BVU for High School Counselors

Welcome to Buena Vista University's site for high school counselors. Here we've compiled a quick overview and other important information about the University that we hope will help you to advise your students more effectively. We seek to continually improve this information and invite you to help us provide you with the information most helpful to you. 

Students that Succeed at BVU

Ranked one of the top 20 Midwestern Comprehensive Colleges in U.S. News & World Report, BVU is an excellent choice for the self-motivated student who thrives in a close-knit environment.

We know all our students by name. Make a point to get to know them. It's the nature of our community. Most importantly, we know how critical this time is in shaping a student's future. That's why our faculty and staff go out of their way to mentor students and help them establish a solid foundation on which to set their academic and personal goals.

Characteristics of the student that thrives at BVU

• Self-motivated
• Likes to get involved in extra-curricular activities
• Enjoys initiating activities and makes friends easily
• Likes to participate in the classroom
• Feels comfortable in a close-knit community
• Is in the top 50% of his or her high school class
• ACT Composite Score between 19-25

Academic Environment

BVU offers more than 43 majors and 15 pre-professional programs in five academic schools: Business, Communication and Arts, Education, Science, and Social Science, Philosophy &Religion. Almost 80% of our full-time faculty hold doctoral or terminal degrees in their fields. Our student faculty ratio is 13:1. To improve our students' learning efficiency, we give them their own laptop computers and offer campus-wide wireless Internet access – literally connecting them to the world.

Teaching is the number one priority, and BVU faculty and staff take particular interest in every student's success. All courses are taught by faculty members. Students often say that professors will go out of their way to make sure things are going well and to make themselves available even outside office hours to answer students' questions.

Quick Academic Stats

• Undergraduate Student Body: 1,149 (51% women, 49% men)
• Class size: Most range between 10 and 19
• School year structure: 4-1-4
• General education requirements:
  • Computer Literacy – Students must successfully complete a Computer Applications course that demonstrates their competency in word processing, spreadsheet management, presentation development, database management, basic electronic communication, and web navigation
  • Communication
    Written (requirements based on ACT score) –
    Students with an ACT English score 15 or below must take Basic Written Communication, Written Communication I and Written Communications II courses. (underlined text is a pop up balloon with course description pulled from course description content area)
    
    Students with an ACT English score 16 and above must take Written Communication I and Written Communications II.
    
    Students with an ACT English score above 30 will be consulted about the written communication requirement test-out process or must take Written Communication I and Written Communications II.
    
    Oral – Each BVU student is required to take Interpersonal Communication and Public Speaking or Business and Professional Communication courses.
  • Mathematics – (all entering students are required to take a Diagnostic Mathematics Examination. Based on results, students are required to take between 1 and 3 courses)
  • Fine Arts (three credit hours)
  • Humanities (nine credit hours)
  • Science (nine credit hours)
  • Social Science (nine credit hours)
  • First-Year Seminar – required for all first-year college students
  • Interim (three week January term) – courses include internships, travel-based experiences, or highly focused on-campus programs
  • Academic and Cultural Events Series (ACES) – .5 credits required every semester until graduation includes lecturers, concerts, and performances
• Academic Support Services: BVU's Center for Academic Excellence offers personal tutoring in all subjects as well as self-paced programs in writing, reading, and study skills
• Internships: Opportunity for all students. Students work closely with faculty to develop the internship, have one-on-one support with an internship coordinator, and participate in pre-internship and post-internship activities
• Study Abroad: Students are encouraged to have off campus and study abroad experiences. BVU has study abroad agreements in eleven countries: Austria, England, France, Mexico, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Kenya, Australia, China, Spain, and Wales and plans trips during Interim to countries all over the world.

Read more about our academic programs
Meet our faculty
See what others have to say about BVU

Student Life

Located in the northwest Iowa community of Storm Lake – an attractive, professional community of approximately 10,000 people – we provide a safe, welcoming environment where friendships are tight, and there are as many things to do as students can dream up – concerts, comedy nights, lecture series, cultural events, dances, art exhibits, picnics and fairs, tournaments of all kinds (Frisbee golf, bingo, pool, and mud volleyball) outdoor adventure excursions and trips into Omaha, Des Moines, and other locations in area.

There are 90 student organizations at BVU ranging from those with a career-oriented or leadership focus, to groups that are religious-based, work on social causes, bring together students with similar personal interests, or are sports oriented. The BVU Beavers provide opportunities for our student athletes to shine and athletic fans to cheer.

Snapshot of Student Life

• 86% of students live on campus
• Housing:
  • Single Sex – Pierce Hall (male) and Swope Hall (female)
  • Coed – Grand Hall and White Hall
  • Suites (available to upper classmen) – Briscoe Honor, Constitution and McCorkle halls
  • Cottages (available to upper classmen) – House 4 to 8 residents each
  • Special Interest Housing – Suites and cottages for students with similar academic interests
• 90 clubs and organizations
• State-of-the-art recreational facility
• Walkable campus
• Support Services:
  • BVU Counseling Center
  • Health Services
  • Campus Ministry & Spiritual life Program
  • Wellness program

Cost

While we are a private university, ensuring that as many eligible students as possible benefit from our dynamic learning environment is a priority. We work with families to identify a variety of approaches to financing a BVU education.

• Full-time 2007-08 tuition: $23,842
• Room and board: $6,712
• 99% of BVU students receive financial aid
• Average financial aid package: $21,228