Kalamazoo College
The Facts
Kalamazoo College is a rather small liberal arts college located in the town of
Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is home to over 1,280 undergraduate students. The school
focuses on combining a solid education in the liberal arts with a significant amount of
real-world experience that includes comprehensive study abroad and internship programs.
The school also has a terrific Career Development office that works with students to find
advantageous internships that suit their future career. Additionally, all students must
complete a Senior Individualized Project that requires them to work independently to
create a distinctive piece of work that focuses on their area of interest. The college offers
its students a wide array of typically preprofessional majors, however, some of the most
popular with students include majors in the areas of psychology, economics, business,
biology, English, as well as chemistry.
Admission to Kalamazoo College is not terrifically competitive numerically, however the
applicant pool has been steadily increasing, and the applicants are usually drawn to the
innovative curriculum style of the school. Last year, over 1,600 students applied for
admission to the school, and approximately 1,125 of those students were accepted.
Eventually however, only about 380 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the
coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score
ranging from 1230 to an impressive 1420, and an average comprehensive ACT score
ranging from 26 to 30. Additionally, over 80% of those admitted were ranked in the top
25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of about
3.65.
Kalamazoo College has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 12:1, and it is rare
to find a class with more than 18 students. In general, teachers get high marks from their
students for accessibility and willingness to help, and students comment that they receive
a lot of individualized attention from their professors for their entire stay at the college.
The school runs on a rather grueling quarter system, and students are forced to cram an
entire semester into just ten weeks, which makes the academic scene fairly intense. Most
students spend the majority of their time in the library or in their rooms studying and
working on the many papers students are required to write in each class.
The Social Scene
The town of Kalamazoo is fairly small, and doesn’t really offer students much in the way
of entertainment, however, there are several bars and clubs that we hear are pretty lax
when it comes to carding. There are no fraternities or sororities at the school, which
makes the on campus party scene pretty lackluster, however, the school does have over
50 student-run clubs and organizations; everything from a dance company to a model
U.N. The student body itself is pretty homogenous, although there are many clubs at the
school that work hard to promote diversity.
The dating scene is what you make of it; chances are, you’ll have to actively search to
find that special someone, or have some darn good bait.
What’s Good
“There is a nice sense of community here, and people tend to be really friendly.”
“The administration is pretty open when it comes to listening to suggestions. It’s nice to
not have a ton of red tape.”
“The dorms are nice, and there are a lot of really cool special interest living options like
an Art House.”
What’s Bad
“Everyone is exactly the same here; they all wear the same clothes, have the same hair,
and talk the same.”
“The social scene is totally nonexistent here. You have to do the study abroad program if
you want to have any amount of fun.”
“The atmosphere can get a bit too competitive and intense here. Because there is nothing
fun to do, everyone is hyper focused on their studies.”
Kansas State University
The Facts
Kansas State University or KSU, is a large, public university located in the town of
Manhattan, Kansas, and is home to over 16,300 undergraduate students and
approximately 4,000 graduate and part time students. The school has an almost exclusive
focus on preprofessional studies, and makes a point of preparing students for the real
world to come when they begin their careers. The university is actually divided up into
several smaller undergraduate colleges including schools of agriculture, architecture,
planning and design, arts and sciences, business administration, education, engineering,
human ecology, as well as technology and aviation. The wide range of schools offers
students many internship and research opportunities, as well as over 200 majors.
However, some of the most popular with students include majors in the areas of
journalism, mechanical engineering, animal science, psychology, as well as elementary
education.
Admission to KSU is quite competitive, although not much more competitive than any
other large state school in the country. Last year, over 8,000 students applied for
admission to the school, and approximately 4,700 of those students were accepted.
Eventually however, only about 3,500 of the admitted students actually enrolled
for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score
ranging from 1100 to 1320, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 21 to
26. Additionally, over 56% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high
school graduating class with an average high school GPA of 3.52.
KSU has an impressive student to faculty ratio of 12:1, which is quite intimate,
particularly for such a large state school. While many of the introductory core classes are
held in large lecture halls with upwards of 150 students, most of the more specific upper
level classes are held in rather small seminars, and have a lot of hands-on work as well as
discussions based on the studies. The university also has a unique PILOTS program, in
which students can receive free tutoring, and be put into smaller classes where their
voices can be more readily heard.
The Social Scene
The town of Manhattan, Kansas is definitely not to be confused with the East Coast urban
island of the same name. It is a small town in comparison, although it is home to a large
Army base, Fort Riley. The town has really embraced its college-town status, and offers
students a great amount of entertainment, including student friendly bars, restaurants,
cafes, and shops. The school has a large amount of fraternities and sororities that are
known for throwing some rowdy weekend parties that tend to be quite popular with the
student population. Drinking is definitely a popular activity at KSU, and the party scene
is not to be missed. Most students own cars, and the nearby city of Kansas City makes a
popular weekend road trip for those who crave a bit more urban excitements. The school
also boasts over 380 student-run clubs and organizations that span from the Opera Guild
to the Quarter Scale Tractor Team. Interesting...
The dating scene is awesome, and reflects the fun loving nature of KSU students. Expect
to meet some hot party animals that will be more than eager to take you to a party or two.
What’s Good
“The party scene is incredible at KSU; there’s always something going on either on or off
campus, but usually both.”
“The research facilities here are like nothing I’ve ever seen. They are really incredible,
and accessible to students.”
“Even though the school is huge, you do receive a lot of individualized attention from
your professors.”
What’s Bad
“The party scene can get way too out of hand. If you actually want to study or work on
the weekends, it’s nearly impossible.”
“The introductory classes are massive, and I don’t remember a thing from them.”
“The town of Manhattan is really boring, besides the one street with some shops and bars.
It’s a cruel joke of fate that it’s got the same name as the best city in the country...”
Kenyon College
The Facts
Kenyon College is a rather small liberal arts and sciences college located in the town of
Gambier, Ohio, and is home to over 1,600 undergraduate students. The college puts an
emphasis on international studies, and combined a traditional liberal arts education with
interdisciplinary classes. The school is perhaps best known for its fantastic English
program (E.L. Doctorow is a graduate) as well as its stellar performing arts programs
(Alison Janney and Paul Newman are also graduates.) The school offers its students over
25 majors among its several departments, however, some of the most popular with
students include majors in the areas of English, political science, psychology, history, as
well as international studies.
Admission to Kenyon College is quite competitive, particularly for a school of such
diminutive size. Last year, over 3,500 students applied for admission to the school, and
approximately 1,500 of those students were accepted. Eventually however, only about
450 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The
admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1220 to 1410, and
an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 27 to 32. Additionally, over 88% of
those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an
average high school GPA of 3.76.
Kenyon College has a terrific student to faculty ratio of 10:1, and is actually rare to find a
class with more than 14 students. The professors are generally extremely accessible, and
are always ready to help a student who may require some extra attention. In fact, Kenyon
professors are even known to give out their home phone numbers in order to be available
24-7 to their students. The academic atmosphere at Kenyon is very intense, and students
generally take their studies very seriously. However, students say that they don’t really
feel an unhealthy sense of competition, and the atmosphere is generally quite supportive
among students, and they are always willing to help each other out.
The Social Scene
The town of Gambier, Ohio is quite small, and is basically located out in the middle of
nowhere. Obviously, the town doesn’t offer students much in the way of excitement, so
its really up to the students to create their own fun, and they seem to be fairly good at it.
There are several national fraternities and sororities at the school, and they are known for
throwing some pretty raucous parties that are extremely popular with students. The
administration tends to turn a blind eye to partying, so students happily spend their
weekends drinking and relaxing after a long hard academic week.
Sports are also a big deal, and the oddly named Lords and Ladies are a member of the
NCAA Division III. Both the men and women’s swimming teams have been extremely
successful in recent years, and a surprising amount of students show up to meets to cheer
them on.
The dating scene is pretty vibrant, although not incredibly diverse. There isn’t really
much else to do, so expect a lot of dating... Yippee!
What’s Good
“There is such an incredible sense of community here. It’s easy to adopt this place as
your second home.”
“The dorms are great, and always accessible, even to upper classmen, which is a perk.”
“The English program is amazing, and our professors are some of the best writers in the
nation.”
What’s Bad
“I feel a bit too babied sometimes. There’s always someone there holding your hand, and
it gets kind of overwhelming.”
“The party scene can get kind of out of hand on the weekends. Sometimes, you just want
to sleep.”
“Everyone here is really rich, white, and fairly conservative. There’s no variety.”
Kettering University
The Facts
Kettering University is a rather moderately sized private university located in the town of
Flint, Michigan, and is home to over 2,525 undergraduate students and approximately
570 graduate and part-time students. The school is perhaps best known for its
engineering and scientific programs, with an area-driven focus on industry paired with
a large internship program as well as a significant amount of work-study opportunities.
The university is actually divided up into several smaller undergraduate programs
including applied mathematics, applied physics, computer engineering, computer science,
electrical engineering, and manufacturing engineering. The school offers its students a
wide range of practical preprofessional majors, however, some of the most popular with
students include majors in the areas of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering,
computer engineering, computer science, as well as business management.
Admission to Kettering University is not terribly competitive numerically, although those
who do apply often show a strong commitment to developing a future career. Last year,
over 2,400 students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 1,670 of those
students were accepted. Eventually however, only about 560 of the admitted students
actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average
combined SAT score ranging from 1140 to 1330, and an average comprehensive ACT
score ranging from 23 to 28. Additionally, over 64% of those admitted were ranked in
the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of
about 3.6.
Kettering University has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 12:1, and
professors generally get high marks from students for being accessible and willing to lend
a helping hand. The academics at the university tend to be extremely competitive, and
have a highly professional edge to them. The core curriculum is extensive, and all
students are required to take courses in the areas of math, physical sciences, humanities,
social sciences, written and oral communication, as well as computer systems.
Additionally, all students are required to take part in a co-op internship projects, as well
as complete a senior thesis project that often relates to their co-op employer in
some way.
The Social Scene
The town of Flint, Michigan does not have the best reputation, particularly in the area of
security. It is a low-income, industrial town with a very high crime rate, and students say
it isn’t a very good idea to venture far off campus, especially alone. The campus itself,
however, is well equipped and has some state-of-the-art research and lab facilities, as
well as several industrial research facilities. There is a huge Greek presence on campus,
and the fraternities and sororities alike are notorious for throwing some pretty bawdy
parties that frequently get out of hand. The school also has a large number of student run
clubs and organizations, many pertaining to science and industry.
The dating scene is an interesting one; the school consists of 83% men and only 17%
women... women, this may be your lucky day... Men, get ready to fight...
What’s Good
“The school is great at providing specific job-oriented training and education so you are
fully prepared for the real world.”
“The people are very friendly, and the small campus lends to the sense of community
here.”
“There is always housing available, which is nice because Flint is not a place I would
want to live otherwise.”
What’s Bad
“The town of Flint is a really scary place. There are a ton of boarded up houses and
buildings, and a total lack of safe things to do.”
“The party scene gets really out of control, and can make it difficult to focus on your
studies.”
“The campus is tiny, and even though the student body isn’t that big, it feels pretty
cramped here.”
Knox College
The Facts
Knox College is a rather small, private liberal arts and sciences school located in the town
of Galesburg, Illinois, and is home to over 1,100 undergraduate students. The college is
perhaps best known for its strongly knit community, and individualized attention placed
on each and every student. The absence of graduate students ensures that focus is
entirely on undergraduate education, and students rave about the sense of the individual.
The school has a terrific premedical program, and many premeds are able to apply early
for medical school nearby. The arts are also a strong suit at Knox, and the theater and
studio art programs get rave reviews from students. Knox offers its students a wide
variety of majors in many different areas of discipline, however, some of the most
popular with students include majors in the areas of psychology, biology, education,
creative writing, as well as economics.
Admission to Knox College is not terrifically competitive numerically, however, the
applicant pool grows with each admissions cycle, and many of the applicants are highly
motivated individuals who have been academically successful in the past. Last year, over
1,600 students applied to the school for admission, and approximately 1,130 of those
students were accepted. Eventually however, only about 270 of the admitted students
actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average
combined SAT score ranging from 1090 to 1350, and an average comprehensive ACT
score ranging from 24 to 30. Additionally, over 68% of those admitted were ranked in
the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of
about 3.6.
Knox College has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 12:1, and one of the best
features of the school is the teachers’ accessibility and willingness to help the students.
They are available to students in one form or another day and night, and often form close
bonds with their students that last well-beyond graduation.
The Social Scene
The town of Galesburg, Illinois, doesn’t really offer students much in the way of
entertainment, besides a movie theater and a small art museum. The campus is pretty
much located in the middle of nowhere, i.e. Illinois farmland with the occasional factory.
However, for those students who have cars (and many do) the cities of Chicago and St.
Louis are each about a three hours drive, and provide a nice escape for those students
who crave a bit more urban excitement.
The school has a fair amount of fraternities and sororities, and students say that they
pretty much govern the on campus social life. However, if you are looking for rowdy
parties, this probably isn’t the place for you. Students are far more concerned with
academics, and rarely party their weekends away. The school also boasts a huge amount
of student run clubs and organizations, running the gamut from Habitat for Humanity to
Chess Club.
The dating scene is reportedly awesome, and the friendly atmosphere makes for an easy
dating experience; expect a lot of corn-fed Midwestern beauties...
What’s Good
“The school places so much attention on the individual, and you really feel taken care of
here.”
“On campus housing is awesome, and its a great way to meet other people with similar
interests.”
“There’s a lot of open space around to get a bit of peace and quiet when the academics
get overwhelming.”
What’s Bad
“There is nothing to do off campus, and sometimes on campus for that matter. It gets
boring.”
“It’s too small here; everything is really touchy-feely and you begin to feel like you’re
being treated like a child.”
“If you’re a raging liberal who hates Republicans, I wouldn’t recommend coming to
Knox.”
Lafayette College
The Facts
Lafayette College is a rather moderately sized liberal arts and sciences college located in
the small town of Easton, Pennsylvania, and is home to over 2,200 undergraduate
students. The school is perhaps best known for offering students a topnotch education in
beautiful and state-of-the-art facilities due to a large endowment. The college’s best
program by far is engineering, and the school uniquely integrates this more scientific
discipline with the liberal arts. The school is actually divided up into several smaller
programs including natural sciences, humanities, engineering, and social sciences.
Lafayette offers its students more than 45 majors in a wide variety of academic and
preprofessional areas, however, some of the most popular with students include majors in
the areas of engineering, economics, government and law, English, as well as
psychology.
Admission to Lafayette College is actually quite competitive, particularly for a school of
such diminutive stature. Last year, over 6,000 students applied for admission to the
school, and approximately 2,100 of those students were accepted. Eventually however,
only about 600 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester.
The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1180 to 1360,
and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 25 to 30. Additionally, over
90% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class
with an average high school GPA of about 3.96.
Lafayette College has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 11:1, and professors
generally do everything possible to be fully accessible to their students. It is rare to find a
class with more than 20 students, and most of the classes are held in lab or discussion
form with plenty of hands-on experience. Many students end up working in close
conjunction with professors on various research projects, and stay in contact with their
teachers long after graduation.
The Social Scene
The town of Easton, Pennsylvania is quite small, and doesn’t really offer students much
in the way of entertainment or excitement. The town is small and industrial, and hasn’t
even begun to embrace its status as a sincere college town. Most of the action can be
found on campus, and Lafayette definitely has a reputation for being somewhat of a party
school. The college has several national fraternities and sororities that constantly throw
some pretty rowdy parties that are extremely popular with students. Drinking is a very
popular mode of social interaction, and usually weekends are filled with endless keg
parties and heavy binge drinking.
The school also boasts a great student center that is (usually) alcohol free, and has a
sports bar with pool and darts. There is also a student activities board that often brings
great guest speakers, comedians, and bands to campus. In past years, the campus has
hosted Dave Matthews, and Bela Fleck.
The dating scene is what you make of it; while it isn’t incredibly diverse, the people are
friendly, and usually remarkably attractive, if they aren’t sloppy drunks, that is...
What’s Good
“The campus is great and the layout makes it really easy to get from class to class, which
is plus for confused freshmen.”
“The engineering program is incredible, and the professors are some of the top minds in
the field.”
“The small campus lets us all bond and feel very familial, which is nice if you live far
away from home.”
What’s Bad
“There is nothing to do in the town, and after awhile, the frat parties just aren’t enough
anymore.”
“The atmosphere can get really competitive, and people tend to forget that they aren’t
fighting for a job...yet.”
“The core curriculum is way too cumbersome...it takes forever to actually get to classes
that pertain to your major.”
Lake Forest College
The Facts
Lake Forest College is a rather small liberal arts and sciences college affiliated with the
Presbyterian church, located in the town of Lake Forest, Illinois, and is home to over
1,300 undergraduate students and just about 12 graduate and part-time professional
students. The school is perhaps best known for its wide range of academics opportunities
that allow students to create their own academic majors and participate in a huge number
of internships and study abroad programs. The school also has a large number of special
academic programs such as the Independent Study program, and the summer Richter
Apprentice Scholar program where students work closely with a professor on a summer
research project. The college offers its students a wide range of over 26 undergraduate
majors, however, some of the most popular with students include majors in the areas of
business, economics, communications, psychology, English, as well as foreign language.
Admission to Lake Forest College is not particularly competitive numerically, however,
the administration has recently upped its standards for admission. Last year, over 1,835
students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 1,240 of those students
were accepted. Eventually however, only about 350 of the admitted students actually
enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average combined
SAT score ranging from 1060 to 1280, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging
from 22 to 28. Additionally, over 59% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of
their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of around 3.4.
Lake Forest College has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 12:1, and one of
the school’s best qualities is the accessibility of the teachers. Professors always make a
point to get to know each and every one of their students as well as possible, and have
been known to give out their home phone numbers in order to be available to students
almost 24-7.
The Social Scene
The town of Lake Forest is basically a suburb of Chicago, and many students make the
30 minute trip to the city on weekends and weeknights to get a bit of urban excitement.
The actual town of Lake Forest, however, is quite wealthy, and has the usual amenities of
an upscale suburb, mall included. Most students say that owning a car is very helpful,
especially if you want to break out of the Lake Forest bubble.
The school has a fair amount of national fraternities and sororities, and the Greek houses
are definitely to main force when it comes to controlling on campus social life. The
Greeks often throw large parties that are quite popular with students, and drinking is
definitely a popular mode of social interaction at these events.
The dating scene is pretty vibrant, although not terrifically diverse. You can expect to be
picked up by your date in a Mercedes, if you know what I mean...
What’s Good
“The academics here are first-rate, and the professors really make a point to guide you
along and make sure you are making progress.”
“The dorms are nice and spacious, and when you need some peace and quiet, you can
easily get it.”
“The weekends are great; you can either head to Chicago, or party at a frat.”
What’s Bad
“The people here tend to be really snobby, and they automatically think that their
opinions are the right ones.”
“A lot of people seem to be stuck in the bubble that surrounds the school. Even though
Chicago is close, they’d just rather stay on campus.”
“The Greeks are annoying, and sometimes it feels like they discriminate against
nonmembers.”
Lawrence University
The Facts
Lawrence University is a rather small, private, liberal arts and sciences school located in
the town of Appleton, Wisconsin, and is home to over 1,300 undergraduate students. The
university actually consists of two small undergraduate colleges; the college of liberal
arts and sciences, and a music conservatory. The school is perhaps best known for its
great music program, however, the liberal arts and sciences school is also terrific, and
boasts some unique programs such as East Asian Languages and Cultures, and
Biomedical Ethics. The music students are also required to have a strong foundation in
the liberal arts, and take a variety of classes in the school. Lawrence offers its students
over 37 undergraduate majors, however, some of the most popular with students include
majors in the areas of music performance, government, biology, psychology, as well as
English.
Admission to Lawrence is somewhat dictated by the two individual schools, and
admission to the music school usually requires an audition or artistic review, and is far
more competitive than admission to the college of arts and sciences. Last year, over
2,050 students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 1,200 of those
students were accepted. Eventually however, only about 370 of the admitted students
actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average
combined SAT score ranging from 1170 to 1380, and an average comprehensive ACT
score ranging from 25 to 30. Additionally, over 71% of those admitted were ranked in
the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of
about 3.67.
Lawrence University has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 11:1, and most
students say that their professors are always easy to talk to and ready to give assistance if
needed. It is rare is find a class with more than 20 students, which makes it very easy for
student’s individual voices to heard, and easy for their professors to get to know them
well. The school also has a unique facility separate from the university called
Bjorklunden, an estate where seminars are held every weekend that students are able to
attend.
The Social Scene
The town of Appleton is rather small, and has really done a good job of embracing its
newfound status as a college town. There are plenty of cute and affordable coffee shops,
stores, bars, cafes, and restaurants that are very student-friendly. Most students do own
cars, but they aren’t really needed, as the campus is small and blends right in with
the quaint town of Appleton.
The school has a fair amount of fraternities and sororities, and the Greek organizations
are quite popular with students, both in terms of memberships, and party attendance.
Drinking is definitely a popular weekends activity, although it doesn’t tend to interfere
with the academics lives of the students.
The dating scene is reportedly great; expect a lot of liberal, laid back guys and girls with
Midwest manners to boot.
What’s Good
“This school is an awesome community, and you really feel at home here. It’s kind of
cozy.”
“The professors are great, and you actually feel like they really care about how you are
doing, both inside and outside of class.”
“The music conservatory is terrific, and its nice to be able to get a fantastic liberal arts
education as well.”
What’s Bad
“Sure, the town of Appleton is cute enough, but after awhile, you begin to get stir crazy.”
“If you aren’t a musician, you begin to feel a bit inferior.”
“Some of the dorms are tiny tiny tiny! You barely have an inch of legroom, and no
personal space.”
Louisiana State University
The Facts
Louisiana State University is a very large public university located in the town of Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, and is home to over 23,600 undergraduate students and approximately
6,000 graduate and part-time students. The school is actually divided up into eighteen
smaller undergraduate colleges ranging from engineering to the natural sciences, as well
as an Honors College for more accelerated and ambitious students. The school also
boasts an extensive study abroad program with programs in countries as varied as China,
Ireland, France, and Tanzania. LSU offers its students a wide rage of literally
hundreds of undergraduate majors, however, some of the most popular with students
include majors in the areas of biological sciences, pre-business administration,
psychology, general studies, as well as mass communications.
Admission to LSU is actually quite competitive, although not nearly as competitive as
other state schools of its size. Last year, over 10,200 students applied for admission to
the university, and approximately 8,200 of those students were accepted. Eventually,
however, only about 5,500 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall
semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1110
to 1300, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 22 to 27. Additionally,
over 55% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating
class with an average high school GPA of about 3.5.
Louisiana State University has a pretty lousy student to faculty ratio of 21:1, and most of
the classes, particularly the required ones, are held in large lecture halls with hundreds of
students. Naturally, it’s quite impossible for teachers to get to know all their students,
however, students do say that if you seek your professors out during their office hours
(which they make known) they are almost always ready and willing to help you out in
any way they can.
The Social Scene
The town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is pretty sizable, and it offers students all the
amenities of a normal small city, including bars, restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, movie
theaters, and several nice malls. The LSU campus itself is home to the Louisiana
Museum of Natural History, as well as the LSU Museum of Natural Science and the
LSU Museum of Art. The campus is quite large at over 2,000 acres, and is situated on
the banks of the Mississippi River. The LSU campus has plenty of greenery, and open
spaces for students who crave more natural surroundings.
The Greek system at LSU is quite large, and many students join a fraternity or sorority by
their sophomore year. The Greeks throw some huge parties that are very popular with
undergraduate students, and drinking (usually in very large quantities) is usually the
choice mode of social interaction at the university.
The dating scene is just as expansive as the campus; you can count on there being a bit of
something for everyone... especially if you are southern and have an affinity for Cajun
food...
What’s Good
”The engineering program is amazing, and you get an enormous amount of hands-on
experience before you are sent out into the real world.?”
”The people here are really friendly, and have a great sense of pride for their university.”
”The study abroad programs are amazing, and you can go to just about any spot on the
globe.”
What’s Bad
”The housing is usually less than adequate, and you can never count on getting into
housing after your freshmen year.?”
”The introductory classes are massive, and really stupid; it’s all review of stuff I did in
high school.”
”People tend to be really cliquey here. You are expected to stay within your group, and
never mix with anyone else.”
Macalester College
The Facts
Macalester College is a rather small liberal arts and sciences school affiliated with the
Presbyterian church, located in the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, and is home to over 1,835
undergraduate students. The school has very rigorous academics, and is known for its
competitive academic atmosphere, as well as for the large amount of individual attention
that teachers place on their students. Close bonds are often formed between student and
professor, and teachers often serve as important mentors throughout students’ college
experience. The college offers its student more than 37 majors in a wide variety of areas,
many of which are preprofessional, however, some of the most popular with
students include majors in the areas of economics, psychology, political science,
international studies, as well as English.
Admission to Macalester College is actually quite competitive, particularly for a school
of such diminutive size. Last year, over 4,500 students applied for admission to the
school, and approximately 1,900 of those students were accepted. Eventually however,
only about 500 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester.
The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1270 to 1430,
and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 28 to 31. Additionally, over
93% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class
with an average high school GPA of about 3.87.
Macalester has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1, and the individual
attention students receive is one of the best aspects of the school. Teachers have been
known to give students their home phone numbers, just to ensure that they will be as
accessible as possible to their students. An interesting note; students have the option of
cross-registering at a number of area schools including Augsberg, Hamline, St. Catherine
and St. Thomas.
The Social Scene
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota is a friendly city that makes up half of the so-called Twin
Cities, which also encompasses the nearby city of Minneapolis. The Macalester campus
itself is actually located right between the downtown areas of the two cities, so students
can easily access the amenities offered by both cities including museums,
symphonies, restaurants, shopping, and plenty of clubs and bars. (many of which are lax
when it comes to carding...) Many Macalester students do own cars, however, the public
bus system is quite efficient and affordable.
There are no fraternities or sororities at Macalester, however, students don’t seem to
mind their absence. Most students prefer to gather in smaller groups in dorms or offcampus apartments, and while drinking is a popular activity, there are plenty of other
social options for students who don’t like to party.
The dating scene is pretty vibrant, and students are very very friendly and very very
attractive... (we hear...)
What’s Good
”It’s great being right in between St. Paul and Minneapolis. You can choose which city
you want to experience on a daily basis.”
”The teachers really do care about you, they aren’t just doing their job. They truly want
to see you succeed.”
”There is literally a club for every interest in the world here, even though the student
population is small.”
What’s Bad
”The campus can feel really small sometimes, actually, most of the time, and it can be
hard to get any alone time here.”
”The housing here sucks. The rooms are tiny and in pretty lousy shape.”
”The party scene is really really lame. If you want a typical party-filled college
experience, do not come here.”
Manhattanville College
The Facts
Manhattanville College is a rather small, private liberal arts and sciences school located
in the town of Purchase, New York, and is home to over 1,530 undergraduate students
and approximately 900 graduate and part-time students. The college is actually divided
up into several smaller undergraduate divisions including schools of arts, science, or
music. The school is also known for its more innovative programs in international
management, Latin American studies, and even music management. The college offers
its students over 45 undergraduate majors in a wide variety of areas, however, some of
the most popular with students include majors in the areas of psychology, management,
art, history, as well as political science.
Admission to Manhattanville College is not extremely competitive numerically, however,
the applicant pool has been growing and diversifying in recent years as more and more
attention is drawn to the college. Last year, over 2,500 students applied for admission,
and approximately 1,350 of those students were accepted. Eventually however, only
about 420 of those students actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted
students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 970 to 1160, and an average
comprehensive ACT score ranging from 22 to 26. Additionally, over 60% of those
admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an
average high school GPA of about 3.0.
Manhattanville College has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 12:1, and
students generally agree that their professors are very accessible and willing to help out
whenever necessary. However, there are those few teachers who could seem to care less
about the well-being and progress of their students, but they are few and far between at
the college. An interesting note; the school is known for its unique Portfolio System, in
which students are required to assemble a portfolio of their best work throughout the year
that is then periodically reviewed by the administration.
The Social Scene
The town of Purchase, New York, is not particularly student-friendly, nor does it offer
students much social excitement. However, the island of Manhattan itself is only a brief
car or train ride away, and many student take advantage of its proximity on the
weekends. Many students do own cars, so it is quite easy to get out of Purchase to
experience a more urban setting.
The school has no fraternities or sororities, and students aren’t really into partying
anyway. Instead, many students prefer to spend their time doing volunteer work and
community service, as well as internships in New York City. The school is actually
home to the Seeds of Peace organization in which young people who live in war-torn
areas such as the Middle East, to learn fundamental skills that can help bring peace to
their homelands.
The dating scene at Manhattanville is an interesting one; the school is comprised of 75%
women, and only about 25% men; so, guys, this may just be your lucky day...
What’s Good
”The emphasis on community service is wonderful. There are definitely not enough
young people involved these days.”
”It’s nice to be near New York City without having to be subject to its stresses.”
”The school does a great job of keeping track of you. It feels like you are truly cared
about here.”
What’s Bad
”The dorms could be a lot better. They’re really small and could use some extensive
fixing-up.”
”The sports scene here is really lousy. No one seems to care about the teams that do exist
either.”
”The financial aid is really skimpy, and its hard to appeal to the administration to get
more, because they don’t have much money themselves.”
Marquette University
The Facts
Marquette University is a rather moderately-sized, private Jesuit school located in the city
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is home to over 7,220 undergraduate students and
approximately 3,580 graduate and part-time students. The university is known for its
distinctive emphasis on community service, as well as for turning out well-rounded,
critically thinking graduates. The university is actually divided up into several smaller
undergraduate colleges, including schools of nursing, arts and sciences, engineering,
business administration, communication, education, as well as a dental preparation
program. The university offers its students a wide variety of majors, however, some of
the most popular with students include majors in the areas of business administration,
nursing, biomedical sciences, mechanical engineering, as well as broadcast and electronic
communication.
Admission to Marquette University is quite competitive, and the number of applicants
has been steadily increasing with each passing admissions cycle. Last year, over 8,300
students applied for admission to the school and approximately 6,800 of those students
were accepted. Eventually however, only about 1,900 of the admitted students actually
enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average combined
SAT score ranging from 1060 to 1280, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging
from 23 to 28. Additionally, over 62% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of
their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of about 3.56.
Marquette has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 15:1, and it is rare to find a
class with more than 30 students. In general, students say that their professors are
remarkably accessible and willing to assist students whenever possible, however, there
are a few professors who seem more interested in their own careers and research to pay
much attention to their students. An interesting note; the university has an extensive coop program where students are able to participate in many high-profile internships as
companies such as Miller Brewing and Harley Davidson.
The Social Scene
The city of Milwaukee is a constantly evolving and exciting city that offers Marquette
students a wide variety of social and entertainment options including museums, opera,
theater, ballet, the beaches of Lake Michigan, shopping, restaurants, and plenty of bars
and clubs. Many students own cars, so trips out of town for camping and hiking are
common occurrences.
The school has a fair amount of fraternities and sororities, however, they are not very
popular with most Marquette students. Most prefer to participate in community service
activities or clubs, and when they do let loose on the weekends, it’s usually in small
groups or at clubs and bars throughout the city.
The dating scene is quite favorable for men; there are way more girls at the school, so
guys; this just could be the place for you...
What’s Good
”There are a really wide variety of academic options, and you’re allowed to explore
within them until you find what’s right for you.”
”The campus is really nice, and the buildings are lovely and up to date.”
”The co-op internships are awesome, and usually lead to paid full-time jobs after
graduation.”
What’s Bad
”The dorm rooms are tiny, and you have absolutely no personal space.”
”Sometimes the religious element can get a bit invasive. Just because I go here doesn’t
really mean I’m religious.”
”There is a total lack of diversity here. It would be nice to see some mohawks or
different color skin every once in awhile.”
Mary Washington College
The Facts
Mary Washington College is a rather moderately sized, public liberal arts and sciences
school located in the town of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and is home to over 3,600
undergraduate students and approximately 600 graduate and part-time professional
students. The school is perhaps best known for its difficult general education
requirements, as well as for the one-on-one attention received by students. The school
also has a wonderful student research program that is driven by the college’s large
endowment fund. Mary Washington College offers its students a wide variety of majors,
many of which are pre professionally oriented, however, some of the most popular with
students include majors in the areas of business administration, psychology, biology,
English, as well as history.
Admission to Mary Washington College is not ridiculously competitive, but as the years
progress, the applicant pool has been growing both in number and accomplishment. Last
year, over 4,500 students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 2,700 of
those students were accepted. Eventually however, only about 900 of the admitted
students actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an
average combined SAT score ranging from 1130 to 1300, and an average comprehensive
ACT score ranging from 25 to 29. Additionally, over 88% of those admitted were ranked
in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of
about 3.63.
Mary Washington College has a deceptively large student to faculty ratio of 17:1,
however, it is rare to find even a freshmen class with more than 30 students. Some of the
upper level classes are even small discussion groups of about 10 students. The professors
always make an effort to get to know each and every one of their students, and make
sure they are available as often as possible, and have even been known to give out their
home phone numbers so they can be available literally 24-7. Another academic plus is
that no teaching assistants or graduate students instruct any undergraduate classes at the
college.
The Social Scene
The town of Fredericksburg is located only about 50 miles away from Washington D.C.,
and the city is very easily and cheaply accessible by train. Many students do own cars, so
weekends road trips are a popular option. The Mary Washington campus itself is quite
lovely, and the buildings are old, and kept in mint condition. There are no cars allowed
on campus, so the grounds are extremely quiet and pedestrian friendly.
There are no fraternities or sororities at the school, and drinking is less than popular
among MWC students. While there isn’t much to do in the surrounding town, the student
activities committee brings plenty of activity to campus. There are movie nights, improv
and comedy shows, concerts, and even a coffee house to keep student’s weekends quite
full. Sports are also another popular activity, and the school offers
everything from synchronized swimming to rugby.
The dating scene is quaint, to say the least. We do hear that there are some very
attractive aspiring CEO's...
What’s Good
”The campus is just gorgeous, and it’s nice to be able to do your work on the weekends in
peace.”
”The dorms are amazing, and they feel more like furnished apartments than anything
else.”
”The environment is extremely focused, and it makes it easy to concentrate on what’s
important.”
What’s Bad
”There is absolutely no party scene here, which is pretty depressing. On the weekends,
you have to go to D.C. if you want to have any kind of fun.”
”The school isn’t really diverse, and you get pretty sick of seeing the same homogenized
people over and over again.”
”There is nothing to do in Fredericksburg besides go to the grocery store. If you don’t
have a car, it’s pretty boring.”
Miami University
The Facts
Despite the alluring tropical moniker, Miami University is actually located in the town of
Oxford, Ohio. But don’t despair, the school offers a great Ivy-caliber education at a
much lower price tag. This rather large university is indeed public, and is home to over
15,000 undergraduate students and approximately 1,300 graduate and part-time
professional students. The university is actually divided up into several smaller
undergraduate colleges including schools of arts and sciences, business administration,
education and allied professions, engineering and applied science, fine arts, as well as
interdisciplinary studies. The university offers its students over 100 widely varied majors
within its colleges, however, some of the most popular with students include majors in
the areas of marketing, zoology, finance, general business, as well as psychology.
Admission to Miami University is actually quite competitive, and many qualified
students from around the nation apply each year, hoping to take advantage of a terrific
education at a lower cost. Last year, over 14,000 students applied for admission to the
school, and approximately 9,800 of those students were accepted. Eventually however,
only about 540 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester.
The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1140 to 1320,
and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 25 to 29. Additionally, over
76% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class
with an average high school GPA of about 3.7.
Miami U has a rather manageable student to faculty ratio of 18:1, which is quite
impressive, particularly for a school of its size. There are some introductory lecture
classes that are a bit larger, usually numbering around 50 students, however, it is rare to
find an upper level class with more than 20 students. Even in the larger classes, the
professors make a genuine effort to get to know all of their students, and to make sure
they are accessible for assistance should the need arise.
The Social Scene
The town of Oxford, Ohio is quite small, and doesn’t really offer students anything in the
way of entertainment, maybe besides cow tipping and corn shucking. However, the cities
of Cincinnati and Dayton are both less than an hour away by car, (which many students
own) so weekend roadtrips are a popular option for those students who crave a bit more
urban excitement. The school has a huge Greek scene, and over 25% of the student
population belongs to either a fraternities or sorority. The houses often throw rowdy
weekend parties that are quite popular with the fun-loving Miami U population. Drinking
is definitely a popular mode of social interaction, and the weekends are usually filled
with keg parties where students can momentarily forget about the stresses of the
academic-filled week. The school also boasts over 300 student run clubs and
organizations, running the gamut from Chess Club to a branch of the LGBT.
The dating scene offers something for everyone, and you can bet on finding someone
much to your liking...
What’s Good
”Even though the school is pretty large, you don’t feel it. Your teachers make a point to
pay attention to you and your well-being.”
”The party scene here is awesome, and makes the rural surroundings more than
bearable.”
”Even though the town is small, the people in it are extremely kind, and it’s nice to be in
such a tightly-woven community.”
What’s Bad
”There is nothing to do in the surrounding town, and if you don’t have a car, there’s
really no escape.”
”The party scene can get way too out of hand. It’s nearly impossible to get any work
done on the weekends because it’s too loud, even in the dorms.”
”The administration is pretty beaurocratic, and its nearly impossible to actually speak
with a human being.”
Michigan Technological University
The Facts
Michigan Technological University is a rather moderately sized, public university located
in the town of Houghton, Michigan, and is home to over 5,000 undergraduate students
and approximately 710 graduate and part-time professional students. The university is
actually divided up into several smaller undergraduate colleges including schools of
engineering, sciences and arts, business and economics, forest resources and
environmental science, as well as technology. The university offers its students over 100
majors in a wide variety of scientific and technological areas, however, some of the most
popular with students include majors in the areas of mechanical engineering, electrical
engineering, civil engineering, computer science, as well as business administration.
Admission to Michigan Tech is not terrifically competitive numerically, however, the
applicant pool has been growing with each passing admissions cycle, and most of the
applicants have a strong idea of what it is they want to pursue degree-wise. Last year,
over 3,000 students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 2,700 of those
students were accepted. Eventually however, only about 1,200 of the admitted students
actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average
combined SAT score ranging from 1080 to 1330, and an average comprehensive ACT
score ranging from 23 to 28. Additionally, over 60% of those admitted were ranked in
the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of
around 3.54.
Michigan Tech has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of about 11:1, and many of
the upper level classes in particular, are very hands-on and held in lab settings. Most
professors get high marks from students in terms of accessibility, and many students form
close bonds with professors that often lead to stellar internships and eventually, full-time
careers. All students also receive extensive academic advising for their entire tenure at
the university to ensure they are able to complete their degree in a timely fashion.
The Social Scene
The town of Houghton, Michigan is pretty isolated, and there isn’t really much for
students to do in the immediate area. The school is primarily a commuter school, so
many students own cars and take weekend road trips. Outdoor activities are very
popular, particularly Winter sports, as the Michigan winters are long and very very
snowy. The university even has its own ski hill and cross country-skiing trails. There are
also a fair amount of fraternities and sororities at the school, and the Greeks pretty much
dictate the on campus social life. They often throw rowdy parties that are quite popular
with students, and offer a great distraction from the rigors of academia. Drinking is
definitely a popular mode of social interaction, and the weekends are usually filled with
lots and lots of beer.
The dating scene is an interesting one, and the girls definitely have it made. There is an
abundance of men at the school, and the ladies will surely be much sought-after.
What’s Good
”It’s nice to have such specific interests catered to, and the teachers are usually working
professionals in that field of study.”
”The campus is really beautiful, and its easy to find your own quiet space if you need a
break from people.”
”The school tends to be really accommodating when it comes to financial aid. They want
to make it possible for you to attend.”
What’s Bad
”There is absolutely nothing to do around here. If it isn’t snowing, or if you don’t like to
ski, your options are severely limited.”
”The students here are really close-minded, and they haven’t really experienced much of
the real world.”
”The party scene is kind of lame. The Greeks think they own the place, but really the
parties just suck.”
Middlebury College
The Facts
Middlebury College is a rather moderately sized liberal arts and sciences college located
in the town of Middlebury, Vermont, and is home to over 2,400 undergraduate students.
The school is perhaps best known for its distinctive emphasis on international cultures
and languages, and students get a unique global perspective in nearly every program of
study. The college also had extensive general education requirements that include
courses in literature, the arts, religion or philosophy, history, sciences, deductive
reasoning and analytical processes, social analysis as well as foreign languages. The
college offers its students a wide variety of majors in many different areas, however,
some of the most popular with students include majors in the areas of economics,
psychology, English, political science, as well as environmental studies.
Admission to Middlebury College is quite competitive, and the applicant pool has been
increasing with each passing admissions cycle. Last year, over 5,500 students applied for
admission to the school, and approximately 1,300 of those students were accepted.
Eventually however, only about 580 of the admitted students actually enrolled for
the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score
ranging from 1370 to an impressive 1490 and an average comprehensive ACT score
ranging from 28 to 32. Additionally, over 77% of those admitted were ranked in the top
10% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of about 3.9.
Middlebury has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 11:1, and it is rare to find a
class with more than 20 students. In general, professors get very high marks for
accessibility and willingness to assist students. However, many students also say that
they feel their professors are more interested in their own careers rather than the wellbeing of their students. An interesting note; the foreign language program is extensive,
and offers languages ranging from Chinese to French and Russian to Italian.
The Social Scene
The town of Middlebury, Vermont doesn’t really offer students much in the way of
entertainment, however, the harsh winters bring students some great skiing opportunities.
The small surrounding town is indeed quaint, but the residents are apparently very
accommodating and friendly to Middlebury students. There is a large mall nearby, as
well as the usual suburban amenities.
The school has no fraternities or sororities, but Middlebury students don’t really seem to
mind. They would rather get involved in various community service activities or hang
out in small social groups. There is definitely a fair amount of drinking at the school, but
it isn’t the most popular mode of social interaction by far. The college boasts a huge
amount of student run clubs and organizations including a yacht-club...hmmm....
The dating scene is what you make of it; the student body is quite diverse, and there is a
bit of something for everyone at the college.
What’s Good
”The international focus is great, and it keeps everything in perspective, especially when
the going gets tough.”
”The classes are nice and small, and you get a chance to really voice your opinions.”
”The campus is great, and really gorgeous. It’s really easy to find some open, quiet space
to relax and get some alone time.”
What’s Bad
”The professors aren’t always the most accommodating. Sometimes it seems like they
care more about getting tenure than anything else.”
”The winters here are terrible, and just walking to class is torture. It’s absolutely
freezing.”
”There is no party scene here, and most people just study all weekend, which is pretty
boring.”
Millsaps College
The Facts
Millsaps College is a rather small, private Methodist, liberal arts and sciences college
located in the town of Jackson, Mississippi, and is home to over 1,100 undergraduate
students and approximately 77 graduate and part-time professional students. The school
is perhaps best known for its preprofessional majors and emphasis on public service and
social ethics. The school offers students a unique program called Faith and Work
Initiative in which students are encouraged to explore a career that they feel personally
and morally called to. The school also offers its students a great study abroad program
with facilities in countries as varied as Costa Rica and France. Millsaps offers its
students a wide variety of majors in many areas, however, some of the most popular with
students include majors in the areas of business administration, biology, psychology,
accounting, as well as political science.
Admission to Millsaps College is not terrifically competitive
numerically, however the applicants are usually extremely self-motivated and have been
academically successful in the past. Last year, over 1,050 students applied for admission
to the school, and approximately 880 of those students were accepted. Eventually
however, only about 260 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall
semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1050
to 1270 and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 23 to 28. Additionally,
over 65% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating
class with an average high school GPA of about 3.51.
Millsaps College has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 13:1, and in general
professors get high marks for accessibility and willingness to help students out when help
is needed. It is rare to find an undergraduate class with more than 20 students, and most
classes are held in small discussion groups where students are able to voice their opinions
and debate with fellow classmates. The core curriculum is rather extensive, and students
are required to complete courses in liberal studies, the ancient, pre modern, modern, and
contemporary world, and more.
The Social Scene
The town of Jackson, Mississippi is quite small, and doesn’t offer students much in the
way of entertainment, however, the Millsaps campus offers students plenty of social
options. The campus itself has a great student center that includes a cafe, study and
gaming areas, and the campus also boasts a terrific recital and lecture hall that is home to
a wonderful annual guest speaker series. The center also has many private practice
rooms for the student musicians at Millsaps.
The school has a large amount of fraternities and sororities, and the Greek community not
only hosts popular parties, but is readily involved in extensive community service work.
Drinking is definitely a popular mode of social interaction, although not as much as other
small schools.
The dating scene may not be the most diverse, however, the students are friendly and
eager to please...
What’s Good
”There is a nice sense of community here, and you really feel taken care of, which is nice
as a new student.”
”The classes are nice and small, and not once have I felt like an anonymous number.”
”The party scene here is great, and it offers a nice diversion from the boring
surroundings.”
What’s Bad
”There’s nothing to do in this town. It’s so boring, and you just spend your free time
studying or sitting around.”
”There are a lot of moral preachy types here who will corner you and just preach for
hours...”
”The dorms are really small, and it’s impossible to get any personal space.”
Morehouse College
The Facts
Morehouse College is a rather moderately sized all-male, historically black liberal arts
and sciences school located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, and is home to over 2,700
undergraduate students. The school is perhaps best known for its distinguished alumni
that include Spike Lee and Dr. Martin Luther King. The college is actually divided up
into three different academic programs including divisions in business and economics,
humanities and social sciences, as well as sciences and mathematics. The college offers
its students a wide variety of mostly preprofessional majors, however, some of the most
popular with students include majors in the areas of business administration, engineering,
biology, computer science, as well as political science.
Admission to Morehouse College is quite competitive, and the applicant pool has been
increasing with each passing year. Last year, over 2,225 students applied for admission
to the school and approximately 1,600 of those students were accepted. Eventually
however, only about 750 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall
semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 940
to 1170, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 19 to 24. Additionally,
over 45% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating
class with an average high school GPA of about 3.14.
Morehouse College has a fairly manageable student to faculty ratio of 15:1, and it is rare
to find an undergraduate class with more than 25 students. Most of the classes are held in
small seminars, where discussion is the primary mode of conducting the class. Professors
get very high marks from students for being extremely accessible and willing to help
students in need. Many students develop lasting bonds with professors, who end up
serving as mentors during that student’s college tenure and beyond.
The Social Scene
The city of Atlanta, Georgia is a vibrant urban mecca that provides students with a wide
array of social options including world class symphonies, opera companies, ballet
companies, theater, restaurants, bars, and clubs. For the few students who own cars,
weekend road trips to go camping and fishing are popular, however, the Atlanta public
transit system is quite efficient and inexpensive.
There are a fair amount of fraternities at Morehouse, however, they aren’t really
terrifically popular. Drinking definitely occurs at the school, however, it isn’t nearly as
popular as it is at other schools. Most Morehouse students are far too focused on their
academics to let themselves go too crazy on the weekends.
The dating scene is fantastic if you are a boy who likes other boys...
What’s Good
”The academics here are unparalleled, and the atmosphere is great in that it allows you to
really focus on your studies.”
”The school is a great place to network because the alumni that have come from here are
so incredible.”
”Atlanta is a great college town, and when you do have free time, there is plenty to do.”
What’s Bad
”No one wants to party here. They all are too wrapped up in studying that they don’t let
themselves have fun.”
”You get really tired of no girls. It’s really hard to meet potential dates while you’re
here.”
”The dorms are kind of small, and it’s impossible to get any alone time here.”
Mount Holyoke College
The Facts
Mount Holyoke is a rather small, private, all women’s college located in the town of
South Hadley, Massachusetts, and is home to over 2,066 undergraduate students and only
about 4 graduate and part-time students. The school is perhaps best known for terrific
liberal arts program that focuses on interdisciplinary studies as well as international
relations. The school also has recently adopted an optional SAT policy that allows
applying students to decided whether or not they want to submit their high school SAT
scores. The academics are extremely intense, and students definitely are there to work.
Mount Holyoke offers its students over 44 majors in a wide range of areas, and also
offers students the option of designing their own majors. However, some of the most
popular with students include majors in the areas of psychology, English, economics,
biological sciences, as well as international relations.
Admission to Mount Holyoke is quite competitive, particularly for a school of such
diminutive size. Last year, over 2,900 students applied for admission to the school, and
approximately 1,500 of those students were accepted. Eventually however, only about
520 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The
admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1210 to 1370, and
an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 27 to 30. Additionally, over 82% of
those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an
average high school GPA of about 3.65.
Mount Holyoke has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 10:1, and students give
their professors high marks on availability and willingness to give assistance. Holyokers
receive a large amount of one on one attention, and although professors do expect a lot
from their students, they are equally as encouraging when the going gets tough.
The Social Scene
The town of South Hadley doesn’t really offer students much in the way of
entertainment, although there are several popular coffee shops and bars to choose from.
Most of the action occurs right on campus, where there are over 100 student run clubs
and organizations that are constantly sponsoring numerous activities. There are many
international clubs, as Mount Holyoke has a huge amount of international students that
bring an unparalleled diversity to campus.
There are no sororities at the school, but most students could care less. Mount Holyoke
definitely is not known as a party school, and most students are too busy studying or
catching up on much needed shuteye to go too crazy on the weekends. Drinking does
happen, but not nearly as much as other schools. Most students prefer to hang out in
small groups and chat over a cup of coffee.
The dating scene is incredible if you are a lesbian, or a guy who managed to slip in under
the radar...
What’s Good
”The atmosphere here is almost exclusively academic, which allows you to really focus
on what’s important.”
”The school is so incredibly diverse, I mean, besides being all women. We literally have
students here from every corner of the globe.”
”The dorms are really nice, and provide a great opportunity to really get to know a lot of
really cool people.”
What’s Bad
”People seem afraid to just let loose and have fun here. There isn’t really a party scene to
speak of.”
”You start to miss having guys around. Girls tend to get a bit catty when they are around
each other for long periods of time.”
”The academics can really be too intense. There is a lot of unhealthy competition that
goes on here.”
Muhlenberg College
The Facts
Muhlenberg College is a rather moderately sized, private, liberal arts and sciences college
affiliated with the Lutheran church. The college is located in the town of Allentown,
Pennsylvania, and is home to over 2,280 undergraduate students. The school is perhaps
best known for the large amount of individual attention that students receive, as well as
for its unwavering focus on a solid groundwork of liberal arts general requirements. The
school offers its students a wide range of majors in many preprofessional and
interdisciplinary areas, however, some of the most popular with students include majors
in the areas of business
administration, psychology, communications, biology, as well as English.
Admission to Muhlenberg College is quite competitive, and the applicant pool has been
growing with each passing admissions cycle as more and more attention is being drawn
to the college. Last year, over 4,200 students applied for admission to the school, and
approximately 1,745 of those students were accepted. Eventually however, only about
590 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The
admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1110 to 1310, and
an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 26 to 31. Additionally, over 75% of
those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an
average high school GPA of about 3.45.
Muhlenberg College has a very manageable student to faculty ratio of 12:1, and one of
the best qualities of the school is the one on one attention that students receive. Teachers
genuinely care about their students, and make sure that they are doing everything in their
power to ensure their academic success. It is rare to find a class with more than 18
students, even the required general education classes. Most of the classes are held in
small seminars where discussion is the main mode of learning. Students really get a
chance for their voices to be heard, and the teachers truly listen.
The Social Scene
Allentown, Pennsylvania is rather small, and doesn’t really offer students much in the
way of entertainment, however, there are a few restaurants, shops, and bars that students
often frequent. Most of the activity, however, takes place on campus, which is quite
lovely, and offers students a terrific student center as well as an arboretum and a wildlife
sanctuary.
There are a fair amount of fraternities and sororities at the school, and the Greeks are an
obvious presence both on campus and off, and basically govern the students? social life.
Weekends are usually filled with rowdy parties on Greek row, and drinking is definitely
one of the most popular modes of social interaction. However, the weekend partying
doesn’t really affect most student’s academic performance, and students know how to
balance work and play.
The dating scene may not be the most diverse, however, we hear there are some real
hotties on campus that are nice to boot.
What’s Good
”The campus is really lovely, and the buildings are always in really terrific shape.”
”The teachers really care about you, and not once have I felt that I was not being taken
care of.”
”The party scene is awesome, and even though we are a pretty small school, our party
scene rivals Penn State.”
What’s Bad
”Allentown is incredibly boring, and the residents don’t really seem to care for college
students. It’s not nice to feel unwanted in your own town.”
”The party scene can get way too out of hand on the weekends. Sometimes it’s so loud
that you can’t get any real work done.”
”There isn’t really anything to do here besides drink. The school needs to do a better job
of providing other social options for us.”