Frequently Asked Questions

1. What grades/test scores do I need to be admitted to Wagner as a first-year student?
We do not have a set minimum, but for general guidelines the average SAT I score submitted for the Fall 2005 enrolled class is 1124, and the average G.P.A. an 88 (from a strong college preparatory curriculum). Our ACT average is a 24. Back to Top

2. What are the most popular majors at Wagner?
Currently, biological sciences, business, education, and psychology are our top four most enrolled majors. (...but as a liberal arts college, 25% of our new first year students enter as "undeclared"). Back to Top

3. When is the deadline for applying?
February 15 is our general deadline, with January 1 for Early Decision and December 15 for Physician Assistant candidates. Theatre students must submit a completed application by December 1. Music applicants interested in attending our Audition Day in February need to submit their completed application to the Admissions Office by December 15. Back to Top

4. When will I hear a decision from the Admissions Office?
Because Wagner is a competitive college, we do not have rolling admissions; we begin sending decision letters for regular decision students on March 1. Early Decision students hear from us by January 15, Physician Assistant candidates are notified February 15. Back to Top

5. Are there scholarships offered?
Wagner has a merit-based system for scholarships, and these awards are based on all material submitted for admission; which includes official transcripts and test scores, class rank, letters of recommendation, personal essay, activities/extracurricular lists, and interview (recommended). Back to Top

6. How do I apply for financial aid? What forms are necessary and when is the deadline?
We use the FAFSA form, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is available, after January 1, in high school guidance offices, by mail, or from their website: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. We recommend sending the form in by February 15; the code for Wagner is 002899. (For more detailed information about financial aid at Wagner, please visit that portion of our website). About 70 % of students receive financial aid at Wagner. Back to Top

7. How much does Wagner cost?
For the 2008-2009 school year: $30,900 for tuition, and $9,250 for room and board. This includes housing and a regular meal plan. We do not have extra costs for parking, use of our sports center, technology, etc. There are additional charges for labs and studio fees in certain science, music and art classes. Back to Top

8. What is your student/teacher ratio? How large are the classes?
Our current student teacher ratio is 16:1; our classes are taught by our professors exclusively, not graduate/teaching assistants. A typical first-year class at Wagner has 20-25 students. Back to Top

9. How many students attend Wagner?
The current enrollment is about 1900 full-time undergraduates, and 325 in graduate study. Back to Top

10. How many students applied last year? Were accepted? Attended?
The 2006 Fall semester first year student profile:

2900 applicants
1700 admitted
545 enrolled

11. Where are your students from geographically?
Our student body represents 42 states and 16 countries. Back to Top

12. Can I have a car on campus my first year? What is the parking fee?
All students are permitted to have a car on campus; it must be registered with the Public Safety Office. However, parking is limited, and we would encourage you not to bring your own car if you are living on campus. Wagner provides a campus shuttle that takes students to the Staten Island Ferry, which transports people to and from Manhattan. Staten Island has an extensive public transportation system; one bus line stops at the main entrance to the college. Taxi and car services are also available. Back to Top

13. What is the freshman retention rate? What is the college's graduation rate?
88% return for their sophomore year; 75% graduate in five years. Both numbers are well above the national average. Back to Top

14. Do you give equal preference to students applying with the Common Application?
Yes, but there is a second portion to the application - the Common Application Supplement. You can access the supplement, and the Common Application, on our website at the "Apply to Wagner" page. The on-line Common Application can also be found at www.commonapp.org. Back to Top

15. Does Wagner offer a formal program for learning disabled students?
No, we do not have a formalized LD program. We can work with students on an individual basis from the point of application to ensure we have the counseling or services necessary in our Advisement Center. Back to Top

16. Do you have internships? Co-op?
We absolutely have internships! Wagner starts out with experiential learning in the first semester, and then progresses to internships, study abroad, etc. We do not have co-ops, most internships are unpaid yet are "substituting" for another class at Wagner. All seniors must complete an internship or practicum in their major area of study. For more information, please also see the Wagner Plan section of this site. Back to Top

17. Is on-campus housing guaranteed for four years? What percentage live on campus?
Housing is guaranteed as long as you apply to the College as a resident student and follow our deadlines for returning the residence life forms found in our First Year Guide. You must also follow the policies of the Housing lottery each year. About 80% of our undergraduates reside on campus, and most students live in our residence halls for the four years. Back to Top

18. What is the college's minority population?
About 16% for undergraduates. Back to Top

19. How do I get in touch with an athletic coach for recruitment?
Wagner competes at a NCAA Division I level for most athletic teams. Please see the Athletic pages of our site for the contact information for each individual sport. Back to Top

20. Do you have job/career placement?
Yes! Our Center for Career Development and Experiential Learning(centrally located for easy access in our Student Union) offers everything from running seminars to prepare you for an interview to resume preparation to counseling on which position is right for your goals Back to Top

21. Do I need to bring a computer to campus? What kind?
Our residence halls are all fully wired for access to our Spiro Computer center and for personal voice mail. We are both PC and Macintosh accessible. You do not need to bring your own computer and may use our labs, but you are definitely welcome to bring one for your residence hall room. Back to Top

22. What do I do if I don't yet know what to study?
About 25% of our new first year students enter as "Undeclared" status. When you meet with your faculty advisor during orientation, you can discuss your academic interests and form your schedule from there. Back to Top

23. What is the procedure for auditioning for a Theatre or Music scholarship?
All potential students interested in majoring in Theatre must send in a completed application by December 1. Students who are seeking a music scholarship are required to audition. You need not be a Music major to qualify for a music scholarship. You must first submit your completed admissions application, with a Performance Scholarship application, to the Admissions Office for academic review prior to scheduling an audition date. The Performance Scholarship application is on line on the "Apply to Wagner" page. Back to Top

24. What is your policy on AP credits? What about college credit courses taken while I'm in high school?
We'll accept an AP test score of a 4 or a 5 as a college course towards your core classes. Wagner does not evaluate college courses for transfer unless the class was taken physically at the college or university led by a professor with other college students in attendance. Typically, courses taken before graduation from high school are not transferred over, but are usually viewed as a more challenging course by the admissions counselor. The policy for accepting IB credits is still under evaluation. Please contact the Admissions Office directly should you have any questions. Back to Top

25. Do I have to schedule an interview for admission?
Well, an interview is recommended, not required. We do suggest that if you come for a tour, you also request an interview. It helps your admissions counselor to ask any questions he or she may have about your file. Back to Top

26. Is the TOEFL required of international students? What score is required? Do you have ESL classes on campus?
The TOEFL is required of undergraduate international applicants. The minimum score is a 217 on the computer test, (or a 550 on the paper test), to waive our English language requirement. We do not offer ESL classes on campus. Back to Top

27. How many students are active in fraternities and sororities?
Approximately 15% of our undergraduates are involved in our fraternities and sororities. Back to Top

28. Is the college accredited? By whom?
The college is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Specific portions of Wagner's academic program have recognition and accreditation by national professional agencies such as the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the National League for Nursing, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the American Chemical Society. Back to Top

29. Do you have any graduate students teaching?
We do have graduate assistants in our academic and athletic departments, but they never teach our classes. Graduate assistants typically aid the professors with exam review, laboratory sciences, research, and general course preparation. Back to Top

30. Do you have an honors program? How do I join the program?
We do have an honors program, which is not a separate honors college but a very individualized program. Top scholarship recipients are invited to join our honors program by invitation. Please see the section of our site that discusses our Honors Program. Back to Top

31. Are overnight visits possible at Wagner?
Yes, after you have submitted an application for admission, you may contact your admissions counselor for available visit dates. Our volunteer Student Ambassadors host prospective students on certain pre-arranged dates throughout the spring semester. You will be sent an invitation to these visit dates after we have received your application for admission and it has been academically reviewed. Back to Top

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