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Located in the heart of Virginia—a U.S. state situated in the southeast portion of the country—Longwood University combines a private university experience with the affordability of a state university.

Longwood University is a coeducational public institution offering more than 100 majors, minors and professional concentrations.

Graduate programs at this beautiful and high-performing university include business, education, English, sociology and communication sciences & disorders.

Unlike some of the larger colleges and universities in the state, such as the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, Longwood University requires an internship or research project for every student in every major, including those pursuing an undergraduate degree.

Longwood University: Honors and Awards

Longwood University has won a number of prestigious awards for its quality and the performance of the students that attend classes there.  A couple of the most recent honors and awards bestowed on the university include: 

  • Ranked among the best in the 2015 U.S. News & World Report’s "U.S. News Best Colleges" rankings. Longwood ranks #11 in the Top Public Schools category for Regional Universities in the South and #30 among all Regional Universities in the South, including private institutions.
  • Recognized as one of the "Best Southeastern Colleges" by Princeton Review for 2015 and selected as one of 75 public institutions to be featured in its book, Best Value Colleges: 2013 Edition.

Longwood University: Facts and Figures

Below is a list outlining some of the more important facts and figures associated with the award-winning Longwood University:http://ad.doubleclick.net/activity;src=4321635;type=ip134121;cat=longw848;ord=1

  • Longwood University has a current enrollment of 4,834 students
  • Students at Longwood University hail from 25 different U.S. states and 18 countries around the world
  • Of Longwood’s 4,834 students, 4,355 are undergraduates
  • 69 percent of the Longwood student body is female, while 31 percent is male
  • 15 percent of the student body are minorities
  • Of Longwood’s 4,834 students, 1,064 are freshmen
  • The mid-range SAT score for freshmen students is 940-1110
  • The mid-range ACT score for freshmen students is 19-23
  • The average GPA for enrolled freshmen students ranges from 3.06 to 3.62

Longwood University: Offering a World of Opportunities 

Longwood University actively encourages students to get out of the classroom and into the real world.

Students can spend two to four weeks studying abroad along with a Longwood professor, taking courses in anything from Economic Development in Thailand to the History of Islam in Morocco; or they may choose to venture off for a summer, semester, or a full academic year to a number of global destinations for an exchange program with one of Longwood's partner universities.

Universities that partner with Longwood for study abroad and exchange programs include, but are not necessarily limited to:

  • Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland
  • University of Derby, England
  • University of Plymouth, England
  • Institute of Spanish Studies, Valencia, Spain
  • Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan, China
  • Audencia School of Business, Nantes, France
  • Nantes University, France
  • Hogeschool von Arnhem en Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • Oldenburg University, Germany
  • Chungnam University, South Korea
  • And more…

Longwood University also offers a number of special programs.  Students interested in engineering, for example, can earn a master’s degree or a second bachelor’s degree, depending on the transfer institution, in five years as part of Longwood's 3 + 2 program, offered cooperatively with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University and the University of Tennessee.

In addition, Longwood University’s  pre-professional program in the medical sciences prepares students for graduate programs at schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, medical technology, dental hygiene, physical therapy, occupational therapy and pharmacy.

Longwood University: Mission and Vision 

According to the school’s website, the mission and vision statements for Longwood University are as follows:

Mission Statement

Longwood University is an institution of higher learning dedicated to the development of citizen leaders who are prepared to make positive contributions to the common good of society. Building upon its strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, the University provides an environment in which exceptional teaching fosters student learning, scholarship, and achievement. As the only four-year public institution in south central Virginia, Longwood University serves as a catalyst for regional prosperity and advancement.

Vision Statement

Longwood University will transform capable men and women into citizen leaders, fully engaged in the world around them. The University will be a first-choice institution renowned for developing the power of citizen leadership in its students for the benefit of the greater community.

So how does Longwood University define citizen leaders?

Citizen leaders are the bedrock of the democracy. They are the reasons communities thrive. They are the people who make the United States of America what it wants to be. They make our nation work. They care and they equip themselves with the tools to bring their caring to life in the world.

A citizen leader effectively combines three components of a joy-filled life:

Education: The citizen leader is a lifelong learner and stays connected to what is new in the world. Faculty are encouraged and rewarded for contributing to scholarship as well as for their service as teachers.

Values: Citizen Leaders know their values and they live by them. Honesty, equality, civility, duty and an appreciation of the differences among peoples are fundamental values. To these, the citizen leader adds the personal values that define him or her.

Service: The capstone of every great civilization has always been a commitment to serve others. It is a common precept of the world’s great religions; it is one of the finest expressions of our humanity. To the citizen leader, service is not just an extracurricular activity.

Longwood University: Fun Facts

Here are just a few fun facts regarding Longwood University: 

  • Four national sororities, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Kappa Delta, Sigma Sigma Sigma and Zeta Tau Alpha, were founded at Longwood.
  • Longwood’s annual Oktoberfest and Spring Weekend bring students, friends and alumni together for a party that rivals any school’s homecoming.
  • Rafael Chandler (’99) graduated from Longwood and went on to write popular video games such as SOCOM 4.
  • Actor and alumnus Ransford Doherty (’97), who received a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theater Performance, has co-starred on multiple U.S. TV series including Major Crimes and The Closer, with additional guest appearances on Bones and The Office. He can also be seen alongside Bruce Willis in the movie Hostage.

Information for International Students

International students are welcomed with open arms at Longwood University, and the student body is currently represented by individuals from over 18 countries worldwide.

Here are just a few items of information, beginning with the school’s admission requirements,  which may help potential international students get started with the application process and become more familiar with the university

Academic Requirements for International Students

International Applicants with No Prior University Studies:

  1. Proof of successful completion of secondary education (e.g., secondary school transcripts, final exam scores, diploma) with certified English translations

    Longwood recognizes the value of the International Baccalaureate diploma and will award transfer credit for IB exams.

  2. Curriculum: Qualified students will have studied math, science, history, their native language, and a foreign language during the completion of secondary school.
  3. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores from non-native English speakers

International Applicants Transferring From a University outside of the United States:

  1. Proof of secondary school graduation
  2. Official transcripts with all available grades from your university
  3. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores from non-native English speakers

International Applicants Transferring From a University in the United States:

  1. Proof of secondary school graduation
  2. Official transcripts with all available grades from their previous university
  3. Official test scores, if applicable:

    Non-native English speakers who have completed less than 1 year of study at a US university: TOEFL or IELTS scores

    (TOEFL/IELTS scores are not required of students who have studied at a university in the US for 2 or more years.)

Test Score Minimum Requirements:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)- 550 (paper) or 79-80 (Internet)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)- 6.5

Although not required, SAT scores will be reviewed if submitted and are useful when considering scholarship awards. 

Health and Immunization Requirements

Medical services in the United States are not nationalized. Costs for doctors' services and hospitals may be more expensive than in the international student’s home country. Longwood requires that students subscribe to a health insurance plan before arriving. That policy must provide similar coverage in the U.S.

Every student must have a health record on file. This record includes immunizations for Measles, German Measles, Rubella, Polio, Diphtheria, Mumps, Tetanus, and a Tuberculosis skin test (PPD) within the past year, all of which are required by Virginia law. Students may not be able to register for classes without complying with these immunizations. A chest x-ray may also be required for tuberculosis screening.

Longwood University’s International Student Mentor Program

Once students have been accepted to and enrolled at Longwood University, there are many programs to help them adjust to their new school and community.  One of these is the International Student Mentor Program. 

International students are usually very excited to meet new friends, discover new places and take challenging courses. Living in another country for an extended period of time, however, can also be daunting.  This is where the mentor program comes in, By making a connection with a local student early on in their stay, international students tend to feel more welcome and the association with that student may help ease their transition into a new culture.

For the local students, connecting with international students can be both enjoyable and rewarding. They will have the opportunity to learn about a new culture, gain global perspectives, improve their cross-cultural communication skills and build the foundations for lasting friendships, all while helping someone new to the country gain his or her confidence and feel more at ease.

There are several ways U.S students can connect with international students. They can become an International Student Mentor or just attend events and orientation activities, where they’ll have the opportunity to meet and begin networking with the incoming international students.

Life at Longwood University:  Frequently Asked Questions

Before deciding on Longwood University as the place to pursue their higher education goals, many students may have questions about what life is actually like at the university and in the surrounding community.  To help answer some of those queries, below we have provided just a few answers to some of the more frequently asked questions.

Question:  What Is the Weather like in Farmville (the City in which the Campus is Located)?

Answer:  The weather in Farmville is considered to be mild with four distinct seasons. Farmville and most of the surrounding state of Virginia has a humid subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters.

Question:  What Are My Dining Options at Longwood University?

Answer:  All students living on campus are required to select a meal plan to be used at the university’s dining hall . Additionally, when away from the campus, students will find scores of cafes and restaurants in the town of Farmville.

Question:  What Are the Residence Halls like at Longwood University?

Answer:  All Longwood Residence Halls are located on campus and very close to the academic halls where students will be taking classes. Most residence halls are double rooms where international students will have an American student roommate to help “show them the ropes.”

Question:  What Type of Public Transportation Is Available in Farmville?

Answer: There is a public bus service, the Farmville Area Bus (FAB), which offers free transportation to students within the town and surrounding area. 

Question: What Can I Do to Get Involved during My Time at Longwood University?

Answer:  With over 125 clubs and organizations, athletic events, recreational opportunities, and more, it is easy to find something to interest all students. There is also the International Club, which is a good way for foreign individuals to meet other international students as well as plenty of friendly local American students.

Question:  How Can I Find a Job on Campus?

Answer:   A great way to begin looking for jobs is to sign up on the university’s CareerConnect website or contact Nadine Garrett, the Student Employment Manager. Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for the "Federal Work Study" positions. These positions are reserved for American students who qualify to receive assistance from the government for funding their undergraduate education. To be eligible to work on campus, international students must be in good academic standing, work no more than 20 hours per week, and cannot begin working until 30 days after the start date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019 forms.  International students must also receive employment authorization from a Designated School Official (DSO).

Question:  Do I Need to Bring Bedding for My Room? 

Answer: Residence Halls at Longwood do not come with bedding supplies. The beds in all the Longwood on-campus residence halls are made for extra-long (XL) twin sheets. If students plan to live in an on-campus residence hall they must provide these items for themselves.  Fortunately, bedding and other supplies can be purchased at any number of stores in town or ordered online and shipped directly to the residence hall.

Question:  What Do I Do if I Am Having a Conflict with My Roommate?

Answer:  Students should first talk to their roommate and see if they can come to an agreement that will minimize if not resolve the conflict. If a student is still having conflicts with the roommate after this conversation, he/she should make an appointment to meet with their Residence Education Coordinator (REC) to seek other accommodations. 

Question:  How Do I Find Out Who My Academic Advisor Is?

Answer:  Degree seeking students will be assigned an academic advisor during their first semester at Longwood—someone who will schedule an appointment before classes begin.

Question:  I Have Applied for and Been Accepted into a Graduate School, How Do I Transfer My Student Visa?

Answer:  Students accepted into a graduate school must provide their DSO at the transfer-out school; Proof of their acceptance, the contact information of the DSO at the transfer-in school, and the SEVIS school code for the school they plan to attend. Once they have done this, their visa record can be transferred to their new school.

All Programs Available:
  • Business
    • Business Administration
  • Education
    • Education
Language of instruction

English

Type of school

Public University

Telephone

+804.395.2823

Location

Office of International Affairs - 201 High Street, Farmville, Virginia, The United States, 23909