UA is home to a thriving sports scene that is manifested through the school’s cheerful mascot, an elephant named Big Al. Renowned for its rich football history and traditions, UA offers a variety of athletic programs, including diving, gymnastics, basketball, ice hockey, lacrosse, and cricket. The University is conveniently located in Tuscaloosa, a scenic and vibrant southern town filled with restaurants, cultural festivals, museums, and sporting events.

The College’s scenic 40-acre campus has four buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, expansive lawns, ancient historic Native American mounds, and displays of public art. Its most popular major,  Anthropology, is perhaps due to the presence of the world-renowned Logan Museum of Anthropology. Beloit’s culturally-rich environment, and diverse student body, may contribute to the school sending over 50% of each undergraduate class abroad every year. State of the art science facilities, and the Wright Museum of Art, allow this college its complex network of academically-committed individuals, both in its faculty and students alike.

Even if not designing his or her own major, the typical Skidmore student will experience many uniquely beneficial academic opportunities while attending the school. Students are encouraged to not only take on research projects, but to do so with a faculty-mentor. This distinct student-faculty partnership, along with Skidmore’s relatively low student-to-teacher ratio reinforces the personalized academic experience that the college hopes to demonstrate. This focus on research is doubled by the school’s compulsory science or math class for each student; such aspects act as a balance to the school’s traditionally liberal-arts focus, and ensures that each student receives a well-rounded education.

Despite the school’s name, SLU is completely secular and not affiliated with any church. Following suit, the school’s student body is comprised of many different ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds. Extracurricular offerings are similarly diverse. From the Islamic Culture Club to the Sexuality and Gender Activists (with many in between), SLU earns high marks for its range of student organizations.

Yeshiva University, with six New York City campuses and one in Israel, is the oldest US institution to combine traditional Jewish scholarship with the pure arts and sciences of formal higher education. Yeshiva’s main campus, Wilf Campus, is located in the exciting Washington Heights neighborhood of New York. Here, students may find the University’s libraries, administrative buildings, dormitories, the undergraduate colleges for men, rabbinical seminary, Belz School of Jewish Music, the affiliated high school for boys, the Azriela Gradute School for Jewish Education and Administration, the Wurzweiler School for Social Work, and the Bernard Revel Graduate school. The Beren Campus is located in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan, and is home to the undergraduate colleges for women, including Stern College for Women, and the Midtown branch of the Sy Syms School of Business, dormitories, and other administrative offices. Yeshiva has three undergraduate colleges altogether: the Sy Syms School of Business, the Stern College for Women, and Yeshiva College.

Yeshiva’s unique program offers an education based on the concept of Torah Umaddah: “Torah and secular knowledge.” Such a philosophy exposes students to some of the finest Judaical-style educators and top national and international scholars in their fields.

The University’s distinct method of teaching is amply complemented by its privileged location, in the heart of New York City. This culturally rich environment allows a welcomed balance to the academic rigor expected of Yeshiva students, placing them in a lively, young urban fabric. The University’s dorms are part of this fabric, and approximately 80% of undergraduates live on campus. The majority of the remaining 20% live in independent housing administered by the University.

Located in the northeast region of Connecticut, the Storrs campus provides students with easy access to New York City and Boston via bus or train. Additionally, UConn students are known for their service-oriented spirit, which is evidenced by the diverse service projects that UConn students participate in each year, from campuswide community service days to student organizations such as Child Health in America and Habitat for Humanity.

Bryant prepares its students to endure and adapt to change, which is a skill that becomes handy both during and after college. Practices such as the incorporation of hands-on business experience and student teaching during the college years make academics unique at the university. Clearly, this distinctive approach works, with 97% of Bryant students employed immediately upon graduation. All classes are taught by professors who are established academic leaders, as opposed to teaching assistants, which gives Bryant students the one-on-one attention and commitment essential to the undergraduate experience.

A member of the Big 12 Conference, Iowa State hosts an excellent variety of athletic programs, including basketball, cricket, diving, golf, archery, bowling, and gymnastics. Located just 30 miles from Des Moines, Ames offers a unique combination of small-town charm and big city attractions. Iowa State students have convenient access to the town’s numerous parks, cultural festivals, arboretums, and arts centers.

Originally an all-women’s college, Pitzer College opened its doors to students of all genders and walks of life in 1970, and has since actualized its goal for diversity, with approximately 40% of its current student body being male, and 43% of non-white ethnicity. Pitzer is for this reason ranked 11th among liberal arts colleges nationwide for racial diversity. Unlike many California schools, the majority of students are in fact from other states; this fact, in combination with students representing nearly 20 other countries, contributes to a richly geographic diversity, which is extremely unique to a school of Pitzer College’s size. Pizter also sends 74% of its student body abroad, compared to a national average fo 2%. The college’s Study Abroad Program is recognized by the US News and World Report as an outstanding academic program. Additionally, in the last 15 years, 110 Fulbright Fellowships have been awarded to Pitzer students and graduates, making the college the number one recipient of Fullbright Fellowships in all undergraduate colleges.

The Hokie lifestyle is full of extracurricular endeavors, as well. Blacksburg serves as a classic college town, providing students with enough restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops to fill many weekends. In fact, students dominate Blacksburg’s population, making up more than half of all the city’s residents. As such, the city takes on a decidedly youthful feel. The school itself encourages students to find a healthy balance between work and play: students have unlimited access to BreakZone, a university-sponsored recreational center where students may play pool, go bowling, or try their hand at video games. While students must live on campus, this rule not only fosters a community feel, but also puts first year students only a short walk away from the nation’s second-best college food.

In addition to Trinity’s strong ties within its student body, the school ensures that students have a well-rounded experience outside of the classroom. Just under 20% of students participate in the college’s Greek system. Hartford itself features all of the offerings of a state capital, from concerts at the Comcast theater, to Revolutionary War reenactments at the Old State House. Notably, the college’s campus in Rome, Italy is a popular study abroad destination for students at Trinity as well as those from many other schools.

Aside from academia, Texas Christian is a welcoming campus for active students. In addition to the nearly 20 religious student organizations, the school offers upwards of 200 secular clubs. Greek life is lively at the university, and nearly 40% of students choose to join a house. At the time of a football game, one will find Carter Stadium packed with fans cheering on the TCU Horned Frogs (especially when competing against their rivals, the SMU Mustangs). Students are notably active in volunteer endeavors; many travel to Mexico on an annual spring break service trip. On the weekends, students flock to downtown Fort Worth, where one might enjoy a casual bull ride at Billy Bob’s, the self-proclaimed “world’s largest honky tonk.”

Franklin and Marshall’s community atmosphere flourishes on campus. The school’s living quarters are reminiscent of a Harry Potter-type situation, by which each freshman is assigned to one of four College Houses which are overseen by faculty members. Members of the same College House live, eat, and attend events together. By a student’s third year, he or she may elect to leave the College House (but can stay). Many students (about 35% of males and 17% of females) choose to participate in the Greek system, which proves to be a popular diversion for group-oriented students. In addition, Lancaster is truly a welcoming area to Franklin and Marshall students. The city hosts First Friday on, understandably enough, the first Friday of each month, during which stores and restaurants stay open late. The similarly-named Third Fridays feature local art galleries and performance theaters.

A member of the Big East Conference, USF offers an exceptional variety of athletic programs, including basketball, football, bowling, volleyball, and ice hockey. The school is also home to several unique facilities, including a weather station, a botanical garden, and an anthropology museum.  The University is located just ten miles from downtown Tampa, an area rich in tourist attractions, museums, sports venues, performing arts centers, and cultural activities.

In order to create an engaging, intellectually stimulating, and social environment for students, Binghamton is continuously expanding and improving its facilities. In just a few years, Binghamton has transformed from a small liberal arts college to a nationally renowned research institution. Despite the school’s large size, students have a close-knit experience through 200 clubs and organizations, athletic pride and the residential communities, modeled after Oxford University. On the whole, Binghamton students enjoy their experience, as evidenced by the impressive 92% retention rate and the 25% of students that remain at Binghamton for graduate school.

Outside of the classroom, Dickinson students may be found participating in any of nearly 150 on-campus organizations. Nearly a quarter of all students join a fraternity or sorority, and many more take part in intramural sports (popular teams include sand volleyball and badminton). The school’s small undergraduate population is further bonded by mandatory on-campus living for most students, although classes are separated according to housing type (freshman live in dorms, sophomores and juniors in suites, and seniors may either live in on-campus housing or move off-campus). In addition, with fairly easy access to Pennsylvania’s capital of Harrisburg, as well as Baltimore and Philadelphia, students at Dickinson have many opportunities for entertainment and cultural enrichment at their fingertips.

Combining the urban appeal of Milwaukee with the small-world feel of the midwest, Marquette is a best-of-both-worlds environment for many students. The school is well-incorporated into its surroundings, providing easy access to the city’s noted zoo, restaurants, and athletics. In addition, students may ride the city’s busses free of charge when using their university IDs. While the school mandates that all underclassmen live on campus, it also provides an exception to that rule for any student who wishes to commute from a family home. While on campus, Marquette students take part in a notably wide array of activities, from out-of-the-box intramural sports—think coed waterskiing and innertube water polo—to the Video Games Players Association. Student traditions persist annually on campus, as well; the yearly Snowball is a formal dance that marks the end of each January’s slew of games and activities, collectively called Winter Flurry.

After class, students at DePauw participate in a long list of extracurricular organizations—a grouping that reflects an especially wide range of interests, given the relatively small number of students at the school. Clubs such as Brazilian Jui Jitzu, Climbing for a Cure, and Feminista! truly set DePauw’s extracurricular offerings apart from those of many other schools. In addition, Greek life is a perpetually popular choice for students; each year, about 70% of students choose to join a house. Outside of Greencastle, many students enjoy the 40-minute drive to Indianapolis for a wider selection of shopping, concerts, and nightlife.

Back on campus, all first and second-year students live on campus in UVM’s 37 residence halls. Students have the option of choosing interest-based housing, with an academic, cultural, or arts focus. The University of Vermont has over 145 student organizations, teams, and honor societies. In combination with its 103 majors, no student is left without a place to indulge in his or her academic interests. Surrounded and taught by a faculty of which 90% have the highest degree in their field, students are instructed by some of the world’s academic leaders; in 2010, over $121 million of competitive research funding was won by the UVM faculty. Additionally, the University holds several titles, repeatedly earned for its commitment to environmental responsibility, innovation, and commitment.

The Bates student population is extremely diverse for a college its size. In fact, its class of 2014 represents 35 states, 35 countries, with only 10% of students being residents of Maine.  100% of first-year students and 93% of the entire undergraduate body lives in college housing, keeping the student body close and integrated. With over 100 registered student organizations, students can choose from a variety of clubs, activities, and ways to de-stress on campus. Bates’s numerous on-campus resources include the perks of having an art museum, the Stephens Observatory, as well as the Edmund S. Muskie Archives & Special Collections Library, which collects, preserves, and exhibits historical documents materials about Bates College. However, the Bates campus is located only 35 miles from Portland, Maine’s largest city. Campus is a 45-minute drive to the historic, retail-friendly village of Freeport, as well, home to the headquarters of the  wilderness and outdoors outfitters L.L. Bean. Boston is located 2 hours to the South of Bates.

In addition to the abounding academic opportunities at Barnard, students are also offered a wealth of cultural experiences. Students receive discounts at local on-and-off Broadway shows, sports, and concerts. In addition, the school features Urban New York, a program which takes freshmen to events around the city, as a means to ease students into urban living. As such, it should come as no surprise that Barnard’s student body is comprised by those who have grown up in cities and farms alike, each acclimating well to the new surroundings.

In addition, the 1000 acre campus is situated 60 miles east of Manhattan and west of Montauk Point, providing students with a wide array of academic and social opportunities. In addition to off-campus attractions, students participate in a number of activities on campus and in the surrounding community from the Harry Potter and  Paintball Clubs  to Alternative Spring Breaks and Habitat for Humanity.

Though technically a “dry” campus, there is plenty to do for nighttime entertainment at the University. Located a mere 2 mile shuttle ride outside of the nation’s capitol, AU students have full access to one of the busiest, most vibrant and exciting cities in the country. The city’s parks, museums, shopping, fine dining, clubs and bars invite students to explore outside of the campus and take part in the greater Capitol community. Washington D.C. houses 15 colleges, making it a lively, young environment filled with college students.

The remainder of information on this page will more specifically discuss Antioch’s campus in Los Angeles, which is nationally recognized for its program in the fine arts. The school has served as a launching pad for more than 6,000 alumni who work on the basis of Antioch’s core values of social justice, service to the community, and lifelong learning. Most students of AULA pair their classroom experiences with some sort of community-based experiential learning program; in fact, this interdisciplinary program is a way of life for most Antioch students and faculty alike. The school continues to make great strides of progress today, offering one-of-a-kind coursework on the LGBT community.

Much more information on Antioch’s other Branch Campuses can be found on the school’s website, www.antioch.edu.

Located the heart of Worcester (pronounced wis-ster), Clark is a stone’s throw from many other colleges, museums, and a host of cultural and recreational events. Clark’s motto of “Challenge Convention. Change Our World”, embodies the passion that Clark students bring to their studies and other activities. As the only institution of higher education in the US at which Sigmund Freud spoke, Clark has many students involved in the social sciences, including psychology, political science and sociology.

Abounding recreational activities aside, Clemson is distinguished for its roots in the sciences–particularly for its strong engineering program. The university has undertaken a much-publicized mission to earn rank as one of the top twenty public institutions; it has risen from 34 to 23 in this rank within the past six years. The school participates in many major corporate research projects, including those with BMW, IBM, Microsoft, and Michelin. Comprehensively, students at Clemson have a genuine curiosity for the sciences and beyond.

Case Western’s campus offers a variety of unique facilities, including a biology field station, interdisciplinary research centers, a natural history museum, and a botanical garden. Located just four miles from downtown Cleveland, Case Western students have easy access to the city’s many cultural activities, sports venues, and widely acclaimed restaurants.

As evidenced by community involvement, SJU students are very much in touch with their surroundings and take full advantage of all that Philadelphia has to offer. Located in the Wynnfield section of the city, students have easy access to a wide array of local attractions and activities including museums, malls and restaurants. In addition, the university does quite a bit of programming that allows students to travel and get off campus and see a Broadway show in Manhattan,  visit world-renowned museums or attend cultural events in Philadelphia, either for free or at a highly reduced price.

Regis University is composed of three colleges: Regis College, the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, and the College for Professional Studies. While the College for Health Professions does offer some degree programs for undergraduates, the information on this page is based off the statistics for Regis College, which focuses on the liberal arts and is geared toward high school graduates and transfers. With 33 areas of study and special programs like ROTC and the Honors Program, Regis has opportunities across the board for every interest.

Ohio University prides itself on being a place where both learning and personal growth are key to a student’s education.  All first- and second-year students are required to live on campus in one of the school’s 42 residence halls, and with great programming and involvement by the Residential Assistants, Ohio University will quickly become a second home for its students.  Besides a strong academic base, the school offers a multitude of other student activities.  One of the largest campus recreational facilities in the country, three-story Charles J. Ping Student Recreation Center houses five basketball courts, two indoor soccer and lacrosse fields, eight racquetball courts, an indoor track, a climbing wall, among many other fitness, game, and lounge rooms.  About 11% of students join a fraternity or sorority, some are part of the Marching 110, the Ohio University Marching Band, while some play a varsity, intramural, or club sport.  Getting off campus is no issue, either–uptown Athens with its jazz spots, café’s, shops, and restaurants is a short 10-minute walk from campus.

With a lovely campus and architecturally refined buildings, the University of Delaware is a picturesque place to visit. To all of its students, UD promises a solid education and a supportive environment in all fields of study. Since 1743, the University of Delaware has kept its commitment to all Delawareans to admit each qualifying resident. This program allows students in Delaware to prepare for admission during high school and confidently apply to attend UD.

Much of student life at U of I centers around the pedestrian mall (or the “ped mall”), a grouping of restaurants, bars, and shops at which students regularly meet to unwind. A member of the Big Ten Conference, Iowa offers an incredible range of athletic programs, including gymnastics, sailing, skiing, basketball, football, and ice hockey. The campus is located just twenty miles from Cedar Rapids, the second-largest city in Iowa.

Elon offers more than 140 student clubs and organizations, which includes intramural teams and club sports, allowing students many ways to get involved. Greek life represents 35% of the student body and is a significant part of the social scene on campus. Elon is also twenty minutes from the city of Greensboro and within an hour’s drive of major universities, such as Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest.

Wesleyan offers a variety of athletic programs ranging from Basketball and Baseball to Field Hockey and Judo. While the school offers more than 200 clubs and organizations, this number is subject to nearly constant increases, as the school allows for the creation of clubs based on student interests. The campus is located just 15 miles from Hartford, and about 25 miles away from New Haven.

There are more than 120 clubs and organizations at the University of Colorado, which range from music and politics, to sports. There are six cultural centers that student cans get involved with, in addition to a large Greek scene.  The university houses 17 residential halls. Campus housing offers a variety of living and learning communities, such as floors focused on leadership or even for elementary education majors. The latter opportunity echoes the school’s traditional tie to teacher education.

Notably, Lafayette’s student body is exclusively comprised of undergraduates. This means that research opportunities, career services, and Lafayette’s alumni network–ranked among the best in the country for small liberal arts colleges–are all at the disposal of the undergraduates, instead of being taken up by graduate and doctoral students.

Outside of the classroom, students at Southern Methodist University face a plethora of ways to spend their time. The SMU Mustangs draw a crowd of loyal fans and spectators at many games and Peruna, the school’s mascot, is among the most recognizable figures around campus. All first-year students must live on campus, though each may choose whether to live in an exclusively first-year residence hall, or one in which all four years live together. Greek life has a strong and lively presence throughout campus, and students may participate in any of ten fraternities or eight sororities.

Lehigh’s long history provides much of the school’s tradition and folklore. For example, the school’s colors of brown and white are said to have originated when a woman clad in brown and white stockings ran across campus one night, passing two men deep in discussion about, conveniently enough, which colors the school should adopt as its own. In addition, Lehigh has engaged in “The Rivalry”–an athletic contention with Lafayette–since 1884, making it the most played rivalry in the history of college football; coincidentally, when the Rivalry is hosted by Lehigh, it is played in the third-oldest football stadium in the country.

Virginia’s capital, Richmond, is packed with history, culture, parks, nightlife, and many opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as white water rafting. The city features downtown music venues in addition to a number of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. One third of the students at the University of Richmond are involved with Greek life and there are more than 250 clubs and organizations available on campus.

While on campus, students engage in more than 100 student organizations from Habitat for Humanity to the Juggling Club. It is clear that students enjoy their time on campus, as evidenced by the 88% of students who live in university housing during their entire undergraduate career. In addition to the traditional first year residence halls, Bucknell offers a wide variety of other housing options, including the residential colleges (where students take a course and participate in academic activities surrounding the hall’s theme), the CHOICE hall (which focuses on healthy, substance-free living), or the quiet floor (for students who appreciate fewer distractions and a quieter atmosphere).

While Bucknell’s location is considered rural, the campus and surrounding town is an active and comfortable place to live. Bucknell has a number of unique facilities, including an observatory, a cinema, a 63-acre nature preserve, a center for performing arts, a poetry center, a greenhouse, an outdoor naturalistic primate facility, an engineering structural test lab, a herbarium, 18-hole golf course and a high ropes course.

In addition, students have a wide array of local opportunities at their disposal at Northeastern and surrounding areas. Located in the heart of Boston–an international hub of culture, art and history–Northeastern students have easy access to all that the city has to offer. While on campus, students engage in a number of groups and organizations, from the Ballroom Dance Club to the Student Government Association. In addition, Northeastern varsity sports teams are considered one of the most successful in New England, making athletics another source of campus engagement that many students enjoy.

Brandeis University has a long tradition of valuing justice and knowledge in its academics, both formally and informally. While Brandeis is supported by the Jewish community at large, it maintains a nonsectarian view that welcomes all students and staff, regardless of religion, nationality or political preferences. The mission of Brandeis is to provide a first-rate education and to help students develop their individual ideologies.

Set in the metropolitan Twin Cities area, the University of St. Thomas students have easy access to a number of leisure activities in the city, such as shopping, theater, restaurants, and nightlife. Students have the opportunity to participate in over 90 organizations such as the Classical Society, Academic Quiz Bowl, Nordic Ski Team, and more on campus.

Within a 60 miles radius from Colby’s Waterville campus, students can shop in the state’s capital of Augusta, or visit state parks for activities such as camping, hiking, rafting, boating, and kayaking. On campus, there are many opportunities to get involved in a club or organization. For those leaning towards academic clubs, there are the Arabic Language and Culture Club, the debate society, and the Medieval Reading Society. For those interested in sports, there are the cricket club, equestrian club, and gymnastics club.

Located 8 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Occidental has a wide array opportunities for students including internships, dining, nightlife, and more. Within an hour’s drive of campus are larger attractions such as Disneyland, Venice Beach, and Hollywood. Occidental offers over 100 organizations and clubs and a handful of sororities and fraternities. Students are also able to take classes at Caltech and Art Center.

As a strictly undergraduate institution, Albion focuses on teaching students the value of service and community with centers that provide students with real-world experience. Among these include the Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service, the Institute for Business and Management, and the Center for Sustainability and the Environment–to name only a few. Because Albion does not have graduate students, all research opportunities and facilities are exclusively for the school’s undergraduates, with lots of support from faculty members.

As a large reputable university, Purdue has research programs in many fields including agriculture, the environment, manufacturing, and even healthcare. As a part of the Big Ten Conference for intercollegiate athletics, Purdue has a broad sports program and diverse facilities, with courses and sports for every interest. To aid students in their adjustment to Purdue, freshmen have the option of enrolling in a learning community. The learning communities are made up of a group of first-year students who share two or three courses or a group of students who share an academic interest and live in the same dormitory.

Located in a small city in central Massachusetts, Holy Cross’s campus epitomizes beauty and college life. The campus is a mix of historic and contemporary buildings, with state-of-the-art facilities. Students are actively engaged both on campus and in the community, through various organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Spring Break Immersion Program.

Harvey Mudd offers a variety of student organizations, including a break-dancing club, the Harvey Wallbangers Climbing Club, and a unicycling club that organizes an annual 10 mile ride to a donut shop and plays unicycle hockey.  Harvey Mudd is residential and 99% of students live in one of eight dormitories. The college is located in Claremont, 35 miles from Los Angeles.

At Carnegie Mellon, students have endless academic possibilities and a wide selection of activities to add to their education. With an active Greek community and more than 130 student organizations, students can choose from sports like ultimate frisbee and performance groups like The No Parking Players (improvisation), among many others. When students feel like getting off campus, they can take a Port Authority Transit (PAT) bus into Pittsburg and explore the great museums and parks, or even the zoo.

Claremont McKenna’s specialties lie in the school’s more applied programs such as international relations, government, economics, and business. However, as a small liberal arts college, CMC also stresses a broad fundamental education to go along with the aforementioned practical skills . Classes at CMC are challenging and rigorous, but the professors are some of the most accessible anywhere.

Being a part of Baylor University gives students the ability to work with top-notch academics and provides exposure to a wide variety of extracurricular activities, everything from musical groups to religious organizations to traditional Greek life. These pastimes teach students to learn by doing through real-life experiences, like participating in Habitat for Humanity, or creating a Homecoming float.

The campus hosts an excellent variety of observatories, botanical gardens, arboretums, and museums. UW Madison is home to 745 registered student organizations including a debating club, fraternities/sororities, comedy groups, a humor magazine, and a radio station. Students also have access to Madison’s performing arts centers, music festivals, and cultural attractions. UW Madison is located just 90 miles away from Milwaukee, and about 150 miles from Chicago.

In the rich and vibrant city, students easily explore the various learning, living and professional centers. Because it’s situated so close to the capitol, George Washington’s students have access to many of D.C.’s unique resources, receiving famous visitors like Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright, and visiting museums and research laboratories like the Smithsonian Institution. Many great choices for restaurants, bookstores and other shops lie within walking distance of GW’s two campuses. Students choose to live at either Foggy Bottom or Mount Vernon.  The two campuses are connected by The Vern Express shuttle, uniting the entire campus.

Middlebury is best-known for its foreign language programs, and with intensive summer language schools, along with the Middlebury Schools Abroad in more than thirty locations, the school certainly lives up to its reputation. The academic facilities are also some of the best in the country among small liberal arts colleges, with a brand-new, state-of-the-art library, dorms, and art, science and sports facilities.

Student life at Stanford comes alive outside of the classroom. In addition to academic research, students bridge the gap between work and play with organizations such as the Stanford Solar Car Project, in which students model, build, and race solar cars biyearly. The school’s Cardinals, which compete at the Division I level, attract a large crowd, especially at the traditional “Big Game” against football rival Cal, for which the winning team earns the Stanford Axe–a highly coveted, ceremonial trophy. Tiger Woods trained with the school’s celebrated golf program, which is competitive each year. In addition, the school’s Greek Life is active, with 10% of the student body participating in fraternities and sororities.

At Auburn University, highly qualified professors instill valuable skills and knowledge to their students to help them grow into responsible and distinguished citizens. To back up its strong academics, Auburn has distinguished research programs in many areas. As a land-grant university, Auburn University is continually developing its programs to address the critical problems facing the state of Alabama and the nation at large with innovative technology and outreach programs. Fueled by the “Auburn Spirit,” students strive to achieve new and different experiences and obtain critical life lessons along the way.

Located against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, students of Mines enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking, bicycling, fly fishing, rock climbing, white-water rafting, and other adventure sports and outdoor activities. The school offers 18 varsity sports and over 50 club and intramural teams.  For those attracted to a metropolitan area, Denver and Boulder are within 20 miles of the campus.

Student life at Brigham Young centers on religion and responsibility. However, the university offers an eclectic 300 organizations on campus which nonetheless appeal to a wide range of interests. Between the school’s Welsh Club, Shotokan Karate, and experimental theatre company–just to name a few–BYU students rarely lack entertainment. Located in Provo, Utah the campus is situated very close to the mountains, so skiing, climbing, and hiking are popular activities. Salt Lake City is a mere 45 minutes away.

Bowdoin offers more than 100 student organizations, including a highly active Outing Club featuring 100 annual excursions, and the Peucinian Society, one of the oldest literary and intellectual societies in the country. Because Bowdoin is located along the coast of Maine, students have easy access to many recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, and snowshoeing. The College also has a system of social houses; all freshmen are assigned to one of these houses, where residential and social activities are organized.

Underclassmen are required to live on-campus, though upperclassmen have the option to live off-campus. The University of Rochester offers more than 200 clubs which include a nationally-acclaimed a cappella group. Nearly a quarter of students are involved in Greek life. A traditional highlight for students at U of R is Dandelion Day–more commonly known as D-Day–which occurs annually just before the start of spring finals; it traditionally includes musical headliners and carnival games.

Rice University is located in the heart of Houston, which–as the nation’s 4^th largest city–ensures a vibrant student experience. All students are assigned to one of the 11 residential colleges, where they eat, sleep, study, and socialize, creating a close-knit community. Rice represents a variety of interests and offers over 200 organizations and clubs. The Rice Owls play for 14 Division I varsity sports; encouraging school spirit, all Rice students receive free tickets to Owls’ events.

Colgate is known for its strong liberal arts education with over 50 majors, including interdisciplinary and cultural studies. In addition, all students complete a rigorous core curriculum, which is considered a hallmark of the liberal arts approach. With a very low student-to-faculty ratio, class sizes are kept small and there is quite a bit of interaction between professors and students. In fact, Colgate has nearly 20 faculty-led off campus study groups which give students a chance to explore different domestic and international areas under the guidance of highly skilled professors.

As one of the nation’s leading research universities, Colorado State University has substantial resources available for undergraduates to work side-by-side with their professors on critical global issues. In addition to the university’s strong commitment to green initiatives–such as alternative fuels and wind engineering–Colorado State is proud to host some of the greatest community service programs in the nation.

Situated on nearly 5,000 acres, Colorado State at Fort Collins has many opportunities for outdoor sports, such as hiking, skiing and rafting, in addition to its vibrant campus life. To help students connect to those with similar interests, Colorado State offers thirteen Residential Learning Communities, such as Live Green Community and Health and Exercise Science Community. Colorado State University has a branch campus in Pueblo, CO, which is located in the southern part of the state, near Colorado Springs and Denver.

As a technical institute, RPI has a reputable faculty and unmatched resources for performing groundbreaking research. Though RPI is known for specializing in engineering, it also offers very strong programs in the humanities, arts, social sciences and business. For nearly two centuries, RPI has provided an exceptional environment for undergraduates, promoting excellence and encouraging its students to engage in mutual enrichment.

The University offers a wide range of on-campus activities, which in recent years have come to involve post-Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts. Tulane students can regularly be found pursuing community service efforts which aim at rebuilding the city. The Campus is also home to a performing arts center, a jazz archive, a political economy institute, and an Amistad research center.  Though the school is located in the heart of a vibrant city, students remain fostered within a tight-knit community; freshmen and sophomores must live on campus, barring a few extenuating circumstances.

With fewer than 1000 undergraduates, the community at Caltech is close-knit, fostering intellectual engagement between students and world-renowned faculty. In fact, the student to faculty ratio is consistently lower than 3:1, one of the lowest of all universities. With such a heavy faculty presence, students can easily contact professors and work with them on research projects. The school’s academic rivalry with MIT serves as one of the nation’s oldest and, surely, most intellectual. As evidenced by Caltech’s mission statement, research is a fundamental aspect of the university. Over 80% of undergraduates get involved with research in some form. The most common ways include a senior honor’s thesis or independent work with a faculty member during the academic year, paid employment at on and off-campus facilities such as NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and the Palomar Observatory, or through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships that Caltech offers students.

In addition to academic rigor and commitment to service, Villanova is known for its college spirit. The university features 24 Division I varsity sports comprised by more than 500 student athletes, in addition to 44 club and intramural sports. The campus is home to a 12,000 seat stadium and a 6,500-seat multipurpose facility and arena. For those students who are not as interested in athletics, the school’s extracurricular opportunities reflect upwards of 250 extracurricular groups and organizations, such as Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics.

Located in Gambier, Ohio, Kenyon student life revolves around the campus. The college offers a wide variety of events which students regularly take advantage of, such as film screenings by the Kenyon Film Society as well as various theater productions, concerts, and lectures. Kenyon has more than 150 student clubs and organizations, including sororities and fraternities. For those who wish to leave campus, the state capital of Columbus is a 45 minute drive away; the city provides students with many cultural activities.

Located within an hour from the Pacific Ocean, the Mojave Desert, the San Gabriel Mountains, and Los Angeles, Pomona’s opportunity for recreational and cultural options are nearly limitless. The school offers its students 280 campus organizations and clubs for all types of interests. For the academically-inclined, there is a Math Club and the Medical Sciences Society; for the more free-thinking, just-for-fun organizations like the Cheese Club and the Cooking in Your Dorm Club make for a well-rounded experience. 98% of Pomona students live on-campus, where the diversity of backgrounds allows peers to challenge one another daily.

Ann Arbor is a distinct college town that was named #1 College Sports Town by Forbes Magazine and 4th Best City for Families by Parenting Magazine. As a member of the Big Ten, the University of Michigan is keen on athletics and offers varsity, intramural, and club sports. In fact, blue and maize–the traditional golden hue associated with the school–are a campus staple around UMich, as is a fierce, unwavering rivalry with Ohio State. Outside of the Big House–a nickname given to the school’s football stadium–20% of Michigan’s student body is affiliated with Greek Life. In addition, with more than 900 clubs and organizations, there is seldom a boring moment for Michigan students.

From an extracurricular standpoint, Carleton certainly does not lack programs to keep its students occupied. Intramurals dominate the social scene at the school, where Ultimate Frisbee and broomball are very popular. The Carleton Knights, which compete at the Division III level, have a presence throughout campus; One Knight Stand, a popular cabaret group, is one example of the school’s nod to its mascot. Only 35 miles from the state capital St. Paul, students are able to seek culture and entertainment off campus.

Hamilton College challenges its students academically, while providing a multitude of academic and professional opportunities, such as study abroad. Of the college’s 170 full-time faculty members, 96% hold the highest degree in their field. In addition to highly qualified professors, at Hamilton nearly three-quarters of all classes have 19 or fewer students. Students regularly benefit from close relationships to faculty members, facilitated by small class sizes. Without any distribution requirements, Hamilton supports its students’ choice of courses, stressing the importance of interest in a subject. With plenty of shops just minutes away from campus, Hamilton stays connected to the region and has a well-developed community.

Located 35 miles south of Cleveland, Oberlin is a quiet town centered on the college. Cultural events lead the social scene and students can attend an annual average of 500 concerts and recitals and 40 theater and dance productions. Oberlin offers more than 200 student organizations and 22 varsity sports to choose from, supporting students’ various interests and skills. Such opportunities include a number of music groups, the Astronomy Club, the Oberlin Film Series, and the American Medical Association of Oberlin.

Despite the large size of NYU, the university creates a close knit environment for its students through mentoring programs, student organizations and readily available campus housing. In fact, nearly 11,500 undergrads live in one of NYU’s 20 residence halls, 7 of which are designated solely for first year students. In addition, the university has an extensive array of resources that are available to all students, including more than 400 student organizations and hundreds of athletic opportunities and residential hall activities.

Underclassmen at Macalester–that is, freshmen and sophomores–are required to live on campus, which ensures a tighter-knit community feel among the student body. Although the school does not offer a Greek life, students may choose from over one hundred extracurricular opportunities which represent a wide variety of passions. More than 60% of the college’s student body studies abroad, which serves as a testament to the school’s international eye. A unique aspect of Macalester daily life is the college’s identification with bagpipes; not only do the traditionally Scottish instruments show up regularly at campus events, but students may enroll in free bagpipe lessons throughout their college career.

Boasting a diverse student body and excellence in academia, Northwestern encourages its dynamic students to challenge conventional wisdom. Students are supported by a broad range of opportunities to explore and learn through the university’s numerous opportunities, including field experiences, internships, and work-study programs. In addition, Northwestern’s programs in communication, management, and engineering are regularly recognized as leaders in their respective fields. The university has graduated many distinguished alumni working in areas ranging from entertainment to politics, including Stephen Colbert, David Schwimmer, and Rahm Emmanuel.

Northwestern’s Greek scene is rather large; the school currently features 19 sororities and 17 fraternities for students to choose from. In addition, the school’s athletic affiliation–in NCAA’s revered Big Ten conference–makes for plenty of exciting sporting events.

Bryn Mawr is located in the suburban outskirts of Philadelphia, which is a mere 20 minute bus ride away. Students who wish to venture further from campus are also able to take a 2 hour train ride to New York City or Washington D.C, and it is an easy drive to the New Jersey beaches. On campus, the college has more than 100 clubs and organizations for all types, ranging from those with a passion for community service to those who enjoy performing arts.

Although students at William and Mary are focused and work hard academically, they also know how to have fun. With more than 400 campus clubs and organizations, there is something for everybody. In addition to serious organizations like Students for a Democratic Society and Amnesty International, there are clubs just for fun, such as Anime Society and the Seventh Grade Comedy Club. As the college that invented Greek life, students can also pledge to the existing 14 fraternities and 13 sororities.

In addition to their strenuous physical and intellectual daily undertakings, West Point cadets pursue a wide range of extracurricular activities. The school mandates that all students participate in at least one intercollegiate, club, or intramural sport each semester as part of the compulsory Physical Program. In addition, it offers 100 extracurricular activities, from academic organizations such as the debate team and Arabic Language Club, to special interest groups such as the Fly Fishing Club and Paintball/Close Combat Team. Cadets live in barracks for all four years and receive a monthly stipend.

Academically, Notre Dame is extremely competitive. The school came in at #19 in The U.S. News and World Report‘s annual rankings for national universities. Furthermore, Notre Dame’s library system is one of the largest in the nation, providing students with a wide range of resources at their fingertips.

While students at the Naval Academy are challenged daily, they are also offered a wide range of extracurricular opportunities to pursue in their down-time. There is much to do on campus as USNA offers more than 90 extracurricular activities. Midshipmen can join recreational groups like the scuba and mountaineering club or musical groups such as the Drum and Bugle Corps or Glee Club. All midshipmen are required to participate in athletics and live in the same dormitory complex, where the company is the most important social unit. In addition, the nearby cities of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. offer countless cultural opportunities and entertainment.

Smith represents a variety of interests and passions and is home to 120 student clubs and organizations, which range from Crapapella-one of a number of a cappella groups-to Bad Seeds, a botany group. The college also offers Division III athletics and club sports, where the first women’s basketball game was played. 95% of all undergraduates live in the 36 houses on campus, creating a tight-knit community.

The University of Pittsburgh boasts 460 registered student organizations, including a Greek community which collectively channels its philanthropic efforts toward the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Pitt hosts a variety of athletic programs ranging from basketball and rugby to football and gymnastics. The University’s main campus is located just three miles from downtown Pittsburgh, offering students convenient access to the city’s acclaimed performing arts scene, as well as its numerous sports venues.

Bard has a stunning, 600-acre campus in the rural town of Annandale-On-Hudson, near the towns of Red Hook and Tivoli. It overlooks the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains, which can be viewed from the residence halls, and there are shuttles connecting Bard to neighboring areas. Just 90 miles north of New York City, Bard is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts of all types, with activities such as skiing, horseback riding and canoeing.

UF is internationally recognized for its top sports programs. The widely acclaimed Florida Gators are celebrated by their fans who are collectively known as the “Gator Nation.” The Gators are the first college sports team in history to win both the national men’s basketball and football championships in the same year. In addition to its stellar athletics programs, UF hosts a variety of on-campus activities, including a television station, music ensembles, a symphony orchestra, fraternities/sororities, and a student government. UF students enjoy Gainesville’s student-friendly atmosphere, as well as the town’s vibrant music scene. UF is located just hours away from Jacksonville, Orlando, and Florida’s state capital, Tallahassee.

Undergraduate students apply to one of two colleges, the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, or the Pratt School of Engineering. Between the two colleges, more than 40 majors are offered, including the option for students to self-design a new major. Approximately 90% of undergraduate classes have fewer than 35 students, just another way in which Duke offers a personalized education that emphasizes student participation. Set on 8,600 beautiful acres, Duke is divided into West, East and Central campuses, all of which are connected by a free bus service and each of which has its own distinct architecture.

Aside from Orange Pride, Syracuse offers its students a wide array of extracurricular opportunities. Greek life thrives at the school; nearly twenty percent of students participate in fraternities and sororities–although only upperclassmen may live in Greek housing, as freshmen and sophomores must live on campus. Syracuse’s satellite campus in Florence, Italy is an attractive option for students with an eye toward study abroad options. For those staying at the school’s home campus, SU’s 100+ annual inches of snowfall makes for plenty of winter activities, from sledding for the less coordinated, to skiing and snowboarding for the more seasoned.

Two noteworthy components of the academic structure at Princeton are the freshman seminars and the preceptorial system. Each year, more than 70 seminars are available for first year students. They are conducted in small groups comprised of no more than 17 students and are led by some of Princeton’s most distinguished professors. As a continuation of the freshman seminars, most lecture courses include a preceptorial, or small discussion group, that meets once or more a week to discuss course information in further detail. These individualized academic experiences are fostered by the very low student to faculty ratio of 6:1.

Beyond the academic prestige of Princeton, the school is also noted for its location in a suburban area of central New Jersey, which fosters an excellent sense of community on campus.  This is evidenced by the fact that 98% of students live on campus throughout all of their undergraduate experience. During the first two years, all students live in one of six residential colleges, which focus on intellectual, social and cultural activities. Furthermore, students are involved in a wide array of organizations and community service efforts, from Amnesty International to the Yoga Club. In addition, Princeton’s location allows easy access (via car, bus or train) to nearby cities, including Philadelphia and New York.

UCSD features more than 400 registered student organizations, and offers an impressive array of athletic programs such as water polo, softball, lacrosse, football, basketball, diving, bowling, and badminton. An annual tradition unique to the UCSD campus is the Sun God Festival, which began in 1983 as a daylong celebration with concerts, carnival activities, and student booths. Students also enjoy the school’s art galleries, performing arts centers, and nature preserves.  The campus is located just twelve miles from San Diego, a city rich in culture, arts, tourist attractions, and entertainment.

Aside from its religious convictions, Pepperdine offers a wide array of secular extracurricular options. The university’s Greek life thrives as a quarter of the student body actively participates in its seven sororities and five fraternities. The student body reflects a wide variety of interests; the Peace Corp regularly cites Pepperdine as a top-producing university for its services. In addition, the school’s location–24 miles away from Beverly Hills, 54 miles from Disneyland, and an hour from Los Angeles–ensures boredom is seldom an issue for students at Pepperdine.

The Santa Barbara campus boasts a robotics laboratory, a neuroscience research facility, and seawater laboratories. The school offers an exceptional variety of on-campus activities including a Greek community in which roughly 10% of students participate. In addition, many sports fans find a welcoming home at UCSB: not only do varsity teams compete in the Division I Big West conference, but less competitive athletes will find a wide range of teams, from surfing to alpine racing.

Georgetown encourages its students to take advantage of the school’s ideal location by applying to local internships as a supplement to course work. Georgetown students regularly work on Capitol Hill, for NIH, ABC News, the World Bank and many others. In addition, Georgetown’s location–just 1.5 miles from downtown DC–provides students with endless possibilities to explore a number of historical sites and museums, including the Smithsonian, which is just a short walk or subway ride away from campus.

For nearly 200 years, Miami University has provided educational and professional opportunities to its students. In addition to academic prospects, Miami University offers experiential, hands-on volunteer programs that address issues like the environment, poverty alleviation and animal welfare. With its long history, the university has many traditions; for example, the Tri Delt Sundial behind the Warfield and MacMillian Halls is said to bring good luck to those who rub the turtles’ heads.

Located just 35 miles from Cincinnati, the university is a short walk from uptown Oxford, which has a variety of cafes, restaurants and shops. The picturesque campus is a “hidden gem” with a variety of housing options like Learning-Living Communities, where students who share interests live in the same residence. Miami University also has two satellite campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, Ohio, which are smaller, two-year community colleges to which students must apply separately.

In addition, JHU offers students the dual opportunities of a liberal arts college and a major research institution. Classes are kept small and the student-to-faculty ratio is kept low. Students are encouraged to complete research projects and take part in internships under the guidance of faculty members and mentors. In fact, the school allocates funds specifically for undergraduate researchers, including the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Awards and the Woodrow Wilson Undergraduate Research Fellowships.

The central campus of JHU, Homewood, is a residential area tucked within the metropolitan area of Baltimore. With easy access to trains, planes or buses, travel to and from this area is very convenient. In addition, there are various other campuses and centers in Maryland, DC and two abroad–one in Bologna, Italy and the other in Nanjing, China. The worldwide presence of the Johns Hopkins is a testament to the school’s commitment to global affairs and the creation of future leaders.

The University of Colorado is well known for its research facilities, and with an active Environmental Center it is committed to ecological stewardship. At the same time, it offers 85 majors across seven undergraduate colleges and a multitude of extracurricular activities. With 3,400 courses offered in 150 fields, there are many opportunities for exploration and ways in which the students can find a challenge.

Vanderbilt’s first year experience is highly regarded for the resources and sense of community it provides incoming students. Known as The Commons, Vanderbilt’s living and learning community is made up of 10 residential houses. Each house has a live-in faculty member that regularly engages with students through academic and social programs. There is also a Commons Center which houses a dining hall, coffee shop, recreational rooms, a living room and advising offices. As evidenced by the 97% retention rate from freshman to sophomore year, The Commons creates an enjoyable first impression for the Vanderbilt student experience.

In addition to the university’s comfortable on-campus environment, Vanderbilt is located in the Midtown district of Nashville, popularly known as one of the “most livable” cities in the country. There is easy access to local restaurants, museums and musical venues.  Vanderbilt offers students an excellent combination of the urban and campus life experience.

Not only does the school offer over 120 undergraduate degree programs, but the number and variety of clubs on campus is astonishing. With 800 organizations including staples like Greek life, hobbies like amateur radio, and odd-ball curiosities like speleology (the study of caves), Texas A&M has a place for everyone to connect. The school offers a vast 5,200-acre campus in College Station, Texas and two satellite campuses–one in Galveston, Texas and one in the country of Qatar.

With approximately 1,000 registered student organizations, the University of Illinois provides students with an attractive range of on-campus clubs and activities. Among these activities is the school’s Greek system, which happens to be the largest in the world; almost a quarter of the student body is involved in fraternities or sororities. The UIUC Flighting Illini participate in more than 20 Division I sports and are a member of the Big Ten conference, providing a thrill for sports fans among students. The UIUC campus is centrally located between Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis, offering students easy access to three major urban locales.

UC Davis offers more than 360 registered student organizations, including fraternities and sororities. The campus is located in a comfortable suburban setting just 15 miles outside of Sacramento and about 72 miles away from San Francisco. Davis itself is a welcoming city for students; in 2006, it was named the second-most educated city in the nation by CNN Money Magazine.

Although about 30% of students commute from surrounding areas, nearly 50% of students live in Fordham’s on-campus housing. In addition, the university features over 100 student organizations from Mimes and Mummers, one of the nation’s oldest collegiate theatrical groups, to the top-ranked Fordham Debate Society. Furthermore, many students note that the Catholic foundation of the university creates an open forum for discussion of social and moral issues of the world today.

With the largest single-campus residence hall system in the nation, Michigan State has many options available to freshmen, who are required to live on campus for the first year. Many students choose to live in academic living-learning communities according to their area of academic interest; examples of such program housing includes the James Madison College for students studying politics and law, and the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience (MRULE) for further immersion among students of all backgrounds. Such opportunities–and many others–help establish Michigan State as a school truly focused on personalizing students’ educational experiences and broadening their horizons.

As evidenced by the 93% retention rate from first to second year, students enjoy their experiences at UW.  Though it is a  large, public university, UW provides a wide array of resources to its students. For instance, in any given year nearly 4,500 undergraduates participate in research,  2,000 students study abroad, and more than 20,000 courses are offered. Even as a university of more than 30,000 students, the average class size remains small at 28 students and the student to professor ratio is only 9:1, a statistic comparable to that of many small liberal arts colleges.

Furthermore, Drexel is known for its use of co-operative education as part of the undergraduate learning process. In 1919, a career-focused co-op program was founded, which was among the first of its kind in the U.S. Today, the program continues to excel as one of the country’s largest and most diverse. A majority of students complete an 18 month, full-time work experience relating to their specific academic interests during their undergraduate career. The system provides boundless hands-on academic opportunity for Drexel students; currently, students are employed by more than 1,500 businesses and organizations in 27 states and 12 countries through the co-op program.

As a result of its larger student body, Berkeley’s extracurricular opportunities represent a vast range of interests–the school offers organizations ranging from a thriving Greek life to a hand gliding club, and everything in between. In fact, there are more than 700 registered clubs and organizations in which students may become involved. Furthermore, the school’s location in downtown Berkeley encourages a cultural experience both within the immediate city and in San Francisco, which is just twenty minutes away from campus.

UNC boasts over 620 registered student organizations, and nearly half of all undergraduate students live in University housing. The campus is well integrated into Chapel Hill, often hailed one of the America’s best college towns; a student can easily go from cheering the Tar Heels at the Dean Dome to grabbing a late-night bite on Franklin Street, an array of small shops, clubs, and eateries.

Wellesley encourages its students to be as active outside of the classroom as they are in. The school offers over 180 student organizations which, in addition to its proximity to Boston, make for countless cultural opportunities. Nearly all students choose to live on campus in one of the school’s 21 residence halls, fostering a tight-knit community feel. While Wellesley does not offer sororities, its clubs are often characterized by their social or academic goals; these groups often bring lecturers to campus and fund other academic experiences for their members. Among the most popular groups on campus are those singing a cappella music–four all-female and one coed with MIT–which have recorded with Ben Folds and been featured on television specials about the genre.

The Miami Hurricanes are highly competitive in Division 1 athletics—the football and baseball teams have won multiple national championships—and many UM athletes go on to play professional sports.

The Golden Gophers are competitive in many Division 1 conferences. The men’s basketball team has won two national titles, and the football team’s annual clash with the Wisconsin Badgers is one of the longest-running rivalries in NCAA history.

The Princeton Review recently voted Brown the #1 college in America for happiest students. Brown students enjoy a rich array of pursuits outside the classroom, from rock bands and Division 1 sports teams to community service and independent scientific research. Most undergrads live in on-campus residence halls, which border scenic quads and create close-knit communities within the larger student body.

The campus is located in downtown Austin, a few blocks from the Texas State Capitol building. A popular local bumper sticker reads “Keep Austin Weird,” and the city works hard to maintain its uniqueness. Austin boasts cuisine from all over the world, from Thai to Southern barbecue, and its famous 6th Street is closed to cars on weekends to accommodate the foot traffic between bars and music venues.

With the highest retention rate of any public college or university, it is clear that students enjoy their time at UVA. With 57 Greek organizations and hundreds of clubs (from the Charlottesville Community Food Project to the Classics Club), the University has something for everyone. Another signature aspect of the UVA is its honor system, a long-standing tradition. Administered by students, the system is based on the premise that lying, cheating, and stealing will not be tolerated. Students found guilty by a jury of their peers are expelled from the University.

Located in a Los Angeles suburb that borders Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, and Brentwood, with an average annual temperature of 73 degrees and 330 days of sunshine, UCLA’s setting is an extra draw. Students enjoy big-city access paired with a quieter residential campus life. A number of community-service programs and organizations, such as UCLA Volunteer Day, bring students into the city to help the locals and the environment.

Washington University boasts 200 registered student organizations, including a film society, choral groups, fraternities/sororities, a literary magazine, and a television station. The school also hosts a variety of sports programs, including bowling, diving, fencing, and sailing. Washington University students enjoy St. Louis’s vibrant performing arts and music scene, as well as the city’s world-class tourist attractions.

Williams College ranks first among colleges and universities that have the most graduates attending top business, medical, and law schools. The College has a diverse student population, with approximately 31% of its undergraduates identifying as students of color. Located in the scenic Berkshire Hills region of Massachusetts, the campus offers easy access to a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and skiing.

WSU has 300 registered student organizations and a attractive variety of sports programs, including sailing, ice hockey, gymnastics, basketball, and football. The University has additional campuses in Spokane, Vancouver, and Richland, as well as an online learning program.

Distinguishing Vassar from many other schools is the fact that 98% of all undergrads choose to live on campus; this fosters a tight-knit feel among students. The school offers more than 100 clubs and organizations, including athletics on the Division III level. While not technically recognized by the NCAA, the Vassar Butterbeer Brewers compete fiercely in Quidditch against other collegiate teams.

The University’s Boston/Chinatown campus is home to the health sciences program, along with several graduate departments. The main Tufts campus in suburban Medford creates a close-knit community, while a short commute to Boston gives students easy access to one of the most eclectic and historic cities in the country. Boston’s wide range of urban amenities includes museums, restaurants, clubs, cafes, and Revolutionary War-era sites.

With 950 registered student organizations, OSU has a stellar array of campus activities and clubs. Its football team is a Division I contender, and the University offers a range of athletic programs, including swimming, fencing, soccer, and rugby. Columbus is the largest city and capital of Ohio. Students have easy access to the city’s many Broadway shows, performing arts centers, and outdoor attractions.

The student body at Emory is dynamic, running more than 220 clubs and organizations. Greek life is a significant factor on campus, as is philanthropic activity. In fact, approximately 25% of all Emory students participate in Volunteer Emory, an organization that oversees and plans community service activities. Emory students’ lighter side is illustrated in the school’s annual Dooley Week—a celebration of Emory’s unofficial mascot, a skeleton labeled Emory’s “Lord of Misrule.” The week includes an unidentified Dooley touring campus flanked by a select group of bodyguards, and culminates with Dooley’s Ball, an elaborate party taking place on central campus. Celebrations continue at the yearly Dooley Cup, a sporting event between the university administration and student government; to date, students remain undefeated.

Eastern Washington boasts 100 registered student organizations, including a model UN, jazz band, fraternities/sororities, a musical theater, and a student government. The University also offers a myriad of athletic programs, including baseball, basketball, boxing, ice hockey, fencing, and football. Students have easy access to ski resorts, lakes, hiking, and camping; and for those who want a taste of urban experience, Cheney is only 16 miles from Spokane, the second-largest city in Washington state.

Amherst College’s students represent a wide variety of interests and passions; the school offers more than 140 registered clubs and organizations. Distinguished alumni include author David Foster Wallace, Prince Albert of Monaco, and President Calvin Coolidge.  Rich in history in many aspects, the school claims to have the oldest athletics program, and third oldest football field, in the country. Amherst also features many a cappella groups which can regularly be found performing around campus–this, it can be assumed, has warranted the school’s unofficial nickname of “the singing college.”

Located in the heart of Boston, BU blends seamlessly with the city—there are no fences around its campus. This urban immersion offers ready access to the city’s cafes, clubs, restaurants, bookstores, museums, and major sporting events. Boston University makes good use of nearby businesses and organizations, offering hundreds of internships, research projects, and community-service programs.

WPI hosts a wide variety of extracurricular activities, from varsity sports to musical ensembles, and roughly a third of all students participate in Greek life. Though many are self-proclaimed “nerds” or “geeks,” students value the diversity of their passions and each finds his or her own space on campus. Each student completes an interactive project and a separate major project before graduation, designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing real-world experience.

The University of Georgia has almost 600 registered student organizations and offers a variety of athletic programs, including basketball, diving, fencing, and football. Located just 70 miles from Atlanta, Athens is known as one of the best college towns in America. University of Georgia students enjoy the town’s rich culture and history, as well as its thriving music and arts scene.

Georgia Tech is widely recognized for its commitment to diversity. Among U.S. universities, it confers the most engineering doctoral degrees to minority students and ranks second for the number of engineering bachelor’s degrees awarded to minority graduates. Georgia Tech also awards more engineering doctoral degrees to African Americans than any other college in the country.

The University boasts a myriad of student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, a student newspaper, campus ministries, and a radio station. Its range of athletic programs includes basketball, cricket, fencing, and ice hockey. Located in culturally diverse downtown Atlanta, Georgia Tech offers students easy access to a variety of restaurants, clubs, theaters, museums, and art galleries.

In addition to offering intellectual and cultural engagement on campus, Rutgers–New Brunswick is situated within easy access (via train, bus, or car) of New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington D.C. Its central location also attracts a number of visiting professors, speakers, and researchers to the campus each year.

The University’s famed Core curriculum, a comprehensive program of general education for all undergraduates, has been used as the model for a number of other institutions. This curriculum, along with guaranteed on-campus housing and strong student involvement in campus activities, creates an intense and close-knit learning environment.

Hailing from 70 countries and 48 states, the Mount Holyoke student body pursues a wide range of interests and passions through the school’s 110 clubs and organizations. As a means of encouraging comfort among first-year students, the junior class organizes a system each year known as “Big/Little Sisters” in which a third-year student is paired with a freshman, promoting a mentor-like relationship. In addition, a free bus ride to the nearby towns of Amherst and Northampton provides easy access to coffeehouses, clubs, theaters, galleries, and restaurants.

Temple is one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the United States. About one-third of the school’s undergraduates identify themselves as students of color. The University ranks 13th out of the top 100 institutions that grant the most undergraduate degrees to African Americans. Distinguished University alumni include actor/comedian Bill Cosby; journalist Tamron Hall; and Shirley M. Tilghman, the current president of Princeton University.

Temple boasts 270 registered student organizations including fraternities/sororities, choral groups, a radio station, a model UN, and a literary magazine. The University offers a variety of athletic programs including field hockey, gymnastics, and rugby. Conveniently located near Philadelphia’s “Avenue of the Arts,” Temple’s main campus frequently hosts musical performances and guest presentations.

Swarthmore has almost 140 registered student organizations, including a film society, choral groups, and a radio station. The College offers a variety of athletic programs ranging from basketball and field hockey to soccer and rugby. Since the town of Swarthmore is just 22 minutes from Philadelphia by train, students can enjoy both the peace of a cozy suburban town and the amenities of a bustling metropolis.

MIT is known for its intense academic rigor, but it offers a number of resources to ease the pressure for students. In particular, the first semester of the first year is graded on a Pass/No Record basis, to allow new students to adjust to life and academics. Furthermore, most undergraduates are heavily involved with extracurricular activities, both on and off campus. From the nationally acclaimed MIT Symphony Orchestra to comedy-improv groups, the University has over 450 student organizations.

MIT students take full advantage of their vibrant Cambridge neighborhood, and because the campus is located on a T subway line, access to historic downtown Boston is convenient. Several cross-registration programs allow MIT students to take courses at Harvard, Wellesley College, and the Massachusetts College of Art.

One thing that sets USC apart is its proximity to Hollywood. This closeness has enriched the University’s academic and artistic programs by allowing its School of Cinematic Arts to flourish. Alumni include directors Judd Apatow and George Lucas, and major films such as Forrest Gump, Legally Blonde, and The Graduate were all filmed on campus. In addition, USC’s thriving Greek life involves about 4,000 students across more than 60 chapters. Overall, the University of Southern California is the epitome of a top-ranking academic institution whose extracurricular offerings are just as strong as those in the classroom.

UPenn students are intellectually and socially involved, both on and off campus. A number of University courses and student groups, including the Civic House and the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, incorporate outreach into their mission and stress the importance of local community engagement; and many students actively participate in community-service efforts in Philadelphia.

As evidenced by the 99% retention rate from the first to second year, students are very happy with the University, its resources, and its location. Columbia is situated in the heart of New York City. Despite the busy urban setting, there is still an intimate sense of community among Columbia students. Nearly 95% of all undergraduates live on campus, and all students participate in the renowned Core Curriculum, a set of required classes in literature, philosophy, history, music, art, and science.

Located just outside Boston in the historic village of Chestnut Hill, the BC campus 0ffers students a small-town atmosphere with easy access to the big city. The community is diverse, with students from all 50 states and 96 countries worldwide. Nearly half of all BC students participate in an international experience (e.g., summer or semester abroad) before graduating. As a Jesuit school with a Roman-Catholic affiliation, BC does not have fraternities or sororities, but the school’s 200 clubs and organizations keep students extremely busy nonetheless.

The atmosphere in University Park can be summed up by the city’s unofficial nickname: Happy Valley. Penn State is renowned for its school spirit. The school’s Nittany Lions are an NCAA Division I team and regularly attract some of the most devoted fans and talented players in the country. In 2008, ESPN voted Beaver Stadium (the second-largest stadium in the America) as having the #1 Best Student Section, adding that “if you haven’t been to Happy Valley in the fall, you’re missing out on one of the great happenings in all of sports. Quite simply the loudest, most supportive student section in college football.”

With 350 active clubs and organizations, from Mock Trial to the Glee Club to the Anime Society, there are extracurricular options for every taste. In addition, the famous Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History gives free admission to all Yale students. This is a great option for a family visit or a lazy Saturday. And if you tire of campus offerings, New York City and Boston are only a short drive (or train ride) away.

Cornell has more than 500 student organizations on campus, ranging from the Big Red Marching Band to an Ultimate Frisbee team. First-year students live together in a cluster of dorms on North Campus, fostering a strong community bond. With more than 30 Division I athletic teams, the Big Red is perhaps best known for its men’s basketball and lacrosse teams, which regularly compete for national championships.

Ithaca itself is known as much for its beautiful gorges as for its cultural activities. The Downtown Commons hosts annual events ranging from an Apple Festival to a Chili Cook-Off, and the town’s farmer’s market is a local favorite, with 150 vendors selling fresh, organic foods. Ithaca was even named as one of the “foodiest towns in America” by Bon Appetit Magazine!

Harvard has as much to offer its students outside the classroom as it does inside the classroom.  There are more than 400 official clubs and organizations, including a student newspaper, a radio station, choral groups, student government, and 41 varsity athletic teams.  Additionally, Harvard is home to several world-renowned museums.  Harvard Square has lots to offer in the way of entertainment—boutiques, cafes, restaurants, movie theatres, and bookstores—and Downtown Boston is a quick subway (known as the T) ride away.