College Briefs

College Briefs -- WORK IN PROGRESS

The following is a list of colleges and universities that have been visited in the past few years by either myself, my podcast partner Chris Reeves, or both.  These are just our impressions and notes on a variety of institutions through either a self-guided tour or an official tour.  This is meant simply to introduce you to a variety of colleges and universities from throughout the United States, not to be your only source of information about an institution.  These will be listed in alphabetical order.

Babson College, Wellesley, MA

• Ranked very high among national liberal arts colleges in America

• Strong in Business with an entrepreneurial spirit

• The Babson Institute was founded in 1919 by business theorist and investor Roger Babson with 27 students.  The campus was established in 1921.

• 2,800 undergraduate students on campus

• Traditional looking campus, traditional looking buildings

Bates College, Lewiston, ME

• Blue collar town inland from the coast

• 2100 students -- campus is relatively compact

• A chapel on campus -- looks like a castle from the outside

• Students are "famously friendly" on campus

• Tour was about an hour long with nice storytelling -- parents and students are split up on the tour

• A Capella is a thing at Bates -- six different groups on campus

• Friends come watch each other at different activities -- the college is looking for friendly, supportive students

• The college is self-contained within a few blocks within the town of Lewiston

• Students take a "Major+1" -- it could be another major, a minor, etc.

• May term allows for students to take an individual class

• 70% of students at Bates study abroad

• All students have a thesis or some other type of cumulative experience as part of program

• Office of Purposeful Work -- will pay students up to $5,000 if they get an unpaid internship

• Several buildings have been open or are being renovated (2023) -- new science center, renovated student center

• Around 15% acceptance rate

• Financial Aid -- all need is met but DOES USE loans to fill need

• Every club on campus has a community liaison that is connected to the group

• 90% employment/graduate school rate after 6 months of graduation

• "Winter Puddle Jump" -- major event on campus 

Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY

• Founded in 1950 as a private, Catholic University located in the Highlands neighborhood of Louisville

• 2200 undergraduates (just under 3000 total students)

• Small class sizes; importance on individual attention

• Good sized campus for the enrollment size -- located on a pretty good sized hill

• Trolleys are available for campus tours

• The main part of campus is a rectangle with covered walkways around the rectangle; residence halls are off to the side

• Division I Athletics -- A-Sun Conference

• Do not have to be Catholic or Christian to attend, although Catholic values drive their school

• Locker system for commuters along with designated seating space in the cafeteria

• Most popular majors: Nursing, Psychology, Business Administration, Communication, and Biology

Belmont University, Nashville, TN

• Belmont was founded in 1890 by 2 women

• Did not add men until the 1950s

• Over 130 Majors

• $1,5 Billion in new construction within the last 20 years

• Everything looks clean, fresh, and well taken care of; grounds are well-maintained

• Most of campus centers around the "Old Lawn" and "New Lawn"

• Dining Hall had plenty of options, all you can eat, and plenty of seating

• Known for their College of Entertainment and Music, there are 10 majors within this college alone -- lots of different concentrations, so if you were interested in entertainment, video or music production, or audio or sound engineering, this is a good option

• Belmont was affiliated with the Baptist Church until about 20 years ago; today, they consider themselves to be more non-denominational.  Chapel is offered but not required two mornings per week.  All students are required to take religion courses as one of two pathways.

• Students are required to complete 50 hours of wellCore, which are presentations and events in 10 different categories.

• Lots of students in Belmont gear -- the vibe was a lot of school spirit on campus.

• About 9,000 students, with about 7,500 undergrads

• Belmont has fraternities and sororities, although not in houses -- everyone lives together on campus.

• Faculty must be Christian, but students do not have to be in order to attend.

Berea College, Berea, KY

• Located in small town in Central Kentucky (Madison County)

• Founded in 1855, Berea was the first integrated, co-educational college in the South, starting with the first class.  Around 1900, the Kentucky General Assembly forced Berea to segregate in an attempt to keep African-Americans from being educated, so Berea built another college in Shelby County, KY until the law was overturned, at which time they immediately re-integrated.

• Berea charges $0 tuition -- students work on campus in order to offset the cost of tuition.  Room/Board are still the student's responsibility but can be funded with other sources of aid.  Students, through the EDGE program (Empowering a Dynamic Generation through Education), receive a laptop as a first-year student that they keep upon graduation.

• The school's motto comes from Acts 17:26: "God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth."  Berea has a commitment to inclusivity and community ("impartial love").

• Berea operates its own College Farm where they grow organic crops to be used in campus cooking.

• Over 60-active clubs and organizations on Berea's campus

• Division III athletics -- 7 women's and 7 men's sports -- members of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

• Fourteen residence halls of a variety of types -- Four places to eat on campus

• Enrollment -- 1652 undergraduates, representing 41 states, 2 US territories, and 76 countries outside the US

• 93% of students (2018-19) had either a paid internship, study abroad experience, engaged in research with faculty, or taken a service-learning course

• Over 2/3 of students come from the Appalachian region

• 33 majors as well as professional programs, student-designed majors, and a dual-degree engineering program.

• Campus is picturesque -- the main street runs along one side of campus, but it was peaceful, green, full of trees, birds singing, squirrels playing, etc.

• Much of campus is in a Georgian Colonial style, with red brick and limestone trim

• Next door is the Boone Tavern Hotel -- Berea was actually a stop as Daniel Boone was establishing a road into Kentucky from the Cumberland Gap to Lexington 

• Berea is also an arts and crafts/cultural center for the Commonwealth.

Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

• 9,500 undergraduates, "big time" college campus

• If you need a campus for the movies or just "feels" like a college campus, BC might be it

• Gothic architecture; reading room in the library feels like a Hogwarts reading room

• Campus is gorgeous; lots of green space

• Ranked Top 4 in Accounting and Finance; top majors include economics, finance, psychology, biology, political science, and communications

• The inside of buildings have also been updated

• Big enough institution to have everything a student could want

• Division I Athletics (ACC)

• Jesuit university -- think similar values and priorities as Xavier -- "To whom much is given, much is expected."

• 19% admit rate for undergraduate admissions

Boston University, Boston, MA

• Major hockey power in  college hockey

• Brownstone architecture from buildings/residences that have been bought by the university as well as some modern architecture

• 17,700 undergraduate students 

• The physical campus is long and skinny -- access to public transportation -- borders the Charles River with an esplanade that goes to downtown Boston -- only two blocks from Fenway Park

• "BU Beach" -- an on-campus green space on campus

• Top 10 in Design and Kinesiology

• Most popular majors -- Business, Communications, Economics, Psychology, Computer Science, and Radio/Television Broadcasting

• Full engineering department

• Dedicated to good teaching

• Large to medium research university

• Honors College with their own Honors Residence Hall

• Facilities are a mix of old and new

• Selective institution, but not highly selective

• Students at BU need to be someone who wants to put themselves out there and experience campus and the city

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME

• Closer to the coast -- about a 20-30 minute drive to Portland, ME

• 1900 students at the college

• The town of Brunswick surrounds Bowdoin, but the campus is not interrupted by the town

• Mature, large trees throughout campus -- oaks, elms, etc. -- campus was bigger than what might be perceived -- space to breathe, room to stretch

• Bowdoin has a tour on their app -- parking was easy to find and access

• Colonial-style architecture, with some "newer" Victorian-era buildings

• Bowdoin students, faculty, and alumni have been going to the Arctic region since 1860 -- Robert Peary is the most famous, claiming to reach the North Pole in 1909.  The Arctic Research Lab and Museum are located on campus.  If a student is interested in researching in the Arctic, Bowdoin needs to be on an application list.

• Top majors include biology, economics, English, environmental studies, computer science -- lots of students applying to graduate schools as well.

• Schiller Coastal Studies Center -- not far from campus -- students who want to study Marine Science in the Northeast or at a liberal arts institution, Bowdoin needs to be on an application list.

• Applications get two reads before going to Committee -- first test-optional college in US (has been since 1969)

• Highly selective for admissions -- four-year language requirement (can use AP, CLEP, demonstrated proficiency, etc. for part of the requirements) as part of the undergraduate curriculum

• Financial Aid packages cover all financial need without loans -- the college will also work one-on-one with families to help students be able to attend

• Bowdoin bought all of the Greek buildings years ago, but there is no Greek life on campus

• Orientation trip available for incoming Freshmen

• Athletics are in the NESCAC Conference -- Division III -- Home of the Polar Bears

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

• Founded in Jewish traditions and in the Jewish Faith in 1948 with a focus on diversity -- named after Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish  Supreme Court Chief Justice 

• 3,700 students -- Liberal Arts focused institution 

• Top 50 in Public Policy/Global Studies

• Interesting Major -- Biological Physics

• Natural grasses, New England boulders, hilly, out in the suburbs but can see Boston from a few spots -- outdoor art everywhere on campus

• "Knowledge is Essential to Understanding"

• All are welcome -- for example, the president offered sanctuary to Jewish students during the Israeli-Hamas War protests of 2024

• Most popular majors -- Economics, Biology, Public Policy Analysis, Business, Computer Science, Psychology, Neuroscience, International Studies, and Political Science

• Two student centers, art museum (open to public)

• Selective with a 30% acceptance rate, two supplemental essays

• Meet all financial need, but they may use loans to cover it

• Second smallest R1 Research Institution in the US

Brown University, Providence, RI

• Brown has around a 5% admit rate

• Architecture varies, but buildings have been around a long time

• Large campus -- not hilly except on the edges of campus

• Completely residential built for the 1800s around campus -- parking was a bit of a struggle

• Open curriculum -- students choose their fields of study and offers complete choice

• Return on Investment -- you leave with an Ivy League diploma

• Focused on having an impact on the world 

• Students have to really consider ED or Questbridge in order to get accepted, and then it is still a maybe

• 7,100 students on campus, located near downtown Providence

• Brown is seeking out high achieving students  from rural areas

• Top 3 in Public Policy and in Global Studies

• Most popular majors:  Economics, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, Engineering, and Political Science

Centre College, Danville, KY

• Located just outside of downtown Danville -- small town in Central Kentucky

• Campus is relatively self-contained -- 200 acre campus -- lots of green space, expansive lawns, well-manicured -- buildings are Greek revival/Georgian -- lots of brick and stone masonry -- everything looks like it's from a historical time capsule, and yet everything feels like a place of welcoming and learning

• Centre was chartered in January 1819 and opened in the Fall of 1820 -- first classes were at "Old Centre," the oldest building on campus -- Centre originally provided a classical education along with a grammar school

• Annually ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States

• Centre was a founding member of Colleges That Change Lives

• "Centre Promise" -- all financial need is met by the university

• 85% of students participate in study-abroad and study-away experiences

• Centre is a top producer of Fulbright Scholars

• 98% of students live on campus

• Centre is big on undergraduate research (roughly 45% participate) and internship opportunities, since graduate programs are not available

• Roughly 1300 undergraduate students -- acceptance rate of between 50-60%

• Over 40 majors, including a self-designed option -- Engineering partnerships with UK and with Washington University in St. Louis -- Teaching partnerships with Vanderbilt, UofL, and Bellarmine -- 12 pre-professional tracks available

• Students are active on campus and go to campus events -- collaboration and community are recurring themes throughout campus 

Colby College, Waterville, ME

• Home to the Colby Mules -- Division III -- member of the NESCAC Conference

• About an hour straight north from Bowdoin to Colby

• 1700 students at Colby -- all undergraduates

• Beautiful campus, natural grasses, beautiful landscape, Adirondack chairs for seating

• More remote -- the town of Waterville is down the road about 5 minutes from campus

• Oak Institute for Human Rights -- activism is big on campus, and students care about issues in the world

• First-year study abroad is available at Colby

• The curriculum is "integrated within the world's most complex challenges."

• No supplemental essays for admissions -- highly selective admissions -- extra-curriculars are an important part of overall admissions consideration

• Financial Aid covers all need WITHOUT using student loans -- students from households that make $75K or less annually go for free to Colby -- $75K-$100K students pay a max of $15K per year

• Students are close -- they eat together, hang out together, do things together

• Students get an academic advisor as well as another advisor for research, internships, study abroad, etc. (called Davis Connects)

• They have what is considered to be one of the best art museums in the US

• Net-zero carbon emissions school

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology -- hub of bird watching and bird knowledge in the United States -- Sapsucker Woods surround the CLO -- birds attract to the Finger Lakes region of New York

• Cornell has over 100 waterfalls either on or near campus

• The Egg Cairn -- giant stack of rocks as a statue -- roughly 5 feet wide, 6 feet tall

• Ivy League School founded much after the other seven  -- founded in 1865

• Strong programs in Agriculture, Engineering, Ornithology, Business

• 22,000 undergraduate students -- large campus -- located on a hill with great views down across the countryside -- lots of trails, hiking, lakes, etc.

• Cornell is hitting home runs in multiple areas -- student facilities, student experience, academics, etc.

• Large amounts of greenspace -- entire botanical garden on campus

• If a student is looking for an Ivy League education that feels like a larger, state university, Cornell would be a good fit

• "Any person, any study"

• Highly selective institution -- students will apply to a college, not the university as a whole

• College of Agriculture, College of Art, Architecture, and Planning, College of Business are all test-blind

• Large research institution with research opportunities

• Financial Aid -- packages include loans to meet financial need

• 1/3 Greek, D1 Sports, required PE classes as part of curriculum, Ice Hockey is HUGE, large outdoor education program, 95% six-year graduation rate

• If you are going for a campus visit, plan to take the full day in order to see everything.

Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

• America's "Rural Ivy" -- Dartmouth is strong in rural initiatives and in recruiting rural students to campus

• The Appalachian Trail runs through the town of Hanover and through campus -- the trail is maintained by the Dartmouth Outing Club

• "A profound sense of place."

• Dartmouth has networking that expands beyond for career/business and goes to love and friendship

• Sustainability is a huge initiative, Engineering and Science curriculums are strong

• "D-Plan" -- on a quarter system (Fall quarter ends before Thanksgiving), then Winter quarter, then Spring quarter -- Freshmen come in early for a freshman summer experience prior to starting (if they choose, but all do so) but no summer, but then there is a Sophomore Summer where students stay on campus.  Sophomores then can take off a quarter, do an internship in the winter, study abroad, etc. regardless of major, 

• Women in Science is heavily and authentically promoted -- first year research in engineering is available for undergrads

• Smallest R1 research institution in the US

• Students in the undergrad program (Dartmouth College) can take coursework in graduate school programs 

• Campus has QR codes for AT Trail hikers to find resources, "trail angels," good food, etc.

• If you are into the outdoors and rural areas but still want an Ivy League education, Dartmouth is the choice

• They have their own organic farm -- students can go out and access food

• Astronomical observatory which is open to the public on Fridays

• Early Decision provides a benefit of a better chance of being admitted -- overall admission rates are in the single digits

• Dartmouth wants a peer recommendation -- get a friend to talk about you as part of your application

• Dartmouth does not have merit aid; however, all financial need is covered WITHOUT use of student loans

• Students are involved in campus life outside of just attending classes -- very connected to native populations (Spring Pow-Wow) -- they also have a bonfire on campus every year during Homecoming

• Students are not classified by Freshman, Sophomore, etc. -- students are referred to as a "27" or a "93" by their graduation date

Emory University, Atlanta, GA

• Emory University is a Liberal Arts and Research University with campuses in Atlanta and Oxford, GA.  It was founded in 1836 in Oxford and 1915 in Atlanta.  The Atlanta campus is tucked into a historic neighborhood (Druid Hills).

• Emory has a "create your own major" option for students.

• Students entering Emory can choose which campus to attend/live for the first two years; all students complete their undergraduate studies at the Atlanta Campus for their final two years.

• Emory is a global, diverse campus with a strong international population.   Emory wants students to be challenged intellectually by other perspectives.

• My tour began with individual conversations with current students and then moved into an information session.

• Incoming freshman class sizes average around 500 students for the Oxford campus and 1,600 students for the Atlanta campus.  Emory has Division 3 athletics, and approximately 90% of students complete internships or research during their undergraduate studies.

• Emory has over $1 Billion each year in research funding.

• Emory has connections with the Dalai Lama (who is on the faculty); students can study in Tibet, while monastics come to Emory to study.

• Other connections include the Carter Center and the King Center.

• Through the Arch program, students can go to one of about 30 colleges to take individual classes.

• Currently test-optional, although the policy is determined on a year-to-year basis (as of incoming class of 25)

• Emory meets 100% of need without loans; they are need-blind for admissions.

• In terms of campus vibe, there were quiet conversations across campus, both from students and faculty, although about two weeks after visiting, there were demonstrations on campus (pro-Palestinian protests regarding the Israel-Hamas War).  Emory is a diverse place; only 43% of students on the Atlanta campus are Caucasian.

• There is a bell tower on campus that chimes every 15 minutes.

Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY

• Located in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky just 15 minutes north of Lexington (Scott County)

• Small town with the campus one block off of one of the main roads through the town of Georgetown.

• GC was founded in 1829 and is a private, historically Christian college that was "built on a Baptist foundation."

• Average class size is 16, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1.

• Approximately 1,100 undergraduate students

• Largest undergraduate majors: Psychology, Business Administration, Exercise Science, Elementary Education, and Communications and Media

• Athletics are in the NAIA - Mid-South Conference -- 11 men's and 11 women's sports, with 2 more that are co-ed (cheer, e-sports)

• Campus is shaped like a "T" -- th e academic buildings are primarily in the cross section of the T, and the residential area is the vertical part of the T.

• My observation is that campus is starting to show its age a bit -- buildings need trim painted, sidewalks and stairs have concrete that has worn or chipped, etc.

• Many academic buildings on campus are Greek Revival style, with huge columns as part of the front facades -- residence halls look more like 1960s era construction.

• Some trees on campus, but also quite a bit of open space

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

• "Crossroads of Progress and Service"

• Tech conducts as holistic review, but they will consider commitment to one's community, as that is important to them.

• There are roughly 18,000 students; they receive 60,000 applications, but there is only a 10% out-of-state admit rate, as Tech is a public university.

• Only 39 majors; however, students can study concentrations within their major (called threads)

• There is a 98% retention rate from freshman to sophomore year.

• Almost every class at Tech includes an online discussion component.  Students can schedule  one-on-one assistance for any class.

• Tech has a robust study abroad program, and study abroad is the price of in-state tuition, even if a student is from out of state.

• Every tenured professor at Tech is required to conduct research every year.

• Lots of makerspaces available on campus, and Tech also is opening a new AI makerspace.

• Career advisors are connected to specific majors.  Students cannot start in a major and then switch into Computer Science; students must list CS as their major on their applications.

• As part of the admissions process, there are 4 optional letters of recommendation, and test scores are required.  

• 60% of students are from Georgia, 30% are from out of state, and 10% of students are international students.  

• Younger students get priority for housing.

• Georgia Tech has a high level of rigor in its academics, but Tech also has a high level of support

Kentucky College of Art and Design, Louisville, KY

• Founded in 2009 as the Kentucky School of Contemporary Art

• Affiliated with Spalding University in 2010 -- KyCAD would become Spalding's Art Department in order to help  grow and receive funding.  KyCAD separated and became independent once again in 2018

• One major with multiple tracks -- Studio Art (BFA)

• Very much an experiential, hands-on education -- Seniors curate a design project as part of their final evaluations that give them gallery space to create and show their art

• One building, one floor, multiple presentation and work spaces, with another building in another location that is the Speed Mansion, with office space, small classroom spaces, study areas, and a conference room

• Gained full accreditation in January 2025

• Welding, woodworking, ceramics, art history, etc. are all available

• Their goal is for students to take their education and either go in the field or go to graduate work at some of the best art schools in the US (Pratt, SCAD, RISD, etc.)

• Three graduates in 2025, 15 scheduled for 2026, etc. -- the school is starting to grow

Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY

• Kentucky State was founded in 1886 and is the Commonwealth's only public HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)

• Located in the capital of Kentucky (Franklin County), K-State has an enrollment of around 1700 students, with slightly less than half coming from Kentucky.

• K-State offers 55 undergraduate majors, including Aquaculture

• Top majors: Business, Management, Marketing, Psychology, Education, and English

• K-State, like many universities in Kentucky, started off as a "Normal School" -- Jackson Hall was the first building on campus and is still there today (looks a bit like a castle) while listed on the National Register of Historic Places

• Big "gate" over the roadway as you approach campus (can't miss it) -- buildings are a mix of old and new -- lots of parking areas throughout campus

• Lowest tuition cost among Kentucky's 8 public universities

Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN

• Founded in 1891 and affiliated with the Churches of Christ

• Campus was quiet, although there were students outside -- presented with more of a reserved vibe, although there were students on the side of campus participating in a variety of athletics (looked like intramurals).

• Buildings looked to be a combination of newer buildings with buildings appearing to be from the 1940s and 1950s -- well maintained campus

• No fraternities or sororities

• About 5,000 students, with roughly 3,000 undergraduates

Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN

• Comprehensive regional university about 30-40 minutes from downtown Nashville

• Campus has parking lots all around it

• Known for Communications/Media and Music Production

• Some buildings look newer, but many buildings look somewhat dated

• Will have plenty of options for majors due to its size

• Campus life on weekends may be limited due to commuting

• Division 1 Athletics (Conference USA)

Northeastern University, Boston, MA

• 16,000 undergraduate students at Northeastern

• College tour was much different (in a good way) than the typical college tour

• Northeastern has a strong experiential learning program (co-ops/internships) -- every student will complete some type of experiential learning

• Most popular majors:  Business, Information Science, Mechanical Engineering, Economics, and Communications

• Top 10 in Kinesiology/PT and in Criminal Justice

• Urban setting within the city of Boston -- not taken over by the city itself -- students living on campus will be "living the city life"

• Campus has a large amount of artwork -- one building voted the most beautiful building in Boston

• Highly selective -- students need to apply Early Decision in order to have a fighting chance to be admitted (told from the Admissions Office)

• NU.N -- program that allows students to spend their first semester in London -- it may help increase admissions chances -- also can be admitted through the Global Scholars program

• Students need to be energetic and proactive to be successful at Northeastern -- seek out opportunities 

• 97% of graduates either have jobs or are attending graduate school within 6 months of graduation -- 51% have jobs lined up prior to graduation

• Strong financial aid, but may include loans

• You can rub the Husky's statue for good luck -- the Northeastern Huskies

Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA

• Under 500 undergraduate students at Olin, only three buildings on campus

• 20% admission rate

• Collaboration with Brandeis University for additional coursework

• Engineering/robotics majors -- three ABET-accredited degrees (mechanical, computer, and electrical) and a broad engineering degree with a variety of concentrations available

• Curriculum is project-based learning

• 21% of students have been involved in startups

• Average salary from 2013-present of their graduates -- $120K

• 85% of graduates report they love their job; 72% did two or more internships or research opportunities while at Olin

• Housing is available on campus

• If you want a campus with less student life and more focus on project-based engineering, Olin may be a good fit for you.

Providence College, Providence, RI

• Providence is a Catholic , Dominican institution run by Dominican friars

• Campus is pretty, but it is gated -- right around campus is residential and not a lot else

• 4,000 students

• Most popular majors:  Finance, Business, Biology, Marketing, Psychology, Accounting, and Economics

• Division 1 Athletics

• Founded in 1917 by Dominican friars

• Traditional academic curriculum with a "Great Books" component with World Civilization -- has an element of classical education

• Providence struggles with perceptions of being either too Catholic or not Catholic enough

• Only 33% of students are Catholic

• Money has been invested in athletics and academic buildings to attract students

• Providence is around a 50% admit rate

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence, RI

• Located right on the Providence River in Providence

• RISD has a lot of different buildings that seem to have been bought over time and repurposed

• 44 majors; sixth ranked art school in US

• Interesting majors like glass and furniture design

• 17% admit rate -- selective

• Founded in 1877

• 2,500 undergrads attending RISD

Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, TN

• Sewanee is on the edge of the Appalachian mountains between Nashville and Chattanooga -- the campus is beautiful and consists of buildings with stone facades.

• Admissions Office is SUPER helpful!

• If you were looking for environmental science, geology, forestry, wildlife management, etc. -- this is the place.

• 96% of students who graduate are either working or in graduate school after graduation.

• Campus life and extracurriculars are huge at Sewanee; most kids do not have activities outside of campus life.

• Sewanee is fully residential for all four years

• Incoming freshman classes average around 450-500 students

• Students were hanging out in the dining hall and library on the day I visited (it was cold and wet outside)

• This is a true community environment hidden in the woods of SE Tennessee!

Simmons College of Kentucky, Louisville, KY

• Simmons is Kentucky's only private HBCU, which gained that status officially in the 2010s

• Founded in 1879 as a "normal school" -- founded as a school for freed slaves.  It prospered from 1879 to the 1930s, teaching a classical liberal arts education in law, business, medicine, etc. -- when the Depression hit, the Kentucky General Assembly forced Simmons to cell most of their property to UofL and Simmons was reduced to one building and told Simmons they could only teach religion to African-American students.  the school became Simmons Bible College until 2006, at which time they bought back the original campus and changed to the current name.

• Roughly 500 students and 14 majors -- one of Simmons's initiatives is to work with incarcerated adults, so they have roughly 1/4 of their students taking courses online from prison.

• Simmons is  slowly taking over one building or lot at a time in order to build a physically connected campus -- the College has plans already for future expansion.

• First residence hall opened up in the 2024-25 SY

• Simmons participates in Evolve 502, which is a last-dollar scholarship for qualifying JCPS students to earn an Associate's Degree either at one of the 16 KCTCS schools or to Simmons and earn up to 60 credit hours.

• Division II of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

• Their motto is "Non Palma Sine Pulvere/No Reward Without Effort" -- tons of pride in the institution and n where they plan to go

Spalding University, Louisville, KY

• Founded in 1814, the campus moved to Louisville in 1920

• One of the buildings on campus is the location where Muhammad Ali first learned to box after having his bicycle stolen

• Class sizes are typically 15-20 students; gen eds can go as high as 30.

• Roughly 850 undergraduates

• Non-traditional schedule -- students take 2-3 classes for 8-week sessions (has previously been 6 week sessions) -- no class on Fridays, so good for athletics

• Free laundry

• Most students will either hang out in common areas on campus or off-campus locations

• Urban campus -- south of downtown, buildings are among 4-5 city blocks 

• New athletic facilities -- Division III within the Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

• Eight sports each for men's and women's sports along with co-ed e-sports -- 

• Top majors:  Nursing, Business, Psychology, Health Services, and Studio Art

St. John's College (MD), Annapolis, MD

• Founded in 1696 -- two campuses, one in Annapolis, MD and one in Santa Fe, NM

• One curriculum for all students -- pure liberal arts, founded upon "The Great Books," adopted in 1937

• Seminar-style classes for all subjects

• Examples include: ancient philosophers, including  Archimedes, Aeschylus, Homer, Aristotle, Euclid, as well as Mendeleev, Virginia Woolf, The Book of Job, Dante, Thomas Aquinas, Chaucer, Locke, Machiavelli, Plutarch, Stravinsky, Shakespeare, Vergil, Beethoven, Bernoulli, Descartes, Ben Franklin, Hawthorne, US Historical documents, Newton, Pascal, Jane Austin, Mark Twain, Ralph Ellison, etc.

• Students may have interest in different subjects, but students attending this school are all "majoring in college" -- true belief in skill development, analytical thinking, public speaking, etc. (TRUE LIBERAL ARTS)

• Unofficial mascot of St. John's College -- the Axolotl

Tufts University, Somerville and Medford, MA

• 6,600 undergraduate students

• Up on a hill -- near the city, but not in the city -- wide variety of architecture on campus

• Top academic programs: ranked highly in International Relations, Public Health, and Film/Photography -- most popular majors are Economics, Biology, Computer Science, International Relations, and Political Science

• Tufts talks about research opportunities a great deal

• Full engineering department even though Tufts is a liberal arts college

• Jumbo the Elephant (from Ringling Brothers Circus) resided there and is the mascot for Tufts -- the deceased elephant was donated for research purposes for Tufts -- the school's nickname is the Tufts Jumbos.

• Tons of green space -- the President lives on campus

• Highly selective for admissions -- lots of Early Decision admits -- if Tufts is on a student's list, other options should be on the list as well because of selectivity

• Financial aid meets full need without use of student loans

• Students are happy at Tufts -- students are enthusiastic and involved (esp. in student organizations)

• For as selective as the school is, there seems to be less of a "pressure cooker" academic environment that still provides a transformative education

• Graduation photos were taken with the Tufts Jumbo statue -- the statue is beloved by students

United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

• The front of campus has a gate in a brick wall surrounding it -- visitors must go through the public gate and be screened prior to entering campus.

• Located on the Severn River in Annapolis, MD

• Acceptance into the USNA requires a different process than a traditional college -- requires a Congressional nomination from a student's US Representative, US Senator, or the US Vice President along with traditional application materials, medical documentation, athletic evaluations, etc.

• Students walking around campus are all in either some type of uniform (determined by the Naval Superintendent for each day) or standardized sports attire if training or on practice

• Leadership lives right on campus (Captain's Row)

• Top Majors:  Quantitative Economics/Econometrics,  Political Science, Cyberelectronic Operations and Warfare, Mechatronics/Robotics/Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Research, Computer Science, English Language and Literature, History -- no matter what your major is, you will take STEM coursework that will benefit the Navy and your career -- heavy in engineering coursework

• "Go Navy, Beat Army!"

• Students are friendly and social, but they walk with purpose -- students are assigned to one of 30 platoons from the moment they enter, led by platoon leaders

• "To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government." 

• Anyone caught lying, cheating, or stealing is immediately dismissed

• Times are standardized -- when you wake, when you eat, when you exercise, etc.

• Students who attend this campus are part of a team and a part of something bigger than self

University of Georgia, Athens, GA

• UGA is a large campus, with a minimum 30 minute walk to get from one end of campus to the other.  There is a robust shuttle bus system available, and students should use it (and do).  The campus is 765 acres with over 400 buildings and was founded in 1785.  It is considered the birthplace of public education in America.  UGA existed prior to the founding of Athens, GA; the northern end is considered "Old Campus."

• Friendly Visitors' Center staff -- very welcoming from the moment you walk in.

• Anything a student would want to study would be available at UGA -- they make no apologies for being a large campus with a lot of options.

• All students are required to complete some type of experiential learning prior to graduation.

• UGA has high retention, placement, and graduation rates

• Double Dawgs Program is an accelerated master's program that allows students to finish their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in five years.

• For admission, UGA will use test scores and will look at a superscore (determined by the University System of Georgia) and is the least important part of the application.  Students are automatically considered for scholarships other than the full Foundation Scholarship.  There are no binding application types.

• There is a full hospital on campus.

• Only 30 % of students are involved in Greek Life.

• Introductory English and Math courses are capped at 25-30 students maximum.

• Freshmen must live on campus; meal plans are not required.

• Campus vibe -- lots of students walking around on campus, and downtown Athens surrounds the northern end of campus.  

• Students in the Honors College typically get priority registration and better student-to-faculty ratios.  The Honors College also houses the Office of Undergraduate Research.

• The campus is considered an arboretum; there are so many trees and so much greenery that it makes it difficult in places to take pictures.

• There is a hotel on campus, and there is an hourly shuttle to ATL airport.

• Football tickets are only $10 for students; Freshmen get priority, and then Seniors down to Sophomores.

• The football stadium could fit inside the workout facilities on campus.

• Out-of-state admit rate -- 20-25%.

University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

• South of Downtown Louisville (about 3-4 miles)

• Students have free access to the TARC system (Transit Authority of River City)

• Founded in 1798, it is one of Kentucky's two flagship universities and an R1 Research Institution

• Just over 16,000 undergraduates (23,000 overall)

• Campus feels a bit smaller than people expect, yet it has all of the resources of a large-sized flagship institution that is accessible

• On the tour, all three tour guides had multiple people say hello as we/they were walking past -- guides said that it is normal for that to happen to students

• 13 academic divisions, including law, dental, medical schools, etc. including admissions opportunities for undergraduates for pre-admission to several graduate programs

• Speed School for Engineering -- built-in co-op program that gives students 3 experiences outside of the classroom (five year program)

• Quite a bit of green space on a campus so close to a downtown metropolitan area

• Scholarship opportunities -- automatic, competitive, mentored

• Over 400 total organizations on campus; over 30 Greek organizations on campus (big but not necessary to be involved on campus life)

• Always ranked among the best institutions in the US for support services for African-American students, Hispanic/Latino students, LGBTQ+ students, etc.

• Reciprocity available for Southern Indiana; Border Benefit Award gives students a chance to receive financial aid if from IN (outside of Southern IN), IL, OH, WV, some counties in MO and in TN, which is a minimum of $16K per year.

• Athletics -- Division I in the ACC (Athletic Coast Conference)

• Most popular majors -- Health Professions, Engineering, Psychology, Education, and Business

University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

• Beautiful campus with Georgian architecture and lots of greenery and green spaces -- tons of mature trees, birds chirping

• Students were moving around, going to class, but there was a bit of a quietness to it -- the natural part of the campus came through

• Quite a few students were traveling on electric scooters -- available at spots throughout campus

• McKeldin Mall -- huge green space with water feature in front of McKeldin Library -- what  you will see when you see a first picture of campus

• Testudo the Terrapin statue on campus 

• New STEM building for Computer Science and Engineering (seven floors, glass facade) had AI, Robotics, Computer Science -- packed with students, wide open spaces, open work spaces enclosed in glass

• Top Majors:  Computer Science, Information Science (both make up 1/6 of all majors), Biology, Finance, Econometrics, Quantitative Economics, Psychology, Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health, Political Science and Government

• Jim Henson Sculpture (creator of the Muppets and a 1960 alum) -- in front of the Student Union

• Francis Scott Key Hall -- History Building 

• Lots of construction going on -- they were building a connection from the DC Metro Green Line directly to campus

University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA

• Located in a small town at the edge of the Georgia Appalachian Mountains

• One of six military colleges in the United States outside of the service academies -- home to the Blue Ridge Rifles and the Boar's Head Brigade (the school's Corps of Cadets), although not all students participate.

• Division 2 Athletics -- UNG also has a rifle team.

• Roughly 20,000 students located on five campuses -- the current formation of the University was founded in 2013 when Northern Georgia College and State University cobined with Gainesville State College in the next town.  The original college was founded in 1873 as the North Georgia Agricultural College.

• Over 140 programs are available across five campuses.

• The first major gold rush in the United States was in Dahlonega in 1828, and gold on the campus tower is "Dahlonega Gold."  

• There's not a vibrant campus life on weekends, as most students go home on weekends.

• UNG has strong programs in cybersecurity, film (connected to Atlanta film scene), and languages

• The Corps of Cadets has two tracks: one for leadership (no requirement for service) and one as a commissioned track

• UNG has a Doctoral program in Criminal Justice, and there is a Police Academy on campus.

• UNG has the highest rate of post-grad scholarships in Georgia.

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

• Vanderbilt sits between two major thoroughfares heading west out of downtown.

• Campus is immaculate, although there were some areas that needed mowing (although it was a rainy day when I visited).  Flowers were in bloom, buildings looks like college buildings with red brick and gabled roofs, with lots of natural wood inside buildings.  Mature trees and green spaces were throughout campus, and there was lots of movement on campus, although not a ton of outside chatter.  

• Incoming freshman class size is roughly 1,600 students, with Vandy having a roughly 6% admit rate.

• Applications should show leadership, academic spark, interests.

• Vanderbilt uses a holistic review with the context of a student's high school and community considered.

• Vandy is one of the top universities that meet financial need without utilizing student loans.

• Graduation requirement is that students must complete something in creative expression, research, internship, or study abroad (Emerging Vanderbilt).

• There are over 500 organizations on campus for student involvement.

• Students must live on campus all four years.  Vanderbilt utilizes a House System, and faculty live with each 'house."  The Commons is where younger students live; older students will live with their residential college

• Over 100 cultural organizations alone at Vanderbilt.

• If you want a true academic environment in a thriving, growing city with people from all over the world, and you can get admitted, you stand a decent chance of being able to afford it thanks to their robust financial aid.

Wellesley College, Wellesley MA

• Wellesley is a private, women's liberal arts college that is ranked as the number one all-women college in the country as well as one of the best small liberal arts college in the US.

• 2,400 undergraduates studying on a 500 acre campus -- the campus is a green space.  Buildings and architecture are iconic -- it is a huge campus for the number of people there.  It is a place that separates you from the outside world and allows you to immerse yourself in study (like a writer's retreat).  

• Popular majors:  Economics, Psychology, Political Science, Information Science, Biology, Neuroscience

• Known for being extremely rigorous -- students are going to be worked and challenged to earn an A.

• Highly selective institution

• Strong financial aid available -- Wellesley is part of the Questbridge program

• 99% of students live on campus

• 97% employment rate/graduate school attendance within six months of graduation

Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

• Founded in 1906 as the Western Kentucky State Normal School, although its roots go back to the late 1800s -- over the years, it combined with other schools (Potter College, Ogden College, Bowling Green Business University).

• Campus Mottos -- "The Spirit Makes The Master" and "Life, More Life"

• WKU houses programs such as the Mahurin Honors College (first honors college in KY), the Center for Gifted Studies, and the Gatton Academy for 11th-12th grade students

• WKU offers 94 majors, 75 minors, multiple pre-professional tracks, 48 master's degree programs, 2 specialist degrees, and 4 doctoral programs.

• Total enrollment -- 16, 759 (14.5K undergraduates); average  class size is 23.7

• Strong online program -- WKU has 90 online degrees and certificate programs, with over 1700 classes offered

• Division I Athletics -- participation in Conference USA -- 6 men's and 8 women's programs

• The mascot is the Hilltopper for a reason -- largest hill in the region, and 2/3 of the university is sitting on the hill

• Top majors:  Nursing, Management, Psychology, Marketing, Elementary Education

• Over 200 registered student organizations, including more than 30 fraternities and sororities

• WKU's mascot, Big Red, was student-created in the late 1970s; another symbol of WKU is the Red Towel -- strong amount of campus pride and school spirit

• Campus is beautiful -- lots of walkways, trees, etc. -- new buildings of red brick combined with older buildings at top of hill with smooth stone facades -- residence halls are a mix of old and new as new construction occurs (new Freshman Village)

West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

• The University is a divided campus -- the older part is downtown along a river valley, while the newer part is up above downtown about a mile away.  Campus is connected by a tram system (PRT -- Personal Rapid Transit) that runs on what looks like old coal train tracks; students swipe ID cards and ride.  The trams run regularly and hold roughly 15 people per tram.  It looked natural for the students to ride the tram from one area to another as needed.

• The Downtown section had a lot of older buildings that were original to campus -- new buildings were more up above along with athletic facilities

• There was not a lot of direction as far as parking -- the downtown campus was thriving with lots of student movement.  Martin Hall, built in 1870, is the first building on campus, with Woodburn Hall following in 1876.  

• Red brick buildings -- Second Empire architecture for many buildings.  Stewart Hall is in a Romanesque revival architecture made of stone.

• Lots of students were walking around wearing Blue and Gold/West Virginia gear

• Students were friendly and willing to talk about their campus experiences

• The Downtown campus had students traveling in large groups, partly because of the tram system.  The campus up above has buildings more spread out with less students walking around.

• Top Majors:  Interdisciplinary Studies, Health/PE and Fitness, Nursing, Journalism, Mechanical Engineering, Criminology, Psychology, General Studies, and Biology

• WVU seems to serve the citizens of West Virginia well, with a diverse offering of majors available.

• "Before pride, before recognition, there is the first thought, the first step, the first breakthrough.  At West Virginia University, we are determined to go first.  It's in our blood, it's in our sweat, it's in our nature.  Here, going first means we are bold enough to dream big, to take risks.  It's why we go to the edge instead of going back.  We build a bridge and we keep going.  We will go above, we will go beyond, and when everyone else goes back, Mountaineers go first!"