Bowling Green State University-Main Campus (BGSU) History and Academics

History

Bowling Green State was founded in 1910. In 1984 BGSU claimed the national NCAA hockey championship. And the University recently became the first to offer a PhD program in photochemical science.

Bowling Green State University is part of the State Univeristy system of Ohio. It was established as a normal school prior to becoming a college and then a university. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. It is classed as a Doctoral Research University—Intensive by the Carnegie Institute.

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Information Summary

Ranks 27th in Ohio and 720th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	83.9
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$24,915
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	24 / 1100
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	19 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	77% / 29%
Enrollment Total (all students)	17,540

Academics

Bowling Green State offers over 200 major programs through its seven colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Education & Human Development, Health & Human Services, Musical Arts, Technology, and the regional Firelands in Huron, Ohio. Students who have enrolled without declaring a major course of study are enrolled in pre-major advising. Regardless of major, BGSU has implemented an academic program to help all students achieve a degree. Both in-class and out-of-class experiences help students become immersed in their fields of study. There is also a significant emphasis on service learning. For more outstanding students, the honors program and honors housing help maintain a focus on academics while establishing a tightly knit community environment.

Bowling Green State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 7 colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the College of Education & Human Development, The Graduate College, the College of Health & Human Services, the College of Musical Arts, and the College of Technology. The Huron branch campus, known as Firelands, has its own college. Many of the Colleges have additional schools within them.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in a wide range of areas such as African studies, creative writing, environmental science, liberal studies, mathematics, popular culture, art, journalism, business, teacher education, interior design, dance, recreation, nursing, and aviation studies. Traditional professional and humanities degree fields are all represented. Associate degree programs are offered; there are also certificate programs in business management technology and administrative office systems.

Graduate programs are offered in many fields. These include master’s level programs in creative writing, education, popular culture, public health, reading, rehabilitation counseling, applied statistics, communication disorders, French, Theatre, physics, and geology. Doctoral degrees are offered in 16 areas, including history, leadership studies, sociology, photochemical sciences, and theatre. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered through the College of Education.

There are graduate level certificate programs in ethnic studies, gerontology, food and nutrition, women’s studies, organizational change, and quality systems.

An adult learning service program is available through the School of Extended Education for continuing studies and career workshops.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

Bowling Green offers an Interior Design major through its School of Family and Consumer Sciences that results in a Bachelor of Science degree. At least 77 hours are required in the specific field of study to achieve this degree, the other hours being general education courses. Graduates go on to create innovative spaces and support productivity and efficiency with their designs.

The College of Education and Human Development offers the Education Foundations an Inquiry program (EDFI). This foundational curriculum supports students who plan to become educators, policy makers, or counselors, allowing them to go on to any profession relating to the education field.

Admissions

Application for new freshman admissions begins on August 1 before the student’s senior year of high school. Typically, admissions in the Fall semester can be considered competitive. Admissions requirements include graduation from an accredited high school or an equally credible high school equivalency certificate, results of either the ACT or the SAT standardized exams, and other less tangible qualifications including special abilities, achievements, and extracurricular accomplishments. For application purposes, the ACT exam is preferred over the SAT. The primary considerations are the applicant’s cumulative high school grade point average, standardized test results, and ranking in their graduating high school class. Interested students can apply via Bowling Green’s website and are encouraged to complete their application process by February 1 of the year they plan to enroll. Applicants are typically notified on October 1 assuming that all materials have been completed and submitted on time.

Bowling Green State University has an undergraduate admissions deadline which varies as enrollment is filled. Students may begin submitting August 1 of the year prior to their enrollment, and generally need to have completed their applications by February. Applications for some scholarships must be received sooner. The application fee is $35. Applications can be submitted on-line. Students who are enrolled in high school at the time of application will need to have their official final high school transcripts sent after graduation to the Admissions Office.

As part of their application, students should submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores. Students will be admitted on the basis of their high school course work and class rank, the grade point average, and the ACT or SAT scores.

Transfer students and international students will have varying requirements depending upon their prior educational background.

Students applying to the graduate programs at Bowling Green State University should consult the individual department and/or school to which they are applying. Applications can be submitted on-line, and the application fee is $30. General requirements include the GRE or other appropriate test scores (such as the GMAT) and a bachelor’s degree, along with 3 letters of recommendation.

Financial Aid

In the 2004-2005 academic year, ninety percent of all incoming freshmen received some form of financial aid, including more than $11 million in scholarships. Students who are National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, or National Hispanic Scholars and have a minimum 3.3 grade point average qualify for a renewable scholarship equal to 100% the total cost of attendance. The Financial Aid office also provides loans, grants, and federal work study programs, employing approximately 4,500 students each year. Applicants are automatically considered for financial aid if their credentials meet the requirements and if their applications are filled out completely.

Tuition at Bowling Green State University was $8,649 for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. Additional technology fees also apply.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available; about 4500 students work on campus. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. The recommended deadline is as soon as possible after January 1.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

Special financial aid programs for minority or non-traditional students include tuition and fee scholarships for African-American, Hispanic, and Native American students who meet certain GPA and test score requirements. Students from Michigan and Illinois who meet certain criteria are eligible for reduced out-of-state tuition. Other scholarships based on academic merit and financial need are also available.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2745th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Ohio.

Students

Bowling Green State is home to over 18,000 students who live on the main campus and offers more than 200 student organizations and clubs, including 38 fraternities and sororities. For active students there are 55 intramural sports. Bowling Green offers a variety of residential learning communities, each with its own interest and themes, including the Arts Village, Health Science Community, Honors Housing, La Comunidad, and Partners in Context and Community. For incoming students, the transition to university life is eased through the Orientation and First Year Programs (OFYP), which include orientation, registration, the University Success Course (UNIV 100), and various welcoming programs.

Student life at Bowling Green State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are residential learning communities available for students who are interested in living with people who share common interest; these include the Arts Village, Honors Housing, Health Sciences, and the La Maison Francaise. There are also student support offices for academic and personal problems, and several program specially designed for first year students.

One part of campus life is a tradition to form a conga line as long as possible; in 1975, there were 3,376 students participating.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The Bowling Green State University Falcons compete in the Mid-American Conference and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Bowling Green offers 18 varsity sports, including baseball, softball, cross country, football, hockey, and men’s and women’s basketball, golf, and soccer. BGSU competes in NCAA !-A football and Division I ice hockey. In 2004, Bowling Green State was recognized with the Mid-American Conference’s institutional academic achievement award for posting the best overall grade point average for all member institutions, which was also the highest overall grade point average in the award’s history (3.16 out of 4.00).

Bowling Green State University is an NCAA Division I School. Teams compete in the Mid-American Conference. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, cross country, and soccer. Women’s sports include softball, basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The sports teams are supported by a spirit squad, which includes a cheerleading squad and a dance team. The team nick-name is the Falcons. The team was referred to as the “Normals” until 1927, and the mascot Freddie Falcon was created in 1950. Frieda Falcon joined him in 1966.

Athletic facilities at Bowling Green State University include a stadium, a golf course, an ice arena, a field house, and a student recreation center. The university is in the process of building a new athletic center that will include areas for sports medicine, coaching, and teaching, among others.

Student athletes receive academic support from the university in the form of priority registration, academic tutoring, book loans, laptops for loan during road trips, and other resources. Athletes also participate in visits to local schools and perform community service. Students are recognized for academic achievement, and the university emphasizes the academic performance of its athletes.

Traditions

Bowling Green State has one of the most historic and memorable traditions related to its school colors. The Brown and Orange were chosen in 1914, more than 90 years ago. The University’s first President convened a committee to determine the school’s colors, one of the members being a respectable woman wearing brown and orange feathers in her hat. The committee was so taken with the colors that they were convinced they should be included in their choice.

Local Community

Bowling Green is home to nearly 30,000 residents, including resident students. It is part of Ohio’s northwest region and is within 20 miles of the city of Toledo and within reasonable distance of Ohio’s other major cities. The town and its people are friendly and warm-hearted. And the local University, combined with the town’s growing population of young people interject a bit of technological interests and active learning.

Bowling Green, Ohio, which has a population of approximately 29,000, including the approximately 20,000 students enrolled at the university. The surrounding environment is rural, although the city of Toledo is about 20 miles north.

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus