Circular stucco entry to Erdman residence hall surrounded by palm trees

College Spotlight – Occidental College

Katie HansonCollege Expert Blogs, College Spotlight, Colleges Visited

In our November College of the Month spotlight, Katie tells us about her visit to Occidental, the LA campus where President Barack Obama started his college education. Oxy is known for its activist-minded student body; energetic, mid-century modern campus and global, hands-on learning opportunities. If you crave a liberal arts setting in a sunny SoCal location, check out Katie’s blog and learn more about Oxy!

Close up of fans cheering and making a U sign with hands

College Spotlight – University of Utah

sueluseCollege Expert Blogs, College Spotlight, Colleges Visited

In this College of the Month spotlight, Sue takes a closer look at the University of Utah, located just minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. The campus offers a great balance of opportunities for outdoor adventure (hello hikers and snowboarders!) with urban access to restaurants, events and internships. It’s also known for its spirited MUSS cheering section, abundant research opportunities, and strong medicine/health sciences programs. Read Sue’s blog!

Collage of campus shots: Michelle (author), Steven Spielberg building arches, red welcome banner

A Visit to USC

Michelle AndersonCollege Expert Blogs, College Spotlight, Colleges Visited

California dreamers, if you’re looking for a college with academic rigor, unique programs and a work-hard, play-hard culture, look no further than USC. Just a short drive from downtown LA, USC is perfect for motivated students who love to be active both inside and outside of class. College Expert counselor Michelle recently visited the USC campus and shares her impression!

Collage of three photos: dorm room, author in front of Oberlin sign and stone arch on campus

A Visit to Oberlin College

Alleece HellandCollege Expert Blogs, Colleges Visited

“Doing what’s right” is in the fabric of this small, liberal arts college in Ohio. If you thrive on community, activism and rigorous academics, take a deeper look at Oberlin – it might belong on your college list!

Kris at Cal Poly in front of the retaining wall with name of the college inscribed.

A visit to California Polytechnic State University

Kris OlsonCollege Expert Blogs, College Spotlight, Colleges Visited Leave a Comment

By Kris Olson After a visit to California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly) in November, I understood one of the reasons why a student from the upper Mid-West would want to apply. It was 80-degrees as I toured this mid-sized San Luis Obispo campus, a mere 15-minute drive from the beaches of California’s central coast. But even more impressive than the …

Kris at University of Bristol, UK

Exploring College Options in the United Kingdom

Kris OlsonCollege Expert Blogs, College Spotlight, Colleges Visited Leave a Comment

Have you ever considered taking your college experience “across the pond?” And, no, I’m not talking about studying abroad for a semester; I’m talking about attending university as a degree-seeking, full-time student in the United Kingdom (UK). Check out Kris Olson’s Spotlight on Exploring College Options in the United Kingdom to learn about how to earn an undergraduate degree in …

Pitzer campus

A Visit to Pitzer College

Margaret DudenCollege Expert Blogs, College Spotlight, Colleges Visited, Tours Leave a Comment

By Margaret Duden  When I was in Claremont, CA for the IECA Summer Training Institute, I had an opportunity to visit Pitzer College. Pitzer is a member of the Claremont Consortium of Colleges. Founded in the 1960s, it was created with the mission of advancing social and environmental justice. Pitzer’s motto is Provida Futuri, which means “mindful of the future” …

Augustana mascot

A Visit to Augustana University

sueluseCollege Expert Blogs, College Spotlight, Colleges Visited, Tours Leave a Comment

I was excited to drive to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to meet with my students who are there and revisit Augustana. My visit to Augustana University showed me just how much this affordable, private, Norwegian-heritage liberal arts college has to offer. As the largest private university in the state, Augustana retains a strong alumni network and an enthusiastic “Augie” student body. …

A Visit to Bowdoin College

sueluseCollege Expert Blogs, Colleges Visited, Tours Leave a Comment

Bowdoin College is a small, liberal arts college known for academic rigor and is one of the impressive and highly selective NESCAC colleges. (The New England Small College Athletic Conference.) Bowdoin has a diverse student body, made up of approximately 1,800 students from all over the world, 189 full-time faculty members, and a 9:1 student/faculty ratio. Location Nestled in the …

Dartmouth Hall

A Visit to Dartmouth College

sueluseCollege Expert Blogs, Colleges Visited, Tours Leave a Comment

In September 2017, I had the pleasure of visiting Dartmouth College, the smallest and most intimate of the Ivys, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, and just a two-hour drive from Boston. Dartmouth was founded before the Revolutionary War in 1769 and offers idyllic New England charm, a great college-town atmosphere, academic rigor, and many outlets for social life. Like many …