Indiana - Not Your Average Public School

A world-renowned music school, a distinguished language program and a well-respected business school makes Indiana not your average state school. The strong artistic community may also explain the more liberal culture the school maintains.  However, it does have a lot in common with those big midwestern powerhouses as well.  It’s size, approximately 29,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students, strong athletics (the kind movies are made of ) and 18 schools and colleges are characteristics of a big state school.  The advantage being IU can provide a great variety of intellectual pursuits and opportunities.  The strongest programs are said to be accounting, business, chemistry, journalism/communications, languages, music and optometry.  Regarding the social life, the most active group is the greek system but it only involve a minority of the students (16% men and 18% women).  Other groups and clubs have their own events and certainly athletics can bring in the crowds. Bloomington is also a charming college town offering great restaurants, and bars serving the university community.  

Centre College

A secret jewel hidden in Kentucky, Centre is a small (approximately 1200 students)pictuesque liberal arts college for the all-american kid.  Overflowing with resources, when touring the campus one feels like 3/4 of the buildings have been constructed or renovated in the last 10 years.  Financial resources have also been invested into scholarships and financial aide making Centre consistently recognized as one of the best buys in a college education.  Tuition room and board run around $41,000 but 85% of students reveive finanical aid and the average aid package is $25,000  thereby making 85% of the student populations paying $16,000 annually.

Although one of the oldest schools in the country, as I said for many it is still a secret which is why a majority of its students come from Kentucky.  Students and faculty are incredibly friendly and helpful.  If a student misses class more than once a professor is likely to call and make sure everything is o.k.  Although not a diverse student body, the school does promote worldliness with 85% of the student body participating in study abroad programs.  In fact,  the school will pay for your passport if you don’t already have one.  They also guarantee you will graduate in 4 years or you don’t have to pay for your fifth year.  The most popular areas of study include English, History, Biology, Biochemistry, Economics and Art.

Miami Oh Miami

Can’t decide between the focus of a small liberal arts college and the variety and enthusiasm of a large state school?  Consider Miami, a mid-sized state school with approximately 14,000 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students.  Beacuse it is a state school approximately 70% of the students come from Ohio and a significant portion of those out-of-state come from the mid-west.  Cultural diversity is also limited with only 13% of the student population comprising students of color and 2% International.  However, this is a focus of the university and they are making great strides in this area.  Students at Miami tend to be outgoing and involved w/ 400 student clubs.  There is also a significant Greek life present (20% men, 25% women).  The campus is picturesque with a new biz school building and ongoing construction for a student center scheduled to open in 2014.  As the saying goes, students study hard and play hard and they’re happy here as evidenced by a 91% rentention rate.  The average retention rate for colleges and universities is 67%.  The university has been recognized for its strong commitment to undergrad teaching.  It was tied with Princeton and behind only Dartmouth as ranked by US News and World Report. 

Earlham College - A LIBERAL Arts College

A diverse, international and progressive school in a small conservative  mid-western town may be the best way to sum up Earlham.  The student population includes 37% students -of - color and 15% International students coming from 81 countries.  A school governed by the Quaker philosophy of consensus, the school and students strive to create a community of mutual understanding and respect for all. Classes center around discussion rather than lecture. Accordingly the focus of people’s energy is on intellect, activism and community service with less attention towards astetics.  Popular majors include Psychology, Peace and Global Studies, Japanese Studies, Social Justice, Biology and Chemistry, Human Development and Social Relations, Art and English. 72% of the students travel abroad.  75% eventually pursue graduate study.  May term allows students the opportunity to travel with professors for intense learning experiences outside the classroom and often internationally. 

The campus is very simple. There is no Greek life but there are many student organizations and activities.  It is a small school approximately 1,100 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students.