College Type Research Exercise

School A

The university sits at the hub of its county and a stone's throw away from a major metropolitan city. Has parlayed its location into burgeoning popularity in film, television, and the performing arts. Those without showbiz aspirations can opt for business, communication studies, or biology. A popular theme park is in the neighborhood, but you need a car to get there.

The southern part of the state is home to the university, where future filmmakers and other burgeoning artists flock to hone their crafts under the watchful eye of seasoned faculty. The university offers solid programs in film, television, theatre, and music, and sends students out into the world via countless internships. Even those who steer clear of show business find reason to cheer: the school has stellar programs in business and biology as well. A junior says, "A student here is a leader, someone who wants to be actively involved in their community and consciously making a difference."

Founded in 1861, the university is one of the oldest private universities in the state. Originally called "H" College, the school later merged with a Christian college in a nearby big city. In 1934, the institution was renamed in honor of, a local entrepreneur and benefactor of the school. In 1991 the college again changed its name to its current name, reflecting its evolution into a comprehensive institution of higher learning. The beautiful residential campus, situated on 75 tree-lined acres, features a mixture of landmark historic buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. It is located in the historic Old Towne district, near outstanding beaches, a popular theme park, and the world-class cultural offerings of the region. Distinctive facilities include "O" Hall-featuring 14 teaching studios, a 60-seat lecture hall, and an orchestra hall-and the Studios, which features a 500-seat theatre, digital arts center, and two full-sized sound stages.

The most popular majors are business administration, communication studies, film production, psychology, and public relations and advertising. Budding filmmakers may enter the College of Film and Media Arts, a comprehensive, production-based school that includes majors in film production, television and broadcast journalism, screenwriting, public relations and advertising, and film studies, as well as internships and other active learning opportunities. Future entrepreneurs and business leaders can take advantage of a well-stocked portfolio of business programs through the School of Business and Economics. The Economic Science Institute allows for the study of experimental economics under the direction of a Nobel laureate and spans the fields of accounting, economics, finance, information systems, engineering, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and philosophy. For more artsy types, the university offers notable programs in music, theatre, and dance, each with frequent national and international performance components. The university's peace studies and legal studies programs are tied to internships and study abroad experiences.

Regardless of major, all students complete a four-part general education program: a fall-term seminar; six inquiry categories (natural science, quantitative reasoning, writing, social sciences, values and ethics, and artistic studies); a Global Citizen cluster (two courses in global studies, one in civic issues, and a language course); and a mini-minor, minor, or second major. All first-year students complete the Freshman Foundations Course (FFC) in fall term. The wide range of topics offered all support the course goal of engaging students in critically analyzing and communicating complex issues and ideas. Recent section topics include From Jurassic Park to Contagion: Biology in Media and Reality, Tales from the Global Disability Rights Movement, Social Justice on the Big Screen, and The Science of Facebook: Mining Data for #Fun and #Profit.

"Students here put a lot of time and effort into maintaining their grades," says one sophomore. "Upper-division classes can be very challenging." Forty-two percent of classes have fewer than 20 students. Freshmen are taught by professors; there are no TAs. "My professors are generally easy to contact and are always offering support outside of the classroom," says a student. "They are up to date in their fields and most are still actively working in their industry."

The university attracts a friendly, largely affluent student body. "Students are true leaders that are committed to personal and professional development during their time in college. Most students hold multiple internships, are involved in multiple organizations, and hold many leadership positions," says a junior. Nearly two-thirds hail from within the state, and 4 percent are international students. African Americans comprise 2 percent of the population, Asian Americans 10 percent, and Hispanics 14 percent. Students say diversity is an issue on campus. "While the university is open to all and our student body is extremely accepting," explains a sophomore, "we are still lacking an ethnically diverse population." A junior describes fellow students as "involved, intelligent, and hardworking." Eligible undergraduates receive merit scholarships worth an average of $16,882. There are no athletic scholarships.

Thirty-two percent of students call the residence halls home. "The dorms are constantly being renovated and maintained, and if something may break, campus services replaces it almost instantly," says a sophomore. Campus dining is described as edible and diverse: "The dining hall serves high-quality, delicious food that looks and tastes nothing like typical college food," reports one junior. As for safety, students say that campus security is a constant presence. "I've never felt unsafe on campus," says a student.

Twenty-eight percent of the men join fraternities, and sororities attract 38 percent of the women, but the Greeks don't dominate the social scene. Students are apt to hang out with friends on campus or take part in a school-sponsored event. "Whether it's Greek life, student government, a sports team, University Programming Board, or starting your own club, there is always something to do on the weekend," cheers one senior. Although alcohol is readily available, "the RAs and Public Safety do a good job of controlling alcohol consumption" by students, according to a theatre major. When students grow weary of campus life, they hit the local shops and bars or take trips to "a variety of local destinations" according to a film major. Back on campus, students flock to the homecoming celebration and the annual Greek Week festival.

The city (population 135,000) is a college town only in the technical sense of the term. "It's actually a very quiet city," says a junior. It's also home to the usual litany of restaurants and shops, as well as a district known as "Old Towne, the Antique Capital of the state." Most of the town closes by midnight, and students looking for fun generally head into a nearby metropolitan city (40 minutes away).

The university sports teams compete in Division III and the most competitive sports include baseball, football, women's tennis, and women's lacrosse. Intramurals are popular and students can usually be spotted playing ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, or soccer in the pristine weather.

The university continues to stake its claim as a comprehensive institution that happens to offer one of the nation's best film programs-rather than a film school that also happens to offer other majors. Students are not only expected to hit the books, but also to actively express their creativity through hands-on learning and forays into the real world. "Many schools will teach you theories, but there is often a disconnect when it comes to applying those concepts into practice," reasons one senior. "There is such a huge emphasis here on active learning, that I was able to do things I never thought I would be able to do as an undergraduate."

School B

The college is a member of the proud circle of liberal colleges in the region that includes four other schools. Less than half the size of one and comparable to the other three, the college is distinctive for its Quaker orientation and international perspective. Its struggle is to lure progressive-minded students to a more conservative city in the southern part of the state.

The college is a study in contradictions-a top-notch liberal arts college in a conservative city that few could place on a map, and an institution that even in the 21st century remains true to the traditions of community, peace, and justice that are hallmarks of its Quaker heritage. The school’s curriculum and programs engage students with the world by exposing them to classmates from approximately 70 nations and offering more than 200 academic courses that incorporate an international perspective. A variety of study abroad programs offers close faculty involvement and a thoughtful focus on cross-cultural perspectives. "The sheer number of ways to become involved on campus is staggering," marvels one junior.

The 800-acre campus sits in a small, quintessentially regional city, just a short distance from two big cities. Georgian-style buildings dominate, surrounded by mature trees and plantings, while the Japanese gardens symbolize the college's long friendship and closeness with Japan. With upwards of 95 percent of students living on campus, the college has committed to improving its residence halls. Fine arts students benefit from the new Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, which features separate studios for different mediums such as weaving or painting, an art history classroom, state-of-the-art music rehearsal and recital halls, and a brand new black box performance space.

To graduate, students must complete general education requirements in the arts, analytical reasoning, wellness, scientific inquiry, foreign language, and, not surprisingly, diversity. Biology is the most popular major, followed by psychology, fine arts, interdisciplinary studies, and sociology. A wide range of interdisciplinary offerings includes such programs as peace and global studies, legal studies, Quaker studies, Latin American studies, and Japanese studies, a field in which the college is a national leader. "The Japanese program has high national standing," says one student, "and the sciences have high placement for graduate studies and jobs post-graduation."

Challenged to think and meet high academic expectations, students see themselves as capable and eager to learn. "The courses are not only intellectually stimulating," says one student, "but they encourage students to think critically." Class discussion, rather than lecture, is the predominant learning style here. Faculty members are selected for their excellence in teaching and their ability to cross disciplinary lines. "Faculty are always willing to meet with students to chat about pretty much anything," says a history major. While profs are available, class outlines demand that individuals "figure things out" by taking the initiative to take their work seriously. The school has significantly invested in its Center for Integrated Learning, providing domestic and international internships, preprofessional preparation, and integrated learning programs in such areas as health professions, business, and sustainability.

About three-quarters of students eventually pursue postgraduate study, often after taking some time off for a job or to participate in volunteer or service programs. During their undergrad years, more than 65 percent of students participate in at least one off-campus study experience. The school offers study abroad programs in more than two dozen countries, including Mexico, India, England, Spain, Martinique, Northern Ireland, France, New Zealand, East Africa, and Japan. In a Border Studies program, students live with families in Tucson or Ciudad Juárez and take courses focusing on United States-Mexico border issues. Most programs are managed by the college; students first receive preparation for a multicultural experience, and most programs have an on-site director. The popular "A Month" Term courses send students off campus with faculty for one-month intensive courses in various locations around the world. A junior says, "Studying abroad is very much encouraged. I went to Japan and it was a great experience. I lived with a host family, attended classes at the local university, and also taught at a middle school nearby."

The college may be small, but its student body is exceptionally diverse. "We have all kinds of people, from social activists and artsy hippies to gamers and people obsessed with anime to old school jocks," says a religion major, "and most of us aren't just one of these archetypes, we're a strange mishmash of them, and other things too." Only 20 percent of the students are from within the state; 18 percent hail from abroad, representing approximately 70 countries. Another 14 percent are African American, with Hispanics adding 6 percent and Asian American students contributing 4 percent. Thirty-four percent are Pell-eligible. With a strong emphasis on conversation, the campus is full of well-intentioned activists blazing their own trails through life, albeit on "College Time" (a tardy-favorable clock widely accepted in this laid-back climate). Merit scholarships are available for qualified students; there are no athletic scholarships.

Ninety-six percent of students live on campus in nine residence halls. "The dorms are comfortable and well maintained," says a sophomore. Single, double, and triple rooms are available in the two older dorms, which connect with the newer residence hall. Along with wireless Internet connectivity, the hall features two- to four-bedroom suites sharing private baths and, on each floor, a kitchen, study room, laundry, and, yes, TV lounges. Dorm space is reserved for first-years, and upperclassmen enter a lottery for the remaining rooms or petition to live together in small houses. Most students eat in the college dining hall, which offers a diverse selection for special diets. "There are options for vegetarians," reports one student, "but if you're a health nut or just really picky about quality of food and how your food is cooked, then the dining hall isn't great." Students say campus security is adequate and safety officers are helpful in all situations: "Once, I had a conversation with a campus security officer about the best places to hide on campus in case of a zombie attack," quips a senior.

With no fraternities or sororities, gatherings and parties on weekends may be hard to find and quiet when they do happen, but on-campus activities abound. "The college is a tight-knit community. Since most students live on campus most of the social life takes place here as well," a psychology major says. Students enjoy improv comedy, a cappella music, equestrian programs, a lip-synch competition, fall and spring festivals, concerts, and sports. Student organizations include numerous cultural, ethnic, and religious groups as well as left-of-center organizations such as Amnesty International and the college Progressive Union. Formerly a dry campus, the school changed its alcohol policy in 2013 to allow students 21 and over to consume alcohol, strictly in their residence hall rooms. Apart from day trips to nearby cities, students stick with a laid-back social atmosphere of visiting with others or checking out one of the musicians, speakers, or other groups that the college brings to campus.

As college environs go, the city leaves much to be desired. Still, the surrounding county offers standard American as well as Mexican restaurants, a popular French bistro, movie theaters, bowling alleys, roller-skating, and golf. Students fan out into the city, racking up more than 25,000 hours of volunteer service a year. Guaranteed to impress, outreach programs are truly getting students involved in their community and building a close relationship with the city. "Volunteerism is an important value of many students, and despite class work and other commitments, many students still make time to volunteer," says a first-year.

Basketball, flag football, racquetball, and soccer are especially popular recreational sports. The school's varsity teams attract nearly a third of the student body and compete in Division III sports, including football, field hockey, basketball, track, cross-country, baseball, volleyball, and tennis. Men's and women's tennis and soccer are among the school's strongest squads with baseball and women's basketball on the rise.

Students graduate ready to take on the world, thanks to the school's cooperative, can-do spirit, international perspective, and caring student/faculty community. The college has much to offer, says one student. "It allows an individual to pursue many areas of interest, and the people you meet will be friends for a lifetime."

School C

As the region’s premier technically oriented university, this University does not coddle her young. Students must survive the sometimes mean streets of downtown and fight through a wall of graduate students to talk with their professors. Architecture and big-time sports supplement the engineering focus. The school’s 66/34 male/female ratio is offset by women from an all-female nearby college.

If you're looking for lazy days on the college green and hard-partying weekends, look elsewhere. You won't find those here, a member of the elite Association of American Universities since 2009. What you will find are challenging courses that prepare you for a high-paying job as an engineer, architect, or computer scientist. "This University is tough," reasons a graduate student. "You have to want to be here." Even those who want to be here are happy to finally arrive at graduation day. What makes this a special place? "The fact that I survived it and got out with a degree," says a computer science major, only partially joking. As part of its efforts to become a top technological research university globally, the school has developed an extensive offering of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), available for free to the general public.

Located just off the interstate in the state’s capital city, the 450-acre campus includes 42 residence halls, an aquatic center, a sports performance complex, and an amphitheater. The building styles are reflective of the history of the University, ranging from the 1940s through the 1990s, as well as newly built high-tech facilities. All these styles coexist comfortably on a tree-filled and landscaped campus seen as a green oasis in the midst of a dense urban environment. The ambitious Campus Master Plan resulted in the opening of more than two million square feet of new and renovated space at a cost of nearly $500 million. Recent construction includes the Carbon Neutral Energy Solutions Laboratory, the NEETRAC High Voltage Test Lab addition, the Tennis Complex, and a new Engineered Biosystems Building is slated to open in 2015.

Courses are "extremely rigorous," says a senior, at least in the sciences and engineering. "Grading on a curve creates hypercompetitive situations because your absolute grade is largely irrelevant-you just have to do better than most of the others." Strong programs include math and computer science ("It's hard to have a life and be a student here," one major sighs) as well as most types of engineering, especially industrial, biomedical, and aerospace. The University also offers civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical, computer, materials, and nuclear engineering. The school has plenty of liberal arts courses, but a grad student says history, philosophy, and English aren't the reasons why most students enroll.

Aside from the technical fare, the University’s management college is increasingly popular, and its school of architecture has done pioneering work in historic preservation and energy conservation. Among the architecture program's alumni is Michael Arad, whose winning design for the September 11 memorial in lower Manhattan was selected from a field of more than 5,200. The prelaw certificate is a boon to aspiring patent attorneys, as is the minor in law, science, and technology.

Regardless of major, students must complete nine semester hours of social sciences, eight hours of science, six hours each of English and humanities, four hours of math, three hours of U.S. or Georgia history, U.S. Perspectives Overlay, a global perspectives course, and two hours of wellness. As students move from those core and required courses to upper-level options within their majors, the quality of teaching improves. "It's absolutely horrible for things like freshman math classes," says a computer science major. "You're typically taught by TAs, maybe half of whom have only the slightest grasp of English. Things get better as you progress and get to know professors." That's because those professors are indeed exceptional; some have worked on projects such as the Star Wars missile-defense system and the space shuttle. Classes tend to be big-25 percent of those taken by undergraduates have more than 50 students. "Students are generally stressed and tired," says a grad student. "Not working hard is not an option here."

In fact, the University's demanding workload means it's common to spend five years getting your degree. There's also the frustrating course selection process: "Sleep through your registration time ticket, and you may blow your semester because you won't get into anything," warns a senior. Also contributing to delayed graduation dates is the popular co-op program, through which almost 2,700 students earn money for their education while gaining on-the-job experience. The school offers more than 80 exchange programs and 30 group faculty-led programs, sending more than 1,200 students abroad each year. More than 46 percent of students have an international experience by the time they graduate.

Sixty-two percent of students come from within the state, and most are too focused on school or their co-op jobs to care about politics, causes, or any of the issues that get their peers riled up on nearby campuses. "There are a lot of left-brain types here-high on the introspection and thinking, low on the social skills," says a senior. And though they may be united in their pursuit of technical expertise, the campus is hardly homogenous: African Americans account for 6 percent of the student body, Hispanics 6 percent, and Asian Americans 17 percent. To limit burgeoning enrollment, out-of-state applicants must meet slightly higher criteria than their in-state counterparts. The university awards merit scholarships to nearly half of the undergraduate population. There are also more than 350 athletic scholarships available to student-athletes. In addition, the school has eliminated loans for state residents with family incomes below $33,300 a year.

Fifty-two percent of students live in the dorms, where freshmen are guaranteed a room. A senior says that the quality of residence halls varies widely. "Some dorms are new, apartment-style, and nice," the student says. "Others are foul dungeons." Many dorms have full kitchen facilities, though, and while most halls are single-sex, visitation rules are lenient. Off-campus housing is generally comfortable, but parts of the surrounding neighborhood are unsavory. "Far too many cars are broken into or stolen," says one student. "There's usually a couple of armed robberies (at least) a semester." The campus dining halls offer "little variety and less quality," according to another student.

Fortunately, even if mystery meat is on the day's menu, the school is smack-dab in the middle of an exciting city, with its endless supply of clubs, bars, movie theaters, restaurants, shopping, and museums. "This is not a college town," reasons a computer science major. "However, it is the best thing going in the state," with friendly, young residents, good cultural activities, beautiful green spaces, and a booming economy. The city also offers plenty of community service opportunities. Fraternities draw 23 percent of the school’s men and sororities draw 29 percent of the women, and members may live in their chapter houses. Alcohol flows freely at frat parties, but otherwise, students say, the policies against open containers and underage drinking are strictly enforced. "There's not much in the way of social life here outside of the frats," says a senior. "You have your group of friends and you do your own thing." The best road trips include beaches, which are a half-day's drive, and a close by city, for basketball or football games against a rival university.

The varsity sports teams have become as big-time as any in the region, and when the weekend comes, students throw off their lab coats and become wild members of the cheering crowd. Solid Division I teams include women's basketball, softball, football, golf, and men's cross-country. Among the University’s many other traditions is "stealing the letter," in which students try to remove the huge letter from the tower on the administration building and return it to the school by presenting it to a member of the faculty or administration. The addition of alarms, motion sensors, and heat sensors on the letter has made the task more difficult, but "certainly not impossible for a budding engineer," says an electrical engineering major. And then there's a 15-lap tricycle race around a parking garage with three pit stops, a tire change, and a driver rotation.

Forget fitting the mold; the engineers of this University are proud to say they make it. Self-direction, ambition, and motivation will take you far here, as will dexterity with a graphing calculator and a fondness for highly complex software algorithms. And despite their complaints about the workload, the social life (or lack thereof), the safety of their surrounding neighborhood, and the impact of budget cuts, students do have a soft spot for their school. Says one student, "I love a good challenge, and this school is perfect for that."

School D

Part of a posse of nonconformist colleges. Instead of conventional majors, students complete self-designed interdisciplinary concentrations and independent projects. Gains breadth and resources from a cooperative effort with a group of other colleges. Campus architecture is postmodern rather than traditional.

Passion reigns at this college. It's found in just about everything students do-from devising their own courses to starting new clubs to debating the most current social issues. There's no one way to do things here, and the students revel in the freedom they have to direct the path of their education. "We love what we are studying because we get to choose what we are studying," says a junior studying sustainable agricultural methods. Without the yoke of traditional majors and the nail-biting stress of regular grades, the school offers a virtually boundary-free exercise in intellectual nirvana.

The college's 800-acre campus sits amid former orchards, farmland, and forest. Buildings are eclectic and contemporary, and the school is most proud of its bio-shelter, arts village, and multisports and multimedia centers. Two nationally known museums are located right on campus.

Instead of grades, professors hand out "narrative evaluations," which consist of written evaluations and critiques. Degrees are obtained by passing a series of examinations-not tests, but portfolios of academic work, evaluations, and students' self-reflections on their academic development. The first hurdle begins with a course in each of five multidisciplinary schools: natural science; social science; cognitive science; interdisciplinary arts; humanities, arts, and cultural studies; and other coursework.

The second hurdle is each student's "concentration"-the rough equivalent of a major elsewhere. Unlike a major, the requirements of a concentration are unique to each student, emerging from regular discussions with two faculty members, and include courses, independent study, and fieldwork or internships. Advanced study begins in the fourth year. Students are asked to complete a sizable independent study project centered on a specific topic, question, or idea, much like a master's thesis. In recent years, students have created smartphone software to monitor blood sugar, studied monologues on mountaintop removal in Appalachia, explored how Aztec ants protect coffee, and suggested alternative microcredit models. The campus service program requires all students to commit to 40 hours of service or a semester-long equivalent. There are as many curricula as there are students; each individual must devise a viable, coherent program specific to himself or herself. The common denominator is a heavy workload, an emphasis on self-initiated study, close contact with faculty advisors, and the assumption that students will eventually function as do graduate students at other institutions. "The academic climate is not competitive because no two students study the exact same thing," says a student. "Each student designs their own academic curriculum and works closely with faculty members to develop a challenging program consisting of courses and internships."

Given the emphasis on close working relationships with faculty and those "narrative evaluations," the importance of qualified, attentive faculty is not to be underestimated. Students heap praise on their professors. "Professors are truly invested in their students," one student says. The academic year has fall and spring semesters, each four months long; an optional January term; and internships and other real-world experience are encouraged during all three. Befitting the college's entrepreneurial nature, a large percentage of grads do go on to graduate school, and many students begin their own businesses.

The school's flexibility is ideal for artists, and the departments of film and photography are dazzling, which is also the reason they are overcrowded. Communications, creative writing, and environmental studies are also good bets, and this was the first college in the nation to offer an undergraduate program in cognitive science. A popular program called Invention, Innovation, and Creativity exposes students to the independent reasoning and thinking essential to the process of inventing. "Culture, Brain, and Development" emerged several years ago, and the college is actively transforming itself into a "language learning community" thanks to a gift from a foundation. The study of languages is integrated into topics and questions of interest to individual students. Students also have access to selected courses at sister schools in a cooperative program.

Although the school's library is a quiet and pleasant place to study, and if you count the library resources at all five institutions, students have ready access to more than eight million volumes. There is no extra cost to use the other schools' facilities or the buses that link them. And use them they do- students take 1,200 classes per year at the other schools. The college offers its own study abroad programs in China, Cuba, and Germany, and students may also participate in programs through more than 130 institutions in 38 countries.

The college draws students from across the country who tend to be "driven and passionate about their studies," says one sophomore. "We are not cookie-cutter students. We are students who passionately teach ourselves in a school that is deliberately unique and experimental." For a school that's so focused on social issues, the minority community is relatively small-2 percent of students are African American, 9 percent Hispanic, and 2 percent Asian American-and most students would like to see these numbers rise. Another 5 percent are international. The school is "100 percent politicized in every way," says a philosophy major. "Political correctness doesn't even begin to describe it." Merit scholarships are available to qualified students.

Eighty-four percent of undergraduates live on campus. First-year students live in co-ed dorms, about 25 percent in double rooms. Many single rooms are available for older students who may move to one of more than 100 "mods"-apartments in which groups of four to 10 students share the responsibility for cleaning, cooking, and maintaining their space. "The dorms and apartments were quickly and cheaply built, and have problems," warns a senior. Special quarters are available for nonsmokers, vegetarians, and others with special preferences. The dining options are diverse and include "many great vegan and vegetarian options," says one nanotechnology major. Campus safety is good, students say, and sexual assault addressed upfront. "We have a loud and well-known consent culture on campus," says one geology and sustainability major. "Students learn about appropriate consent during orientation and it is reinforced consistently throughout all four years."

On weekends, some students head for nearby cities, or, in season, close by ski trails. But there are plenty of cultural resources within the immediate area, and the free buses to local towns (all within 10 miles) are always crowded. From edgy record stores to ethnic restaurants and boutiques, the area abounds with diversions. The annual concert brings live bands to campus, and throughout the year there's almost always a party going on, including the drag ball and the much-anticipated Halloween bash-an intense, all-campus blowout complete with fireworks. A tradition called "Ring the Bell" celebrates the completion of third-year requirements-and graduation-with soon-to-be alumni ringing a bell outside the library, surrounded by friends.

The college is no place for competitive jocks, since many sports are co-ed and primarily for entertainment (there never was a football team here). The school is affiliated with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and also is a member of the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC). The school offers paid instructors in a handful of sports, but most students organize their own clubs (men's and women's soccer, basketball, and fencing are the biggies, and there's also the competitive Ultimate Frisbee Team) and intramural teams. The outdoors program offers mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and kayaking; equipment may be borrowed free. The school also has its own climbing wall and cave, a gym with solar-heated pool, and a co-ed sauna.

"If you're an independent student and like to think outside the box, then this college is for you," says an animal behavior major. There's a niche for every type of student, and even those pigeonholes are blown apart quite regularly. When you can make up your own education, and do it with great faculty and the option of studying at several other top-notch schools, there's little students here can't accomplish. Says one senior, "There is no other place quite like this. The academic freedom is unrivaled."

School E

The university is an old-line Roman Catholic university that is actively engaged in strengthening its Jesuit character. Two-thirds of students are Catholic. It is relatively inexpensive, in keeping with its middle- and working-class roots.

The university recently hired its first lay president, but in recent years the school has taken a number of steps to strengthen its Jesuit traditions and character. The college experience includes an emphasis on civic responsibility, community service, and personal growth. The "M" project, named for the Spanish town where St. Ignatius spent a year praying about his vocation, helps professors incorporate Ignatian teaching into their classes. Service learning, which engages more than 1,000 students each semester, is a cornerstone of campus life. "Students here really are a community. Everyone supports everyone else," says a senior.

The school occupies 80 acres of "concrete with interludes of grass and trees" just a few blocks from the heart of downtown. While offering the advantages of an urban setting, its campus does have plenty of open spaces suitable for everything from throwing a Frisbee to throwing a barbecue. Although most of the buildings are relatively modern, the campus is the site of a famous chapel, which was built in Europe more than 500 years ago and later transported to the state. It is said to be the only medieval structure in the Western Hemisphere dedicated to its original purpose.

The 36-hour general education core curriculum is composed of nine "knowledge areas": diverse cultures, human nature and ethics, histories of cultures and societies, individual and social behavior, theology, literature/performing arts, mathematical reasoning, rhetoric, and science and nature. In addition to myriad study abroad programs (100 programs on six continents), the university is the proud owner of the Center for Government in Washington, D.C., which allows students to take courses while participating in an internship with a federal government agency. Closer to home, students intern with local and state government agencies. The Honors Program, which offers small classes, admits 100 qualified freshmen annually. Each year, more than 1,800 students enroll in service-learning courses and participate in service opportunities in more than 100 community settings.

Through an affiliation with the Institute of Art and Design, two art minors (studio art and art history) are available. The university has its own art museum and an active theater program. The foreign languages and literature departments are currently shifting focus and consequently are not as strong as other offerings. B.S. degrees in construction management engineering, computational mathematics, and elementary education are available.

Most classes have fewer than 25 students, and students report little difficulty getting into the ones they want. The administration encourages students to "put our beliefs into practice" through volunteer activity, which serves the elderly, the sick, and the poor in the area and elsewhere. "Volunteer work is huge here and there are departments that work to get anyone involved who wants to be involved," a junior says. Administrators say students contributed more than 420,000 hours of community service during the 2012-13 school year. Student religious organizations are active, and weekly masses are held in the dorms by the resident priest. Roman Catholics understandably predominate in the student body, but religious practice is left to the individual. The academic climate is described as challenging and competitive, although this varies by program. A senior says, "The classes are intense, but professors are always willing to help out if you just ask." Freshmen take a mandatory rhetoric course after reading the same book over the summer (a recent title was Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis I: The Story of a Childhood), and a first-semester seminar attracts about a quarter of entering students. The Freshman program offers admission and intensive assistance to students "who did not reach full academic potential in high school."

Although the university actively recruits in 35 or so states and several U.S. territories, most of the student body is from the region, 32 percent from within the state. In general, the school boasts a friendly collection of traditional, middle-class students. "Students are very involved," a sophomore says, "whether in community service, sports, student government, or other activities." African Americans make up 5 percent of the student body, and Hispanics and Asian Americans combine for another 15 percent. The university offers a very successful Educational Opportunity Program, which enables low-income, disadvantaged students, most of whom are minorities, to have the advantage of a college education. Merit scholarships averaging $8,000 are available, as are 231 athletic scholarships in 14 sports. Seventeen percent of freshmen are eligible for Pell Grants.

Fifty-four percent of students make their home on campus; all but two residence halls are co-ed, and there are more than 400 apartments (which come with a separate electric bill). Residency is required for freshmen and sophomores, but by junior year an overwhelming majority of students choose to move off campus, though housing is guaranteed for all undergraduate students through a lottery. "Dorms are well taken care of," one student says, and are "small but cozy." Within the dorms are five different living/learning communities, including ones for freshman honors students, engineering majors, and nursing students. Dining hall fare is described as "decent" and there are plenty of choices on the menu. The university works hard to keep the campus safe. "Although the school is located in an urban environment, public safety does an absolutely outstanding job ensuring that students are safe and know how to remain safe in the area," a senior says.

Social life is mainly on campus, and "there are always things to do," says a senior. Students don't characterize the surrounding community as a college town, but still say there are many good things about being there. For one, students say they have plenty of opportunities for community service. The university is stricter than most universities in enforcing the drinking age, but getting served off campus is not as difficult; students report that alcohol is there for the getting. There are fraternities and sororities, and they attract 7 percent of the men and 15 percent of the women, respectively. Another well-loved tradition the annual lighting of the campus Christmas tree and accompanying mass.

As the school grows, varsity sports are gaining a higher profile. The men’s basketball and golf teams are highly competitive, as are women's basketball and soccer. Seventy percent of students participate in at least one of the 41 intramural or 32 club sports. Sports fans will be impressed with the city’s Basketball Center, close to campus and home to university basketball and the a professional team. Nature lovers can head to a nearby lake, a 40-minute walk from campus, or to a glaciated region ideal for hiking and cross-country skiing. Chicago is only 95 miles away.

Still, no matter how dynamic the athletic teams or how impressive the facilities, it's the familial atmosphere that makes the university what it is. "Students here are very friendly," a junior says. "It is always easy to meet new people and become friends quickly."

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Among a handful of schools where students combine academics, community service, and on-campus work that helps keep tuition down. Roots in the culture of Appalachia combine with a strong international and environmental orientation to give the college its unique flavor. Setting in the mountains is tough to beat. Campus atmosphere ranges from liberal to alternative.

This small liberal arts college, is flush with engaging little quirks. It promotes global perspectives, puts many students to work on the campus farm, and makes service learning a central part of the educational experience. The school is also at the forefront of the "green" movement and has partnered with the city to purchase offsets for 100 percent of its carbon emission. And at what other college is white-water paddling considered a leading intercollegiate sport? "Probably the most notable thing about the students is that we are a very expressive group," says a senior. "We wear the clothes that we want to wear, we dance and sing and play music, we talk about whatever comes to mind. This is a place where you can be whoever you want and you don't get judged for it."

Founded by the Presbyterian Church in 1894 as the "A" Farm School, the college initially provided formal schooling for "mountain boys." In 1967, it evolved into a four-year, co-ed liberal arts college that, while still maintaining its Presbyterian heritage, welcomes students of all backgrounds. The campus is located 15 minutes from downtown in the lush valley of the "B" mountains. Its 1,132-acre campus features formal gardens, fruit and vegetable gardens, a 300-acre farm, and a myriad of hiking trails. Consistent with campus culture, the wood and stone buildings are small in scale and done in an architectural style that emphasizes natural earth tones accented by extensive stonework by traditional Appalachian stonemasons. The campus is home to one of the most important Cherokee archaeological sites in the mountain region, dating from as early as 5,000 B.C. The college is also home to the state’s Outward Bound, an organization with which it has close ties, and the Center for Early Learning, which serves as a laboratory school for students of education, psychology, and social work.

The signature feature of the curriculum is its unique Triad Education Program, which combines liberal arts coursework, community service, and campus work. Students may choose from 40 majors and concentrations and 27 minors. The most popular majors are environmental studies, biology, English/creative writing, history/political science, and global studies. To graduate, students have to perform at least 100 hours of service learning through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or environmental organizations. The college is also one of only a half dozen four-year colleges in the nation that requires all residential students to work on campus. To fulfill their weekly 15-hour work requirement, students do electrical work, plumbing, and landscaping; clean the dorms; tend the farm animals; and maintain the campus gardens.

To meet general education requirements, students take at least one class within each of the school's eight liberal arts areas: language and global issues, literature, history and political science, natural science, mathematics, social science, philosophy and religion, and artistic expression. They must also take two college composition courses. The Year One Experience Program lays a foundation for academic success by introducing students to the study-serve-work trinity through small, interactive group activities. All first-year students enroll in the Year-One Seminar, which includes field experience and/or a service-learning component that takes students and faculty off campus for a day or a weekend. In addition, all undergraduate majors (save English) require a culminating capstone project.

Fifty-five percent of students study abroad during their time at the school. Juniors take a semester-long course and then spend several weeks on an international "field experience"-with the cost partly built into their regular tuition-and qualified students may also study for a semester or two in countries such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, Italy, Scotland, Greece, and Vietnam. The college offers honors programs in biology, chemistry, English, environmental studies, math, and computer science; 5 percent of students enroll. Internship opportunities are available in most undergraduate programs, and there are dual-degree programs in pre-environmental management, preforestry, and applied science. The Appalachian Studies program serves as a catalyst for local cultural activities, including numerous musical groups. The integrative studies major allows students to develop and complete individually designed majors. And where else does the music department offer you the choice of "finger-picking" or "flat-picking" guitar?

Students say hard work is the norm, but the atmosphere is relaxed. "The classes are not easy, but the support is great. The teachers are understanding, helpful, encouraging, and supportive," says one junior. Creative writing and the natural sciences receive high marks from students, but music and physics could use improvement. Eighty-four percent of classes have fewer than 20 students, and students say the quality of teaching is generally good, thanks to experienced teachers. "Overall, the teachers are very understanding and sensitive to the students and will always make time to meet with a student if they are struggling," says a biochemistry major.

Typical students are "drum majors for social justice," according to one sophomore. "There are smokers, artsy people, hippies, preppy people, rich and poor people, hard workers and chill workers," adds a junior. "There is such a diverse group of students that it is difficult to stereotype." Upon graduation, most go into service professions such as teaching or working for environmental or other nongovernmental organizations. The first step for some is into the Peace Corps. Eighty percent of the student body hail from out of state and approximately three-quarters attended public school. African Americans and Hispanics account for 5 percent and 4 percent, respectively, while Asian Americans account for 2 percent. Thirty-nine percent of students are Pell-eligible. The campus is a "hive of activism," a freshman says, and hot campus issues include diversity, sexual assault, and climate change. Merit scholarships averaging $3,000 are available, but there are no athletic scholarships.

Ninety percent of students live in dorms. "The dorms are comfortable and fairly well maintained," says a junior. "Student crews take care of the cleaning, plumbing, and electrical issues with the dorms so sometimes things do not get fixed very quickly." The 36-bed EcoDorm-the first building on a college campus to achieve LEED Platinum certification in the category of Existing Buildings-incorporates solar heating and natural ventilation, and is made of hardwoods milled on campus. Overall, housing is plentiful and well maintained (unless the student workforce slacks off). Dining is a treat, and there are plenty of edible options, including vegetarian and vegan meals. The student-run café serves mostly foods grown on campus. "The menu in the cafeteria is like clockwork-very predictable," says a student. Security is said to be adequate. "Public Safety makes me feel safe within the community," says a junior.

"Social life is pretty good," reports a social work major. "Most takes place on campus if you are under 21." Another adds, "Ninety percent of students live on the campus, so dorm parties and other social gatherings are a weekend staple. However, most students are not involved in the party scene, and I would say that the primary way in which people socialize is by dropping by someone else's dorm room to hang out." Despite the absence of Greek organizations, students find plenty of ways to have fun and blow off steam. The outdoor program is the largest on campus and sponsors weekly hiking, skiing, or other excursions. Students of legal drinking age are allowed to imbibe indoors, and students say it's very easy for underage students to obtain alcohol. "The unofficial policy is that if you are being respectful and responsible, no one is going to question your actions," says one student. Popular events include a campus-wide performance and homecoming, which features live bluegrass music, a barbecue, hay rides, and dancing.

The environs is "definitely not a traditional college town, but it has tons to offer," says an elementary education major. Museums, cafés, theaters, music clubs, and the symphony are only 15 minutes away. "The downtown scene is amazing for the relative small size of the town," says a student. Thanks to the college's service requirement, students take an active role in the community through volunteer work. The college sponsors short-term service projects during vacation breaks, and popular road trips include a nearby bigger city and the beaches of a neighboring state. The best excursions "are to protests and political events or camping and backpacking trips," according to a political science major.

In a state famed for its rabid sports fans, students are decidedly laid-back about athletics. "There are no big sports teams or other rivalries," says a freshman. "Students come here largely because they don't like those rivalries. There is a great sense of school spirit, nonetheless." The athletic teams are members of the U.S. College Athletic Association and competitive sports include men's basketball (2013 national champions), mountain biking (with 10 consecutive top four finishes), road cycling, basketball, cross-country, soccer, and swimming. Thirty percent of students participate in intramural or recreational sports, which range from rock climbing to tennis to basketball. Students have access to myriad facilities, including soccer fields, basketball courts, an indoor pool, and a fitness center.

Success is measured not only by grades, but by community service and a sense of stewardship. "It's a pretty self-selecting school," a junior advises. "If you aren't attracted to the ideals we hold dear here, don't come." Those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty will see this small liberal arts college as a valuable place that combines the notion of thinking globally with acting locally.

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This University is on anybody's list of the top 10 public universities in the nation. The liberal arts honors program is one of the nation's most renowned. Though it is also the state capital, the University ranks among the nation's best college towns-a progressive enclave in a conservative state. Boot camp for aspiring political types within the state and beyond.

The University has come a long way from where it began in 1883 as a small school with only one building, eight teachers, two departments, and 221 students. Today, the campus is home to more than 46,000 students. From its extensive academic programs to its powerful athletic teams to its location in one of the nation's ultimate college towns, the school has everything students could ask for. "Our university is a diverse community with amazing opportunities for success," says a junior.

A 400-acre oasis near downtown, replete with rolling hills, trees, creeks, and fountains, the campus features buildings ranging from "old, distinguished" limestone structures to contemporary architecture. Statues of famous figures line the mall, and the fabled tower is adorned with a large clock and chimes (a lifesaver for the disorganized). From the steps of the tower, one can see the verdant hills and the state capitol. The outstanding library system has more than seven million volumes located in 19 different libraries across campus, and is the sixth-largest academic library system in the United States. Recent construction includes a tennis center.

Many classes are extremely large, and smaller sections fill up quickly. The University is a research-oriented institution, so the professors are often busy in the laboratories or the library. They do, however, have office hours. "My professors are above and beyond my expectations," says a psychology major. "Their own interest in their topics is obvious, and the determination to aid the students is admirable."

The list of academic strengths at the University is impressive for such a large school. Undergraduate offerings in accounting, architecture, botany, biology, business, foreign languages, and history are first-rate. The engineering and computer science departments are excellent and continue to expand. The English department is huge (nearly 100 tenure-track professors) and students give it high marks.

The liberal arts honors program, a national model, is one of the oldest honors programs in the country and one of the best academic deals anywhere. It offers qualified students a flexible curriculum, top-notch professors, small seminar courses, and individualized counseling, and provides them with all of the advantages of a large university in a small-college atmosphere. Business and natural sciences honors programs are also available. Engineering majors can alternate work and study in the co-op program, while education and health majors hold term-time internships. Being in the capital city should have its advantages, and it does. Almost 200 undergrads work for lawmakers in the State House, only a 20-minute walk from campus. A strong Reading and Study Skills Lab services students in need of remedial help. Study abroad options are available in more than 80 countries and the University sends roughly 2,700 students to foreign locales annually.

Students say the academic climate is competitive and demanding. "There are many rigorous majors that have accelerated courses or competitive programs," says a student. Freshmen can take Introduction to the University, which covers everything from major requirements to healthy lifestyle choices and cultural diversity. In addition, the colleges within the university have established basic requirements for all majors: four English courses, with two writing intensives; five courses in social sciences; five courses in natural sciences and math; and one course in the fine arts or humanities. Entering freshmen are also expected to complete a course within their first year of attendance that introduces undergraduates to academic discussion and analysis of issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. A one-semester independent research project is required for any European Studies undergraduate major.

Students at the University are "intelligent, involved, and proactive in their education," says a senior. Ninety-one percent of students come from within the state. Students say there is no dominant political pattern on campus-despite the fact that historically the University has been integral in the careers of big-time (conservative) politicians. The liberals are anything but hiding out on this huge campus. Political issues, such as human rights, gun control, and abortion, can get students pretty riled up on one side or the other here. Hispanics account for 22 percent of students, Asian Americans 18 percent, and African Americans 4 percent. The university offers special "welcome programs" for African American and Hispanic students, with social and educational events and peer mentoring. The university also provides thousands of merit scholarships based on academic performance, as well as hundreds of athletic scholarships in 16 sports.

University housing accommodates only 18 percent of students, and it ranges from functional to plush. Students have a variety of living options based on common social and educational interests. "Most of the dorms are old," says a student, "but they have nice facilities." Most students live off campus; apartments and condos close to campus are lovely-and very expensive. More reasonably priced digs can be found in other parts of town, a free shuttle ride away. But be forewarned: With 110 buildings, life on campus requires lots of walking, especially for commuters, though bus stops and parking lots are scattered about. As for food, there is a wide variety of options, including healthy, vegetarian, kosher, and vegan fare. What's more, "other cafés and convenience stores on campus offer even more selection," says one student. Security is a concern (the University is located in an urban area, after all), but students report feeling safe on campus, thanks to an active and highly visible security department.

As the state capital, it is not a typical college town, but it is one of the best ones. "I love it," exclaims a junior. "It was really the deciding factor on going to the University. It has a great live music scene and is beautiful." Nightlife centers on nearby "A" Street, full of pubs and restaurants of all types, and the well-known music scene that features everything from jazz to rock to blues to folk. Halloween draws an estimated 80,000 costumed revelers to "A" Street (and sometimes up its lampposts). Annual festivals include a sprawling carnival of all the campus organizations, and a literary character’s birthday party, where students pay homage to the character with food and live music. Two pep rallies get students psyched before the home team plays rival team #1 or rival team #2, their biggest rivals. And "March" Day provides an occasion for celebration in March.

On campus, the state Union sponsors movies and social events and boasts the world's only collection of "special" pool tables. For those more interested in octaves than eight balls, the Performing Arts Center has two concert halls that attract nationally known performers. There are also more than 950 student organizations from which to choose. Students hang out at the union's coffee shop or café, and the on-campus pub draws top local talent to the stage (but you must be 21 to drink). When the weather gets too muggy (quite often in spring and summer), students head for off-campus campgrounds, lakes, and parks. The most popular road trips are to Destination #1 or Destination #2. For Spring Break, the students travel to an Island relatively close by, if not a fun nearby city. Fifteen percent of the men and 17 percent of the women go Greek, and members of fraternities and sororities are "probably highest on the social totem pole," says one student. The chapters tend to be choosy, have high visibility, and have increased in size dramatically over the past year.

Athletics are as vital as oxygen to most students. In fact, the Tower is lit in a specific color whenever any school team wins. The athletic department has a budget in excess of $100 million and spends more than $150,000 a year on nutritional supplements such as protein bars and electrolyte drinks. The students look forward to the annual home team-rivals football game played in the "Big" Bowl in Other Town, and the home team &rival team #2 game is an incredibly noisy experience you have to see to believe. "Football games pull the student body together and give us a chance to show our school spirit," says one student. The famed University mascot is the latest in a long line of mascots who have at various times been known to bolt loose from their handlers, rip their shirts, and, on one occasion, lie down in the end zone during a football game. Basketball is also popular, and the men's and women's teams regularly reach their respective NCAA tournaments. The baseball program has many alumni in the major leagues, and the annual spring game between the University’s baseball alumni and the current college squad is quite a contest. The men's golf, swimming, baseball, and outdoor track and field teams have each brought home conference championships, as have women's golf, swimming and diving, softball, basketball, and indoor and outdoor track and field teams. The chess team is a perennial powerhouse, too. The intramural program draws 90 percent of the students and is the largest in the nation. It offers weekend athletes access to the same great facilities that the big-time jocks use.

The University may seem overwhelming because of its imposing size, but students say the school spirit and sense of community found here make it feel smaller. The University prides itself in having one of the most reasonably priced tuitions in the country. It offers one of the best all-around educational experiences a student could ask for, especially if you make it into the liberal arts honors program.

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