All you need to know about Baylor University

About Baylor University

Baylor University’s goal is to inspire action on behalf of the world through an intellectual activity that stems from disciplined habits of the heart. Baylor University is one of a small group of national universities that take their religious identity seriously. It represents the free church tradition of Christianity. 

Baylor already stands out for its academic and religious achievements. When measured by objective academic standards, Baylor continues to excel. In this blog, we will further discuss the university’s courses, rankings, campus, and more.

Mission

Baylor University’s mission is to prepare men and women for global leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

Key facts

• 38.7% of incoming freshmen were among the top 10% of their high school graduating class.
• 330 organizations and clubs, including 40 national and local sororities and fraternities
• Baylor is one of only 10% of US universities with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, the nation’s oldest scholastic honor society.
• Baylor students, faculty, and staff contribute more than 150,000 hours of community service each year.
• Home to Habitat for Humanity’s first campus chapter. 
• 39 percent of students live on campus in 12 residence halls.
• Minority students make up 37.6% of the freshman class.
• The total enrollment is 20,626 (15,191 undergraduates and 5,435 graduate/professional students).
• 55% of students are from Texas, and students from all 50 states and 100 countries attend Baylor.

History

Founded in 1845 by the Republic of Texas, Baylor University has an affiliation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. It is the state’s oldest institution of higher learning as well as the world’s largest Baptist university. The motive for Baylor’s foundation was to serve the church and society. It seeks to fulfill that calling through excellence in teaching and research, scholarship, and publication.  The university also aims to serve the local and global communities. The motto inscribed on the Baylor seal reflects the founders’ vision and the ongoing commitment of generations of students and scholars. It is Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana — For Church, For Texas.

Campus

Baylor is Texas’s oldest continuously operating university. It is one of the first educational institutions lying in the west direction of the Mississippi River. Located on the banks of the Brazos River, the university’s 1,000-acre (400-hectare) campus is next to the I-35 highway, halfway between the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Austin.

Student life

Baylor University has over 16,000 students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and approximately 89 foreign countries. The university clubs allow each student to become involved with an organization that shares his or her interests. Baylor University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 13,859 students, with 42% male students and 58% female students. At Baylor, 36% of students live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, while 64% live off campus.

Courses

Baylor University provides students with an expanding academic enterprise that fosters educational excellence, leadership, and research discovery. Students are equipped to lead, serve, and succeed in the future. The dedicated professors of the university ensure that their teaching helps students in this. The university also tries to inculcate a commitment to Christian values among students.

Baylor University’s mission is to educate men and women about global leadership and service by combining academic excellence and Christian commitment.

Students learn how to think critically, analyze to reach informed conclusions, and contribute to their academic disciplines at Baylor. Students get a college experience that prepares them for a professional career path of excellence, discovery, and achievement. Within 90 days of graduation in 2020, 73% of students found work or enrolled in graduate school.

Academic units

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
• George W. Truett Theological Seminary
• Graduate School
• Hankamer School of Business
• Honors College
• Law School
• University Libraries
• Louise Herrington School of Nursing
• Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
• School of Education
• School of Engineering & Computer Science
• School of Music

Academic facts

• Degree programs includes 126 baccalaureate programs, 80 master’s programs, 47 doctoral programs, a juris doctor program, and two education specialist programs.
• Top 7% of National Merit Scholars candidates
• The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education has designated Baylor as a ‘Doctoral University- Very High Research Activity’ or Research 1 institution.
• The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited the school.

Rankings

Baylor University ranks highly in many national rating services that assess educational quality, research activity, affordability, baccalaureate value, and athletic excellence.

These rankings honor not only Baylor as a whole but also its numerous reputed schools and departments, which are led by talented, award-winning professors.

• Baylor’s dedication to placing students after graduation demonstrates the institution’s commitment to their success beyond the classroom.
• U.S. News & World Report ranks Baylor 77th on their annual list of colleges and universities.
• Baylor is one of the best national universities. Baylor also made significant progress in categories such as First-Year Experience (ranked No. 10 nationally), Learning Communities (ranked No. 16), Best Undergraduate Teaching (ranked No. 16), and Most Innovative Schools (No. 20).
• Baylor is ranked 61st in the nation on Kiplinger’s 2018 list of Best Values in Private Colleges. The rankings take into account academic quality as well as affordability.

Other achievements 

• In ‘America’s Best Colleges,’ U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Baylor among the top 100 national doctoral-granting universities.
• Graduate programs in law, business, health sciences, nursing, the sciences, and education have been named to U.S. News’ list of ‘America’s Best Graduate Schools’ for 2020.
• Since 2010, Baylor law students have had the highest passing rate on the Texas State Bar Exam.
• The Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC) creates, promotes, and markets new science and engineering technologies while also housing graduate students in the School of Engineering and Computer Science.
• The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has chosen Baylor to join the Science Education Alliance, which will engage Baylor students in national scientific discovery.
• The Texas Hunger Initiative, a collaborative effort to alleviate hunger in the state, has co-sponsorship from the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work.
• In its ‘Great Colleges to Work For’ survey, the Chronicle of Higher Education mentions Baylor in 11 categories.
• Baylor University is one of only 44 colleges and universities in the United States to be named ‘Best Buy’ by The Fiske Guide to Colleges.

Alumni

Notable alumni-

• Mark Hurd- CEO of the Oracle Corporation and former CEO of Hewlett-Packard.
• Robert Griffin III- Quarterback and winner of the 2011 Heisman Trophy.
• Jeff Dunham- Ventriloquist.
• David Crowder- GMA Dove Award-winning Christian recording artist.

Key takeaways

• Established in 1845 by the Republic of Texas, Baylor University has an affiliation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. It is the state’s oldest institution of higher learning as well as the largest Baptist university in the world. 
• Baylor University is one of the first educational institutions lying west of the Mississippi River in America. Situated on the banks of the Brazos River, the university’s 1,000-acre (400-hectare) campus is next to the I-35 highway.
• At Baylor University, students can prepare themselves for a professional career path of excellence, discovery, and achievement.73% of students were working or studying in graduate school within 90 days of graduation in 2020.

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FAQs

Q1. Is Baylor University an Ivy League?

Ans- Baylor University, while not an Ivy League institution, has been in existence since colonial times. This is why it is frequently confused with the Ivies. The university offers world-class education and holds high positions in various ranking systems, which puts it close to ivy league standards.

Q2. What GPA do you need to get admission to Baylor University? 

Ans- Baylor expects you to be above average in your high school class with a GPA of 3.72. You can compensate for a lower GPA by taking more advanced classes, such as AP or IB courses.

Q3. Is it difficult to get admission to Baylor University?

Ans- Baylor University has an average 45% acceptance rate. Students admitted to Baylor University have an SAT score ranging from 1200-1380 or an ACT score ranging from 25-32.