According to abbreviationfinder, Alfred University is commonly known as AU. Alfred University was founded in 1836 as the Alfred Academy. It was established by Seventh Day Baptists, who were looking for a school to educate their children in accordance with their religious beliefs. The school was located on a farm in Allegany County, New York and offered educational opportunities for both boys and girls. In 1845, the academy was reorganized as Alfred University and it became the first coeducational institution in New York State.
In 1857, Alfred University became the first college in the United States to offer a Bachelor of Science degree. As enrollment continued to grow, so did the number of courses offered by the university. By 1870, Alfred University had become one of the most respected liberal arts colleges in New York State. During this period of growth and development, Alfred University also established its School of Applied Arts and Sciences which provided students with an opportunity to study art, engineering and business management.
By 1900, Alfred University had become well known for its strong commitment to academic excellence and its innovative teaching methods which included lectures by prominent scholars from around the world. The university continued to grow throughout the 20th century and today offers over fifty undergraduate majors and several graduate programs as well as continuing education courses designed for working adults who are seeking additional training or career advancement opportunities.
Degrees Offered and Departments
Alfred University offers a wide variety of degrees and departments to suit the needs of all students. The university has five schools: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the New York State College of Ceramics, the Inamori School of Engineering, the School of Business and Leadership, and the School of Health Sciences.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers majors in a variety of fields such as English, Mathematics, Psychology, History, Political Science, Art History & Theory, Music Theory & Composition and many others. The college also offers several minors such as African American Studies, Women’s Studies & Gender Studies and Environmental Studies. Furthermore, Alfred University also provides Pre-Law Program and Pre-Health Programs to help students prepare for professional studies in these fields.
The New York State College of Ceramics is one of only two colleges in the United States devoted to ceramic engineering. It offers undergraduate degrees in Ceramic Engineering Technology (CET) and Materials Science & Engineering (MS&E). CET focuses on topics such as glaze formulation, advanced ceramic processing techniques and more while MS&E covers topics such as materials characterization techniques for ceramics and composite materials.
The Inamori School of Engineering offers programs in Mechanical Engineering (ME), Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE), Chemical Engineering (CE) as well as several interdisciplinary programs like Biomedical Engineering (BME). ME focuses on topics like Dynamics & Control Systems Design whereas ECE covers topics like VLSI Design/Fabrication & Digital Signal Processing. CE provides courses covering topics such as Process Dynamics & Control/Thermodynamics/Fluid Mechanics etc.
Rankings
Alfred University is ranked among the top universities in the United States and has consistently ranked as one of the best universities in New York State. According to U.S. News & World Report, Alfred University is ranked #122 among National Universities for 2021 and is ranked #77 for Best Value Schools. The university has also been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Top Colleges, ranking #173 in 2020. Additionally, Alfred University was named a “Best Northeastern College” by The Princeton Review for the past twelve years, and was listed as one of the top 25 schools for “Greatest Opportunity for Military Veterans” by College Factual in 2019.
The Department of Engineering at Alfred University also has impressive rankings, appearing on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best graduate engineering programs at #134 nationwide and #78 among public universities in 2021. The department offers world-class faculty, research opportunities and internships that are sure to prepare students to enter into their desired field with confidence and success. The university also offers a wide range of programs within its School of Business that have earned it national recognition from Bloomberg Businessweek and Princeton Review as one of the best business schools in the country for 2021.
Admissions Requirements
Alfred University is committed to providing an equitable admissions process for all applicants. The university looks for students who demonstrate academic potential, intellectual curiosity, and the desire to contribute to the Alfred University community. To be considered for admission, applicants must submit an official high school transcript or GED scores and SAT/ACT scores. Additionally, Alfred University requires two letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors and a personal essay.
Applicants must also submit a nonrefundable application fee of $50. Transfer applicants are required to submit an official college transcript in addition to the requirements listed above. International students must provide proof of English proficiency by submitting either TOEFL or IELTS scores as well as a financial statement verifying the ability to cover educational costs at Alfred University. All documents should be submitted electronically through the Common Application website or mailed directly to the Admissions Office at Alfred University.
The Admissions Committee takes into account a variety of factors when evaluating each applicant, including academic performance, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and community service involvement. Alfred University also considers non-academic factors such as personal qualities and values when making admission decisions. In order to ensure that all applicants have equal access to resources during the admissions process, the university does not consider race or ethnicity in its decisions.