Each room contains a bed, dresser, desk and chair for each person. Each hall has a computer lab, lobby and lounge area, kitchen, vending machines and free laundry facilities. All of the residence halls are smoke-free.

9. What are your guest policies?
All guests must be signed in and out by the host resident at the residence hall front desk. Male guests are permitted in selected living areas as long as the host escorts them at all times. Guests may stay for three consecutive days and two consecutive nights in a seven-day period as long as a student has permission from her roommate.

10. Is there a curfew?
There is no curfew, but each residence hall does establish quiet and/or courtesy hours.

11. Are there study abroad programs?
Yes. In addition to the Cambridge Program, Stephens offers study abroad programs in Korea, Ecuador and Japan. International seminars and study tours also are available. For more information, visit here.

12. Is there financial aid available?
More than 98 percent of Stephens students receive some form of merit- or need-based aid. All qualified applicants who have been accepted for admission are eligible for merit scholarships, award, and grant consideration if they meet appropriate criteria. In order to be awarded any type of financial aid, including grants, federal work-study and various loans, students must complete and return the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) Financial aid information can be found here.

13. Are there scholarships available?
First-year students: A student is considered for scholarships at the same time the Admission Committee evaluates her file. Merit scholarships are based on a student’s grade point average, ACT or SAT I score,

Transfer students: A student is considered for a scholarship at the same time the Admission Committee evaluates her file. Merit scholarships are based on a student’s application materials.

See Financial Aid for more details. Submit a FAFSA to determine your eligibility for need-based aid.

14. What is the student/faculty ratio?
The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, and the average class size is 12 students.

15. How can I afford to attend Stephens College?
Awards, merit scholarships and need-based financial aid make Stephens a valuable and affordable investment. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Jan. 1 to determine the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive.

16. How much does it cost to attend Stephens?

Need-based financial aid is available for students. More than 98% of our students receive some sort of financial aid to help cover the cost of attending Stephens. In addition, each student is evaluated for scholarships based on her application materials.

17. How many students attend Stephens?
Approximately 700 full-time residential students attend Stephens College. More than 1,000 students, including graduates and continuing studies students, are enrolled at Stephens.

18. Can freshmen have cars?
Yes, students are allowed to bring their cars to campus. Students are encouraged to purchase a parking permit: see http://www.stephens.edu/services/accounting/#parking.

19. What can I do after I graduate from Stephens?
It's really up to you! Explore a career in your field of study, continue your education or travel. Stephens women can be found around the world working in various businesses and industries.

20. Does the school give credit for Advanced Placement exams?
Stephens College does grant college level credit for AP scores of 4 and 5.

21. Does the school give credit for IB?
Stephens College does grant college-level credit for IB scores of 4 or better on higher-level IB examinations.

22. How are roommates selected?
Students are allowed to select their own roommates.

23. Where do most freshmen live?
Freshmen are required to live in Pillsbury Hall, which offer suite-style rooms (with a bathroom adjoining two rooms), with the exception of Searcy and Prunty halls, where students may live in a single room with a pet (limited availability and special restrictions apply); students share a community bathroom in Searcy and Prunty.

24. How do I meet guys?
There are plenty of social opportunities in the city of Columbia. In addition to meeting students at the University of Missouri and Columbia College, the campus is situated in the heart of downtown Columbia, where a variety of people mingle.

25. Are there sororities?
There are two national sororities at Stephens. Kappa Delta and Sigma Sigma Sigma are active in national projects and local events. New members are selected during the beginning of the school year after they complete the Rush process.

26. What are the meal plans?
Several meal plans are available at different prices. Flex points on a meal plan provide student the option of eating at The Collegian Grill after dining hall hours. There's also the Stars Cafe in Columbia Foyer, close to many of our classroom areas. Students may add points to their meal plan any time during the semester in $50 increments.

27. How is the food?
Fresh Ideas, our gourmet food service, provides an array of familiar "comfort foods" as well as unique dishes, allowing students to develop their tastes for new foods. Plus, a daily vegetarian entrée is always an option.

28. Can I bring my horse with me?
Yes, but space is very limited in the Stephens Stables. Returning students have priority for boarding a horse, but new students can reserve space by contacting the Department of Equestrian Studies at [email protected] or (800) 876-7207.

29. Do I have to be a theatre major to audition for plays?
You must be a theatre major to audition for plays in the Macklanburg Playhouse. Any student may audition for plays in the student-run Warehouse Theatre.

30. What religious life opportunities are available?
Stephens College is not affiliated with any organized religion. There are several religious organizations on campus such as Catholic Student Association, Christian Science Organization, Mikreh “Happening” and Stephens Christian Outreach Fellowship. There are various places of worship in Columbia to meet student needs.

31. Do I have to live in the residence halls?
Students are required to live on campus, however, there are opportunities to live off campus during their senior year. The College makes available a variety of living options.

Students who reside in Boone County and live with parents, guardians and/or relatives are allowed to live off campus. Documentation must be presented to the Vice President for Student Services.

32. What internships do Stephens students complete?
Nearly every academic major requires students to find and complete an internship in their field of interest. Students have successfully completed internships at Ralph Lauren, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, the American Horse Shows Association, MTV, the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C., local elementary schools, hospitals and through many other venues.

33. Do you accept the A+ program?
Yes.  Freshmen students who complete the A+ program and earn at least a 3.0 GPA, will be offered a $1,000 A+ Scholarship.

34. Do you offer tutoring assistance?
The Student Success Center provides individualized tutoring to all students free-of-charge.

35. Do you make accommodations for students with learning disabilities?
We do not have a specific program, but students are encouraged to let their academic adviser know of their special needs so that appropriate accommodations can be made.

36. What are the residence halls like?
Pillsbury Hall and Tower Hall have suite-style rooms, with a bathroom adjoining two rooms. Prunty and Searcy halls are community-style halls for women. Prunty Hall and Searcy Hall are mostly reserved for students who bring a pet with them to college (special restrictions apply). Tower Hall is an upperclass (Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors) residence hall that also offers student apartments for upperclasswomen. Each room contains a bed, dresser, desk and chair for each person. Each hall has a computer lab, lobby and lounge area, kitchen, vending machines and free laundry facilities. All of the residence halls are smoke-free.

37. How safe is campus?
In addition to front desks located in each hall where residents check in their guests, Stephens College monitors a 24-hour direct line to security, which can be reached by any residence hall phone, your room phone or the many security phones located on campus grounds. Campus security is available in case of emergencies and to walk you home from any building on campus.

38. What types of jobs are available on campus?
Examples of campus jobs include working as an assistant in various academic departments or administrative offices, or assisting with food service. A campus job fair is held at the beginning of the semester to assist students in securing on-campus employment.

39. Is Internet service available on campus?
High-speed, wireless Internet service is available anywhere on campus.

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