Winthrop's ideal size of approximately 6,500 students is large enough to offer you the wide range of academic and extracurricular offerings found at larger universities, while at the same time small enough to encourage personal contact with professors and friends. Forty-four states are represented in the student body, and Winthrop is also home to approximately 133 International students from 47 countries.

Winthrop's average class size is 13-24 students with freshmen classes averaging 23 students. The student-to- faculty ratio is 14 to 1. Smaller class sizes and frequent conversations with faculty one on one are consistently noted by students as contributors to their academic success.

Although not a private school, Winthrop has many of the benefits generally associated with private institutions, including high academic standards, a low student to faculty ratio, highly qualified faculty members, state-of-the-art facilities, and a beautiful, well-maintained campus. Winthrop has a strong sense of community and students are valued as individuals.

Winthrop's residence hall experience is dedicated to the development of each resident student and is an essential part of the university's total education experience. Therefore, all freshman and second-year students are required to live on campus unless they are living with parents or guardians within 50 miles of Winthrop University.

 Advantages to living on campus include proximity to classes, the library, dining locations, and campus events; opportunities to meet more people and to make new friends; and a support system of trained residence hall assistants and other Winthrop staff.

Winthrop offers a variety of residence halls, including traditional halls, suite-style halls, and two apartment buildings. The apartments and one residence hall, Thomson, are coed. All residence halls are within a five minute walk of academic buildings and dining facilities.

Winthrop does not have any all freshman halls. The majority of new students are assigned to Margaret Nance, Wofford and Richardson. These residence halls provide the best opportunity for new students to meet and interact with each other, which makes the transition to college easier. We make every effort to assign freshmen together in rooms as long as we have empty rooms available. When empty rooms are unavailable, freshmen are assigned with returning students. The earlier you return your completed housing application, increases your chances of being assigned with another freshman.

Winthrop professors expect their students to be actively engaged in their education. Active participation in classes includes asking questions, engaging in discussions, and giving presentations, and are frequently part of a Winthrop student’s classroom experience. Winthrop’s smaller class sizes allow professors to learn the capabilities of each student and push him or her to excel in and out of the classroom, and typically students and faculty or staff get along well. All professors have posted office hours when students can speak with professors about any concerns or questions they may have.

Winthrop realizes that good reading and writing skills are the foundation for higher education so those elements have been incorporated into our general education classes. Professors will give various projects and assignments relevant to the course work throughout the semester. Some assignments may be writing a paper, while others may give students more hands-on experience with the concepts learned in class. Students will spend varying amounts of time on homework depending on their class load for that semester and what assignments they have that week. Some classes will require much more reading while others will require experimentation or creation. Students are encouraged to talk with each other about class topics, and group projects are often used by professors for certain assignments.

Students are also given opportunities through undergraduate research, internships, and co-ops to apply their knowledge to real-world situations. These are typically arranged by an academic department or Career Development .

If students have decided on a major by the time they apply, they may declare their major on their application.  If students are undecided, they may remain as pre-majors until the end of their sophomore year. Each student is assigned an advisor before they begin classes at Winthrop. Advisors are faculty members in the student's selected field of study and are available to help with scheduling classes and registration, as well as career decisions. Students who are undecided, or pre-majors, will also have an advisor assigned to them. This faculty member will help the student choose courses that will transfer easily into many different majors. Students will first meet with their advisor during New Student Orientation and subsequently each semester before registering for classes.

Career Development can help students explore degree and career options through a variety of assessment tests. Career Development offers many co-op opportunities that allow students to test their career choices before graduating and give students valuable on-the-job experience. Internships and coops are available in most majors, and some degree programs require field experience. Career Development counselors can also help students prepare for job interviews by proofreading resumes, teaching students how to write cover letters, and organizing mock interviews.

Career Development also helps students find jobs after college with its C.O.O.L. program (Career Opportunities On-Line), which allows students to post resumes online through monstertrak.com. Students can search exciting posted jobs and internships through the C.O.O.L program. Employers of recent graduates include: Springs Industries, Bank of America, Muzak, Wachovia, and many Fortune 500 companies.

Winthrop has a unique freshmen course, Academy 101 Principles of the Learning Academy , to help students make the transition to college life. This class includes the Common Book Project as well as discussions on living away from home, study skills, and making decisions. It addresses both the academic and non-academic adjustments freshman students experience.

For handling academic assignments, Ida Jane Dacus Library has every resource a student needs. It is the sixth largest academic library in the state, housing more than 2,000,000 items including books, periodicals, microfilm, microfiche, and government documents. The Dacus Online Catalog (DOC) provides online access to these collections as well as other Internet sources. Additionally, the library instructs students on how to use conventional and nonconventional resources in its state of the art technology room, one of the best in the Southeast. Students can even access Dacus’s databases from their rooms or off campus, enabling them to do research whenever and wherever they need.

For students desiring one-on-one tutoring, Winthrop offers the Writing Center and Math Lab. The Writing Center gives students a place to bring papers to work with a trained tutor to develop their writing skills. The Math Lab is staffed with faculty and students who can help students tackle concepts or problems with which they are struggling. Tutoring in other subjects is often offered by Winthrop students and can be arranged through individual departments.

The Department of Residence Life has established academic “theme floors” in the residence halls. Theme floors are ones where students possess similar academic and/or personal interests that they can pursue in a residential setting as well as in the classroom.

Leadership Explorers: Richardson and Wofford
These floors focus on developing the leadership potential of residents who desire to become involved in various leadership positions at Winthrop. Being a member of Leadership Explorers will offer opportunities and teach residents skills to become effective leaders and community members.

Honors Housing: Lee Wicker, Richardson, and Wofford
Honors housing is offered on the second floor of Richardson and Wofford during the academic year. Lee Wicker offers second year students' honor housing. The floors focus on developing an enhanced academic environment for academic success, celebrating diversity and providing educational and social programming. Programs feature outside speakers, service learning opportunities and faculty interaction. New students assigned to these floors must be admitted to the Winthrop University Honors Program.

“Learning for Life”: Lee Wicker, Margret Nance, Richardson, and Wofford-
Residents are encouraged to live in this community to develop their life skills and enrich their academic experience. Some of the students in these floors have their class, Principles of the Learning Academy (ACAD 101), taught in the residence hall and interact with each other on academic, social and service learning projects. Learning for Life will help residents connect their in-class activities with their out-of-class experience.

Environmental Issues: Richardson and Wofford
The first floor in Richardson and Wofford Halls are designated for residents what are concerned about environmental issues. Through faculty and staff interaction, activities and outside speakers, students in this fun and interesting community explore the environment and the ways it is affected by our everyday actions. Programs support learning on current issues and service learning through recycling and other community awareness projects and field experiences.

Healthy “U”: Lee Wicker, Margaret Nance, Richardson, and Wofford-
This community experience focuses on various aspects of health and wellness. Programs feature activities, outside speakers and faculty interactions that promote positive and balanced life-style choices. Healthy "U" help residents learn that wellness is much more than exercising and eating right. Residents have access to the refreshed Wofford fitness center and the opportunity to participate in educational classes, cultural, social and service learning programs.

Around the World: Lee Wicker-
Explore the cultures of the world while sharing your own. This floor merges the ideas and aspirations of all kinds of students from all kinds of places, not only from across the USA, but also from all around the world. This diverse community has one thing in common, interest in international travel and different ways of life. Explore your interest in languages, travel and study abroad programs.

Creative Habit: Margaret Nance-
Tap your inner creative resources in ways you haven't before. Any female who is interested in exploring the importance of creativity in all human endeavors would be well suited for this community. Students who are majoring in the performing arts, the visual arts and creative writing are a natural fit.

University College brings together existing and planned programs focused on increasing student achievement and engagement across the university. The College coordinates and guides programs from both academic affairs and student affairs, honing their focus across disciplines to ensure that every Winthrop student, regardless of their ultimate degree goal, has a common academic foundation as they commence their course of major study.

University College brings together Winthrop’s revised General Education program, Academy 101 Principles of the Learning Academy, the Honors program, and the activities and opportunities available through the International Center. The Teaching and Learning Center, which provides professional development opportunities for faculty and works with faculty who are new to Winthrop, is also a key component. An overarching focus for all of the dynamic elements of University College is enhancing the freshman-year experience and student retention.

In addition to the programs listed above, the College works with orientation, service learning, and student academic success centers. Programs presently in development include leadership studies, civic engagement, and academic themes in residence halls.

Winthrop is proud to offer more than 300 merit scholarships to high-achieving freshmen with strong high school records and SAT or ACT scores. Apply by January 15 to be considered for merit scholarships. Your application for admissions is your scholarship application.

Departmental, talent, and athletic scholarships are awarded separately by individual departments. Departments should be contacted for more information. The Office of Admissions can provide contact information.

Effective with students applying for freshman admission in 2006, all applicants will be required to take the SAT (with writing) and/or the ACT (with writing). We will continue to combine the high verbal + high math scores from all test administrations. We will also continue to use the highest composite score from all ACT administrations.

The question of whether or not to bring a computer to school is a personal one. With more than 20 computer laboratories supporting PCs and Macs available on campus for open access and instructional needs, students will always have computer access. Students, faculty and staff are provided free access to e-mail and the Internet on campus. There are also Internet kiosks located around campus where students can check e-mail or briefly browse the Internet. However, some feel a computer in his or her room is more convenient. If students do choose to bring a computer, they will be able to access the Internet through the network connection provided in each residence hall room. Wireless Internet access is also available in certain campus locations such as: Dacus Library, Java City, Dinkins Student Center, and Thomson Dining Center.

Microcomputer networks and labs provide computing resources for support of instructional research applications in all majors, including the electronic music lab, the theatre and dance design/technical lab, the molecular modeling lab for chemistry majors, the graphic design lab and CAD lab for interior design majors.

Many classrooms are also equipped with SMART boards, which allow professors to incorporate technology and teaching. Often professors will give assignments that require students to use specific technology, in an effort for them to become familiar with the software they will use when they get a job after graduation.

With more than 150 clubs and organizations to choose from, Winthrop students have unlimited opportunities to be involved on campus and in the Rock Hill community. Through their involvement, students develop leadership skills and values that enrich their lives and prepare them to meet the needs and challenges of their surrounding communities. The activity of each group varies; some groups may have weekly activities while others hold monthly events. Winthrop's clubs and organizations can be categorized as departmental clubs, Greek organizations, honor societies, interest groups, professional groups, and religious organizations.

For musically inclined students, the Glee Club, Chorale, Chamber Singers and numerous instrumental ensembles are available. Students are welcome to try out for the theatre and dance productions regardless of their major. Also, the student publications, including The Johnsonian, The Roddey-McMillan Record, and The Anthology are always looking for extra writers, editors, and artists.

There are several multicultural student groups. Visit the Multicultural Student Life page for more information.

Students wishing to become involved in community service projects should contact the Service Learning Center to learn more.

Winthrop offers plenty of fun activities for students. Dinkins Student Union (DSU), a group of students who plan campus events, has been voted number one in the nation for several years. They bring to campus a variety of acts from singers to lecturers to comedians. They even host mock game show programs. Typically, events are held every Friday and Saturday night.

Winthrop students must attend 18 cultural events before graduation. Cultural events consist of plays, concerts, lectures, and other activities. A variety of activities are hosted by student organizations, from beauty contests to money management programs; there are plenty of event choices available.

Sometimes students want to go off campus. Winthrop's location allows students the best of two worlds. The campus is located in Rock Hill, S.C., which has a population of approximately 54,600 people. Its small-town atmosphere enhances the campus' "traditional" college feel. Rock Hill also has an ever-expanding business community including many excellent restaurants, shops, dance clubs, and a state-of-the-art movie theater.

However, when students are looking for bigger city lights, nearby Charlotte provides an alternative that is only 20 minutes away. The close proximity of Charlotte offers great opportunities for internships in many different fields of study. As the largest city in the Carolinas, Charlotte also has an international airport, several upscale malls, and multiple professional sports teams. For more information on life in the Carolinas, check out our "Area Attractions".

Winthrop athletics compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Big South Conference and sponsors 17 varsity sports including men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, basketball, indoor and outdoor track, tennis, and golf; women’s volleyball and softball; and men’s baseball. Winthrop also offers fencing, lacrosse, swimming, and ultimate Frisbee as club sports.

Winthrop is truly the home of champions. Five teams—volleyball, men’s basketball, baseball, and the men’s and women’s tennis squads—captured Big South Conference championships during the 2004-05 year and earned automatic bids to the NCAA championship tournament. The women’s tennis championship was the program’s eighth in the last 10 years. The volleyball team captured the conference title for the third consecutive year, and the men’s basketball team, since 2000 has been the Big South Champion six times and have made seven NCAA appearances. A total of 51 Winthrop athletes were honored on the various Big South All-Conference teams in 2004-05..

Students who don’t compete at the intercollegiate level have a variety of intramural sports which are offered each semester. Some of those included in the past are: billiards, softball, five-on-five basketball, weightlifting, badminton, table tennis, darts, sand volleyball, tennis, kickball, handball, and flag football.

The opportunities available are varied and can be tailored to student interests. The Service Learning Center provides students with a connection to community organizations and serves as facilitator for many activities. Winthrop students volunteer with a host of organizations such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, CROP Walk, and Samaritan’s Purse.

Winthrop is fortunate to have on campus a branch of AmeriCorps, which provides paid service opportunities for students. Winthrop AmeriCorps students work towards reducing illiteracy in the community.

S.C. Teaching Fellows (administered through CERRA) and Close Scholars (a community service scholarship program for Winthrop students) also work with specific populations as part of their community service requirement.

Many students take learning across state lines or across continents through Winthrop’s National Student Exchange program and Study Abroad program. The National Student Exchange Program is an exciting opportunity to visit new places and experience a different culture and educational setting. A Winthrop student can attend one of more than 150 participating colleges and universities in the United States for up to a year while paying Winthrop tuition. The program encourages students to examine their educational goals while learning more about themselves and students of different backgrounds. The tuition and fees for the National Student Exchange Program are either the in-state rate of the host campus or the Winthrop cost, depending upon the exchange plan of the campus you wish to attend. Expenses for room, board, and transportation to the host campus must also be considered. Financial aid is also applicable.

Study abroad programs afford students another unique opportunity for academic advancement, travel and cultural emersion. Winthrop currently maintains agreements with institutions in Australia, Austria, China, Egypt, England, France, and Spain. Other opportunities are also available through the study abroad office. Tuition exchange varies depending on the program. More than 233 students participated in the study abroad program during the 2005-2006 academic year, and even more students participate in service learning projects or classes that take them outside the United States. For more information visit the International Center.

Winthrop's Dining Services provide students with a great variety of meal choices offered at four different dining locations.

Thomson Dining Center, an "all-you-can-eat" location, features hot entrees including a daily vegetarian entree selection, salad bar with a variety of nutritious choices, deli area, cereal bar, stir fry, pasta areas, and many other options. Thomson’s variety offers more than 100 items to choose from during any meal.

An "a la carte" location, the Dinkins Food Court features Subway, Bene Pizzeria, Freshens Yogurt, Ice Cream and Smoothies, Java City Coffee, The "Express" Sandwich line, Grille Works, and a salad bar. Dinkins Food Court, was recently renovated, and now features Orville and Wilbur's Chicken, Kettle Classics Soup Station, and Tummy Yummy Treats. Only Café Cash can be used at this location.

At Java City you can enjoy gourmet coffees, fresh baked danish, and iced specialty beverages. Java City offers high quality, freshly brewed gourmet coffees that are just perfect for treating yourself to a relaxing pick-me-up.

Winthrop offers a variety of meal plan options to fit various eating habits. All campus residents are required to have a meal plan. In addition to meals per week, students can put Café Cash on their meal plan. Café Cash is a declining balance account on your I.D. card. It works exactly the same as a debit card or check card does. Once you add Café Cash to your account, you can make purchases at any of the dining services locations by simply presenting your I.D. card. Café Cash can be used not only for food, but also for items in the Eagle Express and Eagle Port Convenience Stores as well.

Winthrop is fortunate to have had a very low crime rate over the past years. The University has a strong safety program that includes a full jurisdiction Campus Police that patrols the campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The campus also has 31 strategically located emergency boxes with direct connection to the campus police department.

Yes! National accreditation in all eligible programs, unique offerings, and well-equipped facilities guarantee a national caliber education, which in turn leads to extremely high rates of employment upon graduation.

• Graduation rates: 35% had jobs before graduation, 10% in less than 1 month, 21% 1-3 months, 11% 4-6 months, 6% 7-12 months.
• 70% are in job related to their degrees.
• 6% continued their education.
• 91% Graduate school acceptance rate.
• 15% employed and continuing education
• 70% employed full time
• 3% employed part time

Parents play an important role in the college selection process, and Winthrop attempts to include them by providing as much information as possible throughout the admissions process. A special Web page for parents can be found at www.admissions/welcometowu/parents. A variety of information and links are available there.

In addition, a parents' resource guide, which discusses topics normally of interest to parents, is produced annually. It is available in .pdf format on the parents' web page and is mailed upon request. The Department of Student Affairs also provides a parents' hot line (803-323-2270) for any questions parents may have.