Hey, what's up, YouniversityTV? I'm Nicole Aaron [assumed spelling].

And I'm Jessica Woody. We're here at the University of Central Arkansas with the purple Bears.

Are you guys ready?

[ Cheers ]

Yeah! UCA Bears, UCA Bears, UCA Bears; do it like a big bear!

[ Growling sounds ]

The University of Central Arkansas is in Conway, Arkansas. Conway is one of the fastest growing cities in the state, located between the Ozark foothills and the state capital, Little Rock.

UCA is located in central Arkansas and it's really appropriately the center of the state, because it's the hub of activity. You can go to Little Rock, you can go an hour to the north and be in majestic woods with beautiful waterfalls; to the west is the Ouachita Mountains, to the south you have scenic rivers and first-class outdoor activities. It's just a beautiful place to be.

UCA sits on more than 260 beautiful acres, and it even includes a five-acre nature preserve.

UCA has been named one of the most beautiful campuses of the south, with its Gregorian architecture and beautiful fountains. UCA's enrollment has increased by over 30 percent in the past five years, with over 12,000 students coming from 44 states and 61 countries.

UCA acceptance is based on a point system, which weights a student's cumulative high school GPA, and ACT/SAT score.

In state students will pay about $6,500 in tuition and fees per year. Out of state students are charged an additional $170 per credit hour, which is waived for first time freshmen if they choose to live on campus. Room and board is an additional $4,500, giving students a total payment around $11,000.

We have approximately 25 full time officers that are here 24/7. They are certified by the State of Arkansas. Like, one thing that makes it different; in most police departments where you get to be proactive, where we get to do programs and presentations for students on alcohol awareness, drug information, sexual assault. We also help them jump start their car and unlock their car.

UCA offers more than 100 undergraduate courses of study, 33 master's degrees and four doctoral programs.

I think UCA has prepared me in many aspects of my life, whether it be education-wise, it's prepared me for grad school, for my future career, and it's also just shaped a lot of characteristics that I need to be a leader in the future.

Some of the most popular majors among students are nursing, health sciences and consumer sciences, and you'll find many business administration and P4 education students as well.

UCA is the only university in Arkansas that prepares students to become occupational therapists.

As well as the only state university in Arkansas to offer an MS in occupational therapy, a doctor of physical therapy degree, a PhD in physical therapy, a PhD in school psychology, and an MS in counseling psychology.

Coming in, I was worried. I was like; oh, no, I'll have to study all the time. I won't have any fun. But, it's just all about that planner; you whip out the planner and so from this time to this time, I have to study. This time to this time, I get to play. I think it's not any more difficult; you just have to be more prioritized in college, though.

The success of every student at UCA depends on its highly trained and dedicated faculty and staff.

My professors are really great. They know me by name. They give me one on one attention if I need it. We're very sociable. I can go in and talk to them about anything that I'm having problems with in their class and they'll tell me how to improve my grade or what I need to do to improve my performance in the class.

The UCA Bears play in the NCAA Division I Southland Conference athletic programs, participating in 15 varsity sports teams.

Before recently becoming a Division I school, the UCA Bears won more conference championships than any other college division program in the state.

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UCA has 10 residential halls; three of which are residential colleges. This is one of the residential colleges, where students can live and take classes together. Jessica, what are you doing?

[ Music ] Apartment housing is also an option if that's more your style.

Living on campus was great. I stayed on campus my freshman year. I actually took classes inside my dormitory.

We'd go into the halls and play games. One time we flooded our halls and had a slip and slide in the halls. It was, it was a really good experience and I'm still friends with all of the guys that I was within the dorm.

Want to be more than just a fan in the Bear den? Give one of the many intramural sports a shot. Got no game? There are over 100 recognized student organizations, or be part of Greek life.

So, can you tell me some crazy traditions they have here at the school?

Well, of course one of the craziest traditions is the NB ride. We have it each fall and spring, and it's during finals week and everyone runs around campus in their underwear. Of course, the fall semester, it's in December so it's freezing.

Oh, boy.

But that doesn't keep people from having their undies on in full force. Big tradition; everyone runs through the library, by the President's home. It's just a lot of fun.

So, if you're looking for an affordable public university where you're given ample opportunities to learn outside the traditional classroom, go to uca.edu to learn even more about the University of Central Arkansas.

Well, our time's up here at the University of Central Arkansas.

We hope you had a blast and come visit the campus real soon. I'm Nicole Aaron.

And I'm Jessica Woody.

Oh, a grizzly Bear!

[ Growling sound ]

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