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.

How to find the right summer programs for your college-bound teen in 4 easy steps

The summer is a special time to continue learning and growing and college-bound teens can take advantage of numerous summer programs. The activities resume for college-bound teens who get into their top choice colleges often include meaningful summer experiences. 

In addition to internships, creative projects, and reading in the summer, there are a number of summer programs for students whether they are in grade 9, 10 or 11. However, the right summer program can take time to research and apply.

Here are 4 easy steps to get started with finding the right summer program!

1. Set a Goal

A good way to start with thinking about how to find the best summer program for your college bound teen is starting with a goal. Your teen should set 1-2 goals for the summer, as it will help them to be intentional in considering the best use of their talents and time. Examples of summer goals may include:

  • Meet new friends from around the world
  • Read 5 new books on topics that interest me
  • Take a course not offered at school
  • Learn more about a career in ___?___
  • Get more community service hours
  • Experience living away from home (when and where residential programs are available)
  • . . . . (you name it)

2. Use this guide for summer program criteria

Each year, I encourage my students to apply to 1-2 summer programs. The past couple years, there have been many great virtual summer programs available. This is the guide that I use to recommend programs that can help teens consider the many options available to them once they have a goal in mind:

  • Rising 10th – Explore a new topic
  • Rising 11th – Discover more about a field of study or career interest
  • Rising 12th – Connect with colleges (perhaps consider a summer campus visit as well, where available)

3. Do a narrow Google search

There is no shortage of things to do and programs to pursue. Searching online for a summer program can feel overwhelming and tedious. I suggest that your teen’s internet search for summer programs is very specific. For example, if your teen is interested in pre-engineering and enjoys math, I would suggest using these terms and clicking the search button

“engineering math summer high school programs”

Within seconds, I got over 19,000 results using these search terms term and even better, at the bottom of the first page there are more related search terms to refine the list.

One thing I will add about the summer after 11th grade is that it is not necessary to attend a summer program at a college of interest. Some summer programs may be held on a college campus but are not affiliated with the university, especially not the admissions offices!

4. Determine if the program is worth applying

If the summer program does not require any documents from the student, then I would caution you against applying. The summer programs that I recommend for my students typically require transcript, teacher recommendations, test scores, and essays. The summer program application is, in effect, a mini-college application, which is good experience for your teen and their recommenders.

What is your teen doing this summer? Which summer programs did you find? Please post in comments below.

Getting in + getting money for college – it all begins with “FIT”

campus visit teen

Junior year is the start of the college admissions process. In order for your teen to be successful once they’re in college, they need to be applying to colleges that are a good “fit” for them. 

Here are the factors to consider:

  1. Academic Fit  

Different colleges will have different curriculum and a different approach academically. This includes the faculty-student ratio, the types of programs, how much of an emphasis on writing, and how much access to writing/other academic supports they offer. 

     2. Social Fit 

Social fit means being able to meet like-minded people, make friends and be part of a community. It can also mean the typical aspects of the college experience such as having certain clubs or fraternal/Greek letter organizations on campus. The percentage of freshmen who live on campus, and learning about the residential life experience also plays a role in terms of the social fit. Even learning about the food options and where to go to eat – that’s a big part of communication and socialization. 

     3. Financial Fit 

The third area of fit would be financial fit. Many colleges have different types of opportunities available for families to pay for college. Some colleges have research scholarships for teens that are interested in that area. 

Some colleges have no loans or have a cap on the loans that they offer their students. There are colleges that have grants and scholarships for students who want to study abroad. Consider these different opportunities when deciding which college to attend. 

     4. Vocational Fit 

The fourth (frequently overlooked) area of fit is vocational fit. I encourage teens to look at vocational fit in a couple different ways. First, they should think about what they would like to do after college to determine if a particular college will support them in these endeavors career-wise or professionally.

Also look at the services and support their career planning and placement office offers and at the alumni network. They can determine if there is a preprofessional program. What kind of tracks and offerings do they have for pre-professional programs (such as pre-business, pre-med or pre-law)? Are there networking events they can participate in during college for that vocation later? These are all ways that your teen can consider vocational fit. 

     5. Cultural Fit 

In these times, the cultural piece is one that really matters. While in some ways similar to social fit, this piece goes deeper and asks, “Where will my teen who is different in whatever regard (racially, ethnically, part of the LGBTQ community, etc.) be able to attend and feel celebrated and embraced as part of that community?”

                                              When looking at colleges, cultural fit makes a big difference.

The Importance of the Five Areas of Fit 

The five areas of fit I mentioned also make a difference as far as receiving internal scholarships (scholarships that come from the colleges directly). In another article, I will address external scholarships.

How do colleges know if you’re a good fit? Trust me, they know their institutions very well. They know the kinds of students that make up and support the community and who will thrive there, therefore they know the kind of students they want to attract and recruit. This means that it is up to the student to also determine if the college is a good fit for them as well. 

It starts with the students, not with the colleges. 

Students need to have a sense for who they are, what they want to do, their likes and dislikes. This type of self-awareness combined with learning how to self advocate will really help them to put this list together. 

During junior year, there will be opportunities to visit colleges so they need to be sure they have done some homework about what that college offers. Then, they can do a virtual or in-person visit (when those are available) and start to see if that college is a fit for them. 

Keep these tips in mind throughout junior year to support your student’s success with getting into the colleges where they will thrive during their college career. 

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.

Does Your State Require the SAT or ACT to Get Your Diploma?

Does Your State Require the SAT or ACT to Get Your Diploma?

Did you know that some states require a standardized test such as the SAT or the ACT in order to graduate from high school? Or that others simply provide the exams for free without requiring students to take them?

Make sure you double check your state requirements to avoid studying and taking both tests! See below for our map and list of testing requirements by state. 

We also recommend that students check with their school’s guidance counselors. Within states, schools’ specific testing policies can vary from district to district. 

States where the SAT is a requirement 

States where the ACT is a requirement 

States where a test is not required 

 

  • Arkansas 
  • Florida
  • Kansas 
  • Minnesota 
  • Texas
  • Maryland
  • Pennsylvania 
  • Iowa
  • California
  • Washington 
  • Oregon 
  • Missouri 
  • Alaska
  • Minnesota
  • New Jersey
  • Georgia
  • Virginia
  • New York
  • New Mexico
  • Arizona
  • South Dakota
  • Washington D.C.
  • Maine

States where either is required

  • Ohio — SAT or ACT required; district determines which test
  • Oklahoma — SAT or ACT required; district determines which test
  • South Carolina — SAT or ACT required
  • Tennessee — SAT or ACT required (districts may provide either SAT or ACT or allow students to choose)
  • Idaho– SAT or ACT Required 

 

Even though it may be required to take a specific standardized test in your state, it is still a good idea to prepare for the test that is the best fit for you. If your state requires the ACT but you perform better on the SAT, we recommend you take that test as well.

 

It is important to stay on top of this information as early as possible so you are  not overwhelmed with the preparations for the test. Our FREE College Tool Kit includes a month by month junior year roadmap to help you navigate through junior year. 

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. 

University of Dallas – The best Roman Catholic university south of D.C.

University of Dallas is described as the best Roman Catholic university south of Washington, D.C., and while 80% of the student body is Catholic, you don’t have to be Catholic to attend. Located on 744-acres about 15 minutes from downtown Dallas, UD remains dedicated to its classic liberal arts education, focused on Western philosophy and tradition. 

 

Here are a few quick facts about UDallas:

Acceptance: 54%

Freshman retention: 81%

Freshmen out of state: 40%

Most popular majors: biology, business, English, history, psychology

4-year Graduation rate: 62%, 6-year: 69%

Student Community Diversity: 2% Black, 24% Latino, 3% International

 

Housing: University of Dallas has a small, safe campus. Eighty-five percent of freshmen and about fifty percent of all students live on campus. Students under the age of 21 who don’t live at home with parents must live on campus in single-sex dorms with strict visitation regulations. 

The sole dining hall is spacious and has great views, but most students agree that the food is too expensive for the quality. The Rathskellar offers fast food and snacks that are more popular with the student body. 

 

Academics: The foundation of academics at University of Dallas is the 4-semester Western civilization Core curriculum, which includes courses in philosophy, English, math, fine arts, science, American civilization, Western civilization, politics, economics, foreign language, and two theology courses. Seniors must complete a thesis or project, comprehensive exam, and/or senior seminar, depending on their major. Eighty percent of undergraduates complete a semester in Rome, usually during sophomore year, including rigorous coursework, as well as trips to northern Italy and Greece and time for personal travel. 

When it comes to majors, UD offers 25 majors and 33 concentrations. For students studying business, there are plenty of internship opportunities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. University of Dallas also offers combined degrees, like the 3-2 dual-degree program in nursing and electrical engineering and 4 + 1 bachelor/master’s programs in a variety of fields. 

UD does not use any teaching assistants and more than half of all classes enroll fewer than 20 students, so undergraduates get the opportunity to really get to know their professors and vice versa. 

 

Similar colleges to consider: Baylor, Trinity University, Austin College, Rhodes

 

Social: University of Dallas does not have any fraternities or sororities, so the Campus Activities Board sponsors most of the on-campus entertainment, including free movies, dances and visiting speakers. In the fall, the junior class organizes fundraising events for the annual Charity Week. The most popular event on campus is Groundhog, which features a week of events celebrating Groundhog Day and culminates in a huge on-campus party at Groundhog Park. For students who want to venture off campus, Dallas offers endless opportunities, and San Antonio and Austin are also not far away. 

While football doesn’t draw as much attention as in other Texas schools, Crusaders baseball and men’s and women’s basketball and soccer teams are pretty competitive in Division III Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. UD also offers intramural sports, and about a quarter of students participate. 

 

Financial: University of Dallas offers both need-based and non need-based merit aid. UD does not offer any athletic scholarships. The average percent of need met is 85%, with 24% being fully met.  Although the tuition and fees are $63,400, the average financial aid package is $33,490. 97% of students receive some type of financial aid.