A Visit to University of Wisconsin Superior

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By Sue Luse

Campus Overview

Univerity of Wisconsin Superior

The University of Wisconsin Superior is located in Superior, Wisconsin, a city of 27,000 at the western tip of Lake Superior. Many students choose this institution because of its size, small classes, and the the student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.  UW Superior is considered a “hidden gem” in its ability to offer the attributes of a private education at public school costs.

Enrollment

  • Over 2,800 students
  • 900+ students live on campus
  • Lots of international students (over 30 countries represented at UW-Superior)
  • Plenty of first generation students
  • Close knit and friendly student body
  • 56% female

Academics

Student Union

  • Average ACT score 21.5
  • Average GPA 3.3
  • Access Bridge Program for marginal students
  • Top majors include Education (Elementary and Secondary), Biology, (Ecology, Aquatic, Fishery Science, and/or Cell/Molecular Focus), Business (Marketing, Management, International and/or Finance concentration), Communications, Psychology,  and unique majors are Transportation and Logistics Management, Art Therapy, Digital Cinema, Interactive Media, and Forensic Chemistry
  • Self-designed majors
  • Pre-Vet, Pre-Med, and Pre-Pharmacy
  • No Nursing
  • Strong music, vocal and theater programs (as well as orchestra and band programs) – 1 in 3 students at UW-Superior are enrolled in a course offered by the Music Department
  • UW Superior has four Research Centers:
  • UW Superior owns an Environmental Science Research Vessel

Athletics

  • UW Superior offers NCAADIII Hockey and has the biggest Div. III arena in the West.
  • Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Hockey, Soccer, Track and Field
  • Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Hockey, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball
Our tour guide

Our tour guide

A Visit to Vanderbilt University

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By Sue Luse

Overview

Vanderbilt University clock tower

Clock Tower

Vanderbilt University is located a mile and a half southwest of downtown Nashville.  The 330 acre campus is home to more than 300 tree and shrub varieties and was designated a national arboretum in 1988.  A beautiful, preppy campus with very friendly students.  While the campus is full of activity it maintains a peaceful atmosphere.

Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, music, education, and human development, as well as a full range of graduate and professional degrees.  An internationally recognized research university, Vanderbilt maintains strong partnerships among its ten schools, neighboring institutions and the community.

The city of Nashville has a population of 1.2 million people and is filled with very friendly people and great restaurants. It is definitely a “music city” – all kinds of music. Besides great musicians, Nashville is also known for sports and great little neighborhoods.  Hillsburough Village is a fun and interesting student hangout.

Information Sessions

Vanderbilt conducts its Information Sessions in a very fun and engaging manner. At the Information Session I attended, they used the question “What did you want to be when you were 5?” as an opener.  There were students from all over the country conversing and enjoying themselves. They discussed  how finding “the right fit” in a college can be difficult and that unfortunately you can’t visit every college.  They suggested picking five things that are imperative to you and looking for those attributes.  The admissions counselors also encouraged students to begin exploring colleges early on.

Vanderbilt Profile

  • 6,800 students
  • 4 Undergraduate Colleges
  • 65 majors
  • 350 student organizations
  • Squirrel to student ratio is 3 to 1 🙂
  • 47 students from Minnesota
  • Urban environment yet has lots of green space and trees
  • Freshman live in the Commons with their own dining hall
  • Modern, bright dorms with high ceilings
  • Most students live on campus all four years
  • No cars allowed freshman year
  • Division I Sports – great football and basketball teams
  • 96% retention rate

Admissions

  • Admissions Counselor for Minnesota is Andrew Moe
  • They look for rigorous curriculum and AP courses
  • Only send in SAT Subject Test Scores in the 90 percentile
  • Vanderbilt generally awards college credits for AP scores of 4 or 5
  • Should demonstrate a passion for something
  • Essay should be reflective and not be a narration of your resume
  • 2 teacher letters and one counselor letter (you can add extra letters but they should be of a different context)
  • Admittance Rate is 14%
  • Average ACT score for admitted students is 33 to 35
  • Super scores the SAT, but not the ACT
  • 97% of admitted students are in the top 10% of their class (when official class rank is reported)
  • Early Decision has an acceptance rate of 24%
  • 40% of the incoming class are Early Decision
  • Good financial aid – one of the best in the country
  • Once you send in your application, you will be contacted for an optional alumni core interview

For more information, read about Ryan Luse’s visit (a separate trip from Sue’s visit) to Vanderbilt University in the latest addition to our College Spotlight series.

A Visit to the College of St. Scholastica

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CAMPUS

The College of St. Scholastica has a warm, inviting campus with an old fashioned feel set on 180 forested acres overlooking Lake Superior. Students enjoy hundreds of miles of biking and hiking. Located in Duluth, MN, a great college town known for it’s vibrant music scene, nightlife and cheap restaurants. The Duluth area is inhabited by 25,000 college students (1/5 of the area’s population).  

OVERVIEW

  • Usually less expensive than the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD)
  • Great place for students who don’t think a private college is affordable
  • It’s okay to be undecided
  • Great Scholarships
  • Very personable Admissions Staff
  • Excellent choice for B students

ENROLLMENT/STUDENT BODY

  • 2,100 undergraduate students
  • Average ACT score is 23
  • Multi-faith
  • Open to gays and diversity
  • Many first generation students
  • 33% Catholic
  • 65% female, but since adding football, St. Scholastica is attracting more males
  • If you feel you’re an underachiever – the professors will step up to help you
  • Large majority of students enjoy outdoor sports such as hiking, biking, kayaking and rock climbing
  • Good accommodations for students with LD or Aspergers
  • All students live on campus for freshman and sophomore year
  • Very tight-knit campus – friendly and nurturing
  • Diverse students who all enjoy each other

ACADEMICS

  • Known for Healthcare Programs, Business Management, Economics, Finance, Education and Psychology
  • Great Health Information Management program – “they invented it”
  • The Pre-Med program has high placement due to the personal attention students receive and the Human Cadaver Lab
  • Direct entry into Physical Therapy program
  • Physician’s Assistant Program slated to start in 2016
  • Music Program is growing

TUITION & FEES | UNDERGRADUATE

Full time

(12-18 credits, fall and spring semesters)

$15,104 per semester ($30,208 annually)

Per credit

(if below 12 credits or over 18 credits)

$943

Summer 2012 tuition

$395 per credit

A Visit to University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD)

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OVERVIEW

Sue at UMD

Sue at UMD

The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) is a comprehensive regional university. Undergraduate students can choose from 13 bachelor degrees in over 80 majors. UMD consistently ranks among the top midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” issue. Providing an alternative to both large research universities and small liberal arts colleges, UMD attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university.

UMD’s campus consists of more than 50 buildings on 244 acres overlooking Lake Superior, all built since 1948. Most UMD buildings are connected by concourses or hallways, providing convenience for all students year round. UMD is also home for the Tweed Museum of Art, the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium, Weber Music Hall, and the Marshall Performing Arts Center.

ENROLLMENT

UMD’s fall 2012 enrollment was 11,491 with approximately 40% of the students from the Twin Cities area and an additional 40% from the rest of Minnesota.

ACADEMICS

UMD’s most popular programs are Accounting, Business, Biology, Communications, Criminology, Graphic Design, Mechanical Engineering, Exercise Science, Psychology, and Education (especially Elementary Education). The Elementary Education program is four and a half years, and includes Special Education.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • 3 years of Math (including a minimum of algebra, geometry and intermediate/advanced/algebra II). 4 years of Math will be required effective Fall Semester 2015.
  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of Science (including a year each of  life science and physical science). Biology, chemistry and physics are the preferred courses for science, engineering and math applicants
  • 2 years of a Single Second Language
  • 1 year in visual or performing arts
  • 3 years of social studies including one year each of geography and American history
  • Applicants with a cumulative 3.4 high school GPA will likely be admitted
  • Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.4 will be reviewed on the basis of curriculum,  ACT scores and trends in GPA as well as extenuating circumstances are considered in a comprehensive review
  • The English and Math ACT sub-scores are considered more heavily than the composite score
  • Acceptance rate was 74% for Fall Semester, 2011
  • Average GPA of enrolled freshmen is 3.4
  • Average ACT score is 23.8

APPLICATION PROCESS

The priority deadline is December 15, however engineering students are highly encouraged to apply earlier.

Early application is also advised for those seeking scholarships.

Applications may be made directly to UMD. As an alternative, students may complete an application to the U of M Twin Cities campus and contact UMD to request that their application be shared with UMD for no additional application fee. UMD will review shared applications beginning in late October.

Most applications are reviewed and admission decisions made within a 3-week turnaround time.

Photo ID Requirement for SAT/ACT Testing

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Read about the impact of photo ID requirements for SAT/ACT registration and testing in today’s Star Tribune article Heightened ACT, SAT security will test students. Sue Luse was interviewed and quoted in this article.

Here is an excerpt…

Heightened ACT, SAT security will test students

Rules tightened in wake of New York ID-fraud scandal.
By HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA Star Tribune
SEPTEMBER 26, 2012 — 8:48PM

A cheating scandal that washed over New York last year is causing ripple effects in Minnesota as college entrance exam season kicks off with thousands of students facing heightened test security.

After revelations that Long Island students paid as much as $3,600 to have someone take the ACT or SAT tests in their place, new security measures were announced in May. Although students previously were required to show ID at the test sites, the replacement test takers got around the rule with fake IDs.

But as of October, students will have to submit a photo in advance with their application, present a matching photo ID when they arrive at the test site and show ID again when submitting the test. The student’s photo also will accompany the test results to their school for further verification.

Students who show up without a photo ID on the day of the test will be turned away.

The new rules have worried some educators because not all students have Internet access at home, and thus cannot upload the required photo with their application.

…

The changes by ACT Inc. and the College Board, which runs the SAT, will affect the roughly 3.2 million students nationwide who take the exams. The next SAT test date is Oct. 6; for the ACT, it’s Oct. 27.

“It must be a big deal for SAT and ACT to make these changes,” said Sue Luse, an Eagan education planner who guides students through the testing and college admissions process. “The bottom line is that kids are going to have to do a little more planning.”

…

The cheating scandal in Long Island involved students who paid $500 to $3,600 to have someone take the test for them using fake IDs. About 20 people were charged, although prosecutors believe as many as 50 students were involved.

…

The College Board has said that about 1,000 scores were thrown out and about 3,000 scores were questioned in the 2010-11 school year. The College Board did not break down the numbers by state.

The ACT is taken overwhelmingly by students in Minnesota and other central states, while the SAT is favored on both coasts. Last school year, about 45,000 students in Minnesota took the ACT, Colby said.

A digital divide

The changes should not hinder the vast majority of the students who take the tests, but there are tens of thousands who don’t have high-speed Internet at home to upload the required photos.

…

An indication of how big this digital divide might be comes from the Comcast cable company, which last year started an initiative to provide less-expensive high-speed Internet access for low-income customers.

The company said it has provided the service to 100,000 families for about $10 a month. About 1,600 families in the Twin Cities have signed up, a fraction of the almost 30,000 families locally that are eligible.

…

Luse said the photo requirements are so strict that it can take a long time to upload them because the photos are being rejected if they don’t meet company standards for such things as clarity, size or clutter.

If the same issues arise via mail, it could lead to lengthy delays that throw off students’ plans.

Luse, for example, recommends her students take the ACT at least three times. But the tests are only offered six times during the school year.

Luse also worries that some students and parents might get so frustrated that they give up and delay or forego the test, which could have dire consequences for early college applications.

…

A Visit to Jacksonville University

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Jacksonville Campus

Jacksonville Campus

Location

Jacksonville University is located in a beautiful riverfront setting in suburban Jacksonville, across the St. Johns River from downtown and just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. The 190-acre campus includes a half-mile of riverfront, oak-lined paths, and a mix of historic and new campus buildings.  3500 students

Demographics

Most JU students are from Florida and the southeastern and northeastern United States. They represent 45 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 50 foreign countries. The male-female student ratio is about 1 to 1.

Colleges

The College of Arts & Sciences offers traditional liberal arts and science majors, plus programs in nursing, education, and pre-professional education. The College of Fine Arts has outstanding programs in art, dance, music and theater. The Davis College of Business occupies a new, technologically advanced facility.

Student Characteristics

Beginning Fall 2012, traditional freshmen can participate in Jacksonville University’s Four-Year Graduation Guarantee.

What is Our Four-Year Graduation Guarantee?

A guarantee for incoming first-year students that ensures their ability to graduate in four years provided they adhere to the stipulations of the agreement. If they are unable to graduate on time and have met the requirements of the agreement, the University will assume their tuition costs (minus any state and federal aid for which they qualify) until they graduate.

A Visit to Florida State University

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FSU Fountain

FSU Fountain

Florida State University

Overall

  • Tallahassee, Florida
  • Beautiful, sprawling campus, lots of huge tees, downtown Tallahassee
  • Tallahassee is the capital, students can walk right into the downtown area
  • Lots of convenient internships
  • 31,000 undergraduate, only 9% from out of state
  • Sports oriented, Florida State Seminoles an ACC powerhouse
  • Lots of fun traditions
  • Great athletic facilities
  • Frats and Sorriorites dominate the social scene
  • Has been known as a party school

Academics

  • Research University
  • Top majors – criminal justice, finance and business, political science, hospitality, golf course management

Admissions

  • 60 percent accepted
  • 24-28 ACT
  • 3.7 average GPA

A Visit to Flagler College

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Flagler Campus

Flagler Campus

Flagler College

74 King Street St.
Augustine, Florida 32084
904-829-6481

  • Wonderful location in a tourist town, four miles from the beach
  • Students can walk to all the charming shops and restaurants
  • 2500 students
  • Good teacher education program, specially deaf education
  • Great sports management
  • Only freshman live on campus, the other students live around the campus or on near the beach
  • No coed dorms
  • Cars are allowed
  • No Greeks
  • Liberal arts college
  • 90% study abroad

Admissions

24 ACT, 3.4 GPA, 40 percent accepted.

Cost

VERY affordable. No merit scholarships because of the low cost.

Cost of Attendance

Tuition $15,340
Room $4,070
Meal Plan (Full) $4,280
Total Costs $23,690
Flagler College Students

Flagler College Students

Students playing volley ball

Students playing volley ball

Swimming Pool

Swimming Pool

A Visit to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Florida A&M

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is the nation’s largest historically black university by enrollment,[3] is located in Tallahassee, the Florida state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida. FAMU is also one of Florida’s land grant universities.

Overview

Founded on October 3, 1887, Florida A&M University (FAMU) is part of the State University System of Florida and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Distinguished by lush foliage and massive oaks, FAMU’s main campus comprises 156 buildings spread over 422 acres atop the highest of Tallahassee’s seven hills.

The university also has several satellite campuses including a site in Orlando where the College of Law is located and sites in Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa for its pharmacy program.

Enrollment

Florida A&M University enrolls nearly 12,000 students from the United States and more than 70 countries such as India, Egypt, Trinidad, Netherlands, China, Bahamas, Jamaica, and Brazil.

Academic Programs

Florida A&M University offers 62 bachelor’s degrees and 39 master’s degrees. The university has 13 schools and colleges and one institute.  The university also offers a juris doctor at its College of Law in Orlando.  FAMU has 11 doctoral programs which includes 10 Ph.D. programs: chemical engineering; civil engineering; electrical engineering; mechanical engineering; industrial engineering; biomedical engineering; physics; pharmaceutical sciences; educational leadership; and environmental sciences.

Popular Majors

Marching band

Main article: Marching 100

The FAMU Marching “100” under the direction of Dr. William P. Foster, was invited by the French government to participate in the Bastille Day Parade as the official representation from the United States. This event was held in celebration of the bicentennial of the French Revolution.

The Marching “100” was named the “Best Marching Band in the Nation” by Sports Illustrated (August 1992). The band received national recognition in January 1993 when it performed in the 42nd Presidential Inauguration Parade by invitation of Bill Clinton. The band has also performed in the Super Bowl and in the 44th Presidential Inauguration Parade.

In 2011, a band member was beaten to death in a hazing incident. Since the 2011 death, a series of reports of abuse and hazing within the band have been documented. In May of 2012, 2 faculty members resigned in connection with a hazing investigation and 13 people were charged with felony or misdemeanor hazing crimes.

Top undergraduate programs are architecture; journalism; computer information sciences and psychology.  FAMU’s top graduate programs include pharmaceutical sciences along with public health; physical therapy; engineering; physics; master’s of applied social sciences (especially history and public administration); business and sociology.

Admission Fees

Fees Per Credit Hour

Undergraduate residents: $124.01
Undergraduate nonresidents: $522.03
Graduate resident: $268.23
Graduate non-resident: $884.75
Law resident: $288.75
Law nonresident: $943.43

Other Fees

Rattler Card ID: $5
Athletic Fee: $11.30
Technology Fee: $4.43
Health Fee: $55
Transportation Fee: $59

Housing

Room rent (average): $2,025.47 per semester

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Grants, scholarships, loans and employment opportunities are available to help families meet the cost of investing in a FAMU education.  For information, visit www.FAMU.edu/UniversityScholarships.

Demographics

(2008-2009)

Full-time 10,509
Part-time 1,339
Female 6,940
Male 4,908
Florida 9,215
Non-Florida 2,633
Black 10,631
White 596
Hispanic 268
Asian 141
Native Indian 27
Non-Resident Alien 131
Not Reported 54

Florida A&M University Mission Statement

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is an 1890 land-grant institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, resolution of complex issues and the empowerment of citizens and communities.  The University provides a student-centered environment consistent with its core values.  The faculty is committed to educating students at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional levels, preparing graduates to apply their knowledge, critical thinking skills and creativity in their service to society.  FAMU’s distinction as a doctoral/research institution will continue to provide mechanisms to address emerging issues through local and global partnerships.  Expanding upon the University’s land-grant status, it will enhance the lives of constituents through innovative research, engaging cooperative extension, and public service.  While the University continues its historic mission of educating African Americans, FAMU embraces persons of all races, ethnic origins and nationalities as life-long members of the university community.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University holds the following values essential to the achievement of the university’s mission:

  • Scholarship
  • Excellence
  • Openness
  • Fiscal Responsibility
  • Accountability
  • Collaboration
  • Diversity
  • Service
  • Fairness
  • Courage
  • Integrity
  • Respect
  • Collegiality
  • Freedom
  • Ethics
  • Shared Governance

Changes in Test Registration

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ACT Inc. and the College Board, which administers the SAT, are adding a photo to exam admission tickets, after prosecutors in Long Island filed charges against 20 students accused of paying or receiving money for someone to take the test under someone else’s name. You’ll have to submit a photo when you register, then present a matching photo ID on test day. Read more about it.

College Spotlight on Northeastern University

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A former student of mine, now a sophomore at Northeastern University in Boston, wrote a wonderful piece entitled “Why I’m glad I chose Northeastern” for his former high school newspaper. I’ve posted it in my College Spotlight series College Spotlight on Northeastern University on my website with his permission.

For those of you interested in colleges that offer co-op/internship opportunities, you will find this article enlightening.

A cause I care deeply about

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Hello everyone!

I’m Juliet. I’m a teenage girl living with Celiac Disease since March, 2007. I’m your regular American girl, going to a regular high school in a regular town, except I have Celiac Disease.  This is why this blog is so important. I’m not a doctor, a specialist, or even a high school graduate. I’m just me. There are millions of people with Celiac who are just normal people who have to live their lives with this condition, and it’s difficult. On pizza days at school and when a friend brings doughnuts to class, I have to say “No thanks!”,  and that’s why I’m here. To help out those people who are tired of eating and living below what they want or deserve.

I love to write (especially blog!) I could play tennis for hours. My favorite school subject is history. I love music and camping, and I drink entirely too much coffee. Out of  all the things I enjoy doing and things that I love, I especially love people. And that’s why I blog.

I hope this blog doesn’t help just teens, but people of all ages. Maybe you are here because you have celiac, or maybe a family member does. Maybe you just want to eat a little differently.  I hope you enjoy my blog www.confessionsofaceliac.com, and come visit often!

-xoxo

Juliet

A Visit to Hamilton

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Hamilton College, Clinton, NY

Hamilton College, Clinton, NY

After our visit to St. Lawrence, Tom and I drove down to the beautiful Finger Lakes area in central New York. We made our way to Mirbeau Inn & Spa named “Best for Romance, Cuisine & Yoga!” This inn became our home for three days as we explored the surrounding areas and colleges.

Here are my notes and observations about Hamilton College, in Clinton, New York.

Clinton

  • Centrally located historic town
  • New England type village with a village green, cute little shops, etc.
  • Close to the Adirondacks, Utica, and Syracuse
  • Many other cute little towns near by
  • Malls are about 15 minutes away
  • Syracuse Airport about 40 minutes away

Campus

  • Residential campus, students live on campus all four years
  • Truly a community, no need to leave campus
  • 1800 students
  • Creative, engaged fun students
  • Became co-ed in the early 70s when Hamilton merged with all-female Kirkland College
  • You will find all different types of students who all seem to get along
Hamilton College Dining Hall

Hamilton College Dining Hall

Housing

  • Housing is a lottery
  • No separate freshman housing, may be some floors that are all freshman
  • Lots of unique housing options
  • Housing is great because freshman are not put in a freshman dorm. They are not put in the worse dorm as is the case at other
    colleges. They are mixed in with other students so nice housing for all students.

Academics

  • Liberal arts, all the majors are strong
  • No distribution requirements or core curriculum
  • Benefits are students are happy and engaged because they want to be in the classes they choose
  • Advising system really good and personal
  • Dynamic and organic experience, advisors ensure students get a broad education
  • Course of study will be individually tailored and structured to ensure an experience to prepare students to reach their goal
  • Faculty are committed to the open curriculum
  • There may be a quantatative requirement if students are not at the level they need to be, for example Stats.
  • Hamilton is a writing intensive college. This means you don’t have to write tons of big papers, but smaller papers and several drafts to become a better, focused writer.
  • Professors are here to teach, vast majority live within 3 miles of campus
  • Professors know if you are not there
  • Senior projects and some full year thesis available
  • Pre-professional advisors for business, law, medicine, etc.
  • Liberal arts train you for nothing but prepare you for everything
  • 5 main off-campus Hamilton programs – New York, Washington DC, China, Spain, and France – 100s of others available.
  • Opportunity to be involved in the arts are vast
  • Opening an art museum and teaching museum
  • Strong theater, a capella groups, jazz band, orchestra, etc.

Athletics

  • The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) – most prestigious Division III conference, same conference as Williams, Middlebury, Amherst, Wesleyan, Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, Trinity.
  • These colleges are overlaps
  • Students can contact coaches themselves. Coaches prefer that over a box e mail bought from a company
  • National championship women’s lacrosse team
  • Ham, the pig, is the mascot – dresses like a revolutionary war soldier
  • Lots of school spirit!

Extracurriculars

  • Lots of competitive club and intra-mural teams
  • Hamilton will fund any club students want to start
  • Pub for students over 21 on campus
  • Greeks live in the dorms

Career information

  • Career-Related-Experience (CRE) – every student has at least one before end of sophomore year
  • Hamilton is in the top 1 percent for alumni giving of money, time, networking, connections.
  • Great alumni network! For example a girl got an internship at MTV in NYC ( unpaid internship).
  • The career center funded her summer internship expenses such as rent, food and fun. Very impressive program.
  • Summer research opportunities with professors
  • Internships open the door to that first job
  • Great Names Series – impressive speaker series.
Hamilton College Walkway

Hamilton College Walkway

Addmissions

  • Interviews recommended. Students need to set this up on the Hamilton website. Alum interview available in the Twin Cities

Financial aid

  • 50 percent of students on financial aid, still need blind
  • Meets 100 percent of need
  • No merit scholarships
  • Hamilton, like all colleges, recommends families use the net price caculator to determine if you will qualify for financial aid on the school’s website.

What separates Hamilton from the others? The friendly, warm, welcoming atmosphere, centrally located, not shared with a major
city. – Sue Luse

A Visit to Syracuse University

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Syracuse University is located in the city of Syracuse where you find the arts, shopping, and restaurants.  Lake Onondaga is about 2 miles to the north.  About 40 miles farther to the north is Lake Ontario. 168,000 people live in Syracuse and 700,000 in the metro area.  Syracuse is a private university with 10,000 undergraduates.  It’s close to Hancock International Airport.  Syracuse is working to re-invent the South Side.  Syracuse University business and journalism students are involved in the effort.

Our tour guide from Michigan

Our tour guide from Michigan

Notes and Observations…

  • All different kinds of students, 32 percent diversity
  • 25 percent Jewish
  • One of the biggest Hillel’s in the country
  • Active GLBT group
  • Study abroad
  • 8 different Syracuse locations around the world

Campus

  • Big campus, big quad
  • Huge Carrier dome. Used for both football and basketball
  • Up on a hill
  • Mix of old and new architecture
  • Bustling, lots of students
  • Dorms – split doubles most common
  • No freshman dorms
  • Connective corridor, new project connecting the campus with the city with walking paths, bike paths, lights, trees, linking the arts and theater, shopping and restaurants
  • Dinosaur Barbecue – most famous restaurant
Syracuse Music Building

Syracuse Music Building

Admissions

  • Interviews are optional and evaluative
  • Students should indicate three colleges they want to attend at Syracuse. If not admitted into first choice such as Newhouse, will be considered for the other two.
  • 3.6 GPA
  • ACT 25 – 26
  • Super scores SAT
  • Admissions does vary from college to college
  • Merit scholarships available

Academics

  • “Scholarship in Action”
  • Theater,  BFA, strong program.
  • First Year Players, a student-run theater program does a musical every year, for the non theater students.
  • Direct entry architecture, 5-year BA of Architecture. Ranked in the top 5 in the nation. Need an art profile to be admitted.
  • Newhouse School of Communication – new building with focus on multi-media.  Number one communication program in the country. Eight different majors, biggest are radio, TV, and film.
  • Dual majors with Newhouse and Whitman Business School
  • Information School, has high tech majors such as global enterprise technology and web-based security and finance.
  • For students who like technology, Whitman school of Business has a competitive direct entry program.
  • School of Education, big focus on urban education and multi-culturism
  • College of Visual and Performing Arts
  • Also has a School of Music, housed in a gothic Hogwarts-like building
  • Also has a music business program
  • Most competitive programs are Newhouse, Whitman, Information School, Architecture, Theater
  • Has a good Design program
  • Engineering very good – 8 different majors
  • New science building – state-of-the-art labs for study and research
  • Big hospital right by campus for research and volunteering.
  • College of Sports Management
  • Liberal Arts College has a consortium with Cornell and other nearby colleges

If students are looking for a medium-sized university with many different colleges and majors available in an urban setting, Syracuse
would be a good option – especially if students are looking for big time athletics and legendary school spirit! – Sue Luse

A Visit to St. Lawrence University

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St. Lawrence University

Windy day at St. Lawrence Univ.

Tom and I drove through the beautiful Adirondack Mountains to the charming town of Lake Placid, home to the Winter Olympics. We loved Lake Placid even though lightening knocked out power to Lake Placid and our hotel.  Oh well, better then a flat tire!

St Lawrence University, Canton, NY

Notes and Impressions…

Campus

  • Lovely, historic campus located in the small city of Canton.
  • Well maintained and updated facilities and grounds. Lots of quads, trees in a park-like surrounding.
  • Spacious library with lots of interesting study places such as a tree house.
  • New and bustling student center and a great book store with a boutique.
  • I was surprised to see a Caribou Coffee, the first one I have seen in New York.  Then I found out the co-founder of Caribou Coffee, Kim Puckett, attended St. Lawrence.
  • The campus has lots of cute houses surrounding the college that are theme houses for the students.
  • Housing is guaranteed all four years with many nice options.
  • Loved dining hall

Academics

An outdoor class at St. Lawrence

An outdoor class

  • Academics attracts faculty who love to teach, help students develop their academics passions
  • Environmental studies is an impressive major.
  • Johnson Hall of Science meets LEED (Leadership in  Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification – meeting a stringent set of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient standards.
  • Takes advantage of location by mountains. Environmental Science majors can go into public policy or field work.
  • Over half of the students study abroad.
  • Classic liberal arts and sciences
  • Good geology, really good and unique rocks!
  • Also good anthropology
  • 3/2 engineering with Columbia and Clarkson
  • Pre med is strong
  • Pre law is strong
  • 4 plus 1 MBA at many colleges
  • International economics – new major
  • Flexible core curriculum
  • Semester system

Admissions

  • 40 percent accepted
  • Syracuse or Ottawa airport, closest airport.
  • Security will drive students to airports, also have shuttles
  • 60 percent from out-of-state,
  • Will start reviewing Early Decision applicants Nov. 1
  • For Early Decision 2 applicants,  the deadline is Jan 1 but will give students more time if they change their minds and decide to go Early Decision 2
  • Test optional – want to see honors and AP classes
  • They look for a student is well-rounded, curious, and likes to try new things
  • Merit scholarships
  • Overlaps – Hamilton, Colgate, Middelbury, U of Vermont
Workout area at St. Lawrence

Student workout area - amazing place!

Activities

  • Small Greek scene
  • Off the beaten track creates a strong community, a bee hive
  • Students love the outdoors
  • Big outing club Close to Canada gives an international flair
  • White Face Ski Area an hour and a half
  • Other small ski areas closer by
  • Weather – sunny and snowy, but not the lake snow affects which is more cloudy and drizzle

Overall, beautiful campus, impressive facility, all kinds of students would be happy here. Great location by the mountains, somewhat
isolated, but happy students. – Sue Luse

A Visit to Bard College

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Bard College

Bard College is located on the Hudson River in the tiny village of Annandale-on-Hudson in New York.  This is a beautiful area, with lots of outdoor opportunities, and still close to New York City.

  • Campus has varied architecture with an upper and lower campus.  The buildings are spread out with lots of green spaces in between.
  • Impressive science building.
  • The humanities buildings featured seminar classes, all discussion-based with engaged students sitting around a conference table.
  • Students were friendly, seemed free to be themselves, artsy.
  • Good music department.  Students do not need to audition for music or theater.
  • No portfolio required.
  • Students are interested in multiple things and tend to be unique.
  • Social sciences are number 1.
  • Students are opinionated, civic minded, like to do public service, and are politically active.
  • When apply for early action, they make immediate decision.  Unique!
  • Test scores are optional.
  • 30 percent accepted.  Bard admissions is looking for students who are intellectual and independent and can handle the academics  and take advantage of the opportunities at Bard.
  • Vassar,  Brown, Reed, NYU, Oberlin, and Carleton are overlaps.
  • Students who have good relationships with teachers is what they are looking for
  • They will take a look at students with high test scores and low GPAs if they see potential.

Blog update: October 3, 2013

Read about Bard’s unique admissions process reported in the New York Times September 28, 2013 article entitled Didn’t Ace SAT? Just Design Microbe Transplant Research

A Visit to Skidmore College

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Sue at Skidmore College, NY

Sue at Skidmore

Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, NY. In the summer during the racing season  the population triples. Students move in after labor day, when all the tourists have left and have this cute town all to themselves. The movie Sea Biscuit was filmed here.  There’s a big racetrack in town. Skidmore is a mile and a half from downtown.  It’s surrounded by mansions and the North Woods, and close to the Adirondack Mountains.  Beautiful campus, lots of trees and quads.

Here are some fun facts, stats, and my observations:

  • Great college town
  • Battle of Saratoga was fought here
  • Saratoga Springs is a mineral bath town
  • Ski school , close to the Adirondack Mountain ski area
  • 850 acres of woods with plenty of hiking trails
  • Big outdoorsy scene
  • 3 hours from NYC
  • 3 hours from Montreal
  • Internships and airport at Albany, 20 minutes away
  • 70 percent out-of-state
  • 7 percent international
  • Co-ed since 1972
  • 25 percent diversity
  • 2500 undergrad

Academics

  • Professional track
  • Business major available
  • MBA program
  • Direct entry nursing
  • Education major with masters available
  • Pre-med
  • Pre-law
  • Socialwork
  • Exercise science

Arts Track

  • No need to audition for music, theater, or dance
  • All types of music, tons of opportunities
  • Visual arts, wonderful art building with print making
  • Juniors and seniors get their own studio space

Liberal Arts Track

  • English
  • Psychology
  • International affairs
  • Biology
  • Many other majors

General

  • Small class sizes
  • No teaching assistants
  • 60 percent double major
  • Semesters system
  • Four year core curriculum, lots of options
  • Study abroad popular
  • 48 countries
  • Skidmore helps students find internships
  • Big horse school, equestrian teams and equine studies
  • Crew popular
  • 94 percent retention rate
  • Men’s varsity ice hockey – ECEA East leaugue of Divisition III
  • Women’s field hockey
  • Supportive healthy place
  • Both “preppy” and alternative students
  • Not “cliquey”
  • All types of religions.  About 25 percent Jewish.
  • Not a bubble school, kids are politically aware and active.

Admissions

  • 40 percent acceptance rate
  • ACT 27-30 average
  • They super score
  • Merit and talented scholarships available.

Campus Tour

Amanda - Skidmore tour gude

Amanda - best guide ever!

  • Beautiful new music building
  • Dance is a popular major. Students can do both modern dance and ballet.
  • Great dorms. Suite style with single rooms for sophomores and doubles for the freshman with a shared bath for four students.
  • All dorms are connected to the academic buildings and student center with covered walkways.  See picture of tour guide Amanda under covered walkway. Best guide ever!
  • Beautiful, compact and well planned campus. Only 40 years old.  Original campus was in downtown Saratoga Springs.
  • Juniors and seniors live in really nice apartments on campus.
  • Skidmore mascot is the Thoroughbred, of course.
  • One of the nicest dining halls I have ever seen. Open from 7 am to 11 pm.
  • They have a separate dining room for students who have food allergies, which was good to see, as well as all the healthy menu options.  There is also a unique make-your-own station where students can make their own stir frys, omelets and grilled sandwiches.
  • Academic buildings, high tech, modern, all small classes
  • No Greeks.  Lots of traditions and social options

Skidmore is a good fit for our Midwest students. – Sue Luse

A Visit to Vassar College

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by Sue Luse

Vassar is located in Poughkeepsie, NY, about an hour and a half from NYC, on the Hudson river. The college campus is a combination of old and new architecture with a stunning library and performing arts center. We stayed in the historic town of Rhinebeck, about 20 minutes away.

Some notes about Vassar College:

  • Students at Vassar were diverse and from all over
  • No core curriculum
  • Can triple major
  • English, psychology, biology, economics, political science are the most popular majors
  • Lang requirement
  • AP level will waive if you get 4 or 5
  • 40 percent study abroad
  • 1000 courses to choose from – can register for 7 then drop down to 4 so can shop around for best fit
  • 2500 students
  • Good advising for both majors and minors
  • Field work is what they call internships – must do a normal and submit a paper. Vassar sets up field work in the area and provides transportation.
  • Students can also intern in NYC who want to get experience working in museums, PR firms, businesses, medical institutions, law firms and  on Wall Street
  • There is a Metro Link to New York City
  • 22 percent acceptance rate, most rigorous possible high school curriculum required
  • Students reviewed from the context of their high school
  • Students should take all 5 core classes, English, Math, Science, world language and social studies all four years, and take as many AP courses as possible.
  • 3.8 GPA
  • ACT with writing 30-33
  • Will super score all test scores – send all scores
  • Early Decision has a 10-15 percent higher acceptance
  • Extra-curriculars important, looking for leadership
  • 20 percent in Division III sports, the rest in club and intramural sports
  • Students are assigned to one of 9 “houses”, they live in the same house for three years
  • There are house fellows who are faculty families who live in the house
  • Went co-ed in 1969
  • Plan to expand sciences
  • Fun fact, the barefoot monks are one of the hundreds of student groups at Vassar, they are a juggling club.
  • Who does well at Vassar? Ones who have learned how to balance rigorous academics and their activities.
  • Their library closes at 12 because they want students to go home and sleep!
  • Poughkeepsie has 120,000 people in the area
  • Students do not go into the city all that much, because Vassar has such a multitude of things to do on campus.

For more information, check out Vassar’s website: www.vassar.edu