A Parent’s Guide to the Bradley Experience
[ \bradlē\ noun — Where you define your future. ]
Your student’s admission to Bradley University represents a significant accomplishment — for them and for you. Their acceptance is the fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations you’ve held for them.
Congratulations! Now is the time when many parents step back a little and let their students decide which college to attend. We say it’s time to step in — for a moment, anyway. Your student has discovered a college that will provide an intellectually exciting experience, opportunities for personal growth, and preparation for a lifetime of professional achievements. You’ve guided them toward rational, informed choices, which is exactly what we want for your student. Frankly, it’s how we prepare our students — your student — for life. Remember when your conversations turn to costs and paying for college, you have an important perspective. As financial assistance awards arrive, go through them with your student. Compare Bradley’s bottom-line price to other college options. We welcome the comparison. And help your student understand “low cost” doesn’t necessarily mean “best value.”
They’ll hear you.
[ \k -nekt\ verb — Join; link; to associate in one’s mind. ]
TOP
25
240+
Private University for Student Engagement
student organizations
Wall Street Journal/THE
MOVE IN
AUG. 21, 2021
65
Academic & Honorary Associations 1
19
21
Service & Leadership Organizations
Multicultural and Inclusion Student Groups
9
PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS FOR ALL MAJORS
18
Religious Life Groups
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
17
[ \s k-sē d\ verb — To attain a desired object or end: be successful. ]
100%
OF CLASSES TAUGHT BY FACULTY
Professors who
know students by name
One of Bradley’s biggest advantages is its size.
Academic Success Center:
With nearly 6,000 students, we offer your student the opportunities smaller private schools can’t provide and a distinctly personalized college experience large institutions can’t match. Our talented, engaged professors provide the guidance and care your student will need. Our resources are exceptional. Summer orientation begins a bonding experience that continues into the school year with a semester-long course for new students to learn how to be a successful Bradley student. They’ll also learn about support from our health center, counseling center, and the Academic Success Center. For example, there’s free tutoring and the Writing Center is available to any Bradley student. In addition to our accessible faculty, our team of student support professionals will be there for your student when you can’t be. They’re part of why our freshman-to-sophomore retention rate is significantly higher than at most colleges and universities. And when your student graduates, he or she will know what the next step is, whether that’s a start to a great career or continuing on to graduate school.
A college education is one of the most important investments a student and family make.
bradley.edu/ offices/student/cla
3
HEALTH SERVICES:
bradley.edu/ healthservices
An investment in a Bradley education will pay off. Here’s why: Our price is a great start. Even before you receive your aid package, our sticker price is considerably lower than at comparable universities. Your student is also more likely to graduate in four years, saving you the cost of additional time often spent at large, public institutions. We award generous financial aid packages — more than $115 million to over 95 percent of our students. Our scholarships recognize strong students regardless of family resources. Once you subtract the scholarship and grant assistance you receive from the sticker price, you’ll have a price that stacks up against both private and public schools. Our goal is to take price out of the equation so you can choose the experience that best meets your student’s aspirations. You’ll also have access to low-cost educational borrowing and flexible payment plans. Your financial aid package will blend all the options we can offer. We’ll help you craft a plan to pay your share of costs.
Simply put — you can afford a Bradley education.
[ \s -pōrt\ verb — To hold up or serve as a foundation for. ]
Bradley is worth it. But don’t take it from us; take it from them. National education guides agree: a superb education for a reasonable price, offset by extensive financial aid opportunities, is the essence of great educational value. It shows in the remarkable success of Bradley graduates, who get terrific jobs or attend prestigious graduate schools. U.S. News & World Report: In Best Colleges 2021, U.S. News & World Report recognized Bradley as the top Regional University in Illinois and a Top 10 Midwestern School for Best Value.
FIND PARENT RESOURCES: bradley.edu/ parents
Brookings Institution: “#19 in the country in colleges that add the most value to alumni earnings” – a comparison of estimated earnings based on the college’s institutional, student and locational characteristics, and actual alumni earnings 10 years after graduation. The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: The Wall Street Journal ranks Bradley as the top-ranked private-school in Illinois and among the top 25 private universities in the nation for student engagement. Students experience the benefits of attending a university recognized for providing a personalized and meaningful experience. Washington Monthly: In its 2019 rankings of schools that help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices, Washington Monthly placed Bradley in its top 10% of Midwestern schools — Best Bang for the Buck.
5
As a parent, you want your student to be able to find employment after graduation.
At Bradley, we help your student start more than a job; we help them begin a career. We offer opportunities for meaningful internships, co-ops, and part-time jobs. For example, if your student is interested in becoming an entrepreneur, we’ll give them a chance to form and lead a successful new business through a business start-up competition backed by funding from real investors. And, no matter what career path your student chooses, our relationships with the schools, hospitals, businesses, and agencies in the surrounding communities mean they won’t have to leave the Peoria area for a relevant, career-shaping experience.
100%
Students with Experiential Learning
Our Smith Career Center can guide your student when: • exploring and defining career options • developing job strategies • obtaining job experience and, • connecting with prospective employers.
STUDENTS PREPARED TO
SUCCEED
85%
of graduates completed an internship
The result of this targeted career assistance?
A 93 percent overall placement rate for Bradley graduates.
Parent Perspectives Here’s what Bradley parents had to say … “I think that, more than ever, parents and students are concerned about whether there’s value in their education. We couldn’t be happier that Joe chose to come to Bradley.” – Sue Woodruf f, mother of Joe
“Bradley really is meeting all of my expectations, meeting the expectations of his father, and most importantly, meeting the expectations of Harland.” – Cheryl Reid, mother of Harland
“It’s more than just the academic part. It’s about how you feel. Bradley is a place where I know my son is being nurtured — not only academically, but as a whole person.”
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– Stacey Noble-Loveland, mother of Ty
“This has been a wonderful experience for our family — sending our first kid to college. This is family. This is my son’s second home.” – Kendra Jahn, mother of Charles
“Think about that valuable experience that’s so critical during the college years — that helps them transition to that next career, that life opportunity. Bradley offers our son so much in the four years he’s going to be here that will prepare him for life.” – Michael Hudson, father of Michael
“There’s just no comparison to having a fullf ledged Ph.D. teaching you. I don’t know that in a larger university you’d have the head of a department teaching an introductory class. That’s one of the advantages of Bradley.” – Barb Friedhof f, mother of Matt
[ \THrīv\ verb — Grow or develop well or vigorously; prosper; f lourish. ]
For your student, we believe deciding to attend Bradley is the first step in a lifetime of uncommon success. But we realize the bittersweet process of sending your child to college may leave you wondering where you’ll fit in. As your student decides which college or university will become their home for the next four years, we know it’ll become part of your family’s story, too.
[ \fam- -lē\ noun — A group of individuals who form a community connected by their care for each other. ]
If Bradley is your student’s choice, you’ll find a warm, accepting community with lifelong connections among students — and parents. The Hilltop and Peoria will become a beloved part of your life. You’ll discover friendly people and comfortable places to reconnect as a family on your visits.
We’d be honored to welcome you into the Bradley family.
You won’t be going it alone. Our graduates take solid friendships and strong relationships with mentors out into a fulfilling career or postgraduate studies. We pledge to work with you to manage the cost. Our niche — perfectly sized to be friendly and supportive, yet offering boundless academic and mentoring opportunities — will give your student a great start, especially when paired with our generous financial aid.
It’s a lot to think about. If you have questions, please ask. We’re here to help.
9 Thanks to the parents who allowed us to use their Facebook posts.
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