Show map of the United States Location 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Coordinates: Area 287 acres (116 ha) Built 1921 Architect Moore & Hutchins; Sasaki, Hideo, et al. Architectural style Modern Movement NRHP reference # Added to NRHP August 28, 2007 Goucher College ( ( ) ) is a in.
As of 2018, the school had approximately 1,450 undergraduates studying in 33 majors and six interdisciplinary fields and 700 students enrolled in graduate programs. In addition to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Goucher offers professional certificates in several areas, as well as a pre-medical program. The college was chartered in 1885 following a conference in led by several local ministers of the, including, for whom the school is named. Formerly an, Goucher became in 1986. Originally situated in northern Baltimore, Goucher established its current campus in 1953, where it occupies a 287-acre parcel of land in downtown Towson.
As a member of the, Goucher competes in the in sports including,. Goucher is among the few colleges in the United States to require a of all undergraduates and was one of forty institutions profiled in.
Supportive, rigorous, and challenging, the Goucher Post-Baccalaureate. Although the Post Bac Premed program is a rigorous one, it offers flexibility with the.
Who was the school's co-founder and second president, became its namesake in 1913. The school's beginnings trace to 1881 when the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church passed a resolution to found a seminary. The proposal was met with some objection, with one member stating, 'I would not give a fig for a weakling little thing of a seminary. We want such a school, so ample in its provisions, of such dignity in its buildings, so fully provided with the best apparatus, that it shall draw to itself the eyes of the community and that young people shall feel it an honor to be enrolled among its students.' In response, Minister and conference member asserted 'that the Conference should make the foundation and endowment of a female college the single object of its organized effort.' Van Meter was joined by fellow minister John Franklin Goucher (1845–1922) and together they eventually persuaded the conference to found a college instead. As a result, the Women's College of Baltimore City (the 'City' was later dropped) was chartered on January 26, 1885.
It opened its doors in 1888 and four years later graduated its first class of just five students. John Goucher, despite being the school's namesake and his role in its founding, was not the college's first president. Although offered the post, he declined, and it instead went to, who had served as president of in.
After Hopkins resigned in 1890 to join the faculty, the board of trustees voted unanimously to re-nominate Goucher for the role. Under pressure from the board, Goucher relented and accepted the position, which he went on to hold for nearly two decades. He and his wife Mary Cecilia Fisher also made significant financial contributions to the college, to which he bequeathed a portion of his estate. 20th century During President Goucher's tenure, the college saw growing enrollment but also suffered financial deficits. In 1904, the college became the second in Maryland to establish a chapter, after. Goucher stepped down in 1908 to resume his international missionary work but remained involved with the school as president emeritus until his death in 1922.
In 1910, the school was renamed to Goucher College in his honor. In 1913, the college inaugurated its fourth president, who oversaw the construction of several new residence halls and a successful million-dollar fundraising campaign. A colorized postcard photo of Goucher's Baltimore campus c.
1920 Around this time, whose daughter was a Goucher alumna, expressed support for the college's fundraising efforts in correspondences with the administration, writing in March 1913, 'It would, indeed, be. Evidence that our great educational public does not fully understand its own interests if an institution which has served with such faithfulness. In the cause of woman's sic education should be allowed to break up for the lack of money.' By 1914, Goucher was one of six 'Class I' colleges for women in the U.S. In 1921, Goucher purchased 421 acres of land in nearby Towson that had belonged to the estate of a prominent Baltimore family for $150,000, some of which was later resold to provide funding for construction and other expenses.
The move from Baltimore to the Towson suburbs was completed in 1953 after having been delayed by financial difficulties imposed by the. The college's original seal Before 1950, Goucher hosted nearly a dozen sorority chapters on campus including, and, until the school ceased recognizing the system. Goucher became coeducational in 1986 when the board of trustees voted to admit men citing declining enrollment and reduced national interest by women in single-sex colleges. Although the decision was at first controversial among some students and alumnae, it was followed by increased enrollment and sustained support from the school's donor base, with Goucher's endowment growing nearly five-fold from $45 million in 1986. Then-president, who also initially resisted the proposal, presided over the transition. Goucher's former Baltimore campus is now known as The complex was added to the in 1978.
Many of its original structures, characterized by influences, have been preserved and re-purposed for commercial, public, and residential use. A view down Van Meter Road Goucher occupies a green, wooded 287-acre (1.16 km 2) campus that is proximate and northeast to downtown Towson.
Surrounding the central campus infrastructure is a dense forest, owned by the school, which features low hills as well as hiking and jogging trails. The Haebler Memorial Chapel lies near the center of campus. A single road, Van Meter, connects to most of the primary residential, academic, recreational, and athletic buildings. Magazine described the campus as 'unusually bucolic.' It has also been referred to by as one of ’s most scenic college campuses.
A scene at the fictional Hammond University from the of the series was filmed on Goucher's campus, with most shots taking place at the Athenaeum and the Rhoda M. Dorsey College Center. Academic buildings. The entrance to Van Meter Hall Goucher's main academic buildings, including Van Meter Hall and Julia Rogers, are located at the northern portion of campus, called the 'academic quad.' The Hoffberger Science Building houses the school's science departments and is adjacent to the Meyerhoff Arts Building, which contains a theater, photo studio, and several galleries and out of which the dance, theater, and art departments are based.
Student Administrative Services and the admissions office are located in the Rhoda M. Dorsey College Center. Near the center of the campus and opposite Mary Fisher Hall is the Athenaeum, or 'the Ath,' a 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m 2) modern, multipurpose facility, built in 2009, comprising the main library, an on-campus restaurant, exercise equipment, classrooms, lecture halls, and an open auditorium. The Athenaeum is where speakers who visit the campus are typically hosted.
The Merrick Lecture Hall, a partial amphitheater situated near Van Meter Hall, is also a regular venue for on-campus recitals, performances, sponsored political debates, and other productions. Welsh Hall, also known as 'the T' Housing and residential The college's residence halls are concentrated on the south side of campus.
They are Heubeck, Froelicher, Stimson, Mary Fisher, Sondheim, Stimson, Welsh Hall, known by students as 'the T' for its T-shaped design, which was completed in 2005, and the newer Pagliaro Selz Hall, completed in 2016. In 2018, the school completed construction of the 'First-year Village' for freshmen. Campus housing for students includes singles, doubles, triples, suites, and on-campus apartments. Sondheim is the sole residence hall designated as substance-free.
In July 2018, Goucher announced a campus-wide on and all, including. The Julia Rogers Building, which held Goucher's main library until 2009 Athletic and recreational facilities The campus's outdoor sports facilities include a 107,000 square foot turf stadium field known on campus as Gopher Stadium, a track, eight tennis courts as well as separate courts for and, and an equestrian center. The Decker Sports and Recreation Center contains a six-lane, 25-yard pool, dance studios, a basketball court, gymnasium, varsity locker rooms, a fully equipped weight room, and a cardio fitness center. The equestrian center lies on the northernmost edge of campus and contains a set of stables and a riding arena. Dorsey College Center Design, layout, and sustainability The architectural design firm responsible for planning the campus, Moore and Hutchins, elected to group buildings together into informal zones based on function, departing from the Romanesque style of the previous Baltimore campus.
The buildings on campus are clad in tan-colored Butler stone, which was chosen to reflect a theme. Over the years, the architecture of the campus has won many awards. The campus has also been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, being called a 'Top 25 Green College.' In 2009, Goucher implemented a plan for all new and existing buildings to achieve at least a Silver rating according to the 's (LEED) green building certification system. In 2007, the campus was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Recent construction The campus underwent significant changes when in 2017 several of its primary residential buildings were relocated as part of an extensive plan to construct a 'First-year Village' comprising modernized residential halls and recreational facilities for newly matriculated freshmen. The new freshmen dorms have a capacity of 450 and opened in Fall 2018. These developments coincided with substantial renovations to Mary Fisher Hall, in which its campus cafe was upgraded to a full-fledged, 550-seat dining hall. Goucher also announced plans to build a new 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m 2) Science Research Center to provide additional lab space and resources for expanded biology, chemistry, and environmental science departments. In order to raise capital for these projects, Goucher initiated a fundraising campaign to raise $100 million from alumni and other donors, of which it has raised $43 million to date. Academics Rankings National 326 116 98 In the annual college rankings for 2019, Goucher tied for 116th among national liberal arts colleges, 12th in Most Innovative Schools, and 67th in High School Counselor Rankings. Ranked Goucher at #111 in Liberal Arts Universities, #129 in the Northeast, #217 nationally among private colleges, and #326 among all colleges.
Ranked Goucher at #98 among liberal arts colleges in 2018. The included Goucher in its 2019 edition of the 'Best 384 Colleges' and ranked it #2 in 'Most Popular Study Abroad Program' behind. Goucher was recognized as a top producer of by in 2018. Admissions Goucher's admissions is rated as 'selective' by the U.S. News and World Report; it had an acceptance rate of 79% in 2018. For the class of 2022, Goucher received 3,474 applications.
Goucher has been -optional since 2006. In 2014, the school received national coverage when it announced it would accept video-only applications without transcripts, essays, or test scores. The decision was criticized by some who suggested that doing so represented a lowering of standards. The school defended the decision as part of an effort to increase diversity among the student body and later reported that the average GPA of students admitted via the video application process met or exceeded that of students who submitted traditional applications.
Undergraduate level As of 2018, students choose from 33 different majors and six interdisciplinary programs; there are also special orientation courses for first-year students. The most popular majors are in the and,. Goucher is also well-known for its, and departments. The student-faculty ratio is 10:1, and the average class size is 17. Goucher is accredited by the. Goucher began requiring all undergraduates to study abroad in 2006, which was the most notable of several reforms to the school's curriculum in that period.
A popular choice for students is a three-week course abroad during the winter, spring, or summer. Goucher offers over 60 semester and yearlong study-abroad programs in 30 countries but allows students to register in programs by other schools. Undergraduates are also expected to either complete an internship, participate in community engagement work, or work as a faculty research assistant. Goucher sponsors a competitive grant program for students participating in summer internships. In 2017, Goucher instituted a revamped set of general education requirements into the curriculum called 'Goucher Commons' including a first-year seminar, emphasis on writing, and foreign language and culture, a, and inquiry into at least two areas. In 2018, Goucher announced plans to eliminate seven majors, including mathematics, physics, religion, music, and Russian studies, following a 'Program Prioritization Process' involving faculty which cited low overall interest in those majors among students. The school said that advanced courses in these subjects will remain part of the overall curriculum and that the entering class of 2022 and students currently studying in those majors will be unaffected by the change.
Maryland Governor speaks with students in the Athenaeum Graduate level Goucher's graduate program is run out of the Welch Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, which is named for late former acting president. The school grants, and degrees in fields including art and technology and historic preservation. Certificate and non-degree programs Since 1993, Goucher has offered a full-time post-baccalaureate pre-medical program with 96% of students over the course of its history gaining acceptance to medical school and 99.7% over the past decade. The program accepts approximately 32 students annually. It has linkage agreements with several schools including:,. Goucher also grants certificates through a program for teachers called the AP (Advanced Placement) Summer Institute recognizing specialties with at-risk learners, middle school, reading instruction, improving school leadership, and educational technology.
Student life Clubs and extracurriculars Goucher has over 60 student-run clubs including the Chem Club, which is the oldest continuously operating club on campus, an called Red Hot Blue, a poetry club, a called Umoja, and a student-labor action committee. The college also publishes a bi-weekly called The Quindecim and a literary arts journal called Preface. Other media run by the school is Goucher Student Radio, which contains a host of student, staff, and faculty programming and is streamed online. Many students also participate in Goucher Student Government, which holds elections, oversees the activities of clubs, passes resolutions, and votes on matters affecting the general student body. Similar to several other private liberal arts schools in the, Goucher does not recognize any fraternities or sororities on campus. Athletics. The gopher is Goucher's mascot.
Goucher athletic teams are known as the Gophers. In 2007 the college joined the Landmark Conference after competing as a member of the from 1991 to 2007. Goucher competes in NCAA Division III, fielding men's and women's teams in lacrosse, soccer, basketball, track and field, cross country, swimming, and tennis, as well as women's teams in field hockey and volleyball. Goucher also competes nationally in coed equestrian sports through the. Demographics Goucher has a high female-male ratio: approximately 68% of undergraduates are female. About 35% of the student body identify as,. Goucher also has one of the highest percentages of students in the country at 31% according to.
Goucher attracts students both nationally and internationally; Undergraduates in 2017 came from 46 states and 50 countries. Twenty-five percent of students qualify for, and Goucher has been recognized for its success in graduating Pell Grant recipients as compared to the national average.
For the class of 2021, the top five represented home states were Maryland, and, and 24% of the incoming class were. Other activities on campus Goucher has in the past hosted the summer program for gifted students. The school also regularly conducts the Goucher Poll, which operates under the Field Politics Center.
The polling is performed by Goucher students out of a 40-station computer-aided telephone interviewer lab. Goucher students are credited with conceiving the nationally popular campus game, which occurs at Goucher annually and is organized by students, and the commercial party game. Another of the school's annual traditions is known as GIG, 'Get into Goucher,' in which students participate in campus-wide celebrations and festivities such as music concerts and other carnival-like activities. Notable faculty and alumni. Main article: Well-known members of the Goucher faculty and professors emeritus include and of the history department, from the business and accounting department, former college president, and authors and, who oversee the college's Kratz Center for Creative Writing. Goucher has over 21,000 living alumni, and many of its graduates have gone on to make contributions in the arts and literature, journalism, academia, government, sciences, and other fields.
Prominent alumni include conservative commentator and senior editor for the, former, 27th, 26th, former president of, president of, former president of, for the and for the, and former chairwoman of the. References.
As the former director of both the Johns Hopkins and Goucher Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs, I have in-depth knowledge of the post-bac application process and have screened, interviewed, and made decisions on thousands of post-bac applicants. The post-baccalaureate premedical program application process entails submitting an application with essay(s), transcript(s), and letters of recommendation. Once your materials are complete your application will be reviewed and you may make it to the next step of the admissions process for the more selective career-changer programs: the post-baccalaureate premedical program interview. Just as with the medical school interview, the post-bac program interview assesses several important elements:. Do you match your written materials? In other words, is there synergy between your application and your actual persona?. Are you a good fit for the program?
Will you thrive in that particular institution’s academic environment? Are you ready to handle the academic demands in a post-bac program?. What will you contribute to the program? Will your personal traits and attributes make you a welcome addition to the program?. Is your enthusiasm—for both the program and for a career in medicine—palpable?. Will you be a collegial student and help foster a positive learning community?.
Can you handle the rigor of medical school? All of these factors are assessed during the interview. While post-bac programs have different ways they interview applicants, here is a synopsis of the various interview formats:. One-on-one interviews that last from 30-60 minutes.
The length will vary from program to program. Be prepared for a variety of questions as to your background, motivation for a career in medicine, strengths, weaknesses, learning style, future career goals, any academic difficulties encountered, significant accomplishments, clinical experiences (or lack thereof), your particular interest in that program, etc. A brief screening via Skype (20-30 minutes) prior to granting a campus interview. Be prepared for targeted questions in regard to your background and what makes you a compelling medical school candidate. Be ready to articulate this briefly and succinctly. Tour and lunch with current students. While this is not usually a formal part of the interview process (students may not be expected to give information about applicants after visiting with them) it still provides the opportunity for programs to gather additional information.
If applicants act inappropriately during the visit students will usually report such behavior to program directors. The students often act as gatekeepers of their programs and can be protective of its culture. Attending a class. Some programs allow interviewees to attend a class, which helps you assess whether or not the teaching is strong and the students collegial.
Interviews are normally conducted on campus and provide an opportunity for applicants to assess whether the program is a good fit. For those who are at great distance a Skype interview may be offered in lieu of the campus visit. If visiting campus, be sure to take this opportunity to soak up all you can about the atmosphere. Be sure to consider the following during your visit:. What do students say about the pros/cons of the program?.
What is the academic environment like (collegial or competitive)?. Is a curve used for grading?.
Is it easy or difficult—sometimes by virtue of class size—to get letters of evaluation from professors?. What is the program’s track record of getting its students admitted to medical school? Does the published track record include students who did not complete the program?. What is the attrition rate?
If possible, applicants should also speak with graduates of the programs to which they apply. Doing so allows them to assess the advising services offered, much of which happens during the year following completion of the program (the “glide” year). Programs should be willing to give you contact information for alumni of the program, especially if you have been admitted and are weighing whether or not to enroll. If you have specific questions or would like to do a mock interview please contact me by email at [email protected].
–Liza Thompson.