This summer, I toured Marquette University to provide information for MATC students and alumni considering a transfer. MU is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that requires students to take Theology courses, along with philosophy and other culturally enriching classes.

For those interested in transferring to MU after graduation, here are some key points to consider:

• No Application Fee: Applying is free.
• Optional SAT/ACT Scores: Test scores are not required for admission.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Scholarships are available, based on academic performance.
• Tuition: The annual tuition is approximately $50,000.

MU offers a range of majors across seven colleges:

• Arts and Sciences: Provides 40 of the university’s 80 majors, with 30% of students participating in study abroad programs.
• Business Administration: 89% of students complete internships, 58% double major, and internship coordinators are available to assist with securing opportunities.
• Communication: Offers several majors, with support from internship coordinators.
• Education: Features three majors—Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Educational Studies—requiring students to double major.
• Engineering: Offers two pathways: a Co-op program that allows students to work under a professional engineer for an extended year while earning a salary, or a standard course of study. Approximately 90% of the curriculum is hands-on.
• Health Sciences: Reports that 70% of graduates do not enter their job fields directly after graduation, but medical advisors are available to assist students with career planning.
• Nursing: The nursing program typically admits students with an average unweighted GPA of 3.75. It considers both academic performance and relevant experiences and has a 97% pass rate on the nursing board exams. The informational meeting highlighted that the nursing program has a low acceptance rate due to limited spots. High GPAs, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work are important prerequisites for admission. The college also requires students to complete an internship to graduate.

MU places a strong emphasis on applying classroom learning to real-world situations. For instance, many humanity classes involve hands-on activities like volunteering at soup kitchens or fundraising for charities, ensuring students are engaged in community service.

The campus offers over 325 clubs and organizations for students to join. During the visit, the setup resembled a scene from the movie Pitch Perfect, with tables and tents spread out where students could sign up for clubs or even start their own with enough signatures.

Incoming freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus unless they are 21 or older. A compatibility quiz helps match students with suitable roommates, aiming to ensure a harmonious living environment.

MU has a Roman Catholic chapel on campus. The St. Joan of Arc Chapel is located in the center of campus for those interested in visiting. University statistics indicate that 60% of students identify as religious, while others are spiritual or agnostic. While MU is a Catholic, Jesuit school, religion is not imposed on students, although Theology is a required part of the curriculum.

Overall, the campus is compact, with most buildings accessible within a 10-minute walk, reducing the need for a car. Parking is available for students, but spaces are assigned based on seniority.

MU may appeal to students who are disciplined in their studies, seek spiritual enrichment, and prefer smaller class sizes. The campus is expanding, with a new nursing building under construction, and the university offers an interactive curriculum designed to prepare students for their future careers or business ventures