Campus Tour Photos (College Guidance) Galleries

Butler University (Indianapolis, IN) : Butler is a small university of about 4,000 undergraduates which averages a very large diversity of majors for its size. Especially strong programs are business, communication and health sciences, such as pharmacy and physician's assistant. Butler even offers a unique 3-2 engineering program with IUPUI that allows students remain in Butler dormitories as they complete their degrees. The campus is very attractive with a nice combination of new facilities and older buildings, including the fieldhouse where the movie "Hoosiers" was filmed. The university has a big emphasis on internships, which are readily available in nearby downtown Indianapolis. The school itself is located in a very safe and desirable residential neighborhood, with the Broad Ripple section of restaurants, stores and bars nearby. Broad Ripple high school is, by the way, the alma mater of illustrious celebrities like Marilyn Quayle, David Letterman and Mr. Bill Royer. Butler would be a great school to consider for students already interested in small to medium universities like Elon, Evansville, Tulane and SMU. R,B,K

Butler University (Indianapolis, IN)

Butler is a small university of about 4,000 undergraduates which avera ...

Updated: Feb 19, 2010 7:21am PST

Southwestern University (Georgetown, TX) : small (1300 students) liberal arts college that also offers strong majors in pre-professional fields like business and communications; beautiful campus with nice facilities in a small town about 30 minutes from Austin; suburbia has encroached so it feels close to the city, creating a great option for students who like Austin but find U-Texas too large; has received accolades for student engagement, career services/job placement and for keeping costs down. Also named in Loren Pope's book, Colleges That Change Lives; R,B,K

Southwestern University (Georgetown, TX)

small (1300 students) liberal arts college that also offers strong maj ...

Updated: Feb 19, 2010 6:23am PST

SCAD: Savannah College of Art & Design (Savannah, GA) : SCAD is the largest art and design school in the country with about 8,000 undergraduates at its main campus in historic downtown Savannah and about 2,000 more at its satellite campuses in Atlanta and Hong Kong. The Savannah campus is spread over a number of historic buildings whose renovation is supervised by the college's own historic preservation department. SCAD offers a wide variety of majors from television production to industrial design to photography to graphic arts and many more. As a result of SCAD's presence, Savannah is a cultural, artistic and production hub in many different media. A beautiful city, Savannah is also only twenty minutes from the beaches on Tybee Island. R,B,K

SCAD: Savannah College of Art & Design (Savannah, GA)

SCAD is the largest art and design school in the country with about 8, ...

Updated: Jan 19, 2010 8:12am PST

Sarah Lawrence College : Sarah Lawrence College is one of the most unique institutions of higher learning in this country. A small liberal arts college of 1200 undergraduates in Bronxville, NY (just outside of NYC), it offers a curriculum based on the Oxford-Cambridge model of intense interaction with faculty members. Students explain to professors why they want to take their classes and, once enrolled, have individual meetings with them on a bi-weekly basis to further their learning in the class. Students complete significant individually-created research papers or projects for each class. As such, depth is emphasized over breadth. Not surprisingly, SAT/ACT scores are not considered as part of the admissions process. Shuttle run frequently to Manhattan and proximity to NYC is a big attraction for most Sarah Lawrence Students. Class sizes average eleven and the female-male ratio is 3 to 1. Humanities concentrations (their term for majors) like English, dance, art, philosophy are the strongest and most popular majors. A very intriguing option for students considering who desire an individualized intellectual experience with unmatched access to professors. R,K

Sarah Lawrence College

Sarah Lawrence College is one of the most unique institutions of highe ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 1:44pm PST

Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro, TN) : MTSU is a large public university with, in fact, the largest undergraduate student population in the state of Tennessee. It has grown rapidly in the last few years, and there are many impressive new buildings on campus, as well as a good number of new dorms. Most students, however, still live off-campus or commute. Only 3500 of 22,000+ undergraduates live on-campus. MTSU is known for a few programs not widely offered that it does extremely well: music business, turf management, concrete engineering (the only one in the country) and aerospace engineering. Other strong majors include marketing and communication, and there is a new building to house the honors program. Athletics are gaining in prominence and the school's social life benefits from proximity to Nashville, around twenty-five miles away.

Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro, TN)

MTSU is a large public university with, in fact, the largest undergrad ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 1:36pm PST

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) : mid-sized research institution of 6,000 undergraduates (and 5,000 graduate students) located in the West End section of Nashville; beautiful tree-lined walkways crisscross well-defined campus adjacent to a fun, student-oriented commercial district of stores, clubs and restaurants, including the famed, can't-miss Pancake Pantry; Vandy combines big time athletics, an active social scene and a rigorous, prestigious academic program; virtually all majors are strong, but education, music, pre-med, pre-law, management, Spanish, engineering, biology, history and English are especially notable; freshman reside in the new residential college system which the administration hopes will somewhat mute the strength of the Greek system; the student body has become much more national and diverse in the last few years; correspondingly, admission has become increasingly competitive with acceptance rates dropping to the near Ivy-range of 18% this past year; R,B,K

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)

mid-sized research institution of 6,000 undergraduates (and 5,000 grad ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 1:34pm PST

Rhodes College (Memphis, TN) : small liberal arts college of 1600 students on a beautiful Gothic style campus near the Memphis Zoo; owns its own quarry to preserve architectural unity; strong traditional liberal arts majors, but also adds excellent pre-med/pre-law advising to boast of 95% acceptance rate to grad schools and a reknowned business (especially international) major; strong Greek system (though its non-residential); successful Division III sports teams, featured in Colleges That Change Lives and noted in studies for student engagement and community outreach; R,B,K

Rhodes College (Memphis, TN)

small liberal arts college of 1600 students on a beautiful Gothic styl ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 1:30pm PST

University of Evansville (Evansville, IN) : The University of Evansville is interesting option because it combines the tight-knit community and undergraduate focus of a liberal arts college with the wide-ranging pre-professional majors and cooperative education opportunities of a research university. Despite having only 3000 students (2900 of which are undergraduates), U of E offers a huge number of majors including engineering, accounting and nursing, as well as renowned English, theatre and physical therapy programs. In addition, U of E boasts of excellent study abroad opportunities, including their own program at Harlaxton College, a huge, beautiful castle they own 90 miles north of London. Social life is centered around the compact and attractive campus, while Evansville, a city about the size of Chattanooga, offers attractions as well. Merit aid is often generous. University of Evansville is an attractive possibility for students considering other medium sized universities like Belmont or Elon, especially for students who desire pre-professional majors in an undergraduate focused environment. R,B,K

University of Evansville (Evansville, IN)

The University of Evansville is interesting option because it combines ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 1:26pm PST

Centre College (Danville, KY) : Located in the small, idyllic town of Danville, Kentucky, Centre is only about forty minutes south of a major city, Lexington.   It is one of the older liberal arts colleges in America, founded in 1819.  The college enrolls about 1,200 students; most of the student body hail from the South and the lower midwest, but Centre is definitely beginning to draw students on a national and even international basis.  The campus is almost totally residential in nature, and it features a very strong Greek program that is popular with about a third of the students.  It has produced a great number of Rhodes Scholars, especially for its size, and almost ninety percent of its students study abroad before graduation.  Centre is one of the schools featured in the famous guide book by Loren Pope, The Colleges That Change Lives.  The Centre curriculum is classic, pure liberal arts; there is no business major per se, and all students are required to take a wide variety of courses before formally selecting a major.   Centre has been a Division III athletic power in several sports, and participates in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference with schools such as Sewanee, Rhodes, Trinity, Birmingham Southern, and Millsapps.   The college has received high rankings in Forbes Magazine and is considered one of the fifty top liberal arts colleges in America by U.S. News and World Report; a high percentage of its graduates pursue professional and graduate programs.   The campus features many new or renovated facilities that include a state-of-the-art student center and a $23,000,000 renovation to the science facility (to be completed in the fall of 2010). BR, SB

Centre College (Danville, KY)

Located in the small, idyllic town of Danville, Kentucky, Centre is on ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 1:23pm PST

Lake Forest College (Lake Forest, IL) : Lake Forest College is a small liberal arts college of 1400 students that benefits greatly from its location only 30 miles north of Chicago. With a picturesque campus in a well-to-do suburb, LFC is a laid-back place that draws students from 40 states and many foreign countries, though a majority hail from the Midwest. A special office on campus encourages students and faculty to make use of educational and cultural opportunities in Chicago. Traditional liberal arts and sciences are strong majors, but Lake Forest does offer modern pre-professional additions like business, communications and education. Division III athletics enjoy strong support as does a small, but active Greek system. Students looking for a solid liberal arts education who would also enjoy the adventure of exploring one of the world's great cities should certainly investigate Lake Forest College. R,K

Lake Forest College (Lake Forest, IL)

Lake Forest College is a small liberal arts college of 1400 students t ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 1:01pm PST

Lehigh University (Bethleham, PA) : Lehigh is a small university that seems to offer incredibly strong academic and social programs in just about every component of college education.  Though it may be best known for its legendary programs in engineering, it also offers comparably powerful options in economics and business, and has a very strong reputation in the fine arts and athletics as well.   Built on a hilly Pennsylvania campus, not unlike our familiar Missionary Ridge location, it boasts many majestic oak trees and a very impressive mix of classic gothic stone facilities and ultra-modern steel and glass; the mix works.  Bethlehem is a smaller town that used to be a steel producer; it has been transformed into an eccentric commuter city, however, and many of the residents there commute to nearby Philadelphia or New York City.  The students are reasonably diverse and seem to love their university; there is an active Greek life (about a third of the students), and participation and support of successful athletic programs is a big part of social life.  The students claim that classes are demanding, the campus food is great, and most of them seem very satisfied with their choice to be a Lehigh student.  Double majors are common, and facilities for work and play are state-of-the-art, comfortable, and attractive in every detail.   Its closeness to New York and Philly make it even more attractive, and many students take advantage of the cultural and social opportunities in those nearby metro areas.  R,B,K

Lehigh University (Bethleham, PA)

Lehigh is a small university that seems to offer incredibly strong aca ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 12:57pm PST

Lafayette College (Easton, PA) : Lafayette College is a traditional liberal arts college with a generally “preppy” feel to it, and is comprised mainly of upper middle-class students.  Though it is often compared to Lehigh because of its proximity (they are less than an hour apart), it is probably more akin to Colgate and Hamilton.  It does offer engineering, but it probably better known for its liberal arts options, and it has a very strong art department located off of the main campus near the river.  Easton is a revived steel town that has become somewhat quaint and artsy in several areas, and features some nice restaurants and pubs in the hilly neighborhoods near Lafayette.  The architecture is very eclectic, but it definitely is an attractive, state-of-the art campus with lots of green space and trees.  It is welcoming and comfortable, and the students seem happy; they also seem to believe in the “work-hard, play-hard” philosophy of campus life.  Lafayette has one of the highest study-abroad rates of American liberal arts colleges, and that is a major emphasis in the academic offerings.  All students must take an intensive writing course, and there are serious distribution requirements in the curriculum.  Sports and on-campus parties are a major part of campus life, and the football team is very strong; they have been league champions on many occasions, and they have an incredible facility for that sport, including one of the most impressive dressing room/field house complexes in college football.  Overall, it is a very impressive place for a student looking for a nice mix of challenging academics, traditional liberal arts curriculum with foreign options, and a safe, “preppy” environment.  Being convenient to New York and Philly makes it even more attractive to many students who want a diverse, sophisticated social life.  R,B,K

Lafayette College (Easton, PA)

Lafayette College is a traditional liberal arts college with a general ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 12:49pm PST

Loyola University of Maryland (Baltimore, MD) : Loyola College in Maryland could be considered a “diamond in the rough.”  Tucked away in a very attractive, affluent Baltimore suburb, it is an exceptionally beautiful, park-like campus with about 4,000 or so undergrads. It is actually located very close to the more famous Johns Hopkins University.   It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, and that religious component is dominant on campus; nevertheless, they welcome students of all faiths and backgrounds, and they attract international students with very diverse religious and social backgrounds.  Because it is very close to the heart of Baltimore (including the socially inviting harbor area) and less than an hour’s drive from Washington D.C., it attracts students from all over the U.S., and it is especially appealing to those interested in political issues and careers.   The dominant major on campus is business (the business building is new and looks like a western ski lodge of cedar and glass), but there are strong programs in all the traditional liberal arts programs.  Students are interested in academics, but there is a major emphasis on service, and the college seems to have great service opportunities and to encourage all of its students to become involved in such activity.   Soccer and lacrosse are the most dominant sports (no football program), and a new stadium has just been completed near the campus.  Overall, it is a great option for a student interested in a solid academic school with a very meaningful service component, especially for Catholics that want to practice their faith in a comfortable, supportive environment.  The location is also very appealing to a student wanting access to myriad metro activities and interested in government or politics.   Classes are intimate, and students seem content academically and socially.  R,B,K

Loyola University of Maryland (Baltimore, MD)

Loyola College in Maryland could be considered a “diamond in the rou ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 12:42pm PST

Ithaca College : Ithaca College is a mid-sized comprehensive university of about 5000 students located in the Finger Lakes region of central New York on a hill overlooking the town and Cayuga Lake. IC's specialties are music, communications, business and health sciences, especially physical therapy. They have many brand-new state of the art facilities on their beautiful campus. Ithaca is definitely a college town as Cornell University is also located here. The surrounding area is quite picturesque with many waterfalls, gorges and other outdoor recreation opportunities. Ithaca College would be an interesting, albeit colder, place to investigate for students considering colleges like Elon, Belmont or Stetson. JK, SB

Ithaca College

Ithaca College is a mid-sized comprehensive university of about 5000 s ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 12:27pm PST

Furman University (Greenville, SC) : selective liberal arts college of 2500 students on the outskirts of a Chattanooga-sized city with a beatiful, tree-filled campus built around a central lake; well-known for its emphasis on engaged learning as demonstrated by service and undergraduate research; especially strong majors include the chemistry, history, music, religion, political science, and psychology departments, as well as the pre-med program; fairly conservative campus as far as liberal arts colleges go with a prominent Greek system; likely to be a comfortable transition for McCallie students, yet one that still provides an appropriate challenge; R,B,K

Furman University (Greenville, SC)

selective liberal arts college of 2500 students on the outskirts of a ...

Updated: Sep 28, 2009 10:08am PST

University of Calgary (Calgary, AB) : U of C is a large research university with about 20,000 undergraduates located on a pleasant, traffic-free campus just a few miles from downtown Calgary (a city of one million people). It is currently ranked 7th in Canada by Maclean's magazine, and admission is competitive with an acceptance rate of about 50%. Many students do live on campus and the school is constructing a new dorm to house talented international students. American students would feel very comfortable in Calgary, often thought to be perhaps the most Americanized of Canadian cities, yet would still get to experience a slightly different culture. While U of C offers many fine programs, engineering, sciences and business are its strengthes, especially with the preponderance of energy and mining industry in Alberta. Calgary has a dynamic business climate and offers many opportunities for internships, as well as a young, diverse population, though it's often thought to be more conservative than, say, Vancouver. Athletic facilities on campus are excellent as many of them, including the hockey arena, were built for the 1988 Olympic Games. Banff National Park and major ski areas are about 1 hour away and the Bow River, one of the world's finest fly-fishing destinations, runs right through the city. While admission is competitive, it is also unique with a strong emphasis on senior year grades and virtual dismissal of earlier academic marks. Canadian universities are also relatively inexpensive and most offer need-based financial aid to Americans. With its location on the edge of the Rockies, Calgary reminds one a good bit of Denver, and U of C would offer a good opportunity for students looking for a large university in a major city, as well as a little bit of cultural adventure. K

University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)

U of C is a large research university with about 20,000 undergraduates ...

Updated: Sep 04, 2009 7:09am PST

University of Lethbridge (Lethrbridge, AB) : U of L is a mid-sized university of about 8,000 students in a small city of 60,000 inhabitants in southernmost Alberta. The US-Canadian border is only about 40 miles away and Waterton Lakes/Glacier National Parks are closeby as well. U of L has students living on campus but also serves a commuter population. Most of the buildings are modern in style and relatively recently built, as the school only incorporated in 1967. Sciences and engineering are strengths, especially petroleum engineering with the proliferation oil and natural gas industry in the area. Education and business are also good programs. The area is rolling prairies with the Canadian Rockies around 2 hours away. Calgary is about the same distance. This is a fine school, but American students would likely be more attracted to the larger University of Calgary which also offers the excitement of a major metropolis. K

University of Lethbridge (Lethrbridge, AB)

U of L is a mid-sized university of about 8,000 students in a small ci ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2009 9:55am PST

Montana Tech (Butte, MT) : small public engineering school (2100 undergraduates) located in a somewhat depressed mining town; very nice campus, excellent mining and petroleum engineering programs; the town of Butte would not be particularly appealing despite the beautiful areas surrounding it; generous scholarships for out of state students to supplement the mostly in state student body; R,B,K

Montana Tech (Butte, MT)

small public engineering school (2100 undergraduates) located in a som ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2009 8:15am PST

Montana State University (Bozeman, MT) : mid-sized (10,000 undergrads) state university located in a great college town in a spectular natural setting; the land-grant college of Montana, so strong majors include agriculture, forestry, fisheries management, engineering and architecture, as well as computer science and economics; beautiful compact campus within walking distance to the vibrant downtown area with many restaurants and businesses to interest college students; within an hour and half of Yellowstone National Park and within 30 minutes of the local ski resort; a downtown hotel flips on a blue light atop its roof to alert residents of a "powder day"; low tuition plus generous scholarships for out-of-state students; students interested in Colorado-Boulder should definitely investigate Montana State and Bozeman; R,B,K

Montana State University (Bozeman, MT)

mid-sized (10,000 undergrads) state university located in a great coll ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2009 8:11am PST

University of Montana (Missoula, MT) : Medium-sized public university in gorgeous mountain setting in one of the less severe weather corridors of Monatana.  Very close to beautiful Flathead Lake and only about two and half hours from Glacier National Park.   Montana offers admission to virtually all of its applicants (it is a state that really believes in giving everyone a chance).   The campus is beautiful and well maintained.  In spite of offering admission to almost all candidates, the university has produced an amazing 28 Rhodes Scholars and has a very good Honors Program.  Their Native American population is significant, and the culture there appeals strongly to outdoorsy types who enjoy a variety of weather and abundant sunshine.   Friendly people, a great football tradition, and many interesting environmental and humanities majors.  Missoula, known as the Garden City, is an absolutely beautiful town, and the college is surrounded by upscale, craftsman homes. R,B,K

University of Montana (Missoula, MT)

Medium-sized public university in gorgeous mountain setting in one of ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2009 8:08am PST

University of South Florida (Orlando, FL) : Actually not in South Florida at all, USF is located in what is called either North Tampa or "New Tampa."  It is about 12 miles from the downtown area in a sprawling, newly developed complex that began in 1956.  It has grown into the ninth largest university in America and is more a commuter campus than a residential one.   They have over 35,000 degree seeking undergrads and almost 10,000 grad students.   Very significant number of minorities and international students in the student body, and a campus that has its beautiful spots and some that leave much to be desired.   The fitness center, for example, was quite outdated and overcrowded.   USF has become fairly selective, admitting just 46% of applicants.  The most popular major by far is busness/marketing, followed by biology and education.  Sports are big, and the football and basketball programs are becoming quite competitive.

University of South Florida (Orlando, FL)

Actually not in South Florida at all, USF is located in what is called ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2009 7:56am PST

University of Nevada-Las Vegas : Founded in 1957, UNLV is a sprawling campus with a desert feel, but located only a couple of miles from the famous Las Vegas "Strip."  The most popular majors are business/marketing, education, psychology and journalism.  UNLV accepts about three quarters of applicants, and is a large university with over 22,000 students, including a lot of part-timers and non-traditional types.   They have one of the national super-computing centers, a state-of-the-art library that is very impressive, a huge basketball facility, and lots of  interesting desert landscaping, including many varieties of cacti.   They also have an international gaming institute, a rather unique program. R,B,K

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a sprawling campus with a desert feel, but lo ...

Updated: Sep 02, 2009 9:24am PST

University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI) : large (29,000 undergraduates) selective public university located in one of the country's best college towns (kind of the Boulder of the Midwest) on a beautiful lakefront campus; ranked #7 in the country for public universities; excellent business program with lots of internships available in the high-tech center of Madison; very strong political science major with the state capitol building just down the street from campus; engineering and sciences are also strong---one of the first places in the country to do stem cell research, for example; very fun student district and lots of support for Big Ten athletic teams; students interested in UGA might find UW an interesting possibility; R,B,K

University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI)

large (29,000 undergraduates) selective public university located in o ...

Updated: Sep 01, 2009 8:28pm PST

Beloit College (Beloit, WI) : small liberal arts college of 1300 students in a small city in southern Wisconsin, beautiful campus reminiscent of many New England colleges, very strong programs in the social sciences like sociology, political science and anthropology (which even has a museum on campus; brand-new state of the art science building; an intellectually vibrant place, one of the national leaders in percentage of students who go on to earn PhD's; broadcast journalism suprisingly strong; fantastic dorms with lots of singles available and twenty theme houses; Greek system is present but not dominant; busses from just off campus go to Chicago (only 90 minutes away) every hour and frequently to Madison (where U of W is and a great college town) only 40 minutes away; students interested in Sewanee or Centre might want to check out Beloit; much like those colleges Beloit is a terrific education at a place that is not super-selective; B,R,K

Beloit College (Beloit, WI)

small liberal arts college of 1300 students in a small city in souther ...

Updated: Sep 01, 2009 8:13pm PST

Lee University (Cleveland, TN) : small comprehensive university of 3,000 undergraduates affiliated with the Church of God, but attracting students of many Christian denominations; very well-manicured campus with plenty of green space and nice, new facilities; dorms are especially nice and all freshman and sophomores are required to live on campus, some upperclassmen choose to; notable programs include: music/music business, education, ministry, pre-med/pre-dental, business and communication; all students graduate with a minor in religion (18 class hours); all students are required to have a study abroad experience---most are 3 week summer programs, but some do a semester in Cambridge, England; chapel attendance is required twice a week; freshman have a curfew, other students do not; fairly strict behavior covenant must be signed; R,B,K

Lee University (Cleveland, TN)

small comprehensive university of 3,000 undergraduates affiliated with ...

Updated: May 22, 2009 6:49am PST

Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, BC) : large (25,000 undergraduates) undergraduate focused university located on a mountaintop overlooking the fantastic city of Vancouver; campus location is beautiful and well-maintained, but one MUST be a fan of very modern architecture; currently ranked as the #1 comprehensive university in Canada (comparable to places like Villanova or Elon perhaps with an undergraduate focus but some master's programs), as well as 62nd in the world by Macleans magazine; a bit more residential, campus-spirited and international (7% of students) than University of Victoria, but not as much as UBC, somewhat of a compromise between the two institutions in terms of size as well; a solid option for students interested in being in this interesting metropolis with outdoor opportunities like skiing, fishing and hiking all around; tuition is relatively reasonable and some financial aid is available for American students, as well as US government PLUS/Stafford loans; K

Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, BC)

large (25,000 undergraduates) undergraduate focused university located ...

Updated: May 19, 2009 7:22pm PST

University of Chicago (Chicago, IL) : highly selective mid-sized university located in the Hyde Park neighborhood (home of President Obama) of Chicago; an urban campus but a very well defined one with plenty of green space that combines neo-Gothic buildings with modern architectural gems designed by Eero Saarinen, Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright; U of C is renowned for its strong intellectual life, emphasis on academic scholarships and unique core curriculum with its emphasis on Great Books; all majors are very strong, but especially economics, anthropology, sociology, languages, history and physics (the first ever controlled nuclear reaction took place under the football field); R,B,K

University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)

highly selective mid-sized university located in the Hyde Park neighbo ...

Updated: May 18, 2009 10:29am PST

Columbia College (Chicago, IL) : the country's largest media, arts and music university; majors in everything from poetry to jazz studies to communication to music business to interior architecture to theater to television production---anything in the field of popular culture, they have it; very urban campus in an incredible location, just south of the Loop (Chicago's downtown) and right on the Lakefront with Grant Park, one of American's best urban parks across the street; most professors are working artists which offers great networking possibilities; a great place for students who are assertive about their talent because opportunities are almost boundless, but not handed out on a silver platter; standardized test scores, portfolios and interviews are not needed for admission, only to compete for scholarships; relatively reasonable tuition, especially for an urban school; housing is available, though only about one-third of students live on campus; no Greek system; students interested Emerson or Berklee in Boston should also check out Columbia; R,K

Columbia College (Chicago, IL)

the country's largest media, arts and music university; majors in ever ...

Updated: May 18, 2009 10:16am PST

New York University (New York, NY) : Very selective, large (19,000 undergraduates) private research university located in Greenwich Village; a very urban experience with little sense of a campus, graduation is held in Washington Square Park; strong academics in any number of areas, especially finance, management, theater, social sciences, philosophy, economics and business; one of the largest residential programs in the country, though dorms are scattered a bit around Manhattan; a very diverse student body in one of the world's most diverse cities; Liberal Studies program can be an "easier" way to gain admittance to the university; a great school for independent, assertive students; K

New York University (New York, NY)

Very selective, large (19,000 undergraduates) private research univers ...

Updated: May 11, 2009 7:17am PST

Clark University (Worcester, MA) : small research university in mid-sized college town; strong emphasis on urban development and engagement; reknowned for undergraduate research opportunities and free 5th year for a master's degree; strong biology, business, communication, English, international development and psychology departments; emphasis on learning through doing; 45 minutes from Boston; R,K

Clark University (Worcester, MA)

small research university in mid-sized college town; strong emphasis o ...

Updated: May 05, 2009 11:27am PST

Sewanee: University of the South : traditional liberal arts college in the small town of Sewanee, Tennessee; challenging academics along with strong Greek social scene; reknowned English and Forestry programs, also strong in math, sciences (brand new building) and religion; 13,000 acre campus (2nd largest in the US) makes for excellent outdoor program; R,B,K

Sewanee: University of the South

traditional liberal arts college in the small town of Sewanee, Tenness ...

Updated: May 05, 2009 10:34am PST

Drew University (Madison, NJ) : liberal arts college in suburban New Jersey but with great access to NYC; programs at Wall Street, United Nations, theatre and contemporary art that meet 2 days a week in Manhattan; good humanities and sciences, including neuroscience; semester in DC program; beautiful wooded campus with town a short walk away;K

Drew University (Madison, NJ)

liberal arts college in suburban New Jersey but with great access to N ...

Updated: May 05, 2009 10:27am PST

Wheaton College (Norton, MA) : liberal arts college, about 1600 students, located in small town about 40 minutes from Boston and 20 minutes from Providence, strong majors in art, art history, foreign languages, sciences, merit scholarships available, slightly less selective than some other famous New England small colleges; K

Wheaton College (Norton, MA)

liberal arts college, about 1600 students, located in small town about ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:44pm PST

Massachusetts Institute of Technology [MIT] (Cambridge, MA) : the premier tech school in the country, but also offers has strong music, linguistics and economics departments; very diverse student body; surprisingly strong greek system; most varsity sports offered (41) of any school in the country; very generous need-based financial aid; B,K

Massachusetts Institute of Technology [MIT] (Cambridge, MA)

the premier tech school in the country, but also offers has strong mus ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:40pm PST

College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA) : liberal arts college in college town outside of Boston; scenic hill-top campus; strong majors in sciences/pre-med, economics, pre-business, classics, religion, philosophy and foreign languages; reknowned freshman seminar program; new science building; lots of support for student research; semester in DC available; honors college available; R,K

College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA)

liberal arts college in college town outside of Boston; scenic hill-to ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:37pm PST

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA) : mid-sized tech school; beautiful urban campus; very project-oriented curriculum that joins theoretical and practical knowledge; highest % of students study abroad among tech schools; generous merit scholarships; engineering specialty, including only undergraduate robotics engineering major; strong pre-health, pre-law; 45 minutes from Boston; 12 other colleges in area help balance male-female ratio; R,K

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA)

mid-sized tech school; beautiful urban campus; very project-oriented c ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:35pm PST

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) : very large (60,000+) public university, urban setting, strong in math/sciences associated with land-grant universities; R,K

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)

very large (60,000+) public university, urban setting, strong in math/ ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:32pm PST

Washington College (Chesterton, MD) : liberal arts college in charming small town on the Eastern shore of Maryland; 10th oldest college in the US with beautiful, historic campus; strongest programs in the humanities, especially history and English; connections with D.C. resources; Division III athletics, no football, lacrosse is biggest draw on campus; B,K

Washington College (Chesterton, MD)

liberal arts college in charming small town on the Eastern shore of Ma ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:30pm PST

Elon University (Burlington, NC) : Mid-sized university of 5,000 undergrads with a beatiful campus in a small town not far from Greensboro, NC. Famous for required Elon Experiences of study abroad (73% of students do so), undergraduate research, internships, leadership activity and community service. Strong programs in business, communication, music, theater and pre-med; R,B,K

Elon University (Burlington, NC)

Mid-sized university of 5,000 undergrads with a beatiful campus in a s ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:17pm PST

North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC) : Large land-grant university; very pleasant campus; excellent engineering with innovative new campus that blends academic and corporate facilities; rated a good value, especially for in-state students; R,B,K

North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)

Large land-grant university; very pleasant campus; excellent engineeri ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:13pm PST

University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC) : one of the "public Ivies"; highly selective, especially for out of state students; honors college available; excellent student diversity aided by a generous scholarship program; emphasis on global education; beautiful campus; fun college town atmosphere; R,B,K

University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC)

one of the "public Ivies"; highly selective, especially for out of sta ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:11pm PST

Duke University (Durham, NC) : mid-sized, highly selective private university; nationwide student body; strong programs in English, history, public policy, natural science; emphasis on interdisciplinary programs, service learning and study abroad; a lot of money available to support student activities, research and experiences; beautiful Gothic-style campus; R,B,K

Duke University (Durham, NC)

mid-sized, highly selective private university; nationwide student bod ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:10pm PST

High Point University (High Point, NC) : undergraduate university of 3,000 students making a big splash with fantastic campus facilities and attention to customer service; strong majors are pre-professional: communication and business have new state-of-the-art buildings; located in a small city in the Piedmont Triad (including Winston-Salem and Greensboro); not super-selective yet; an ice cream truck drives around daily with free treats! R,B,K

High Point University (High Point, NC)

undergraduate university of 3,000 students making a big splash with fa ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 9:00pm PST

Tufts University (Medford, MA) : highly selective small university just outside of Boston; nice suburban campus with easy subway access to Cambridge and Boston; 3 main academic themes: globalism (strong foreign language majors/45% study abroad/Fletcher School of Diplomacy); activism-centered (Tisch College for public service); experiential education (small research institution with grad students on another campus); engineering an unusual option for school of its size; highly diverse student body; Division III athletics; R,B,K

Tufts University (Medford, MA)

highly selective small university just outside of Boston; nice suburba ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 7:16am PST

Boston University (Boston, MA) : large (16,000 undergrads) private university spread along a major street in Boston, some very nice buildings but definitely a very urban campus feel; well developed undergraduate research program, study abroad offerings and internship possibilities; biomedical engineering, team-oriented business program are stand-out majors; B,K

Boston University (Boston, MA)

large (16,000 undergrads) private university spread along a major stre ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 7:10am PST

Emerson College (Boston, MA) : well-regarded arts, theatre and communications school; highly selective musical theater program; strong offerings in political communications, broadcast journalism, entrepreneurship and media arts; #1 college radio station in the country; compact urban campus in downtown Boston; permanent facility in Los Angeles; many prominent entertainment alumni: Jay Leno, Denis Leary, the Fonz and many other behind-the-scenes news and entertainment personalities; K

Emerson College (Boston, MA)

well-regarded arts, theatre and communications school; highly selectiv ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 7:05am PST

Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) : THE school for modern popular/folk/jazz musicians; performance majors take ensemble classes; incredible networking opportunities; many famous alumni; also great programs in music business, management, production; interviews required for admission; urban campus with not much housing; professors are actively gigging musicians; great career services; very unique place overall; K

Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA)

THE school for modern popular/folk/jazz musicians; performance majors ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 7:03am PST

Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, PA) : liberal arts college with about 2600 undergrads; many strong majors including pre-med, foreign languages and, not surprisingly, history, since the college is located adjacent to the battleground, nice town with many restaurants and quaint stores, great facilities and beautiful campus, Division III sports; not far (1 hour) from Baltimore and D.C., Philly a little further; active outdoor program with skiing and hiking nearby; very comfortable fit for "typical" McCallie student; B,K

Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, PA)

liberal arts college with about 2600 undergrads; many strong majors in ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 7:00am PST

Goucher College (Towson, MD) : small liberal arts college just outside of Baltimore; unique location with nice wooded campus, yet with mall and commercial development near by; strong sciences/pre-med as well as English and other humanities majors; 1st school in the country to require a study abroad experience (college helps pay); about 2/3 female students; horse stables and other facilities on campus, Division III athletics; R,B,K

Goucher College (Towson, MD)

small liberal arts college just outside of Baltimore; unique location ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 6:56am PST

Trinity College (Hartford, CT) : Selective liberal arts college of 2188 students; beautiful Gothic style campus; urban location unusual for New England liberal arts colleges; many strong majors but engineering, education and public policy are unusual offerings taking advantage of Hartford, the state capital and an insurance hub; very successful Division III athletics, including one of the country's oldest football teams,K

Trinity College (Hartford, CT)

Selective liberal arts college of 2188 students; beautiful Gothic styl ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 6:54am PST

Amherst College (Amherst, MA) : highly selective liberal arts college of 1600 students; unique features include an open curriculum (no course requirements, other than a major), consortium of nearby colleges broadens curricular offerings and social possibilities, great college towns with UMass nearby support a huge concentration of restaurants, stores, music venues and cultural offerings, lots of close by outdoor activities including flyfishing, hiking, skiing, bike trails and canoeing; no Greek system; many strong majors, 1st neuroscience program in the country, many interdisciplinary majors; competitive Division III athletics; known as "the singing college" for its numerous choral groups; generous financial office has eliminated loans from its packages in favor of grants; R,B,K

Amherst College (Amherst, MA)

highly selective liberal arts college of 1600 students; unique feature ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 6:41am PST

Connecticut College (New London, CT) : selective liberal arts college of 1900 students in coastal town; particularly known for interdisciplinary studies, international programs and study abroad, funded internships, student-faculty research, service learning, and shared governance, meaning students sit on committees that make decisions about the school; emphasis on social activism, many graduates in Peace Corps; strong humanities, especially foreign languages (lots of theme housing), English, art/art history and theatre; Coast Guard Academy is across the street; New Haven and New York are not too far away; Division III athletics with cool team name (Camels), no Greek system, strong honor code; B,K

Connecticut College (New London, CT)

selective liberal arts college of 1900 students in coastal town; parti ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 6:37am PST

Brown University (Providence, RI) : Extremely selective Ivy League mid-sized research university of 6,000 undergraduates; beautiful campus in an urban setting; known for its open curriculum (no required classes or distribution requirements); first university in the country to admit students of all religions and still known for its diversity and openness; history, biology and international relations are popular majors; generous financial aid (no loans for family incomes under $100,000); small Greek system; recently ranked 2nd happiest students in the country; relaxed grade reporting policy results in least cutthroat academic environment in the Ivy League; B,K

Brown University (Providence, RI)

Extremely selective Ivy League mid-sized research university of 6,000 ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 6:35am PST

Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC) : small liberal arts college of 1800 students; smallest Division I school in the country (Southern Conference); highly regarded business major; compact campus in small city; prides itself on personal attention and close relationships with professors; strong Greek system; Interim term in January utilized by many for study abroad experience; R,B,K

Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC)

small liberal arts college of 1800 students; smallest Division I schoo ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:58pm PST

Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH) : liberal arts college of 2100 students; located in small city with many opportunities for service; foreign languages, religion and music are strong majors, some unusual ones for small college: occupational therapy, marine science, journalism; very generous merit scholarship program; highly ranked by Princeton Review for "a lot to do on campus"; Division III athletics; R,B,K

Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH)

liberal arts college of 2100 students; located in small city with many ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:56pm PST

Washington University (St. Louis, MO) : extremely selective mid-sized research institution of about 6,000 undergraduates; beautiful self-contained campus in a nice area of the city (kind of like Vandy) with parks/museums nearby and a train stop on campus; very strong majors across the board with especially reknown for psychology, political science, biology, anthropology and social work; excellent architecture, engineering, business, pre-med and pre-law programs as well; an Ivy League education in a more relaxed atmosphere; R,B,K

Washington University (St. Louis, MO)

extremely selective mid-sized research institution of about 6,000 unde ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:54pm PST

Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC) : highly selective, mid-sized undergraduate and research institution; very pretty campus in an urban setting; strong majors across the board including business, biology, English, pre-law and pre-med; comfortable transition for McCallie students; applying early is a big advantage here; R,B,K

Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)

highly selective, mid-sized undergraduate and research institution; ve ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:52pm PST

Villanova University (Villanova, PA) : highly selective mid-sized Catholic university in suburban Philadelphia; pretty campus in a pleasant area with many surrounding colleges and a 20 minute train ride to downtown; wide range of strong offerings, especially business, theology, engineering and sciences; non-residential Greek system part of an active social life on campus; majority of students are Catholic, but school's emphasis is on marrying intellectual and spiritual growth; B,K

Villanova University (Villanova, PA)

highly selective mid-sized Catholic university in suburban Philadelphi ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:50pm PST

University of Washington (Seattle, WA) : very large, selective flagship research university; nice wooded campus despite urban location; many strong majors, especially Asian languages, engineering, biochemistry and social sciences; extensive and fun university commercial district; R,K

University of Washington (Seattle, WA)

very large, selective flagship research university; nice wooded campus ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:48pm PST

University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA) : small liberal arts college of 2600 undergraduates located on a beautiful campus in a residential area; strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental issues; sciences, social sciences and business are strong majors; small Greek system and an extensive theme housing program; great new science building; Division III athletics; tremendous outdoor program takes advantage of location near both the Cascades and the Olympic Peninsula; Seattle only 30 minutes away; R,B,K

University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA)

small liberal arts college of 2600 undergraduates located on a beautif ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:46pm PST

Tulane University (New Orleans, LA) : mid-sized private comprehensive research institution of 6,700 undergraduates; located in the Uptown district of New Orleans adjacent to Loyola University; founded as a medical college, still has strong science and pre-med programs, as well as social sciences and English; urban planning program ties in nicely with a new post-Katrina mission to rebuild New Orleans that has really helped Tulane become a place where students work hard, have fun and improve their community; beautiful campus in a safe residential neighborhood; has become much more selective in the last couple of years, apply early; R,B,K

Tulane University (New Orleans, LA)

mid-sized private comprehensive research institution of 6,700 undergra ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:42pm PST

Trinity University (San Antonio, TX) : small (2700 students) comprehensive undergraduate focused institution; beautiful modern campus on a hill overlooking the city; good liberal arts majors but also strong business, communications and engineering programs, especially for a school of its size; very active campus life with mostly local Greek organizations; extremely successful Division III athletics that have won numerous national championships; student body is fairly preppy, but reflects the diverse society of the Southwest; R,B,K

Trinity University (San Antonio, TX)

small (2700 students) comprehensive undergraduate focused institution; ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:40pm PST

University of Texas (Austin, TX) : Extremely large flagship state university; a lot of good programs, but classes, dorms and campus are big and impersonal; campus is urban but nice, and Austin is a terrific town for college students with incredible culture and music; extremely selective for out-of-state students becaus the state guarantees admission to in-state students in the top 10% of their high school class; R,B,K

University of Texas (Austin, TX)

Extremely large flagship state university; a lot of good programs, but ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:39pm PST

Tennessee Tech (Cookeville, TN) : mid-sized public university enrolling 8,000 undergraduates and focusing primarly on engineering, but other majors are available and education is pretty good also; Cookeville is serviceable, providing students the basic necessities; plenty of outdoor recreation activities nearby on the Cumberland Plateau; R,B,K

Tennessee Tech (Cookeville, TN)

mid-sized public university enrolling 8,000 undergraduates and focusin ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:35pm PST

Texas Christian University (Ft. Worth, TX) : TCU and Fort Worth are the more down-home, laid-back version of SMU and Dallas; a midsized research university of 7,500 undergraduates, it still retains a liberal arts core, along with strong majors in business, communications, journalism, education and nursing; a lot of new dorms and athletic facilities; fun student district nearby and downtown Ft. Worth also offers plenty of diversions; students love their Horned Frogs and enjoy being at TCU; despite the name and church affiliation, there is not much emphasis on religion on campus; R,B,K

Texas Christian University (Ft. Worth, TX)

TCU and Fort Worth are the more down-home, laid-back version of SMU an ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:34pm PST

University of Tampa (Tampa, FL) : mid-sized private university of 7,000 students; pleasant, compact campus across the river from downtown Tampa; lots of new facilities, especially dorms; not terribly selective yet for admissions with generous merit aid offered; business and communications are strong majors with internship possibilities close by, also music and nursing; Division II athletics with a successful baseball team; great weather; R,B,K

University of Tampa (Tampa, FL)

mid-sized private university of 7,000 students; pleasant, compact camp ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:04pm PST

Swarthmore College : extremely selective liberal arts college of 1700 students located just outside of Philadelphia; beautiful campus is also an arboretum, yet restaurants, business and a train station are conveniently nearby; a very academically oriented college with many students headed to high-powered jobs and graduate schools; very strong majors across the board, but unusual ones for a small college include engineering, peace studies and cognitive science; competitive Division III sports, but no football team; no Greek system; very political active (and liberal) campus with t-shirts proclaiming "the People's Republic of Swarthmore"; generous financial aid has eliminated loans as part of its packages; B,K

Swarthmore College

extremely selective liberal arts college of 1700 students located just ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 1:00pm PST

St. John's College (Santa Fe, NM) : highly unique Great Books-style undergraduate experience where all students take the same program of classes that reads the classics of literature, politics, mathematics, philosophy, religion and science, usually as primary sources; classes are extremely small, grades are deemphasized and tutors, as professors are called, don't teach as much as they facilitate discussion; there are no majors, no fraternities/sororities and no intercollegiate athletics; not the typical college experience, but a great option for the intellectual student who loves learning for its own sake; students can divide their time with a second campus in Annapolis, MD; Santa Fe is one of the world's great cities with a wonderful blend of art, culture, cuisine, history and the outdoors; also the state capitol for internship possibilities; K

St. John's College (Santa Fe, NM)

highly unique Great Books-style undergraduate experience where all stu ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 12:58pm PST

St. Johns College (Annapolis, MD) : highly unique Great Books-style undergraduate experience where all students take the same program of classes that reads the classics of literature, politics, mathematics, philosophy, religion and science, usually as primary sources; classes are extremely small, grades are deemphasized and tutors, as professors are called, don't teach as much as they facilitate discussion; there are no majors, no fraternities/sororities and no intercollegiate athletics; not the typical college experience, but a great option for the intellectual student who loves learning for its own sake; students can divide their time with a second campus in Santa Fe, NM; Annapolis is a fun town with lots of history, restaurants and the state capitol for internship possibilities; R,B,K

St. Johns College (Annapolis, MD)

highly unique Great Books-style undergraduate experience where all stu ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 12:54pm PST

Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX) : mid-sized private university of 6,000 students located in the tony Highland Park neighborhood of Dallas; the wealth of the institutions is evident in the great facilities and beatifully maintained campus, as well as the cars driven by students; very highly ranked business school with tight connection to the Dallas business community, which includes more Fortune 500 companies than any city except New York; very competitive and reknowned music, arts and theatre programs as well; strong athletic program especially in baseball and soccer; ranked #4 in the country for happiest students; good study abroad programs too; R,B,K

Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)

mid-sized private university of 6,000 students located in the tony Hig ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 12:26pm PST

Seattle University (Seattle, WA) : mid-sized Jesuit university of 4300 undergraduates on a modern compact campus near downtown Seattle; not a highly Catholic institution, but emphasizes the Jesuit focus on spirituality and social justice; diverse student body; many new facilities and dorms; strong pre-med and nursing programs with hospitals close by; other good majors include English, history, math, drama and business, with strong ties to area companies like Microsoft; very highly respected in the region; B,K

Seattle University (Seattle, WA)

mid-sized Jesuit university of 4300 undergraduates on a modern compact ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 12:24pm PST

Rollins College (Winter Park, FL) : small liberal arts college of 1700 students located in a nice suburb of Orlando; beautiful campus with a lake and a beach; curriculum focuses on traditional liberal arts majors with very small interactive classes; chemistry, physics, English, drama are especially strong; good internship ties with Orlando business community; Division II athletics; not super selective for a very good school; R,B,K

Rollins College (Winter Park, FL)

small liberal arts college of 1700 students located in a nice suburb o ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 12:19pm PST

Roanoke College (Salem, VA) : liberal arts college of 2000 undergraduates next to small city of Roanoke; beautiful campus with views of the surrounding mountains; traditional liberal arts majors plus good pre-med, pre-law and business administration; extensive outdoor program; Division III athletics, no football team but lacrosse and basketball are featured

Roanoke College (Salem, VA)

liberal arts college of 2000 undergraduates next to small city of Roan ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 12:17pm PST

Princeton University (Princeton, NJ) : extremely selective undergraduate and research institution; the smallest of the Ivies and most focused on undergraduates (about 5000) with no law school or medical school; beautiful Gothic style campus with the largest college chapel in the country, despite having no religious affiliation; great town with lots of interesting shops and restaurants, including the must-visit Princeton Record Exchange; all majors are strong; other than engineering, there are no pre-professional majors; residential college system and eating clubs are unique campus life features; easy train rides to Philadelphia and New York; K

Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)

extremely selective undergraduate and research institution; the smalle ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 11:10am PST

University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) : extremely selective large private university with 10,000 undergrads; nice campus but quite urban; America's first university, first medical school and the world's first business college (Wharton); first psychology department in North America; curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary study and academic flexibility; all majors are strong, but given the aformentioned firsts, pre-med, business administration, American Studies and psychology deserve special mention; "One University" idea gives students access to all schools; students can also take classes at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore and Haverford; very diverse student body; B,K

University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)

extremely selective large private university with 10,000 undergrads; n ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 11:08am PST

University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS) : modest sized flagship state university (11,500 undergraduates) with a beautiful, well-maintained neo-classical campus in a small, but vibrant college town only about 1 hour from Memphis; pre-professional majors tend to be strongest---business, engineering, communications, education, pre-pharmacy---but thanks to the influence of hometown authors Faulkner and Grisham, English is well-reknowned also; honors college is very well-respected; R,B,K

University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS)

modest sized flagship state university (11,500 undergraduates) with a ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 11:03am PST

Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) : One of America's best public universities and also one of its largest at 39,000 undergraduates; not surprisingly, being so large, it has many strong majors across the board; particularly notable are business, pre-law, political science, engineering, education, biochemistry and architecture; fairly urban location in Columbus but the campus has plenty of green space as well; R,B,K

Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)

One of America's best public universities and also one of its largest ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 11:01am PST

Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, GA) : Georgia's oldest liberal arts college (about 1100 students) near Buckhead; very pleasant Gothic style campus in a residential neighborhood; academic and athletic facilities, as well as newer dorms, are nice; older dorms are not; Division III athletics with an unusual mascot, the Stormy Petrel, a hardy seabird known for being able to survive hurricanes; known as being a bit of a suitcase school with many Atlanta residents among its students; strong majors include business, political science and biology; generous merit scholarships available; R,B,K

Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, GA)

Georgia's oldest liberal arts college (about 1100 students) near Buckh ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 10:59am PST

Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) : extremely selective mid-sized (8200 undergraduates) private research institution located just outside of Chicago; beautiful lakefront campus in a fun close-in suburb of Chicago with the city just minutes away by train; very strong programs across the board, including engineering and a highly selective dual degree medical program; Big 10 athletics (though not very successful); active social life on campus; plenty of opportunities for internships; students familiar with Vanderbilt should definitely investigate Northwestern; R,B,K

Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)

extremely selective mid-sized (8200 undergraduates) private research i ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 10:57am PST

Northeastern University (Boston, MA) : large private university (15,000 undergraduates) ranked #1 nationally for its cooperative education program; a year of paid work is built into every students program with pre-arranged university contacts in all 50 states and many foreign countries; even during academic semesters the school emphasizes experiential education like student research; a strong global emphasis as well with most students studying abroad at some point; health sciences, business (especially entrepreneurship), computer science, criminal justice and engineering are notable; very safe and residential campus near other colleges and cultural institutions with three subways stops right on campus; K

Northeastern University (Boston, MA)

large private university (15,000 undergraduates) ranked #1 nationally ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2009 10:52am PST

Millsaps College (Jackson, MS) : small liberal arts college of 1100 undergraduates in an urban setting; beautiful campus with excellent facilities; writing intensive curriculum and a strong emphasis on study abroad; notable majors include business, English, geology, history, classics and pre-med; successful Division III athletic teams, especially football and baseball; strong business and political connections in Jackson; R,B,K

Millsaps College (Jackson, MS)

small liberal arts college of 1100 undergraduates in an urban setting; ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:59pm PST

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) : very large highly selective public university with over 26,000 undergraduates; one of the "public Ivies," its academic reputation is stellar in all discliplines with engineering and sciences receiving special notice; Ann Arbor is a classic college town completely dominated by the university and offering all kinds of businesses to serve students and a very attractive downtown adjacent to the campus; the campus has over 500 major buildings but still retains a friendly, relaxed environment with plenty of green space; B,K

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

very large highly selective public university with over 26,000 undergr ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:57pm PST

Miami University of Ohio (Oxford, OH) : large selective public university of 18,000 undergraduates in a small college town less than an hour from Cincinnati; beautiful campus of leafy quadrangles and neo-Georgian red brick buildings; the town is small but certainly provides the necessities, as well as a delicious bagel shop (they steam your whole sandwich; try it, it's good!); one of the "public Ivies" with many strong majors, perhaps especially English, business, accounting, education, paper and chemical engineering, music and architecture; excellent facilities and an overall environment and focus on undergraduates that seem more like a private university; R,B,K

Miami University of Ohio (Oxford, OH)

large selective public university of 18,000 undergraduates in a small ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:48pm PST

Mercer University (Macon, GA) : mid-sized private comprehensive institution of 5200 students with an undergraduate focus; a very wide array of academic programs for a school of its size including nursing, pharmacy, music, theology, business and engineering, along with liberal arts and sciences; a beautiful campus with a nice mix of historic and modern buildings; many new dorms and Greek houses on campus; Macon is a bit sleepy, but certainly sufficient, and Atlanta is only 75 miles away; school maintains a Baptist affiliation and religious life is prominent on campus for those students who seek that environment; R,B,K

Mercer University (Macon, GA)

mid-sized private comprehensive institution of 5200 students with an u ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:47pm PST

Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI) : mid-sized private Jesuit comprehensive university of about 8,000 undergraduates; an urban campus, but nice facilities and landscaping make the campus welcoming; excellent nursing, physical therapy and biomedical engineering programs, as well as a good business school, especially for accounting; known as a "campus with a conscience," service towards others is emphasized; Milwaukee is a charming town strong ethnic heritage that results in interesting restaurants, festivals and neighborhoods; good internship possibilities in the city, as well as in Chicago only an hour away; R,B,K

Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI)

mid-sized private Jesuit comprehensive university of about 8,000 under ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:46pm PST

Loyola University (Chicago, IL) : fairly large private Jesuit comprehensive university located on Lake Michigan in Rogers Park, a diverse neighborhood in the northern part of Chicago; very similar to Marquette University in Wisconsin: nice urban campus, very strong health-related majors like nursing, biology and pre-med, as well as communications, business and psychology; downtown campus also available for students wanting proximity to internships; entreneurship is a strong business concentration; R,K

Loyola University (Chicago, IL)

fairly large private Jesuit comprehensive university located on Lake M ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:45pm PST

Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) : small liberal arts college of 1400 undergraduates in a small city in north-central Wisconsin; the only undergraduate-only music conservatory in the country; offers many interdisciplinary majors along with distinguished programs in art, hard sciences, drama, English and foreign languages; very nice campus with many new buildings, including a student center; Appleton has a revitalized downtown (much like Chattanooga's) and is the cultural and economic hub of the Fox River Valley; outdoor activities are nearby, as is Green Bay; need-blind financial aid with merit scholarships available; Division III athletics; R,B,K

Lawrence University (Appleton, WI)

small liberal arts college of 1400 undergraduates in a small city in n ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:43pm PST

Kenyon College (Gambier, OH) : very selective liberal arts college of 1700 students in a small town in central Ohio about one hour from Columbus; well-known for its English and drama programs (Paul Newman is a graduate), it also has very strong science and social science majors; all students complete a senior capstone project; very pretty campus with excellent facilities; swimming is the highlight of the athletic program with 30 straight Division III championships; students interested in Sewanee should definitely investigate Kenyon and vice versa; R,B,K

Kenyon College (Gambier, OH)

very selective liberal arts college of 1700 students in a small town i ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:42pm PST

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) : highly selective mid-sized private research university of 5,000 undergraduates located in a diverse, urban neighborhood; extremely and rightfully well-known for its pre-med programs and the sciences generally, Hopkins has many other great majors including international relations, history and political science; it is a beautiful campus with many leafy walkways, a true urban oasis; students should be interested in a strenous academic environment; very successful Division III sports with a powerhouse Division I lacrosse program; proximity to Washington D.C. also a plus; R,B,K

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)

highly selective mid-sized private research university of 5,000 underg ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:39pm PST

James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA) : fairly large (16,000 undergraduates) moderately selective public university located in a small city in western Virginia; beautiful campus with wonderful natural surroundings and many outdoor activities; as UVA has become more and more selective, James Madison has begun to do the same; not surprisingly, pre-professional majors like communication, business, education, pre-med and pre law are strong, but so are art, music and social sciences like political science and psychology; highly successful I-AA athletic teams, including football national championship; Harrisonburg certainly offers the necessities and Washington D.C. is only 90 minutes away, while the Shenandoah National Park is right nearby; R,B,K

James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA)

fairly large (16,000 undergraduates) moderately selective public unive ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:37pm PST

Haverford College (Ardmore, PA) : extremely selective small liberal arts college of 1200 students in suburban Philadelphia; the oldest school in the country with Quaker origins; though no longer affiliated, retains the Quaker spirit of community and decency; the entirely student-run honor code governs more than just cheating, but reflects a way of life on campus and in the world; very strong science majors, as well as art, economics, English, history and psychology, not to mention interdisclipinary majors like Africana studies and peace studies; superb facilities and a beautiful campus, though the city is only a few minutes away by train; students can cross-register with nearby Bryn Mawr, a women's college, as well as University of Pennsylvania and Wharton, its business school; Division III athletics and its football team is undefeated since 1940, the last year they fielded a team; the athletic program does boast the nation's first soccer team and only varsity cricket team; B,K

Haverford College (Ardmore, PA)

extremely selective small liberal arts college of 1200 students in sub ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:36pm PST

Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) : is Harvard.; R,B,K

Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)

is Harvard.; R,B,K

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:33pm PST

Guilford College (Greensboro, NC) : small liberal arts college (2600 undergraduates) on the outskirts of town; a Quaker college, though only 10% of students are Quakers, openness and informality prevail on campus; many professors encourage students to call them by first name and the school intentionally tries to attract a diverse group of students; beautiful tree-lined campus with student oriented businesses and restaurants nearby; in addition to traditional liberal arts majors, Guilford also boasts strong programs in criminal justice, business, education, geology and pre-professional advising; third oldest coeducational institution in the country and the oldest in the South; R,B,K

Guilford College (Greensboro, NC)

small liberal arts college (2600 undergraduates) on the outskirts of t ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:32pm PST

Georgetown University (Washington, DC) : mid-sized Jesuit university in an urban, but upscale residential setting with a compact but beautiful campus; school emphasizes, per Jesuit tradition, the education of the whole person and the appreciation of diversity; student body is intellectual and often politically active, wishing to take advantage of the unique location; international relations, theology, foreign languages, political science, business, pre-med and pre-law are particular strong programs among many; considered a "student-centered" research institution, also has the country's oldest drama society and largest student-run business, including a bank, co-op store, coffee house and others R,B,K

Georgetown University (Washington, DC)

mid-sized Jesuit university in an urban, but upscale residential setti ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:29pm PST

George Washington University (Washington DC) : large (10,000 undergraduates) selective private university located in the heart of the District, mere blocks from the White House; in fact, the firehouse called to get President Taft out of the bathtub is located on campus; not surprisingly, students are very politically oriented with many doing internships at the government agencies and private think tanks surrounding the university; the campus is urban with many streets running through it, but has a strong centralized presence in its area; additionally, the college boasts the Mount Vernon Campus, the site of a former women's college in a residential part of D.C. that offers a smaller intimate learning and living community for underclassmen, a great option for an easier transition to urban college life; especially well-known majors include international affairs, international business, political science, communication, pre-law and pre-med; R,B,K

George Washington University (Washington DC)

large (10,000 undergraduates) selective private university located in ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:15pm PST

Florida Tech (Melbourne, FL) : small private technology university located in a suburban area very near to the Kennedy Space Center, a great resource and potential employer for its students; beautiful campus with a number of new science buildings and "the Jungle" a botanical area complete with flowing water to walk through; strong majors focus on engineering, especially mechanical and aeronautical, and sciences like astronomy, biology; R,B,K

Florida Tech (Melbourne, FL)

small private technology university located in a suburban area very ne ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:12pm PST

University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) : very large (35,000 undergraduates), selective state university; very nice campus in a college town atmosphere; transportation is definitely something to think about---fleets of busses, bikes and scooters all over the place; very strong academics, though large classes would certainly be an issue; in addition to the usual business, communications, etc, less standard recommended majors include agriculture, archeology, astronomy, botany, forestry, geology, pharmacy and zoology; highly selective for out-of-state applicants; R,B,K

University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)

very large (35,000 undergraduates), selective state university; very n ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:08pm PST

Emerson College (Boston, MA) : see other gallery of Emerson College photos for description

Emerson College (Boston, MA)

see other gallery of Emerson College photos for description

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:05pm PST

Denison University (Granville, OH) : small liberal arts college of 2100 undergraduates located in a small town about 30 miles from Columbus Ohio; pretty hilltop campus with tree-lined quads and views of rolling countryside; facilities are excellent including a new science state of the art science building; very solid academics with attentive professors resulting in Denison's inclusion in Colleges That Changes Lives; English, communication, economics, psychology, biology, political science and history are popular majors, while cinema, music, art and an interdisciplinary program called Philosophy, Politics and Economics are also noteworthy; though less so than years ago, Greek life is still strong; Granville offers the necessities but Columbus, which boasts Ohio State and a burgeoning music scene, is only a half-hour away; students interested in Sewanee, Centre and Rhodes should definitely investigate Denison as well; R,B,K

Denison University (Granville, OH)

small liberal arts college of 2100 undergraduates located in a small t ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:02pm PST

Davidson College (Davidson, NC) : highly selective and widely regarded as the premier liberal arts college in the South; located in a small charming town but only a few minutes from Charlotte and its suburbs; beautiful campus with treelined quads and consistent red-brick Georgian architecture; excellent academic, residential and athletic facilities; with small student body somehow supports very high academic standards and a successful Division I athletic program; classes are known to be challenging and professors attentive with high grading standards; very generous no-loan financial aid program, along with some competitive merit scholarships; study abroad and community service are emphasized; honor code is a big part of campus life; the school does one load of laundry free per week for every student; departments are uniformly strong and encompass traditional liberal arts majors; R,B,K

Davidson College (Davidson, NC)

highly selective and widely regarded as the premier liberal arts colle ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 1:01pm PST

Colorado College (Colorado Springs, CO) : the premier liberal arts college of the Rocky Mountain region; about 2000 students  a compact, architecturally varied campus in a residential neighborhood near downtown with great views of Pikes Peak from nearly every part of campus; most unique feature is the block plan which CC originated in 1969 and has since been copied by only other schools; students take one course at a time for 3 1/2 weeks then have five days off to explore; this plan allows intense, often hands-on or research-oriented study of one subject and the opportunity for remote learning; for example, one class on ex-patriate American writers meets in Paris, while a Rocky Mountain ecology class meets at a field study campus in the mountains; students are academically oriented, but also outdoorsy, not surprisingly; $5 busses run to ski resorts every weekend; Division III athletic teams compete in the SCAC with Sewanee and Rhodes, except hockey which is Division I; potentially an amazing educational experience for the student who likes intense focus interspersed with adventurous breaks; R,K

Colorado College (Colorado Springs, CO)

the premier liberal arts college of the Rocky Mountain region; about 2 ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:57pm PST

Clemson University (Clemson, SC) : large land-grant university of 14,000 undergraduates in a small college town; attractive campus with a friendly feel and undergraduate focus makes gives Clemson a smaller, more comfortable feel than many state universities; the town is small, but located in a beautiful area with two nearby lakes, mountains not far away and Greenville minutes away as well; Clemson's strongest majors are ones traditionally associated with land-grant colleges: engineering, argriculature, architecture, business, forestry, zoology, computer science, education and various sciences; in the midst of a quest to become a top-20 research university, Clemson has upped its admissions standards, especially for out of state students; frequently cited in studies of "happiest students"; don't miss trying the ice cream from the Clemson dairy, available in the student center; R,B,K

Clemson University (Clemson, SC)

large land-grant university of 14,000 undergraduates in a small colleg ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:54pm PST

Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA) : mid-sized highly selective private research university of about 6000 undergraduates; attractive campus in the Oakland section of the city adjacent to University of Pittsburgh; notable for combining the excellent programs of a technical school in engineering, computer science and business with the music and arts strengths of a liberal arts school; social sciences like psychology and economics are popular as well; the school is a leader in such interdisciplinary fields as information technology, industrial design, behavior science and arts management; students interested in Emory, Rice, Vandy or Wash U should definitely investigate Carnegie Mellon (R,B,K)

Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)

mid-sized highly selective private research university of about 6000 u ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:52pm PST

University of Victoria (Victoria, BC) : mid to large sized (16,000 undergraduates) undergraduate focused university on beautiful Vancouver Island; currently ranked as the #2 comprehensive university in Canada (comparable to places like Villanova or Elon perhaps with an undergraduate focus but some master's programs); an assuming but pleasant campus famous for its rabbits located in one of the most British cities in North America; also noted for its cooperative education program, the third largest in Canada, so not surprisingly preprofessional majors like engineering, pre-med and education are strong, as are mathematics, geoscience, space science and marine biology; not nearly as residential or as international as UBC, but still an appealing option because Victoria is such an interesting city with incredible outdoor activities; again relatively inexpensive and PLUS/Stafford loans can be used here; K

University of Victoria (Victoria, BC)

mid to large sized (16,000 undergraduates) undergraduate focused unive ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:50pm PST

University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC) : selective, large (35,000 undergraduates) research institution located in one of the world's great cities; consistently ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world and one of the top 2 or 3 in Canada; not surprisingly it has many strong majors, though social sciences, life sciences and the arts receives the most praise, especially art history, visual arts and Asian languages; facilities are excellent and the campus is beautiful with views overlooking the city, ocean and mountains; Vancouver is a young, vibrant, cosmopolitan city with many great neighborhoods and outdoor activities to explore; local skiing is less than an hour while Whistler is 3 hours up the road; as it is modeled on American universities and draws many international students, UBC would be a comfortable fit for American students; it is highly residential with a more active campus life than one seems to find at some other Canadian universities; entrance requirements are unique based on senior year grades only and standardized test scores; tuition is comparable to out of state tuition at elite US public universities; some financial aid is available for international students and PLUS student/Stafford parent loans can be used for Canadian institutions; a second campus is also offered in Kelowna with 4,000 undergraduates to provide a more intimate learning experience; while admission is competitive, UBC is less selective than its comparable peers in the US while offering a world-class education; students interested in "Public Ivies" like UNC and Michigan or large selective private universities like NYU, Cornell or Boston University should check out UBC at https://you.ubc.ca/ubc/htmlemailupload/File/admission_us_guide.pdf; K

University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC)

selective, large (35,000 undergraduates) research institution located ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:48pm PST

Emily Carr Institute of Design (Vancouver, BC) : a well-known art, design and media school in downtown Vancouver; compact modern campus in a funky, arts district of one of the world's great cities; temperate climate, clean streets, diverse population and beautiful natural surroundings define Vancouver, many great neighborhoods to explore, while the coast and the mountains are minutes away; the school offers strong programs in everything from art to product design to television broadcasting; no housing on campus, school helps students find appropriate accomodations; K

Emily Carr Institute of Design (Vancouver, BC)

a well-known art, design and media school in downtown Vancouver; compa ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:43pm PST

Boston University (Boston, MA) : large selective private university of 18,500 undergraduates; campus spreads for about a mile and half up and down Commonwealth Avenue, a pleasant area up and down the Charles River, but not a strong campus feel; housing is provided for 3/4 of students in a range of facilities from older standard dorms to high rise apartment style dorms to historic brownstones for just a few students or theme housing; BU features a strong liberal arts curriculum, but probably it's best known majors are of the preprofessional variety: biomedical engineering is probably its best known major, followed by a very team-oriented business program, education, physical therapy, pre-med and pre-law; despite its large size, students have strong opporunities for leadership including research and internships; while campus is not very self-contained it is in a nice, fun part of a wonderful city filled with college students only block from Fenway Park; B,K

Boston University (Boston, MA)

large selective private university of 18,500 undergraduates; campus sp ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:40pm PST

Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA) : mid to large sized (9,000 undergraduates) highly selective private Jesuit university; beautiful Gothic style campus in the suburban village of Chestnut Hill, just outside of Boston and located on the "T" for easy train access; a largely Catholic student body but one that embraces the Jesuit tradition of openness, diversity and education of the whole mind and body; increasingly selective, BC is often considered one of the "new Ivies"; among many strong majors, business, communications, computer science and nursing stand out among pre-professional majors, while traditional liberal arts specialties include social sciences, art, foreign languages and religious studies; frequent crossover applications with BC include Villanova, Georgetown and Notre Dame; B,K

Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA)

mid to large sized (9,000 undergraduates) highly selective private Jes ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:36pm PST

Belmont University (Nashville, TN)) : small undergraduate university of 4000 students located near the south end of Vanderbilt's campus in the very pleasant Hillsboro Village part of town; compact attractive campus with excellent new music, business and student center facilities; most notable majors are music business (perhaps the best in the country), music, nursing, biology, social sciences and business administration; the recent presidential debate helped continue to raise Belmont's national profile; merit aid is available; don't miss eating breakfast (or lunch) at the Pancake Pantry nearby (I recommend the Raspberry Delight or Grill Cook's Medley [or both]); R,B,K

Belmont University (Nashville, TN))

small undergraduate university of 4000 students located near the south ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:33pm PST

American University (Washington DC) : mid-sized undergraduate focused university of 6,000 students located on a beautiful, traditional campus in a residential area of D.C. near Embassy Row; offers the unique combination of a traditional college campus and easy access by just a few stops on the Metro train to downtown D.C. and all the internship opportunities found there; in fact, the schools weekly schedule generally avoids Wednesday classes to allow students to spend the day downtown at their internships; the school's curriculum is pretty comprehensive, though the strongest majors are those which take advantage of the unique location, such as international relations, economics, business, communication, history and political science; music business is a new program that is growing steadily; recently named the most politically active campus by Princeton Review; slighly less selective than its D.C. competitors Georgetown and George Washington; R,B,K

American University (Washington DC)

mid-sized undergraduate focused university of 6,000 students located o ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 12:12pm PST

The McCallie School | 500 Dodds Avenue | Chattanooga, TN 37404 | 423.624.8300