About

See what students say:

Academics

Kalamazoo College, a private liberal arts college in Michigan, brings a personalized approach to education through a flexible, open curriculum featuring real-world experience, service learning, study abroad, and an independent senior year project. This small, nationally-recognized institution “allows students to really develop personal relationships with their peers and professors” and is “a campus run by and for the students.” The open curriculum means “students have more time to explore exactly what they want to learn, rather than being required to take classes in which they have no interest,” and the school motto of “More in Four” not only describes how much students will learn in their time at Kalamazoo, but “also that this institution will try as hard as possible to get you to graduate in four years.” As for postgraduate plans, alumni are “very easy to contact and willing to help.” “Through alumni interaction and my experiences at Kalamazoo, there is a huge culture of giving back to the school and being there for each other,” says a student.

Full-time professors here, 96 percent of whom hold a PhD or the highest degree in their field, “present challenging information and generally work to achieve camaraderie with students.” They “definitely understand that classes may be difficult and really, truly want to help students learn the best they can,” and also view students “as equals and peers, and are open to listening to everyone’s ideas in classes.” Professors “demand quite a lot, but only from a desire to teach the material effectively”; they also “message their departments with internship opportunities quite regularly.” Most students only have three classes at a time (the school is on a quarter system) “because each class here tends to be more intense.”

Student Body

Kalamazoo College students are generally “very open-minded, unique, liberal, and quirky,” and “you will never find any two students that are the same here.” This is mostly a campus of “socially conscious liberals who are predominantly white,” though there are a fair number of people with conservative ideologies. While many admit Kalamazoo “needs more diversity in race,” students say it is a “very open campus community for people of different gender identities and sexualities.” Each student is able to find their niche quickly due to the small-school environment, thus “everyone is always engaged in some kind of work they truly care about.”

Campus Life

Academics are a universal student priority at Kalamazoo, and “missing classes or letting work slack for social lives and hangovers doesn’t happen often.” Many times residence halls will host community building events that provide “good food and fun activities,” and the school puts on numerous events for the students such as Friday night movies and “Zoo After Dark,” and offers a wide variety of programs and clubs to join, and “all are accessible to students who want to pursue them.” There “isn’t a lot to do’ in the surrounding area, but those that are twenty-one can hit a few bars or clubs and those with access to a car can drive to nearby malls and cities. There “is not a lot of time to have fun on weekdays since things move quickly,” but people make time for good old Netflix, room hangs, and coffee breaks. Athletics are popular and “easy to get into”; some teams are more competitive than others, “but for the most part if you played in high school you can play in college.” Most students study abroad at some point in their Kalamazoo career (typically junior year).

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Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Scott Swope
Guest Experience Manager

Address
Office of Admission
1200 Academy St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49006

Phone
800.253.3602

Email
admission.visitcoordinator@kzoo.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Upjohn Library Commons
Fitness and Wellness
Coffee Shop
Hicks Student Center
Dorm Lounges in Residence Halls

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Kalamazoo Air Zoo
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kal-Haven Trail
Kellogg Biological Station

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday and Sat. in session only
8am-5pm and 9am-noon Sat.
800.253.3602

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Weekdays/Some Weekends (acad year)

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Contact Email Address for Visit
admission.visitcoordinator@kzoo.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
1-night stay; Sun-Fri HS Senior only

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
The Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport is 5.4 miles from campus. The admission office will arrange a pick-up service if you call in advance of your arrival (arrangements should be made 2 weeks ahead). Taxis are also available at the airport. Amtrak trains traveling between Detroit and Chicago stop in Kalamazoo 4 times daily. Major bus lines also serve the city. Taxis are available for the short trip to campus from the bus/train terminal.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From the north (Grand Rapids) or south (Indianapolis) Take US 131 to Kalamazoo. Take Exit number 38a, West Main Street (M-43) East. Proceed east toward Kalamazoo for 3.5 miles. As you descend the hill on West Main Street, there will be a cemetery on your left. Turn right onto Thompson Street at the Dow Science Center. From the east (Detroit) or west (Chicago) Take Interstate 94 to Kalamazoo/Portage. Exit 75, Oakland Drive. Take Oakland drive north (turn right if coming from the east, left if from the west). Proceed north toward Kalamazoo through nine traffic lights (about 3 miles). Oakland Drive merges with Stadium Drive at the ninth light. Stay to the left as you proceed onto Stadium Drive. Make a sharp left-hand turn onto Academy Street at the end of the median.
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Admissions

Applicants: 3,371
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average HS GPA: 3.84






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