By Sue Luse

Location

Warren Wilson is located in Asheville, North Carolina, in the western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville is known for its vibrant arts scene and historic architecture. Its Downtown Art District is filled with galleries and museums.

About

Warren Wilson is a private four-year liberal arts work college. They are one of the few work colleges around. In addition to strong academics, they emphasize work and service as mandatory campus experience. They have a 600+ acre forest and living lab,as well as a working farm. Warren Wilson originally started as a farm school to provide basic education for boys from the Appalachian region. In 1942 it became a junior college and in 1967 it became a four-year liberal arts college. In 1981, they added a graduate program, an MFA in Creative Writing.

Student Population

Most of Warren Wilson’s approx 1,000 students come from over 100 miles away, with 80% from out-of-state. Most students are progressive, liberal, activists and intellectually curious about the world. Sustainability is important to the student body and 30% of the food comes from local sources, including their own farm and garden. They have a student-run vegan cafe. They are themost LGBTQ campus in North Carolina and considered a place where students can promote their own platform. Although the campus and surrounding area does not reflect ethnic diversity as much as the College would like, the campus does encourage a diversity of thought and experiences, in addition to promoting ethnic diversity as part of the College’s strategic priorities.

Student Life

Students are expected to complete a requisite course of study, work an on-campus job, and perform community service. Students work approx 15 hours a week and earn money for tuition. The work options include more than 100 work crews, with some popular ones being fine woodworking, farming, animal husbandry, crew, crafts, car mechanics, fiber arts, college press, arts, music, forestry and cleaning and kitchen jobs. Warren Wilson offers men’s and women’s sports as well as club sports. They also prepare students for applying to the Peace Corp. Approx 98% of students live on campus.

Academics

You can choose from 34 academic programs, 24 minors and a wide variety of concentrations. They also have an integrative studies option that lets you design your own major. With an average class size of 14, professors not only know your name, but your passion as well. The student to teacher ratio is 10:1. Advisors recommend which work crew students should be on that fits well with the students overall plans. They want students to experience the type of work environment they are interested in. Not only are there transcripts for grades, but for work and service as well. Warren Wilson’s top major is environmental science. Another popular major is creative writing.

Admissions

Warren Wilson looks for balanced students with personal integrity and the desire to support the mission of the College. All available information is considered – academic records, evidence of academic and social maturity, extra-curricular activities, community service, SAT or ACT scores (but it is a test-optional school), essays, references, recent grade trends and contributions to school and community.

• Has a high acceptance rate
• Would rather see a lower GPA and a student that displays intellectual curiosity
• Want to see a passion for learning
• Use the Common app and supplements
• Offer ED and EA
• Approx $41,000 per year (through the Work Program all students receive compensation towards their tuition)
• Scholarships up to $18,0000 available up; additional need-based aid awarded based on FAFSA
• Very supportive of GAP years

What Kind of Student Would be Happy Here

Students who have a passion for learning and are naturally curious, hardworking, and are interested in the environment and sustainability. Those who want to make an impact on the world and believe that the process of becoming an adult is a holistic, whole-person process.

By Sue Luse

Location

The Citadel is located about a mile from downtown Charleston. Known for its beautiful beaches, world-class cuisine and historic downtown, Charleston, South Carolina is the number one tourist destination in the US according to Conde Naste Traveler’s 2011-2014 rankings. Plenty to do in this city filled with southern charm, a friendly atmosphere and a unique culture. From events and fairs to museums and historical sites, Charleston offers something for everyone.

About The Citadel

The Citadel of the 21st Century remains true to it’s original vision – instilling in Cadets the core values of integrity, honesty, and responsibility in a disciplined academic environment, thereby preparing its graduates to understand their obligations as citizens, and to become principled leaders in whatever their chosen field of endeavor is.

Citadel graduates have participated in many of the pivotal events in our nation’s history, and have fought in every American war since the Mexican War of 1846. Alumni have achieved prominence in such diverse fields as military and government service, science and engineering, education, literature, business, the medical and legal professions and theology. The Citadel’s legacy of service to the State of South Caroline and our Nation is a tradition of which its founding fathers would be justly proud.

Life at The Citadel

• Cadets are in uniform all day
• Freshman are called “knobs” and are considered the 4th Class System (meaning lowest class); in fact, when in the presence of upper class cadets, they are required to “brace” a form of attention where they try to touch their chin to their spine.
• All cadets are in ROTC.

• A 4-Year Leadership Model is followed:
  • Freshman – learn about leadership
  • Sophomores are servant leaders
  • Juniors are sergeants and leaders
  • Seniors are commanders
• In the first year, boot camp comes before school starts – very intensive and they lose about 15% of new cadets the first week
• In the summer, they offer a non-military program for the seniors
• 50% of students are from out-of-state
• Freshman can’t leave until after first semester
• All cadets march to football games in uniform
• On Fridays the cadets wear dress uniforms and parade in formation

Academics

The Citadel takes pride in educating the “Whole Person” – mind, body, and spirit – and the cadet lifestyle is an important aspect of this educational process. From the freshman year until graduation, numerous opportunities and challenges are afforded cadets both within the cadet companies and through the many cadet organizations on campus.

• Students take 18 or more credits per semester which is about 4-5 classes
• Offer 20 majors including a great engineering program
• Ranked number one in the South for liberal arts
• Great professors who know students by name – No Teaching Assistants
• Professors are in uniform – many are retired military and some are active reserves.
• Utilize a core curriculum
• Average class size is 25 students
• There are 4 colleges:
  • School of Business
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Humanities & Social Sciences
  • School of Science & Mathematics
  • Zucker Family School of Education

Activities

Life at The Citadel is regimented. Students are involved in sports and clubs, but most of their day is scheduled with military and classes. Freshman live on a 24 hour calendar and every minute is scheduled. Cadets do more by breakfast time than other students do before dinner. Physical training is twice a week before breakfast. Students are off Fridays and Saturdays, but have to earn it.

Here’s an example of a typical day:

• Up at 5:30
• Formation
• Breakfast
• Class starts at 8
• Formation before lunch
• Lunch – they feed 2,300 students very quickly in family-style dining
• Classes end at 3
• Then some time for sports, clubs, ROTC, etc.
• Formation before dinner
• Study from 8-11 Sunday – Thursday (No exceptions)

Admissions

The average GPA is 3.5 – 3.9 and the average ACT is 23 – 27. They look for challenging high school courses.

Incoming students must pass a fitness test and continue to take physical fitness tests during their time at The Citadel:

The Citadel Physical Effectiveness Program (CPEP) is administered by the Health, Exercise, and Sport Science Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Commandant. Based upon the idea that effective leaders take pride in their own level of physical fitness, the CPEP focuses on two crucial components: body composition and physical training (PT). Cadets are expected to meet and maintain prescribed height and weight requirements. In addition, the Corps of Cadets is required to take a PT test each semester. To be classified as physically proficient, cadets must perform satisfactorily in both these areas. They must also be physically proficient to be considered for rank in their sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Height/Weight Standards for Entering Cadets:
For Males | For Females
The Citadel Physical Fitness Test (CPFT) is given at various times during each semester. Any cadet failing to meet minimum standards at any application of the test will be assigned to a remedial physical fitness program. Cadets must satisfactorily pass the physical fitness test to be physically proficient, which is a requirement to qualify for class privileges and graduation. NOTE: The sit-ups and push-ups are timed tests. You must complete the minimum required in two minutes – two minutes for the sit-up portion; another two minute period for the push-up portion.

What Kind of Student Would be Happy Here

The Citadel is not just about academics; fitness and a desire to serve are even more important. Students who excel in leadership roles – ie captain of the football team or student body president. Many Eagle Scouts and Girl Scouts attend The Citadel. A student who has a hear and wants to serve their country. The Citadel does accept women, but right now they are only at 7%.

By Sue Luse

Location

USC is located in Columbia, South Carolina, which is the capital and largest city in South Carolina. Columbia is very scenic and lies at the confluence of the Saluda River and the Broad River,which merge to form the Congaree River. As with most of South Carolina, Columbia is known for it’s mild winters, early springs, warm autumns and, of course, it’s hot and humid summers.

USC is a beautiful leafy campus with a reflecting pool and fountains. The campus is close to Five Points – an area of college-friendly restaurants, bars and unique shops.  There’s world-famous beaches and the Blue Ridge Mountains less than 3 hours away.

Academics

USC’s undergraduate curriculum begins with the Carolina Core, made up of foundational courses, which apply across disciplines. Students select foundational Carolina Core courses that span the liberal arts and sciences.  In addition, students choose an integrated Carolina Core course in their program major. Leadership is emphasized and at the core of the classes that form USC’s educational requirements.

USC has 15 Colleges & Schools, offers more than 350 degree programs and encourages research. The most popular majors are International Business, Engineering, Hotel Management, Psychology, Nursing and Law Enforcement. Freshman will attend a lot of large lecture classes.

Student Life

Housing

• Residence halls are considered to be learning-enhancing communities. Students choose between General Learning Communities in which residents have a variety of majors and academic interests or Associated Learning Communities which have a specific academic focus.

Activities

• More than 400 student organizations on campus
• The Leadership & Service Center provides plenty of programs to help connect students to the larger community
• Plenty of musical performances, theater and dance events and art events and exhibits
• USC offers intramural sports, club sports and lots of outdoor recreation opportunities and has a new state of the art fitness center

Football

USC Football Stadium

• Carolina football teams consistently attract standing-room only crowds to the Williams-Brice Stadium. The atmosphere on game days has been voted “the best” by SECsports.com. In addition to serving as the home of the Gamecocks, the stadium has been the site of many concerts, state high school football championships, and various other events. The stadium is sometimes called “The Cock Pit” by Gamecock fans and local media, and seats over 80,000.
• At the open of the 2012 season, the stadium featured a new Daktronics 36′ high by 124′ wide high-definition video scoreboard – the 3rd largest in the Southeastern conference. Also unveiled was a new 52-acre tailgating area, landscaped with over 650 trees and featuring a 100′ wide pathway called the “Garnet Way”.  At games, the team, the band and the cheerleaders now walk this pathway as they enter the stadium.

Admissions

• Admission to USC is primarily based on high school courses and grades as well as SAT or ACT Scores
• Average ACT of 24-29 and average SAT of 11-30-1280
• 75% of admitted 2014 students earned a weighted core GPA of at least 3.59
• Students who complete the required 18 high school academic units with at least a 3.5 GPA and earn scores as mentioned above are usually competitive for admission
• Letters of Recommendation are NOT required
• USC’s acceptance rate is 64%
• Non-resident estimated tuition, housing, meals, books & supplies is $41,712
• Students with excellent high school grades and competitive ACT or SAT scores are considered for merit scholarships

What Kind of Student Would be Happy Here

USC is full of outgoing and friendly students who love Carolina and have been cheering on the Gamecocks all their lives. Even though South Carolina is a conservative state, USC attracts all kinds of students though many are religious. Northern students fit in just fine even though you would stand out coming from Minnesota. Students who love an active Greek life and school spirit with fun tailgating will find this campus welcoming. With 97 percent of freshman living on campus, USC does not feel like a suitcase college. And for students looking for challenging academics, the South Carolina Honors College is ranked number one in the country compared to other public universities.

By Sue Luse

Overview

Rice University, a private university which leads in research, is located in Houston, Texas. A small and very diverse campus of 3,800 students, Rice provides rigorous coursework in various sciences as well as humanities & music. Competitive programs that are consistently top rated include engineering, architecture, pre-med, and pre-law.

Undergraduate research both on and off campus allows students exposure to a variety of unique opportunities, with partners including NASA, Texas Medical Center (conveniently located across the street), as well as 26 Fortune 500 companies.

Student Life

Every incoming student is assigned to one of 11 residential colleges, each having students of all different backgrounds. This system is considered the heart of campus life, providing a small community where students live, dine, and interact, as well as emphasizing self-government, faculty-student interaction, and intellectual & cultural activities outside the classroom.

Rice sports are at the NCAA Division I level with 14 teams, so student athletes are common and sporting events are high in attendance, particularly baseball. The campus is gated and secure with light rail access to anywhere in Houston. Museums are close by and the Houston Zoo is across the street. Living in the middle of the fourth largest city in the nation, students can attend professional sporting & theater events with discount tickets, as well as Houston’s 10,000 restaurants and vibrant downtown night life.

Academics

• Seven schools of study: Architecture, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business
• The School of Humanities provides a variety of degrees as well as coursework (but not majors) in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese and Russian
• The Jones School of Business only offers minors
• The Shepard School of Music does not provide a Music Education Degree, but offers degrees in Theory, History, Composition, and Performance
• 6/1 faculty to student ratio with 95% of classes taught by professors, the remaining 5% taught by graduate students
• Experiential learning through Rice’s 40 institutes, centers, and consortia offer students research opportunities alongside faculty members or independent
• Center for Civic Leadership offers experience with research & design in Houston and around the world, as well as community service and leadership preparation
• One third of students study abroad through more than 500 university-approved programs in 60 countries
• The well-known Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars Program is a very competitive 8-year medical program, picking up to 10 out of a thousand applicants (Due date December 1st)
• 90% of graduate students are accepted to med school, with even higher percentages for Law and MBA

Admissions

• Utilizes the Common Application and Universal College Application sites
• Average ACT scores range from 32 to 35
• Interviews are optional – if you want an alumni interview your application must be submitted a month early
• Music auditions must be request by December 1st
• Must indicate which school of study when you apply, and then major is declared second semester of sophomore year
• Look for intellectual curiosity and vitality as well as engagement to community
• A teacher recommendation from one who taught your class related to a possible major is beneficial

Costs/Financial Aid

• Tuition, room & board totals $ 58,283
• Offer merit scholarships (no separate application needed) that range from $3,000 to full tuition and 17% receive them
• The Rice Net Price Calculator provides an estimate of need based financial aid package eligibility

By Sue Luse

History & Values

Hillsdale College is an independent non-sectarian liberal arts college rich in history and tradition, located in rural southern Michigan. Founded in 1844 by a group of men and women of the Free Will Baptists, this small college prides itself on sound learning and maintaining independence. Hillsdale was the first American college to prohibit in its charter any discrimination based on race, sex, or national origin. They do not accept federal funds or use FAFSA, but rather offer their own financial aid. It has been referred to as “the conservative Harvard” – besides competitive academics, there is a strong conservative and Christian presence on campus. Students of all backgrounds are welcome if they embrace an education that pursues truth, critical thinking, and self-governance. Professors encourage students to think, discuss, and get involved in the community. Hillsdale is a lower income town of 8,000 people, so local volunteer work is strongly emphasized. Courses are very structured and writing intensive – popular areas of study include history, English, and biology. If a majority of these values align with your own, Hillsdale College is certainly a premier choice.

Academics

• Discussions and debates are promoted in the classroom in the attempt to expand a student’s way of thinking
• Every student is required to take a class on the constitution – they are not told how to vote, but to vote
• In the humanities, there are no textbooks – they provide published sources from a variety of acclaimed authors
• “Great Books” courses cover classic literature and are available online
• Intercollegiate Study Institute books are promoted, which foster awareness of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and traditional values
• Average class size is 15 and the student to faculty ratio is ideal at 10:1

Student Life

• There are 1,400 students with 47% male and 53% female
• Besides beautiful landscaping, the elegant campus buildings are made up of both historic and modern architecture emphasizing the feeling that the Hillsdale mission encompasses: “a window to the past and a gateway to the future.”
• Only about one third of the students are from Michigan, the remainder representing 47 other states and 8 foreign countries
• Around 100 student organizations, the most popular are Hillsdale Christian Fellowship, Orchestras and Choirs, Debate Club, Town Players (theater), Academic Honorary Societies, Coffeehouses, and Intramural Sports
• Dorms are not co-ed and there is also Greek housing off-campus – about one-third of students are a part of Greek Life
• Hillsdale is a Division II member and both the students and community support sporting events
• Homecoming is a huge tradition, as well as climbing the clock tower

Admissions

• The Hillsdale College (online & paper) Application has no questions about race or religion
• The Common App can be also be submitted
• Two academic letters of recommendation are required
• Average ACT is 29 and GPA of 3.8
• Alumni Interviews are highly recommended

Cost & Financial Aid

• Cost of attendance is significantly less that competing nationally-ranked, private liberal arts school
• Total cost is $34,352 but almost all students receive some form of aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment
• The average aid package offered during 2014 was $16,700