Two Days at High Point University, Revisited After HPU’s March Madness Run
Discover what sets High Point University apart after my two-day campus visit as a college admissions consultant.
One of my favorite parts of my job as a college admissions consultant is visiting college campuses. These visits provide firsthand insight into each university's unique offerings, culture, and environment, allowing me to give personalized and informed advice to my clients. I’ve toured and written about HPU a few times over the last five years, but I wanted to update this blog post based on the recent surge in attention during the men’s basketball team’s March Madness run.
First Impressions
I arrived on campus with several other independent educational consultants on a sunny afternoon and was impressed by the activity on campus. We passed one of the campus pools where students gathered for some late-day sun and relaxation, while others walked to their afternoon classes or hung out by the student center. The beautiful grounds and well-laid-out infrastructure struck me. The HPU campus is vibrant but peaceful, with fountains, impressive floral displays, and classical music playing along campus pathways.
The campus at High Point University includes multiple impressive residential and dining facilities that serve to improve every student's experience. Students at High Point University can choose from traditional double rooms with shared bathrooms as well as townhouses and contemporary tiny home accommodations, which meet different student preferences and budgets. Students can access fitness centers in many dormitories or walk to one of the student recreation centers. The fitness centers spread throughout campus provide extensive facilities with excellent equipment, which allows students to maintain their physical and mental well-being. The dining halls offer various choices with flexible options that serve students of all dietary requirements while building active social environments. Three fine dining locations at High Point serve as learning labs, providing students with practical professional etiquette training experience for business dinners and networking events. The university facilities demonstrate High Point's dedication to creating an exceptional student environment.
The academic facilities at High Point University create hands-on learning environments that help students develop skills needed to succeed after graduation. The communications facilities at the university operate as a television studio combined with a production lab, which creates an authentic environment for students to learn practical media production skills. Health science students benefit from physical therapy research facilities and high-tech pharmacy labs, which provide essential tools for future healthcare professionals.
Digging Deeper into Campus Life
During my visit, I met several current students at the institution through a student panel discussion and a casual breakfast. The students expressed feeling supported and empowered by the HPU faculty and staff. Students believe that anything is possible at High Point and feel confident setting goals for life after college, knowing they are ready for their next steps. Students are encouraged and supported with everything from deciding on a major to resume writing, interview skills, sales pitches, internships, and full-time employment.
Every student I met with was driven, well spoken, and taking advantage of all the opportunities provided by HPU. These interactions illustrated the impact of HPU’s innovative life skills curriculum on students. Life skills aren’t just about managing daily routines; they are about being prepared to communicate, collaborate, analyze, adapt, and execute ideas in the classroom and the workplace. Students are supported in developing these skills through experiential learning opportunities, professional development workshops, and mentorship programs led by faculty and industry experts. High Point’s curriculum integrates hands-on experiences, such as etiquette training during fine-dining labs or networking preparation through simulated events, to ensure students feel confident and prepared in professional settings. High Point University empowers students to graduate with the tools they need to succeed by prioritizing life skills alongside academic excellence.
Who is the Ideal HPU Student?
Most faculty and students at High Point University agree that students who succeed at this institution actively seek opportunities. The students who seek opportunities at High Point University benefit from the university's distinctive approach to experiential learning and personal development. Students excel in an encouraging environment with modern facilities and individual guidance from faculty members. The students who succeed at this institution seek practical learning experiences through career-specific internships, leadership development initiatives, and collaborative projects, which help them achieve their professional goals.
High Point University also continues to draw attention for its outcomes-focused messaging, including its reported 99.2% job placement rate and emphasis on life skills credentials. The institution awards merit-based scholarships to new freshmen and transfer students through an evaluation of application materials, including GPA, standardized test scores if submitted, and leadership and community service involvement. The Presidential Scholars Program and Fellowship Programs represent High Point's main scholarship initiatives because they provide varying financial awards and additional academic and professional benefits.
Final Thoughts
For families watching High Point’s rise in the national conversation, the basketball success is an added signal of momentum, but the bigger story remains the university’s campus culture, life skills focus, and post-graduate outcomes. I am ready to assist you if you want to learn more about High Point University or discover alternative colleges that suit you best.