University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati

Background Information: Since its founding in 1819, the University of Cincinnati “has been the source of many discoveries creating positive change for society, including the oral polio vaccine,” among others. A public research university, located in the large and urban city of Cincinnati, Ohio, UC emphasizes the connection between a world-class education and real-world experience, as evidenced by its co-op program, ranked in the nation’s top five. UC serves a student population of over 37,000 students, making it one of the largest public universities in the state. “Through scholarship, service, partnerships, and leadership, (the University of Cincinnati) creates opportunity, develops educated and engaged citizens, enhances the economy and enriches the University, city, state and global community. (UC website)

Initial Thoughts: Not too much to say in this area. I didn't look into UC during my own college search, and the only thing I knew about it was the fact that it used to be (still is?) a big basketball school -- Bob Huggins, anyone? Of course, my impressions are extremely outdated ... To be honest, I don't know much about UC. It's on my to-visit list because a lot of people who might be reading this will be considering it as an option. Anyway, I don't have anything else to say about my "initial thoughts" of UC ... so let's begin with the tour ...

The Campus

• Layout: UC is not divided into quads/greens/anything of that nature. I asked a current UC student (and also tour guide) and he told me that UC is more or less divided into the typical themes that one might associate with a university. There is the "academic area," consisting of academic departments, administrative offices, and also on-campus library; a "residential area" where students to live on campus can mingle with one another in order to form lasting friendships; and lastly, the "fun area," consisting of Main Street, Sigma Sigma Commons, the Rec Center, and also the stadium. These are not isolated areas, but the surrounding buildings within a given area more or less follow a common theme.
  
  
• Architecture: UC’s campus is a mixture of the old and new. It’s hard to pinpoint the architectural style of the entire campus because there is such a vast array. There is, as I have grown to expect, the old red bricked academic buildings floating around, but there are also very modern looking buildings and many unique sculptures. I don’t know if you can really say that there is a singular theme that unites the entire campus.

  With that being said, do not misunderstand and believe that UC looks disjointed. On the contrary, everything seems to flow together to make one very interesting and lovely campus. Check out the photos below to see what I mean!

• Scale: UC is definitely a pedestrian campus, and it is possible to cross from one end of the campus to the other end in about 10-15 minutes.
  
  
• The Student Center: UC's Steger Student Life Center is home to the following resources -- offices of student services (student government, student activities), a computer lab, an in-house Starbucks, the Philip M. Meyers Jr. Memorial Gallery, a computer store, and a Subway sandwich shop.
  
  
• Student Living: As far as residential living goes, all of the residence halls on campus are co-ed and also substance free. All of the rooms (whether it is community-styled or suite-styled) come equipped with Cable-TV, Internet, a microfridge (microwave and refrigerator), and completely air-conditioned. There are about 8 halls on campus at UC, and all freshmen are required to live in these halls during their freshmen year. One of the best things about UC’s residence halls is the fact that they never fully close --- yes, even during winter breaks!
  
• Notable Attractions: I really liked Sigma Sigma Commons, a large greenspace located near the Rec Center and Business Department Building. Sigma Sigma Commons was built by UC in response to its students' desire for more green space on campus (Trust me, green space is important! The "green space" of a university is home to the stereotypical college activities one sees reenacted in way too many college-related movies; ex: hacky sack, frisbee, catching some rays on a sunny day...). Sigma Sigma Commons is home to the on-campus concert thrown every year, as well as UC's annual student carnival.

Final Conclusions: All in all, I think that UC is a good option for those who want to go to a big and public university without feeling too engulfed by the size. With its many resources, UC has a lot to offer its students, and I hope you will consider it as a possible option in your college list.

Photostream of UC: see the campus in pictures!

Still not convinced? Experience it for yourself! Schedule a visit today!

Kenyon College

Kenyon College
"Valiantly bear the cross"

Background Information: Kenyon is one of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges, a small school where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community.We bring together 1,600 young men and women to study with nearly 200 professors on an exceptionally beautiful hilltop campus in central Ohio. Our curriculum is rooted in the traditional liberal arts and sciences, and enriched by interdisciplinary programs. We set high academic standards and look for talented students who love learning. Small classes, dedicated teachers, and friendly give-and-take set the tone. Kenyon welcomes curiosity, creativity, intellectual ambition, and an openness to new ideas. We see learning as a challenging, deeply rewarding, and profoundly important activity, to be shared in a spirit of collaboration. (Kenyon website)

Initial Thoughts: I am so excited to visit Kenyon. I love going to liberal arts schools, and I have heard nothing but good things about Kenyon, so my interest in the institution is definitely piqued. Based on the pamphlets and literature that I have read regarding Kenyon, I expect to be surrounded by incredible beauty. If not, well, then some schools should take their pointers from Kenyon in how to "sell" their school to prospective students. I'm a sucker for good writing, so it only makes sense that I should fall in love with "the writer's college" and home of the Kenyon Review.

The Campus

• Layout: Kenyon is defined by its Middle Path, a long footpath that serves as the heart of campus. Branching away from the Middle Path are the academic buildings, residence halls, and other multipurpose facilities. The Middle Path serves as a meeting place for students and professors, a place to stop for a bit before heading off to their respective destinations. Aside from the Middle Path, another thing to know about Kenyon's layout is the fact that it is incredibly spacious. There are a lot of open spaces, and a lot of walking trails. Bike racks are everywhere on campus, and students use it frequently (according to a friend, you would be lucky to score a space!) because Kenyon is somewhat spread out -- from the rolling hills to downtown Gambier.
  
  
• Architecture: To put it simply, Kenyon is basically a medieval-looking [summer] camp for incredibly intelligent people. The buildings look very old, and instead of having typical red-bricked buildings, Kenyon has a lot of white bricked antiquated academic buildings. Another thing to know about Kenyon is the fact that Gambier is Kenyon -- it exists for the College -- so it is only fitting that the College itself is dispersed throughout the town. Some of the houses in downtown Kenyon dub as academic departments.
  
  
• Scale - Kenyon was more spread out than I expected, but I imagine that it shouldn't take much longer than 15-20 minutes to get from one end of the campus to the other. Kenyon is very walkable, designed to make its students and visitors to take notice of the natural surrounding around the College.
  
  
• The Student Center - Curiously enough, Kenyon does not have a student center. Rather, the resources one would hope to find in a Student Center are found spread throughout the campus. There is no single location for these resources. You can either find these resources "on-campus" or off-campus in Gambier (literally across the street).
  
  
• Student Living: Most students choose to live on-campus at Kenyon all of their four years. Living “off-campus” and living “on-campus” is basically the same thing when it comes to Kenyon since Gambier exists for the College. The College itself is dispersed throughout the city of Gambier, so much so that they seem almost synonymous with one another. As for residential living, Kenyon is divided up into a northern end and a southern end. According to a current Kenyon student, the North end of campus houses most of the first-year students, and then the more “studious” Kenyonites. The South end of campus, on the other hand, is home to Old Kenyon and the fraternity and sorority hall.
  
  
• Notable Attractions - I had heard rave reviews about Old Kenyon in my readings, but I didn't find it to be incredibly impressive. Yes, it was lovely and fine, but my favorite sight at Kenyon has to be the waiting room inside of the Admissions Building. I know that's an odd thing to remember, but the room was so beautiful and reminiscent of a study you would find inside a castle. I just found it to be very medieval and very, very lovely. Everything at Kenyon is permeated with literature and higher learning, and as a whole, Kenyon was almost poetic. No, it is not the prettiest campus I have seen this summer, but it certainly leaves an impression. It is very serene, and definitely accomplishes its aim to be a sanctuary upon a hill.
  

Final Conclusions: I have to be honest and say that I expected Kenyon’s college to be much more than it turned out to be. Based on the pamphlets and literature about Kenyon, I had (unrealistically) high hopes for Kenyon – hopes that fell a little short when I got there. Don’t misunderstand; Kenyon is still a very lovely place. It is very in-tuned with its natural surroundings (lots of trees and open spaces), and geared towards providing a sanctuary upon a hill. I guess if I had to describe Kenyon in one word, it would have to be “scenic” – if you are an outdoorsy person, I think it is safe to say that you will love Kenyon. If you are a lover of big cities, and thrive on a fast paced living environment, you might want to look elsewhere.

The drive up to Kenyon had a lot of narrow roads, and it had been quite a long while since I had been in rural Ohio (Gambier is very close to an Amish settlement). Yes, Kenyon is a bit small and a bit isolated, but it is definitely filled with the best and brightest. Some of these students (and professors!) could have gone to Ivy Leagues but didn’t. You have to wonder why this is, given how sought-after and revered the Ivies are within academic circles.

I must admit that I had to step back and ponder the question myself. Why would they choose Kenyon? After a bit of thinking and reevaluating, I think one of the reasons is because Kenyon is a very genuine and supportive community. It is very harmonious -- the physical surrounding and the school, the school and its students, the students with one another. It seems like Kenyonites are not particularly concerned with labels; rather, they choose to help one another engage in what you should go to college for – to learn as much about the world as you can, to figure out how you can contribute to it, and to leave with the confidence to start answering the “big questions” you asked while in school.

Photostream of Kenyon: see the campus in pictures!

Still not convinced? Experience it for yourself! Schedule a visit today!

Xavier University

Xavier University

Background Information: A private Jesuit Catholic institution founded in 1831, Xavier University “aims to provide all students with a supportive learning environment which offers opportunities for identifying personal needs, setting goals, and developing recreational and aesthetic interests and skills for daily living and leadership. The self-understanding and interpersonal development that result are vital corollaries to a student’s academic development.” Home to about 4,000 undergraduate students, Xavier is considered one of Ohio’s smaller universities located in urban Cincinnati, Ohio and emphasizes the merits of a liberal arts education. The university also stresses the connection between a strong religious life and one’s intellectual pursuits, encouraging students to “find God in all things.” (Xavier website)

Initial Thoughts: Not too much to say in this area -- I knew some people who went to XU, but never put it on my college list because I wanted to get out of Ohio (ironically enough, I only applied to 2 out-of-state schools) and Cincinnati was not far enough away. I know some of you are looking for any college outside of Ohio, and while I understand the need to get away from home, I just have to assure you that college is different from any academic institution that you have experienced because it is truly its own entity. College feels like its own world, connected and distant (I know this is paradoxical) from the rest of reality. But I digress --- most of you won't know what I am talking about until you experience it for yourself. Anyway, I just want to tell you not shy away from any potentially "perfect" school for you because it is based in Ohio. I started this blog because I know that Ohio has a lot to offer -- you just have to be proactive and look around. Enough preaching ... on with the review!

The Campus

• Layout: Located on a 160-acre campus, Xavier’s campus is small by most standards, but not necessarily confining. I’m trying to figure out how to describe the campus in one phrase, and the phrase that keeps popping up in my head is “well-kept.” I realize this is quite unhelpful, but I think if you tour Xavier for yourself, you will see what I mean. Xavier’s campus isn’t stunning, it isn’t ugly, but it is a little bland.
  
  For the most part, Xavier can be described by its two "malls" (long stretches of land) and the buildings that branch off from the green space. First, we have Academic Mall, a stretch of land framed by the academic and administrative buildings. At the end of Academic Mall, you will find Residential Mall, which obviously is home to the residence halls on campus. The other buildings (not including the academic/administrative and residence halls) seem to branch off from these "malls," lying adjacent to the buildings already indicated. Since it is situated right next to a road, the buildings curve and straighten in accordance to the road; the campus is a closed campus, so with the exception of a few semi-major road ways, XU is an entity unto itself. I understand that this might be a little confusing, but I think you will see what I am talking about if you look at this map.
  
  
• Architecture: All of the buildings have a tan coloring to it, and while this isn’t necessarily inspiring, it definitely unites the campus as a whole in terms of layout. As for the buildings themselves, everything looks pretty standard except for Hinkle Hall, which looks like a castle. I'm kind of a sucker for medieval looking buildings, so it always makes me happy to encounter schools that play out my love for fairy tales. Anyway, I think the most "variety" that you will encounter in terms of buildings at Xavier will include Hinkle Hall, the Student Center, the Chapel, and the Cintas Center. Other than that, the buildings aren't particularly noteworthy. They have the standard equipment that you will expect, but nothing particularly mind-blowing.
  
  
• Scale: XU's campus is pretty small, so I think you shouldn't expect to walk for more than 15 minutes to get from one end to the other. Also, although you are allowed to have a car on campus, most students find that you can survive at Xavier without a car. Most of what you will need will be found on campus. If you are looking for entertainment that XU cannot provide, then be sure to explore the Cincinnati area -- but my tour guide assured me that she rarely used the car that she brought with her.
  
  
• The Student Center: The Gallagher Student Center is, by its own definition, "the hub of student activities." This facility provides the following resources for its students: pool tables, a food court, a laptop check out counter (laptops for free!), video games, a coffee shop, video store, as well as the bookstore and on-campus theater.
  
  
• Student Living: At Xavier, about 95% of freshmen and sophomores (first and second years) live in on-campus housing. The reason why I am defining the class years is because juniors and seniors (third and fourth years) are not guaranteed housing on-campus during their final years of school; most of them will choose to move off-campus to nearby housing during their final years of school. As for the first year, here are a few of the options that are available: Brockman Hall (all freshmen, community styled rooms), Coleman Hall (freshmen and sophomores, suite-styled rooms), and Banger Hall (Honors and Athlete residence hall). Xavier does have themed housing available, but they change every year in accordance to the interest of their students.
  
  
• Notable Attractions: The Cintas Center (basketball arena) is a sight to behold. It's a pretty cool arena, and I am sure it gets packed every winter since XU is a basketball school. As I am sure you are aware, because it is a basketball school, I think you will find that a significant portion of your life at Xavier will involve going to basketball games in the Cintas Center. If you are a lover of basketball, you will love Xavier. If you are not, I think you will find that you will come to love it before you leave XU! But yes, be sure to take a peek into the Cintas Center should you ever feel compelled (and I hope you do!) to visit Xavier.
  

Final Conclusions: I actually really enjoyed my visit quite a bit. The best thing about Xavier is the people who work there – no, the campus will not take your breath away (though it is still quite charming), but the people more than make up for it. I encountered some of the friendliest people while on my visit to Xavier, and as a person who has talked to many Admissions counselors and tour guides this summer, I can assure you that this is saying a lot. Xavier is definitely a place where everyone knows your name; I think it would be very hard to get lost in the crowd at Xavier, and those who are looking for a faith-oriented, welcoming environment should look into Xavier as a possible option. I think you will like what you will find.

Photostream of Xavier: see the campus in pictures!

Still not convinced? Experience it for yourself! Schedule a visit today!

University of Dayton

University of Dayton

For God and Country: Learn. Lead. Serve.

Background Information: “Challenging minds, shaping the future, embracing faith.” These principles guide life at the University of Dayton, one of the United States’ most prominent Catholic universities and the largest private university in the state of Ohio. Founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary, UD strives to create an environment that fosters education of the “whole person through a community of challenge and support,” as it focuses on students’ preparation for both work and life. The university prides itself in its commitment to service and diversity, as well as its self-proclaimed friendly atmosphere, contributing to its place among the nation’s top-tier institutions. Dayton, Ohio is the university’s home, an urban city of close to 100,000 residents. (UDayton website)

Initial Thoughts: The only thing that I knew about Dayton (and the reason why I didn't apply) is that my high school always sent a good portion of seniors from our graduating classes to UD. I didn't even do research on it because I knew that I didn't want to be at a place known as [my high school]'s West. I imagine this is a big draw for some people -- to go to a place that was not completely unknown, to have a bit of "home" away from home, to have a piece of high school still in tact -- but its very appeal for some was the big turn-off for me.

The Campus

• Layout: I always have trouble describing schools that do not have official "separators" (quads, greens, etc), and Dayton just happens to be one of those schools. There are a few areas that have specific names, but as for the rest of campus, I must admit that my attempt to describe the campus layout will be a very feeble one; nevertheless, let us begin. I started my tour at St. Joseph's Courtyard, a place that houses the famous blue dome, St. Joe's Hall (class room buildings), and the Humanities Center. Right next to the Jesse Philips Humanities Center is Humanities Plaza, an open green space where you will see many familiar faces going to and from class. Next, we jump to Central Mall, another open green space that is also home to Kennedy Union (the student center). I really don't know how to describe Dayton's campus in a very descriptive manner since I find it to be kind of random. The dormitories are somewhat close to one another, but they are not isolated into one section of campus. I apologize for this very unhelpful section, and ask you to look at the campus map to see what I mean.
  
  
• Architecture: The prettiest part of campus has to be St. Joseph's Courtyard, featuring the blue dome and the adjacent St. Joe's Hall. I expected the rest of the buildings to have the same architecture style as these 2 buildings, but was sorely disappointed. The rest of campus all featured red-bricked buildings, but they were not incredibly note-worthy. They looked more standard than stylistically fulfilling.
  
  
• Scale: Dayton is a very walk-able campus, and since first year students are not allowed cars on-campus, this is quite ideal. According to a former UD student, UD parking rules are quite stringent and something to be desired, anyway. All in all, he estimates that one can get from one corner of the campus to the other in approximately 15-20 minutes.
  
  
• The Student Center: UD's RecPlex features the following services for its students --- (according to Dayton A-Z) "The RecPlex includes a swimming pool, weight room, aerobic workout room, racquetball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and basketball courts. In addition, the RecPlex holds many classrooms, is home of The Chill, and includes a rock climbing wall on the first floor!"
  
  
• Student Living: According to University statistics, approximately 90% of the student population chooses to live in either the residence halls or in the student neighborhoods around campus. First year students will live in one of these four residence halls – Founders, Marianist, Stuart, or Marycrest. After the first year, many students will opt to live in student apartments or a house (both located in the student neighborhood owned by UD). According to my tour guide, the residence halls and student neighborhoods are her favorite part of UD; these are the truly “sacred” places where you will meet your life-long friends. UD really prides itself on being an open community to people of all backgrounds.
  
  
• Notable attractions: I found St. Joseph's Courtyard to be very pretty, and St. Joe's Hall to be one of the most visually appealing buildings on campus. I wish I could say the same about the blue dome, but unfortunately, we were not lead into the famous chapel. I found this to be particularly disappointing, since the dome is the most recognizable feature that UD has to offer.

Final conclusions: I toured the University of Dayton on a very lovely summer day, perhaps seeing Dayton in the most idealistic way possible with the shining sun and bright blue sky. Even on this picturesque day, I found myself a bit disappointed with Dayton’s campus – I saw a lot of potential in it, but for the most part, it fell kind of flat. It’s not that the campus was ugly by any means (there were quite a few pretty parts), but it wasn’t what I would call striking either. I guess a good word to use is the word average. There wasn’t anything incredibly “notable” about Dayton’s campus; even the blue dome was a disappointment because the tour did not lead into the chapel (admittedly, it might have been under construction). I wish I had more to say about Dayton’s campus, but I find myself a bit apathetic about it --- so much so that I am tempted to say that it was "fine." Dayton was "fine" -- it wasn't notable, it wasn't ugly, it wasn't stunning -- it was somewhere in between. It was fine.

Photostream of Dayton: see the campus in pictures!

Still not convinced? Experience it for yourself! Schedule a visit today!

The College of Wooster

The College of Wooster

"Science and religion from one source"

Background Information: Founded in 1866, The College of Wooster is a small and independent liberal arts college, located 55 miles south of Cleveland in the town of Wooster, Ohio. With a student population of just under 2,000 students, Wooster is known for placing a large emphasis on independent learning and study, requiring that all students complete an original, independent research project during their senior year. Wooster also takes pride in its many unique traditions. According to its mission, “Wooster values co-education, diversity in its many forms, a global perspective, and the heritage arising from its origin as a college founded by Presbyterians.” (Wooster website)

Initial Thoughts: I first visited Wooster when I was in the 8th grade; I was participating in a Power of the Pen competition (I was so cool, I know), and the "Finals" were held at the College. I don't remember much about my visit, and if you asked me to describe the campus at this very moment, I would be at a loss for words. Years later (I won't specify the amount of time!), I will be visiting once again -- but this time with open eyes. Based on the information I have gathered from the website, I am under the impression that Wooster is a very inviting place, an encouraging place, a place where "each and every student" (its popular tag line) can find his or her own place.

The Campus

• Layout: The College of Wooster is located in Wooster, OH, a small rural town about fifty five miles south of Cleveland, with around 26,000 residents. Although it is situated in what you would call "rural Ohio," Wooster and its College is certainly a true treasure found in ... a vast area of cornfields? The town itself is quite cute, and the College is surprisingly beautiful. The College itself occupies about 240 acres, and is home to amount 39 major buildings. I'm not sure how to describe the "layout" (it's not divided into any distinct "sections" or quads") -- so I guess I will describe the campus in reference to the College Mall. Wooster's College Mall is a long tree-lined strip of land with academic buildings (+ one chapel and performing arts center) on both sides, and culminating at the castle-like Kauke Hall, home to the Humanities classrooms. From the Kauke archways, one then enters into a patch of land called Oak Grove, home to many, many trees and the Art Center (Wooster actually has a special endowment in order to preserve the 1,500 trees currently on campus). Behind the Art Center are the residence halls, and if you were to walk towards Beall Ave, you will find the Physical Education Center, stadium, a few more residence halls, and also the Student Center. I realize this might be a bit confusing, so I have decided to include a link to the campus map ... hopefully this will clear things up!
  
  
• Architecture: For me, walking onto Wooster's campus was like walking into a fairy tale. With its mostly white or cream-colored buildings, awesome looking "dungeon-like" doors, and remote location -- I have to admit that I was a bit smitten. Oh, and I guess it doesn't help when Kauke Hall looks like a castle! I know what you're thinking -- all of this fanfare seems a bit unnecessary and a little cheesy -- but Wooster pulls it off. Surrounded by many trees (about 1,500) and many lovely buildings, Wooster is a sight to behold. No, it is not haunting in the way that some Ivy League campuses are, but it is incredibly charming, beautiful, and inviting.
  
  
• Scale: Wooster's campus is not very big, but there is still plenty of green spaces for students to relax outside. I imagine that it would take no more than 10-15 minutes to get from one end of the campus to the other. The distance is very manageable, and because everything is within walking distance, I imagine it wouldn't be too hard to survive without a car here ... unless you feel the need to get away from rural Ohio from time to time (which is a good possibility!).
  
  
• The Student Center: According to Wooster A-Z, the Lowry Student Center is home to the following services --- snack bar, Java Hut, Wired Scot, dining room, ballroom, lounges, meeting rooms, student government, activities and publications offices, Women’s Resource Center, pool tables, bowling lanes, reading and music listening rooms, postal center, The Florence O. Wilson Bookstore, H. William Taeusch Faculty Lounge, Office Services, and the Hospitality Services Office.
  
  
• Student Living: As far as campus living goes, Wooster prides itself on having approximately 99% of its students living in on-campus housing. For first year students, the following living options are available: general residence halls, first year centers, first year living and learning experience, science and humanities, women of images, and the international program house. Depending on which house you apply for, you will be with a community of people who share your interests; for an example, if you were to live in the Science and Humanities house, you would be living with “students of all years interested in studying either the humanities or the sciences.” According to the housing brochure, you would be engaging in “community activities including fireside chats with visiting scholars, panel discussions, musical and dramatic performances by residents, and dinners with faculty members.”
  
  
• Notable Attractions: I loved Kauke Hall. Loved it. The interior and exterior were both lovely, and I enjoyed imagining going to class in a castle. One of the quirkiest things I learned on my visit to Wooster was the age-old tradition concerning the Kauke Hall archway. Apparently in the winter, Wooster students will fill the arch with snow, thereby blocking the main doors, in the hopes that classes will be canceled for the day. While it has never been successful, this age-old hope springs eternal in the hearts of the students at Wooster and the tradition lives on.
  

Final Conclusions: As you can probably tell, I really loved my visit to Wooster. Everyone was so friendly, unpretentious, and incredibly helpful. The campus itself is not what I would call stunning, but still incredibly beautiful and vibrant. I think a good word to use to describe Wooster is the word genuine. I get the impression that people don’t come to Wooster in order to have something to brag about when asked about their education; rather, I think people come (as they should) to this small college in rural Ohio in order to engage in life long learning. What a wonderful combination it must be to have a college devoted to helping “each and every student” follow their own personal honors program, and a student population interested in cultivating their intellectual abilities.

Photostream of Wooster: view the campus in pictures!

Still not convinced? Experience it for yourself! Schedule a visit today!

Denison University

Denison University

Background Information:

Founded in 1831, Denison is one of the earliest colleges to be established in the old “Northwest Territory,” west of the Allegheny Mountains and north of the Ohio River. Independent, residential, liberal arts and sciences. Granville, Ohio; 27 miles east of Columbus, the state capital.

"Our purpose is to inspire and educate our students to become autonomous thinkers, discerning moral agents and active citizens of a democratic society. Through an emphasis on active learning, we engage students in the liberal arts, which fosters self-determination and demonstrates the transformative power of education. We envision our students' lives as based upon rational choice, a firm belief in human dignity and compassion unlimited by cultural, racial, sexual, religious or economic barriers, and directed toward an engagement with the central issues of our time." (Denison website)

Initial Thoughts:

The thing that jumped out the most to me while I was researching Denison was that it did not seek to educate 4-year graduates, but rather, cultivate life-long learners. In fact, according to its "Core Values and Mission" page, a distinctively Denisonian education is not "just for a living" but for a life. Denisonians are challenged to be "curious, resourceful, and reflective" and use that curosity, resourcefulness, and intelligence to become contributing members of society. Denison's commitment to the growth of their undergraduates is sort of extraordinary -- so much so that Denison has refused to add a graduate program, opting instead to solely using its resources toward the betterment of their undergraduates. Denison's closed campus suggests that they want their students to learn from each other, without the influence of the attaching community's (Granville) politics. I'm not trying to attack Denison (since I too go to a school with a private campus), but I've always wondered if it's particularly helpful for students to be "closed off" from the world within their 4 years, and then asked to rejoin it and become participating members of it after graduation.

Notable features: virtual campus tour, Denison in Motion

The Campus

• Layout: The first thing that you should know about Denison is that it is located "on the hill" -- and very separated from the surrounding town of Granville. The drive up to Denison is marked by a gate surrounded by a lot of trees, which adds to the feeling of entering the "Denison Bubble" and leaving the outside world. Denison is organized into quadrangles (quads) -- North, South ("Lower Campus"), East, West, and Academic. Academic Quad is in the middle of campus, and as its name suggests, home to the academic buildings (as well as the Student Union). North Quad is home to the alcohol/susbstance free halls such as the honors dorm and also the community-service oriented dorm; it features the old fraternity houses that have been renovated to become student housing facilities. South Quad is for the more artistically inclined, housing the art building, cinema building, dance building, as well as the theater. Coincidentally, South Quad is most commonly referred to as the "Arts Quad" in the Denisonian vernacular. Aside from the multiple art buildings, South Quad also has a couple dorms for sophomores and juniors. West Quad is home to the freshmen/sophomore dorms, while East Quad houses the upperclassment; both of the dining halls are located on each respective Quad.
  
  
• Architecture: Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (the man who designed the campuses for Stanford and Wellesley, and also Central Park in NYC), Denison is designed to look like the classic college campus -- what you would think of if you had to define "college campus" in mind's eye. Denison is mostly red-bricked (with the exception of a couple administrative buildings), and quite beautiful in a very typical kind of way. Settled in Granville, OH, I get the impression that Denison is the founder's way of paying homage to the east coast by bringing a typical east coast town/college to the Midwest.
  
  
• Scale: Everything at Denison is within walking distance (even the local grocery store). Crossing from one end of the campus to the other (East to West) is no more than a 20 minute walk. To get from Academic Quad to East Quad, one need not walk any longer than 10 minutes. It is possible to survive at Denison without a car since student life is located on campus rather than in Granville.
  
  
• The Student Center: Slaytor Student Union is home to the following services for the typical Denison student --- the campus bookstore, fast food eateries (Pizza Hut and Taco Bell), the mail center, an auditorium for lectures and movies, student activity offices, lounges to hang out in, and also The Roost (restaurant, dance floor, stage for musicians, pool tables).
  
  
• Student Living: Denison is definitely a residential campus, meaning that most of the student population (around 2,100 undergrads) choose to live on campus. There are a little bit over 30 halls/living communities on campus. As stated above, East Quad is home to the upperclassmen; West Quad has the freshmen and sophomores; South Quad, a few sophomores and juniors; and North Quad, the honors and community service oriented students. Aside from the typical dormitory, Denison also has two single sex dormitories, and about 16 fraternities and sororities. A good portion of the student population is "Greek" (around 35-40%), and while it does not dominate the social scene, Greek life does play a major role in the life of the Denison community.
  
  
• Notable Atttractions: Aside from the lovely Swasey Chapel, I also found the Campus Commons to be a nice sight --- quite perfect for lounging and hanging out with friends outside. For a better picture of the campus commons, please click here.

Final Conclusions: Overall, my visit to Denison was a nice one. Like I said before, Denison is lovely in a very classic and typical kind of way --- with its historic looking buildings and red-bricked campus, I feel like Denison's campus is of the type that college movies try to model its campus after. I think the best way to describe Denison is an east coast college located in small-town Ohio. Along with having great colleges/universities, I think the east coast is usually associated with "high class snobbery" -- and I don't know how, but for me, that "better than thou" feeling was somehow transferred into Denison and its campus. I think that was the most disappointing thing about my visit -- I didn't feel welcomed. Denison prides itself on having a very tight knit community of scholars who are educated by those who are top of their field -- which I do believe to be true -- but I think a negative in having such a "tight knit community" is that it is catered to a "type" and if you do not meet certain criteria, you might find yourself isolated from said community. So in conclusion --- is Denison's campus beautiful? Of course. Does it have exceptional academic programs? Yes, indeed it does. Is it for everyone? No. Not at all.

Photostream of Denison: view the campus in pictures!

Still not convinced? Experience it for yourself! Schedule a visit today!

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green State University

Background Information: Located only 23 miles south of Toledo, Bowling Green State University is a public institution that is nationally prominent for its ability to prepare students for careers in the fields of education and business. While BGSU’s main campus resides in Bowling Green, Ohio, a town with a population of about 30,000 people, the University also maintains a two-year college option at its Firelands campus, in Huron, Ohio. Founded in 1910, with a vision to serve as an environment that is rooted in “intellectual discovery and guided by rational discourse and civility,” BGSU believes that “wisdom, sound judgment, tolerance and respect for other persons, cultures and ideas are the hallmarks of an educated person and the characteristics that the University hopes to develop in its students.” (BGSU website)

Initial Thoughts:

I don't really know what to say about BGSU other than that I've never been impressed with it. Starting from my own college search (which took place a couple of years ago) and until now, I've never found BGSU to be anything special. I know that's a bit harsh, but all of my encounters with BGSU have involved people telling me how much they did not enjoy their experiences at the institution, and have consequently decided to transfer "back" to OSU. I think the reason why I've never had much regard for BGSU is because I've always been one to "dismiss" party schools --- not that there is anything wrong with them, but for me, I've never wanted to be in an environment where one feels obligated to participate in such activities because there is "nothing else to do." I realize that this is not the best mindset to have going into a review, but I am hoping that BGSU will change my mind for the better -- and I certainly look forward to it.

Notable features: virtual tour --- but I have to say that I find this virtual tour to be unhelpful since there weren't enough pictures of the physical campus itself. Oh, and although I cannot link this, I thought the BGSYou video was a nice addition to the website. Please check the university's website in order to view the video.

The Campus

• Layout - BGSU's campus is basically one big rectangle. Inside this rectangular shaped campus, BGSU is composed of a few distinct sections such as Fraternity Row (home to the Greek organizations), Central Campus (academic buildings), Old Campus (historic buildings, administrative offices, academic buildings), just to name a few. Unlike other Universities, BGSU does not divide itself into quadrangles, and its campus layout is a bit random. According to a current BGSU student, current students refer to the different locations on campus as either North, South, East, or West. She also acknowledged the confusing nature of BGSU's campus, citing that it's not very "visitor-friendly."
  
  
• Architecture - I think my biggest complaint about BGSU is the fact that it just looks very plain. All of the buildings are the same color, and while this usually adds to a cohesive feel, BGSU's students look so similar that it's hard to distinguish between one from the other. I have to admit that I had a horrible time trying to caption the campus photos because they all looked so much alike! The architecture of the buildings itself is nothing noteworthy -- it just looks very standard without much "flair" in its style.
  
  
• Scale - Aside from the football stadium, everything at BGSU is within a 10 to 15 minute walk. It is definitely a residential campus (there are those safety Blue Lights everywhere), and students feel generally safe walking from one end to the other. Of course, no matter how safe a campus is, it's always good to be mindful of one's surroundings and of the time of day.
  
  
• The Student Center - BGSU's Bowen-Thompson Student Union is home to the following services: a food court, Starbucks, Wendy's, The Black Swamp Pub, Campus Bookstore, a convenience store, on-campus post office, a movie theater, student lounges and meeting spaces, and a few computer labs.
  
  
• Student Living - As far as living on campus goes, I was informed that most students do choose to live on campus at BGSU since there is a 2-year campus living requirement that all incoming freshmen are required to sign. BGSU is home to around 17 residence facilities, housing around 7,000 students annually. In terms of campus living, there are a few options to choose from, provided that you are willing to pay a little extra. For an example, in addition to the 17 residence halls, BGSU students can either live in houses with their Greek organizations, in off campus apartments, or in residential learning and theme communities. Each Living Community serves a different purpose; for an example, the Arts Village is typically home to those who are trying to become more in-tuned with their creative side, citing that it is the Village’s mission to “explore all aspects of the arts and sharing views with one another and faculty of various disciplines.”
  
  
• Notable Attractions - I have to say that my favorite thing about BGSU is its Thinker sculpture. Rising from the ground grass of Olscamp Hall, the Thinker statue is a quirky addition to an otherwise uninspiring looking campus. Check out the photo here. I can honestly say that it put a smile on my face when I saw it since it just seemed so random and out of place!
  

Final Conclusions: As you can probably tell, I am not particularly fond of BGSU's campus. I didn't think it was aesthetically appealing in any sense, just plain and a bit boring to look at. I know this sounds very harsh, but I think a college campus should be a place that inspires you to learn. For me, I didn't see anything awe-inspiring about BGSU's campus. I found it to be very disappointing.

The reason why I am being so hard on BGSU is because I have high expectations for every college campus. After all, aside from being the host of numerous parties and fun excursions, college campuses should ignite in you a desire to attain the higher education that you seek. I think everyone should have that awestruck feeling at least once at their respective institutions; the moment when you gaze upon a building/sculpture/etc on your own campus with such reverence, knowing that the great alums who came before you stood at the very spot you are standing (as awestruck as you are) and had "the next great idea." I know this sounds very romanticized and a bit unrealistic, but I think you understand my point. I think whatever college that you may decide on should inspire you in every sense of the word -- in the classroom and outside of it (literally). Now, I know what you may be thinking ... looks aren't everything. You're right. They're not. However, I think that the moment someone falls in love with a school, they are falling first for the campus itself (and then the rest after that) --- so yes, looks are not everything ... but they do matter.

Photostream of BGSU: view the campus in pictures!

Still not convinced? Experience it for yourself! Schedule a visit today!