Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo College, affectionately known as “K” is another member of Loren Pope’s Colleges That Change Lives. This cozy campus is tucked next to larger Western Michigan University (WMU) and in the friendly college town of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Its open curriculum and unique K Plan provide students the flexibility to do “more in 4”!
• Enrolls about 1500 students
• Attracts large populations from California & Texas through access partnerships
• Follows a trimester system
Unique K Plan equals “more in 4”
• Open curriculum
• 3 classes per semester
• Meet with advisors every term to help create a purposeful path that meets graduation needs
• Ability to study abroad 1-3 semesters at a time
• Financial aid follows you AND provide subsidies to cover “lost” federal aid to allow ALL students who want to study abroad to do so
• Study Away opportunities in US also available for 1 term – can do both away and abroad
Experiential learning
• Internships
• Externships offering unique opportunity to job shadow and live with an alum
• Senior integrated project (SIP) required of all students – lots of flexibility (science based art, play, record drop etc.)
• Partnerships with WMU for students to use libraries, join marching band, join greek life etc
• On-campus housing only required 1st year – doubles with community hall baths
Application Process
• Holistic review focusing on rigor, grades, essay, supplemental essays
• Test Optional
Scholarships
• Lux Esto $23-35k highest level
• Enlightened Leaders is auditon req’d arts (do not have to major in the art, but participate in it – usually receive about 100 applications and accept 25)
• Need based aid avg ~$44k
• Institutional aid available even if 0 need; for families earning less than $200k
• All scholarships are stackable and welcome outside scholarships, which do not offset institutional ones
Average student profile
• Mid-50% SAT: 1280
• Mid-50% ACT: 30
• Avg GPA: 3.75
Admit Rate ~79%
photo courtesy Kalamazoo College
