A Hidden Gem in North Carolina – It’s all about the academics at Campbell University, which also has law and med schools

The main entrance to the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine- Leon Levine Hall of Medical Sciences in Buies Creek, N.C.  
The school’s main building, a 96,500-square-foot facility, consists of classrooms and laboratories, and cost about $39 million to build.

 

Facts and Stats:  Campbell offers an interesting array of over 100 majors including new programs in Homeland Security, Engineering and Nursing. Campbell is well known for its graduate programs: in law, business, pharmacy, education, medicine and its divinity school.

Founded in 1887, Campbell  is a private institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,455. Its main campus is located in rural Buies Creek (30 miles south of Raleigh)  and there are now four satellite campuses in Fort Bragg, Research Triangle Park, Raleigh and Camp LeJeune. Campbell also hosts an active online program. Tuition and fees for the most recent year are $30,000. Campbell enrolls more North Carolinians than any other private university in the state and accepts 68 percent of its applicants whose average SAT scores total 1024.

What’s new on campus:

In the last 10 years Campbell has grown significantly, adding: a convocation center, a football stadium, a track, a chapel, residence halls, as well as buildings dedicated to the sciences and nursing.

What’s life like on campus?:

Campbell is affiliated with the Baptist Church and is considered a conservative campus by most of its own students. Something you don’t see a lot these day: Most dorms are single-sex. One student shared that “there is zero tolerance for alcohol and drug use here. It is a small college and very academically driven. If you are going to college to party and not work hard, do not come here. This is what I love about Campbell. It’s small like my hometown, I don’t have the distraction of the “party” atmosphere that a lot of other campuses have. I love it!!!! This is a great place to start a successful career.”

What do students like best?:

Repeated comments from students echoed that Campbell’s environment is small, personal and feels like a family. “Campbell is a school that makes a person feel like they are at home. It is small so everything is easy to access and it is like a small, diverse family. The living arrangements are nice and cozy. There are a lot of events going on and students are always informed. I am proud to be a Campbell Camel and to be a part of this amazing family.”

“Campbell University is the best school that fits my personality. There are lots of clubs and organizations to be a part of on campus and I have made great friends. If I had to go through the college application process again I would definitely choose Campbell again.”

Fun Tradition:

Ghost WalkIn – the nights leading up to Halloween, students walk around campus by lantern and hear stories from their peers about Campbell’s rich history and the spooky encounters that go along with it.

What do students like least?:

It is not exactly a thriving metropolis. One student said, “this school is located out in the middle of nowhere. You need to drive far away to find some civilization. Also since it is a small school, many classes are only offered once a year.” For some students, Campbell is just too conservative, the town is a dry town, and it is in the heart of the Bible Belt. Students who feel the need to come to school to party, consume alcohol and drugs won’t be happy here.”

Best advice from current students:

Whether you choose a large school, small school, a rural, suburban or urban school, remember, “once you get to school the community of students will not come and greet you in your dorm room. You must take the initiative to meet people. Go to the welcome back to school events and to the campus clubs that interest you. Start your socializing early. Meet the people on your hall because you will be living with them for a year and starting out on the right foot could save you lots of time in the long run. College is what you make of it.”

What surprises people most about Campbell?:

According to Jason Hall, Assistant Vice President for Admissions, “People are surprised by the number of academic offerings and that we are a level six institution, one of only three private universities in the state of North Carolina with that designation.”

Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte. Send questions to: lee@collegeadmissionsstrategies.com; www.collegeadmissionsstrategies.com