Navigating Nova: What Prospective Students Should Know

Here’s what I already knew:

Villanova's Augustinian values of Unitas (unity) and Caritas (love and respect) form the foundation of campus culture. The goal is a “community of mutual respect, rooted in friendship.” As new Executive Director of Admissions Matt Harris emphasizes: "No one is higher than anyone else," and the community practices "respect for all, even those who disagree with you." These values are reflected in Villanova's impressive 99% retention rate and 96% six-year graduation rate.

Here’s what’s new:

Villanova is growing, having purchased Cabrini University to increase enrollment from 1,720 to 1,970 students in 2026. Nursing spots will increase from 108 to 125. New dormitories and an early education program are being developed at this location. This week, the university also acquired Rosemont College. Both Cabrini and Rosemont campuses are just a few minutes away from the Villanova campus.

Some details re: academics/admissions:

Business students explore all concentrations before declaring a major in sophomore year. For those unable to commit to a full business major, a 10-week summer program offers a business minor. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is divided into BA and BS options. Science students can initially select "undecided sciences" before committing to a specific path, while Psychology offers both BA and BS options. The innovative Cognitive Behavioral Neurology major falls under Sciences.

Engineering applicants typically submit the highest test scores, and they should note an important caveat: apply directly to Engineering rather than trying to transfer in later, which is extremely difficult. Advisors note, "It's much easier to switch out of engineering than into it."

For those considering application strategies, Early Decision comprises 50% of each class. This year saw 26,000 applications with admitted ED students typically scoring 1460-1520 SAT or 34-36 ACT. When crafting your activities list, showcase consistent involvement and leadership roles that align with Augustinian values. Remember that Villanova strictly limits recommendation letters to two—no additional letters will be considered.

With research opportunities (including a $1,000 stipend for freshman projects) and 88% of students completing research or internships, Villanova offers substantial academic engagement alongside its strong community values. Contact me for more details!