Students in front of WVU College of Business and Economics
Students in front of WVU College of Business and Economics

Overview

What is it?

The 21st Century Business Scholars Program is a freshman direct admit program for students who possess exemplary academic credentials and who express an interest in pursuing a baccalaureate degree in the WVU College of Business and Economics. Freshmen who apply for admission to West Virginia University with the intention of pursuing the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or the degree of Bachelor of Science in Economics are considered for admission to the program.

How will you benefit?

The 21st Century Business Scholars Program offers freshmen a holistic educational experience in the College of Business and Economics. Students become part of an academic and experiential learning community that continues through the freshman and sophomore years. Many also enroll in the WVU Honors College. Admission to the program offers students many opportunities not available to traditional pre-business and economics students. They include:

  1. Participation in an Adventure WV Program the summer before the start of their freshman year. Students spend eight days traveling to rural parts of West Virginia where they participate in outdoor activities that aid in the development of their analytical, problem solving, teamwork, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Students receive three semester hours of college credit for the experience, which will be added to their fall course registration.
  2. Participation in the Outdoor Challenge Course. Students participate in the ropes course offered at the West Virginia University Forrest. Students spend a Saturday outdoors in icebreaker exercises, a team development course, and the high ropes course. The combination of teamwork, cooperation, and physical rigor assists students in building strong and lasting relationships with their peers and faculty and staff.
  3. Access to business courses taught by outstanding faculty. Students are scheduled each semester for a business or economics course open only to students enrolled in the 21st Century Business Scholars Program. The first, Introduction to Business, is taught the first semester, freshman year, using a team module approach. Students are educated on current business topics in two and one-half week modules by  faculty from each of the College's academic disciplines. Students enroll in one reserved business course each semester of the freshman and sophomore years.
  4. Access to a personal career coach. As a member of the 21st Century Business Scholars Program, students are assigned a person career coach at the beginning of their freshman year. The career coach, a professional career counselor in the College's Center for Career Development, works with each student in developing an appealing and effective resume, preparing for the summer job/internship search process, and building professional interviewing skills.
  5. Access to an academic advisor and mentor in the College. Students are assigned to the Director of Undergraduate Programs and Advising for academic advising, course registration, and mentoring. The Director meets with each student at least once each semester to assist him or her with the development, assessment, and modification of  academic and career goals. Furthermore, he serves as a coordinator and chaperone at many  extracurricular events.
  6. Participation in professional student organizations. Students are strongly encouraged to join one of the several professional student organizations open only to students enrolled in the College of Business and Economics. Participation in the organization means becoming more than just a dues paying member. Students are encouraged to engage in activities sponsored by the organization that include, but are not limited to, professional development, community service initiatives, and leadership positions within the organization.
  7. Participation in College of Business and Economics extracurricular activities.  The College holds seminars during the academic year to inform students about study abroad programs, current issues facing business and industry, career placement employment projections, and other important College initiatives.

Freshmen applicants with a high school GPA of 3.50 and an ACT math score of 26 (or a SAT math score of 590) are eligible for admission to the program. Interested candidates need not file a separate application with the College of Business and Economics. Admits will be notified of their eligibility for admission in writing from the Dean of the College of Business and Economics.

Resource constraints limit the number of candidates who can be admitted to the program. Therefore, interested candidates should make their academic and housing deposits with the University upon notification of eligibility for admission.