Carnegie Mellon – where strong programs in technology and the arts meet

Even though Carnegie Mellon has origins as far back as 1900, this university did not become known by this name until 1962. This was the year Carnegie Institute of Technology (founded by Andrew Carnegie as a technical school for the children of the blue-collar workers in Pittsburgh) and Mellon Institute merged. The campus is located in the affluent Oakland section of Pittsburgh and its facilities are built in the Renaissance style – buff-colored brick arches and piers, tile roofs and terra cotta and granite details. 

 

Here are a few quick facts about Carnegie Mellon:

Acceptance: 17%

Freshman retention: 96%

Freshmen out of state: 89%

Most popular majors: computer science, electrical and computer engineering, business administration, mechanical engineering

4-year Graduation rate: 86%; 6-year: 93%

Student Community Diversity: 4% Black; 9% Latino; 22% International

 

Housing: Housing is guaranteed all 4 years if students stay within the university housing system, which about 58% of students do. While freshman are not required to live on campus most (98%) choose to do so. The most popular residences are the university-owned apartments, which tend to fill up very quickly, with upperclassmen getting first pick. There are a number of resident halls specifically for first year students. 

 

Instead of buffet-style dining halls, there are several themed eateries on campus which get good reviews from students. Thanks to the comprehensive security program, students report they feel safe on campus. 

 

Academics: The hallmark of Carnegie Mellon’s curriculum can be described by the term they have coined, which is a “liberal-professional” education. CM is known for being equally strong in technology and the arts and strives to give both types of students a well-rounded education. Two-thirds of classes have fewer than 20 students, and students agree that professors are passionate about what they teach. 

 

Students at Carnegie Mellon who are looking to sharpen their professional skills can pursue 5-year dual-degree options and co-op programs, and have access to advising and other resources through the Career and Professional Development Center. Research opportunities are available across the curriculum. Students can also participate in service learning through local outreach efforts to strengthen youth STEM education. Opportunities for study abroad are offered at Carnegie Mellon, but many undergraduates have difficulty fitting it into their already packed schedules. 

 

Due to the rigorous nature of the curriculum, Carnegie Mellon has taken steps to help students counteract stress. Every day features a “meeting free” time for students so they can be sure to have time to study and engage in other activities. There is also a “mindfulness room” on campus where students can take a much-needed break from schoolwork, with weekly visits from trained therapy dogs. Students are encouraged to use counseling services, and the Academic Development Office offers tutoring services and resources. Students are supportive of one another and do not attach a stigma to taking advantage of necessary support. 

 

Similar colleges to consider: Brown, UC Berkeley, UChicago, Columbia

 

Social: The most visible social scene on campus is centered on Greek life, with 16% of men and 11% of women pledging. Carnegie Mellon offers late-night events and concerts as well. One of the most popular on-campus events is the annual Spring Carnival – a 4-day weekend festival during which student groups set up themed booths as well as put their design and engineering skills to the test by designing, building and racing buggies made out of lightweight alloys. Off-campus, students will find plenty to do in nearby Oakland or downtown Pittsburgh ranging from coffeehouses to concerts to cultural performances to sporting events. 

 

The CM Tartans compete in Division III, and the Kiltie Band (clad in kilts) rallies the crowd during home football games. The most successful teams in recent years have been men’s soccer, women’s volleyball and tennis, and men’s and women’s cross country, and swimming and diving teams. Students also have 40 intramural sports to choose from. 

 

Financial: Carnegie Mellon offers primarily need-based financial aid, with no athletic scholarships available. 50% of students have their financial need fully met. Although the tuition and fees are $72,300 (same for in- and out-of-state students), the average financial aid package is $37,500. 59% of students receive some type of financial aid.

Baylor University – where faith, community service and research opportunities abound

Baylor University is an institution that is older than Texas; it was founded in 1845, 10 months before Texas became a state. The architectural style of its 1000-acre campus near downtown Waco exhibits the gracious tradition of the Old South. Baylor is known for its Baptist tradition that fosters a strong sense of community among students and faculty. 

Here are a few quick facts about Baylor:

Acceptance: 68%

Freshman retention: 91%

Freshmen out of state: 37%

Most popular majors: biology, nursing, accounting

4-year Graduation rate: 64%; 6-year: 79%

Student Community Diversity: 6% Black, 15% Latino, 3.3%% International

Housing: As could be expected on a conservative, religious campus, dorms are single sex and visitation privileges are limited. Upperclassmen tend to seek housing off-campus, which leaves 35% living in the dorms. In hopes of getting more students to stay on campus, Baylor has recently constructed 3 residence halls with apartment-style rooms. Students share that they feel safe on campus with the abundance of lighting and security patrolling. 

Academics: Baylor undergraduates are required to take four English courses as well as four semesters of human performance. In addition, students will take two religion courses and two semesters of Chapel, which is a series of lectures and meetings focused on faith and Christian service. All students take a New Student Experience course in the fall of their freshman year. Class sizes are small to moderate with 52% of classes having fewer than 20 students.  

Though known for their focus on the Christian faith, Baylor is breaking new ground in science with their research opportunities. These opportunities are made possible partly through Baylor’s large endowment fund. Students who are looking to have other experiential opportunities can be a part of the 17% who study abroad in programs in dozens of countries. 

Similar colleges to consider: Texas A&M, UT Austin, Texas Tech, TCU

Social: With the majority of students living off campus, the social life at Baylor is active, but not a party scene. 18% of men and 33% of women “go Greek.” Baylor boasts more than 330 student organizations and most involve some type of community service. 

The on-campus coffee shop hosts concerts most weekends. Going to the movies is another popular activity for Baylor students who can purchase movie tickets for $5. The most popular on-campus events are the weekly Dr. Pepper hour with free soda floats and the annual Dio del Oso (Day of the Bear), where classes are canceled for a day in April for a campus wide celebration. Christmas on 5th Street features Christmas tree lighting, concerts and other holiday festivities. 

For the student who is looking for adventure off campus, popular road trips include Dallas, Austin, San Antonio as well as the beaches at Galveston, South Padre Island and Corpus Christi. 

The Baylor Bears compete in Division I and Baylor is known for having the largest collegiate homecoming parade in the nation. The women’s basketball team has done very well with their streak of winning the Big 12 Conference. 43% of Baylor students participate in intramural and/or club sports, including the country’s largest dodgeball tournament. The McLane Student Life Center is also known for having the tallest rock-climbing wall in Texas.

Financial: Baylor offers both need-based and non-need based merit aid, as well as athletic scholarships. The average percent of need met is 68% with 14% being fully met. Although the tuition and fees are $70,000, the average financial aid package is $25,000. 95% of students receive some type of financial aid.

The George Washington University – where the world is at your fingertips

Imagine having your college commencement ceremony with students from all over the US and 130 other countries around the world on the National Mall. This is an honor experienced only by graduates of The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. During your time as an undergraduate, you would have had behind the scenes access to the Smithsonian, museums, the Library of Congress, US Capitol and other national treasures. You probably also had top political officials and other influential leaders serve as a guest speaker or visiting professor in at least one of your courses. 

 

Established in 1821 by an act of Congress to fulfill George Washington’s dream of having a national university in D.C, GW has two campuses – one in Foggy Bottom on Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mount Vernon campus near Georgetown. Students live and take classes on both campuses and travel between on the “Vern Express” shuttle which runs 24/7 during the academic year. 

 

Here are a few quick facts about GW:

Acceptance: 43%

Freshman retention: 88%

Freshmen out of state: 99%

Most popular majors: international affairs, political science, finanace

4-year Graduation rate: 79%; 6-year: 85%

Student Community Diversity: 7.6% Black, 11% Latino, 11% International

 

Housing: 61% of students live in campus housing, which is required for the first 3 years. Rising juniors, however, can enter a lottery that grants a limited number of exemptions. Some of the most popular places to live off campus are in Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle and Georgetown. 

 

The university meal plan allows students to dine at both on-campus cafes and more than 100 off-campus vendors with a great variety of options including food trucks and nicer, sit down restaurants. Being in the middle of an urban campus can raise concern; the campus offers many services to ensure security on campus. 

 

Academics: All GW undergrads are required to complete a 19-credit core curriculum with courses in writing, natural or physical sciences, math or statistics, social science, and the humanities, as well as 2 writing-in-the-disciplines courses. During the first year, all students take a University Writing course. 

 

GW offers an honors program and a number of accelerated undergraduate/graduate degree options. The workload is described as heavy but also not as competitive as one might expect. 52% of classes have fewer than 20 students. Professors teach lectures and seminars while TAs lead discussions or labs. Students who wish to study abroad will find more than 300 programs available in more than 60 countries; 31% of GW students take advantage of this opportunity. 

 

The Center of Career Services connects students with more than 12,000 internships, which includes opportunities on Capitol Hill, the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian and many other local organizations. Volunteering is also a big thing at GW. More than 70 courses combine academics and service work in the D.C. community. 

 

Similar colleges to consider: Boston University, NYU, Northeastern, UMiami (FL)

 

Social: With everything to do in D.C., no student should ever be bored. 15% and 19% of women, respectively “go Greek” and there are 475 on-campus student organizations students can join. The most popular annual events are the Fall Fest and Spring Fling carnivals, which feature free food and well-known musical performers. Every 4 years, GW has its own Inaugural Ball to celebrate the swearing in of the new President. 

 

For students who want to venture further off campus, popular road trips include Ocean City, Maryland and Virginia Beach. Philadelphia and New York City are accessible by bus or train, which is a plus because most GW students don’t have cars. 

 

While GW doesn’t have a football team, their 27 varsity teams play in the Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. Men’s and women’s basketball teams regularly make NCAA appearances, and women’s basketball and gymnastics, and men’s swimming and diving teams and water polo have been recent conference champions. 20% of students play sports recreationally in 25 intramural and 34 club sports. The mascot for the Colonials resembles a certain Founding Father, however there is also an unofficial mascot – the hippopotamus. 

 

Financial: GWU has a fixed rate-plan that guarantees that tuition will not increase for up to 5 years of full-time undergraduate study. GWU offers need-based aid, as well as non-need based merit scholarships and 175 athletic scholarships. The average percent of need met is 93%, with 81% being fully met. Although the tuition and fees are $83,000, the average financial aid package is $42,000. 66% of students receive some type of financial aid.

Rensselaer – a technical university that thrives on collaboration

Studying in high-tech studio classrooms where students work on team projects and collaborate to solve real-world problems is what students can expect when attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The 275-acre campus set on a bluff overlooking Troy, New York features a mix of classical ivy-covered buildings as well as modern research facilities. Speaking of research…it is a big part of what goes on at RPI. The Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies houses more than 400 researchers who work in such areas as regenerative medicine, bioinformatics, biocatalysis, and metabolic engineering.

 

Here are a few quick facts about RPI:

Acceptance: 57%

Freshman retention: 91%

Freshmen out of state: 67%

Most popular majors: engineering, computer science, business/management

4-year Graduation rate: 74%; 6-year: 87%

Student Community Diversity: 4% Black, 9.5% Latino, 15% International

 

Housing: Fifty-seven percent of students live in university housing. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live in the residence halls where they will reside in small, tight-knit student communities. Most upperclassmen choose to move into less expensive off-campus apartments. As far as the food goes, the dining halls get lukewarm reviews from students. 

 

Academics: In order to graduate, students must complete coursework in the humanities, social sciences and physical, life and engineering sciences as well as 30 credits in their major and two communication-intensive courses (one of which has to be a writing-intensive course). When students get to their junior and senior years, they will find that their courses are self-paced and they will have the opportunity to take on paid positions helping with faculty research. RPI also offers co-op programs in more than a dozen fields which help students earn money and credits. 

 

RPI’s Lally School of Management combines the latest technical applications with the elements of a business school. Entrepreneurship is one of RPI’s specialties; aspiring entrepreneurs from all majors can participate in a business incubator program – a support system for start-up companies run by RPI students and alumni. 

 

Students in the information technology program select one of 20 concentrations, ranging from cognitive science to economics. The quality of the humanities and social sciences is related to their applicability to technical fields. Students also have the option to enter a 7-year dual degree program in medicine, a 6-year program in law or 5- and 6-year programs in business sciences or engineering. 

 

Unlike many engineering schools, Rensselaer encourages undergrads to participate in some sort of international study, internship or service-learning experience. RPI offers programs in more than 15 countries on four continents. 

 

The Advising and Learning Center gets high ratings from students for their drop-in tutoring services – good news for any student who needs a little extra help. For students looking for smaller class sizes, they will find that over half of RPI’s classes enroll fewer than 20 students. Most of the professors at RPI have spent multiple years in the industry before coming back to teach, which means students are being assigned projects that are relevant to their studies.

 

Similar colleges to consider: MIT, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Worcester Polytechnic

 

Social: Weekend options at RPI include sporting events, live entertainment, concerts, movies and half a dozen local pubs. Students also participate in celebrations in Greek houses and off-campus apartments. Albany is just a half hour drive away, for students looking for a larger nightlife scene. 

 

Troy is not a traditional college town, but it does have good places to eat and beautiful parks, and students can take advantage of the free shuttle buses that run regularly to downtown. For more scenic excursions, the Berkshires, Catskills, Adirondacks, Lake George, Lake Placid, the Saranac Lakes, Montreal or Boston are not too far from campus. 

 

Athletics at RPI revolve around ice hockey, which are the only teams that play in Division I. One of the biggest weekends of the year is Big Red Freakout, which involves activities to cheer on “Big Red” (aka the hockey teams). The other athletic teams at RPI play in Division III with the football, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s field hockey teams being the most successful. Students also have more than 200 student-fun extracurricular clubs to choose from. 

 

Financial: Rensselaer offers both need-based and non need-based financial aid, as well as 41 athletic scholarships for men’s and women’s ice hockey. The average percent of need met is 12%, with 66% being fully met. Although the tuition and fees are $78,000, the average financial aid package is $33,100. 87% of students receive some type of financial aid. 

University of Delaware – traditional education with an emphasis on experiential learning

Standing in the grassy green mall, the hub of University of Delaware’s 970-acre campus, you will find yourself surrounded by a mix of colonial and modern buildings. University of Delaware is one of the oldest US universities, established in 1743 as Newark College, then renamed Delaware College, and finally, University of Delaware in 1921. 

 

Despite its longstanding heritage, UD continues to renovate and upgrade its campus and facilities. Mechanical Hall is a climate-controlled art gallery home to the Paul R. Jones collection of African-American art, and Innovation Suite recently opened for the electrical and computer engineering departments. Students studying hotel and restaurant management gain hands-on experience in the fine dining restaurant and a Courtyard by Marriott right on campus. 

 

Here are a few quick facts about UDelaware:

Acceptance: 68%

Freshman retention: 91%

Freshmen out of state: 66%

Most popular majors: finance, marketing, nursing, psychology

4-year Graduation rate: 71%; 6-year: 81%

Student Community Diversity: 5% Black, 8% Latino, 5% International

 

Housing: All freshmen not commuting live in the dorms, making up part of the 40 percent of overall students who reside on campus. Housing is guaranteed and awarded by lottery, but many juniors and seniors move to off-campus apartments. 

 

Honors students live in designated residence halls and certain majors require students to live in a living/learning community. There are also a variety of optional special-interest living communities. Students in traditional residence halls are required to purchase the meal plan. UD students state that the food courts are really good with a variety of options for different dietary needs and restrictions, but the dining halls could use some improvement. 

 

Academics: UD offers 135 majors in a range of disciplines. Some of their newer offerings include biomedical engineering and human resources administration. In order to graduate, students must pass freshman English (critical reading and writing), earn 3 credits of discovery-based or experiential learning (internship, research or study abroad), complete First-Year Seminar course in freshman year and a capstone project in senior year. Other graduation requirements vary by college. 

 

The average class size is 35 students, but 34% of classes have fewer than 20 students. Professors stress the importance of collaboration and working together. Career Services is very active in making sure students are well-supported in gaining real-world experiences. One-third of students travel to 40 countries and 400 students receive stipends each summer to do research with faculty members. Students at UD also have a conviction to get involved in community service; 62 percent of students get involved during their time at UD. Service Learning Scholars program is a 10-week program that immerses students in community service opportunities in the local community.  

 

Similar colleges to consider: Penn State, Rutgers, University of Connecticut, University of Maryland

 

Social: Despite having a smaller percentage of students living in the dorms, most social life at University of Delaware happens on or around campus. Students can find plenty of events hosted by UD student organizations to attend. Greek life attracts a moderate number of students (18% of men and 23% of women pledge), but they do not have a monopoly on the social gatherings. 

 

True to their positive and friendly nature, University of Delaware offers a variety of fun traditions and activities. Hen Fest welcomes students back to campus each fall and juniors mark their progress in the fall with the Halfway There Party. This event features half-legged races, half-lemonade/half-iced tea (Arnold Palmers) and a DJ bumping popular songs…but only halfway through. 

 

Main Street runs almost right through campus, making most places within a comfortable walking distance. Students will find coffee shops, pizza places, restaurants, a movie theater and shops nearby. For students who want to venture a little further, New York, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia are all about a two-hour drive away. 

 

Division I Blue Hens are becoming more competitive, with football being the biggest deal. Tailgate parties are very popular both before and after the games. Women’s field hockey won a national championship title recently, and women’s golf and men’s soccer have brought home Colonial Athletic Association conference titles. Men’s and women’s basketball teams have a lively rivalry with Drexel. Recreational sports also draw a lot of students with 35 club sports and 30 intramural programs. 

 

Financial: University of Delaware offers both need-based and non-need based financial aid as well as a some athletic scholarships. The average percent of need met is 59%, with 21% being fully met. 

 

Although the cost of attendance for non-commuters is $29,200 and $52,200 for in-state and out-of-state, respectively, the average financial aid package is $20,000. Twenty percent of students receive some type of financial aid.

Oglethorpe – small liberal arts college with big city connection

“Education should help students make both a living and a life.” This is the guiding principle of Oglethorpe University, which was founded in 1835 and named for the founder of the state of Georgia, James Edward Oglethorpe. 

Oglethorpe’s 118-acre campus is located in Brookhaven, a popular inner suburb of Atlanta. If you think you may have seen parts of this picturesque campus with its Gothic architecture before, you probably have – Oglethorpe has been the backdrop for several movies and TV shows. Students will enjoy walking (or going for a run) through its beautiful, wooded terrain. 

Here are a few quick facts about Oglethorpe:

Acceptance: 86%

Freshman retention: 77%

Freshmen out of state: 13%

Most popular majors: business administration, psychology, communications, biology

4-year graduation rate: 39%; 6-year: 50%

Student Community Diversity: 26.5% Black, 12% Latino, 9% International

 

Housing: Fifty-nine percent of all Oglethorpe students live on campus in one of seven residence halls. Most rooms are large suites with private bathrooms, but some singles are available. Many students live in Atlanta and commute to campus. The dining hall offers a variety of standard options like pizza, burgers, sandwiches and a salad bar, as well as Mongolian grill and some vegan options. 

 

Academics: All students take the interdisciplinary Core Curriculum program – all classes are sequenced and taken at a specific point in a student’s college career. This program provides a model for integrating information and acquiring knowledge. Students must take several liberal arts and sciences courses that help further develop students’ ability to reason, read and speak effectively. Classes are rigorous and generally small in size – 55% of classes at Oglethorpe have fewer than 20 students. 

Engineering students can take advantage of dual-degree programs with Auburn, Georgia Tech and several others. Oglethorpe’s Compass advising program guides students through all aspects of their first year. A_LAB (Atlanta Laboratory for Learning) coordinates many opportunities for students, including internships, research, service and study abroad programs. Ten percent of Oglethorpe students sign up for one of a variety of study abroad programs. 

 

Similar colleges to consider: Berry, Agnes Scott, Birmingham-Southern, Emory

 

Social: Some weekends students stay on campus and other weekends the campus is pretty much deserted. When students are on campus, there is a strong Greek life scene, with 41% of men and 59% of women pledging, respectively. 

Oglethorpe Day is one of the most popular on-campus events, where the college celebrates its origins with activities such as a tug-of-war between students and faculty. There is a strong nightlife scene with plenty of bars, clubs and cafes within 10 minutes of campus, and many students also frequent the other nearby college campuses to socialize. And of course, Atlanta offers plenty to do with arts, professional sports, and entertainment, including Six Flags theme park. 

Popular road trips include going to Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day and New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Florida is another popular destination any time of year. For the outdoorsy student, activities include hiking at nearby Stone Mountain and boating and swimming at Lake Lanier.

Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels compete in Division III sports. The men’s golf team makes frequent NCAA Tournament appearances, and men’s soccer and women’s basketball are recent Southern Athletic Association champions. Basketball games versus nearby rival Emory are among the most popular. 

 

Financial: Oglethorpe has strong socioeconomic diversity with 43% of students receiving a Pell Grant. Every admitted student who completes the FAFSA receives a $1,000 grant, regardless of financial need. 

Oglethorpe offers both need-based and non need-based merit aid. The average percent of need met is 80%, with 21% being fully met. Although the tuition and fees are $62,600, the average financial aid package is $38,800. 90% of students receive some type of financial aid.

Wittenberg – a liberal arts gem in the Midwest

Wittenberg offers a solid honors program, an active Greek scene, and competitive Division III athletics. Founded in 1845 by German Lutherans and set on a beautiful 100-acre campus in the Midwest, you will find a college that emphasizes strong student-faculty relationships, a dedication to community service (students give 30+ hours of their time each year) and an academic environment that is “challenging, but friendly.” Students will be awe-struck by a mixture of 1800s and Gothic-inspired buildings, as well by the brand-new Health, Wellness and Athletics complex with full-size indoor turf field surrounded by a running track. 

 

Here are a few quick facts about Wittenberg:

Acceptance: 97%

Freshman retention: 76%

Freshmen out of state: 21%

Most popular majors: education, biology, marketing, psychology

4-year Graduation rate: 58%; 6-year: 63%

Student Community Diversity: 10% Black, 3.7% Latino, 0.8% International

 

Housing: Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus, where 85% of all undergraduates live. Many upperclassmen choose to live in houses and apartments nearby. The dorms are described as spacious and air-conditioned. The dining halls offer a variety of options, including vegetarian selections; most students say that food isn’t the best, but it is acceptable. 

 

Academics: General education requirements at Wittenberg emphasize a liberal arts background with learning goals including writing and research, exercising social and moral responsibility and participating in physical education. First-year students participate in a leadership development program, a service-learning course and First-Year Seminar, which helps with the transition from high school to college. 

 

Wittenberg students can expect to find their professors to be accessible and also plenty of opportunities to participate in undergraduate research. In fact, 92% of students participate in said research and 20% of students take advantage of the opportunity to spend a semester or a year of study off campus. For those looking for smaller class sizes, 52% of Wittenberg’s undergraduate courses have fewer than 20 students. 

 

What else can Wittenberg students expect? The engineering department offers a 3-2 bachelor’s/master’s program in conjunction with Columbia and Case Western Reserve University. Also, for students who declare their major on time and complete all courses with a C or better, Wittenberg guarantees a degree in 4 years, and will pay for any additional necessary courses.

 

Similar colleges to consider: Denison, The College of Wooster, Miami University (OH), The Ohio State University

 

Social: Wittenberg students have more than 120 student organizations, performing arts groups and intramurals to choose from to get involved. Greek life has a larger presence than many other college campuses, with 29% of men and 32% of women choosing to “go Greek.” Weekend social life largely centers on parties held in houses, dorms, and apartments near campus. The various Greek groups, the Union Board and Residence Hall Association all work to bring events to campus including guest speakers, movies, comedians and concerts. Favorite annual events include Greek Week, W Day, Homecoming and Wittfest (a festival and concert with games, food and socializing held before finals).

 

The surrounding city of Springfield offers access to movie theaters, restaurants and a performing arts center. Nearby state parks offer swimming, camping, biking trails and spots for picnicking. Popular road trips include going to nearby Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati. 

 

The Wittenberg Tigers are competitive in Division III sports, with their biggest rivalries being against Wabash, Allegheny and The College of Wooster. The most recent North Coast Athletic Conference championship titles have been in men’s basketball, football and golf, as well as women’s volleyball, softball and golf. Intramural sports are also very popular, especially crew, ice hockey and rugby. 

 

Financial: Wittenberg offers both need-based aid as well as non-need based merit aid. WU does not offer any athletic scholarships. The average percent of need met is 84%, with 29% being fully met. Although the tuition and fees are $55,600, the average financial aid package is $28,200. 98% of students some type of financial aid.

Villanova – where tradition meets the future

Villanova is a Roman Catholic university that takes pride in tradition while recognizing that making continuous improvements to their facilities and educational and co-curricular programs will help their graduates be competitive in the workplace and the world. Founded in 1842 by the Order of St. Augustine, Villanova is set on a well-kept 260-acre campus featuring a mix of old stone and newer LEED-certified buildings. Recent construction includes new residence halls, eateries, a bookstore and performing arts center. 

 

Here are a few quick facts about Villanova:

Acceptance: 31%

Freshman retention: 96%

Freshmen out of state: 82%

Most popular majors: business/marketing, engineering, nursing

4-year Graduation rate: 89%; 6-year: 92%

Student Community Diversity: 5% Black, 8% Latino, 2% International

 

Housing: Even though Villanove students are guaranteed housing for three years, only about 66% of students live in the dorms. 

 

First-year students take a yearlong Augustine and Culture Seminar (ACS) and are housed with their classmates or in optional themed learning communities in the dorms. Most seniors move to houses and apartments in the surrounding neighborhoods. 

 

Academics: All Villanova students follow a liberal arts core curriculum, through one of the four colleges: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Villanova School of Business, College of Engineering or Fitzpatrick School of Nursing. Students study works from ancient, medieval and Renaissance periods as well as those from Early Modern, Enlightenment, Romantic, Modernist and Contemporary eras. Courses are rigorous and often discussion-oriented and reading- and writing-intensive. Many classes are smaller with 42% of undergraduate courses having fewer than 20 students. 

 

Each year, 40% of Villanova students participate in study abroad programs and students in the communication and computer science programs can apply for semester-long internships at the Vatican. 

 

Similar colleges to consider: Boston College, Fordham, Georgetown, Lehigh

 

Social: Weekend social life at Villanova centers around campus events and parties, some of which are hosted by Greek fraternities and sororities, where 17% of men and 32% of women pledge, respectively. The student center is the place to be on Friday and Saturday nights with the Late Night at Villanova events – which include bands, comedians, open-mic nights and dance parties. 

 

Nearby Philadelphia offers an abundance of entertainment and cultural opportunities with pro sports, museums and shops.  Many students also participate in events at the other local colleges and universities. 

 

Men’s basketball brought home Division I national championship titles in 2016 and 2018. Recent Big East Conference champions include men’s and women’s track and field and women’s cross country. Club and intramural sports are also a big deal on campus, especially basketball, flag football and soccer. 

 

Villanova students believe in giving back to others and clock roughly 250,000 hours of service each year. Students have the opportunity to participate in service trips during fall and spring breaks and in projects to build houses and help victims of natural disasters. Villanova hosts the largest student-run Special Olympics each fall.

 

Financial: Villanova offers need-based aid, as well as non-need based merit aid and 290 athletic scholarships. The average percentage of need met is 80%, with 14% being fully met. Although the tuition and fees are $77,000, the average financial aid package is $32,400. 55% of students receive some type of financial aid.

Spelman College – a women’s college educating tomorrow’s leaders

Spelman College is a standout for so many reasons. To begin with, Spelman is one of only two surviving African-American women’s colleges. Add to that the fact that they have outstanding academics and a student body of young women seeking to become leaders in fields ranging from science to the arts and you have a college that is truly special. 

Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles, two pioneers in women’s education, founded Spelman College in 1881 because they were concerned about the lack of educational opportunities for African-American women. One of the early financial backers was John D. Rockefeller, who named the college after his wife, Laura Spelman Rockefeller and her parents who were longtime activists in the antislavery movement. Spelman’s legacy includes a mission to prepare women for leadership and an emphasis in getting her graduates into courtrooms, board rooms and engineering labs.

 

Here are a few quick facts about Spelman:

Acceptance: 53%

Freshman retention: 89%

Freshmen out of state: 76%

Most popular majors: psychology, biology, political science, economics

4-year Graduation rate: 65%; 6-year: 75%

Student Community Diversity: 97% Black, 0.1% Latino, 0.75% International

 

Housing: Sixty-seven percent of Spelman students live on campus in one of eleven dorms. Some students feel that the dorms could use some renovations, but that overall, accommodations are comfortable. 

The meal plan is mandatory for anyone who lives on campus, and the food gets average reviews. Campus security does a great job of making students feel safe. 

 

Academics: Spelman offers a well-rounded liberal arts curriculum that stresses the importance of critical and analytical thinking as well as problem solving. The core education requirements, which most complete by the end of sophomore year, include coursework in English composition, wellness and health, foreign language, math, African diaspora and the world, computer literacy and international or comparative women’s studies. Freshmen participate in First Year Experience, and sophomores take Sophomore Seminar. All students complete internships or undergraduate research projects in their majors. 

The academic environment can be very competitive – after all Spelman aims to recruit the best of the best. Many of the faculty members are African American and/or female so students have many great role models. Outside of the general education courses, class sizes tend to be small with 60% having fewer than 20 students. 

Natural sciences and the humanities are the two strongest departments at Spelman, and math is a close third. Math and natural sciences have great opportunities for undergraduate research programs and many include opportunities to publish. One of Spelman’s bragging rights is that they lead the nation in the number of African American women who continue on to earn a Ph.D. in the STEM fields. Another opportunity at Spelman is the 3-2 dual degree program in engineering, offered in cooperation with Georgia Tech. 

 

Similar colleges to consider: Agnes Scott, Vassar, Wellesley, Xavier University of Louisiana. 

 

Social: Students have plenty of opportunities for social interaction with nearby colleges thanks to the Atlanta University Center. Sororities are present at Spelman, but only 6% choose to go Greek. The most popular annual events are sisterhood initiation ceremonies, homecoming (with nearby Morehouse College), and the Founder’s Day celebration. And of course there’s no shortage of activities in Atlanta!

Varsity sports have been replaced with a general fitness and nutrition program. However, intramural sports like basketball, flag football, soccer and volleyball are popular. 

 

Financial: Spelman offers primarily need-based financial aid and scholarships. There are no athletic scholarships offered. The average percent of need met is 49%, with 71% being fully met. Although the tuition and fees are $52,700, the average financial aid package is $14,500. 90% of students receive some type of financial aid.

A tech college with a liberal arts curriculum? You must be talking about Harvey Mudd College

What makes Harvey Mudd College unique is its balance of being a school focused on science, engineering, math and technology while also delivering a liberal arts education. HMC has a welcoming attitude toward women (who make up 48% of the student population) and other groups normally underrepresented in the STEM fields. Harvey Mudd’s has the look and feel of an engineering college with its no-frills, symmetrical campus. A recent building campaign added a 131-bed residence hall and the Shanahan Center for Teaching and Learning with tech-rich classrooms, a 300-seat auditorium and an art gallery. 

 

Here are a few quick facts about HMC:

Acceptance: 18% 

Freshman retention: 92%

Freshmen out of state: 48%

Most popular majors: engineering, computer science, physics, and math 

4-year Graduation rate: 84%,; 6-year: 98% 

Student Community Diversity: 4% Black, 21% Latino, 10% International

 

Housing: All freshmen live on campus, but more impressively 98% of all students live in the dorms. Each dorm has a proctor (i.e. dorm “mom” or dad”) and several mentors (think “older siblings”) which creates a dorm experience that is strong and safe. The majority of HMC students feel that the dining options are decent, and, get this – HMC students can use their meal plan at any of the other Claremont college campuses!

 

Academics: Harvey Mudd’s rigorous Common Core curriculum features coursework in math, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and engineering, and writing, as well as the humanities. Because of the heavy workload, the administration has taken great steps to relieve stress like setting up a multi-disciplinary care team to help students with any academic and/or personal issues. 

 

Small classes and no graduate students equals a lot of attention for HMC students. Faculty have an open-door policy in addition to hosting regular office hours. The Clinic Program combines real-life math, science and engineering tasks sponsored by major corporations and government agencies –  SpaceX, Amazon and Pixar are among the recent sponsors. All students must either participate in the Clinic Program or thesis-driven research to graduate. About 200 students stay on campus each summer for research experiences working directly with professors, and 16% of students participate in study abroad programs in 20 countries. 

 

Similar colleges to consider: MIT, UC Berkeley, Caltech, Stanford

 

Social: One thing you will notice when at Harvey Mudd is the presence of wheels – unicycles, skateboards, longboards, or even wheels strapped to shoes – these are the most popular modes of transportation around campus. 

 

Dorms host parties almost every weekend, but the party scene is pressure-free and students do look out for each other. The most popular event at HMC is the Wild Wild West party – complete with a mechanical bull. While students are known to travel to other Claremont campuses to socialize, Harvey Mudd has its share of strong traditions. One example is the Noisy Minutes – at the end of each semester students take a break from studying with loud music, snacks and activities. Engineering pranks are popular (welcomed, even) throughout the year, as long as they are reversible within 24 hours, per the honor code. 

 

Varsity teams compete in conjunction with Claremont McKenna and Scripps in Division III. Recent national championships include men’s and women’s golf, women’s volleyball and women’s tennis. Intramural sports, also with Claremont McKenna and Scripps, are even more popular, with inner-tube water polo drawing the largest cheering crowds. 

 

Financial: Harvey Mudd offers need-based financial aid and non-need based merit scholarships. No athletic scholarships are available. HMC is a “need blind” school, which means the average percent of need met is 100%, with 100% being fully met.  Although the tuition and fees are $81,200, the average financial aid package is $43,700. 70% of students receive some type of financial aid.