College Profiles Archives - collegegazette.com https://collegegazette.com/category/college-profiles/ News, Rankings, and More on Higher Education Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:18:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 What Is UC Irvine Known For? Is UC Irvine a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-uc-irvine-known-for-is-uc-irvine-a-good-school/ Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:18:31 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=8595 One of the nine universities that make up the University of California system, UC Irvine is a large public research university located in southern California.  The school was founded in 1965, making it the youngest of the UC schools. During the 2022 admission cycle, UC Irvine received a total of 119,210 applications for first-year admission.  […]

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One of the nine universities that make up the University of California system, UC Irvine is a large public research university located in southern California. 

The school was founded in 1965, making it the youngest of the UC schools.

During the 2022 admission cycle, UC Irvine received a total of 119,210 applications for first-year admission. 

The school accepted 25,213 students from this applicant pool, making the acceptance rate for that year 21%.  

With a student-to-faculty ratio of around 18:1, UC Irvine offers students relatively small class sizes. In fact, just over 55% of classes at the school have 20 or fewer students. 

Located only 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Irvine’s campus is suburban and stretches across just under 1,500 acres. 

Considering the fact that the school has a total enrollment of over 37,000 students, UC Irvine can be considered a large school in terms of both campus size and student body size. 

Here, we have compiled all of the information you may want to know if you are interested in learning more about what the prestigious University of California – Irvine has to offer. 

Read on to find out what academic and athletic programs the university is most well-known for, what clubs they have, and so much more. 


What Majors and Academics Are UC Irvine Known For?

UC Irvine
Public domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

At the undergraduate level, UC Irvine offers more than 85 different major programs, with an additional 70+ minor programs. 

Adding these to all of the graduate/postgraduate degrees they have, UCI offers a grand total of 222 different degree programs. 

UC Irvine is perhaps most well-known for its strength in research — especially in the medical sciences — as well as its innovation. 

The UCI Medical Center, the research hospital run by the college, has been named among the best hospitals in the country by US News and World Report for 22 years in a row.  

Over its brief history, no less than five individuals associated with UC Irvine have become Nobel Prize Laureates. Four of these prizes were in chemistry, while the fifth was in physics. 

Beyond medical science and research, UC Irvine is also widely known for its substantial efforts toward sustainability. 

In fact, in 2022, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education named UCI the #1 school in the US in terms of how sustainable their campus is.  

Some of UCI’s most popular major programs include psychology, computer and information sciences, and business management. 


Is UC Irvine a Good School?

To say that the University of California – Irvine is a good school is perhaps an understatement — it is one of the best public institutions for higher education in the United States.

It is tied for being the #34 best school in the nation, according to the most recent edition of US News and World Report’s annual college rankings

Looking only at public schools, on the other hand, UCI is tied for eighth among national colleges. 

In addition, UCI boasts a first-year retention rate of 94%. 

In other words, the vast majority of students who go to the school for a year ultimately return for an additional year of study, suggesting that they are quite content with what UCI has to offer. 

One of UCI’s biggest assets is its professors, among whom are multiple Nobel laureates. Many of the school’s faculty members are world leaders in the sciences, academia, and business. 


UC Irvine Traditions

UC Irvine
Allyunion at English Wikipedia, UC Irvine view from Watson Bridge 2, CC BY-SA 4.0

Despite being the most recently-established school in the University of California system, UC Irvine has developed a number of cherished traditions in its 57-year-long history. 

During the fall of each year, the school hosts the Rainbow Festival. A tradition that started in 1984, the festival provides an annual opportunity for the UC Irvine campus community to celebrate diversity.

Sponsored by the university’s Cross-Cultural Center, festivities include a cultural fair, workshops, and a speaker series. Past speakers have included such illustrious figures as Maya Angelou and Alice Walker. 

Another UCI tradition occurring in autumn is Midnight Magic. In October each year, the school celebrates the start of the men’s and women’s basketball season with various activities, allowing players and coaches to introduce themselves to each other and other students. 

Inspired by a similar celebration started by the University of Maryland, UCI’s Midnight Madness has been a cherished part of campus life since 1988. 

Other events include a slam dunk contest, scrimmages, a three-point shootout, and various prize giveaways. 

The Student Parent Orientation Program is a summertime UCI tradition, a mandatory part of first-year orientation. 

Intended to help introduce students and families to life at UCI, SPOP is a two-day, one-night program that involves classes, seminars, and even a student-staff talent show.


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at UC Irvine

Students at the University of California – Irvine can choose from among more than 600 different student organizations, from musical performance groups, to community service opportunities, interest-based clubs, student government, and so much more. 

Extracurricular organizations at UC Irvine include almost 50 fraternities and sororities. As of the fall of 2021, Greek life membership at the school is just under 1,500 students — or 5.42% of the student body population. 

UCI’s ski and snowboard club is the school’s largest student organization, with hundreds of members each year. Founded in 1971, it is also one of Irvine’s oldest clubs. 

The ski and snowboard clubs regularly make trips to some of the most beautiful places to ski and snowboard, offering students — of any and all experience levels — a chance to try out winter sports, enjoy the beauty of nature, and connect with peers. 

Other popular clubs at UC Irvine include Best Buddies, a social club that allows students to connect with people in the community who have intellectual disabilities. One of the most highly-anticipated activities that Best Buddies has is an annual trip to Disneyland.

There is also Co-SIGN, which stands for College Student Interest Group in Neurology. The club hosts lectures, workshops, and other events aiming to help students explore neurology.


What Sports Are UC Irvine Known For?

University of California - Irvine
AllyUnion, UC Irvine Reines Hall, CC BY-SA 4.0

The University of California – Irvine is home to 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams, which compete as a part of the Big West Athletic Conference. 

The school’s sports teams are known as the Anteaters, donning blue and gold as their spirit colors.  

Since the school was founded, Irvine’s Anteaters have brought home a total of 28 national championship victories across nine different team sports. 

In individual sports, there have been 64 Irvine students to win national championship titles.

One of Irvine’s best athletic programs is the men’s baseball team. Before joining NCAA’s Division I, the men’s baseball team won two championship games. Since joining the Big West Conference, the baseball Anteaters have been ranked as high as first in the country. 

Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams are also known to be fiercely competitive as well, with the men’s team being ranked as high as #3 in the country and claiming six Division I tournament appearances.

Since the Big West Conference Tournament began in 2008, the men’s Anteaters have won four tournament championship games. The women’s soccer team has made two NCAA Division I tournament appearances.


Why UC Irvine?

There are many reasons that thousands of students have made the decision to attend the University of California – Irvine.  

One of these reasons is location. UCI is situated on the West Coast, which offers close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, its scenic beaches, and the desert and mountains. 

The campus setting is suburban, which appeals to many students who want to enjoy the close-knit sense of community offered by more rural schools, but with all the benefits of city living, such as nightlife, dining, and entertainment options.

According to Times Higher Education’s 2022 college rankings, UC Irvine is ranked #3 in the nation in terms of diversity. 

This shows that the school is well-equipped to serve and support students of all backgrounds, a crucial characteristic for many students.

In 2022, Forbes ranked UC Irvine #9 among public universities in the US in terms of best value. 

Thus, another reason to consider attending UC Irvine is that the school has a great record for ensuring that students see a high return on investment for their tuition money.

UC Irvine is simply an excellent school to attend.

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What is Purdue Known For? Is Purdue a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-purdue-known-for-is-purdue-a-good-school/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 22:37:35 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=7551 Born out of the passing of the Morrill Land Grant, Purdue University came to age when America was rebuilding itself after the Civil War.  What began as a smattering of buildings has grown into a multi-campus university – including online – that educates students both nationally and internationally.  The university boasts a 68.9% admission rate […]

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Born out of the passing of the Morrill Land Grant, Purdue University came to age when America was rebuilding itself after the Civil War. 

What began as a smattering of buildings has grown into a multi-campus university – including online – that educates students both nationally and internationally. 

The university boasts a 68.9% admission rate and offers generous need-based aid packages through the Boiler Affordability Grant and the Purdue Promise. These make Purdue’s R1 education accessible to students from all backgrounds. 

Accessibility and excellence in research are top priorities for the university, and a continued commitment to these and other essential initiatives are laid out in Purdue’s strategic plan, Purdue’s Next Moves. 

The university pledges to continue being a leading institution in STEM research, international education, and innovative learning. 

Students need look no further than the recent additions of the Innovation Design Center, a 3-year bachelor’s degree option, and the Active Learning Center to see Purdue is staying on track to meet its strategic goals. 

Students looking to attend a university with well-established history, high-profile alumni, proven research results, and support for all students need to look no further than Purdue. Below is information on what to expect from an education at Purdue University.


What Majors & Academics Are Purdue Known For?

Purdue University
JMoga11, Purdue University from Hawkins Hall, CC BY-SA 4.0

Many students know the Purdue name because of the university’s widely used Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL); But, as the “Boilermaker” nickname implies, the university is also widely known and respected for its engineering program. 

Historically, the university has produced engineering pioneers like Golden Gate engineer Charles Alton Ellis, the “Mother and Father of Modern Management” Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, and rubber aficionado Adel Halasa. 

More recently, the College of Engineering received the distinction of being the number 5 producer of undergraduate female engineers. 

Unique to the Purdue engineering program is the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Ranked the Number 12 aerospace program globally by ShanghaiRanking’s Global, students have access to some of the top facilities and faculty in the world in the field of aeronautics and astronautics. 

Whether students are working in the largest academic propulsion lab in the world or working with AIAA Fellows like Sergey Macheret, they will have access to some of the most innovative minds and research at home and abroad. 

In addition to engineering, students have 11 colleges to pick from that touch on everything from liberal arts to STEM, agriculture to management, and more. 

No matter what students pick, they will be attending one of U.S. World and News Reports’ Top 10 most innovative universities in America. 


Is Purdue a Good School?

It will come as no surprise with Purdue’s engineering expertise that U.S. News and World Report ranks its undergraduate engineering program at number 10 nationally. 

But beyond engineering, Purdue also falls into U.S. News and World Report’s top 50 universities nationally and in the top 17 for public schools.

A large part of Purdue’s reputation comes from being an R1 research university. Over the years, the university has won funding from various federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Education. 

This funding has gone towards innovative research projects like the university’s propulsion lab, the creation of supercomputers, the developing of cancer-fighting drugs, and even explorations in crafting a special equine “slicker” designed to detect diseases in horses. 

The individuals who have attended the university have included Pulitzer Prize winners, National Medal of Science recipients, members of Congress, and several Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients. 

Home to alums like astronaut Neil Armstrong, COO of McDonalds Don Thompson, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees, and chemist and women’s advocate Nina Roscher, students who become part of Purdue join a long tradition of leaders and innovators. 


Purdue Traditions

Purdue University
Public domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

With an athletic history that stretches back to 1887, students will find that many of the Purdue traditions stem from the rituals and events of the university’s sports teams. 

The “Boilermaker” name is a tradition in itself and came about after an 1891 write-up in the newspaper about the university’s football team. 

Another famous football tradition that avid college football fans will be familiar with is the Old Oaken Bucket trophy. One of the oldest football trophies around, the tradition of adding an I (Indiana) or P (Purdue) link to the chain has been around since 1925! 

Outside of sports, the university also is home to the “Hello Walk”. In a multiple walkway area that intersects around the campus’ central mall, students are encouraged to extend a friendly “Hello” to each person along their way. 

An excellent place to read about Purdue traditions, and itself another long-standing tradition, is the university’s newspaper which was founded in 1889. The Exponent, as it is called, is Indiana’s largest collegiate newspaper and continues to inform Boilermakers old and new of university happenings.

Finally, with all the intense research and learning that the university conducts, they also have a tradition of community, fun, and school spirit. 

Students can catch a break from their studies at the annual Spring-Fest where music, food, and family all come together to create a celebration of new beginnings. 

The festival also features the largest insect festival in the nation, the Bug Bowl. Kids can come and participate in activities that include art projects, insect petting, and even the famous (infamous?) “cricket spitting” contest. 


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at Purdue

Greek Life, pre-professional clubs, intramural sports, fellowships, and even a particular club for using 3D printing to create prosthetic limbs are included in the club options for students looking for ways to be involved outside the classroom. 

In addition, the university offers a wide range of centers, art galleries, and lecture series for students to access.

Those who wish to find support, resources, and community should check out one of the university’s five cultural centers. Covering race, ethnicity, and gender/sexuality, these centers offer students spaces to create art, events to celebrate identity, access to exceptional library collections for research, and tours of the university that highlight different marginalized groups’ history on the campus. 

Celebrating art and culture extends to the several art galleries housed at the university. Students can see different art mediums from local, national, and international artists. 

Finally, for students who are looking to add to their learning in the classroom, the university offers an eclectic selection of lectures featuring well-known writers, speakers, academics, and entertainers. 

Lecture guests have included Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, The Economist editor Vijay Vaitheeswaran, and renowned documentarian Ken Burns.


What Sports Are Purdue Known For?

Originator and member of the Big Ten, Purdue has a well-established athletics history that spans 130-plus years. The Division I sports the university offers include football, basketball, baseball, soccer, ice hockey, and volleyball. 

Regularly in competition with rival Indiana University, Purdue remains in the lead for wins in and out of the state of Indiana. 

The annual rivalry football game that results in the winner of the Old Oaken Bucket has Purdue in the lead with the most wins. In addition, the men’s and women’s basketball teams have the distinction of being the winningest teams overall in the Big Ten Championships. 

In addition, the volleyball and soccer teams have seen quite a bit of success in the last few years. In 2021, the soccer team had one of its best ever seasons, making it to the NCAA tournament and being ranked number 24 in the Top 25 United Soccer Coaches poll. 

Similarly, in 2022, volleyball teammate Raven Colin competed with the U.S. Women’s U21 National Team in the Pan American Cup, where the women won for the US for the second time ever. 

Beyond the competition and sport, Purdue is dedicated to student-athletes that excel in the classroom. One of the many ways this is seen is in the many Purdue student-athletes are regularly recognized as Academic All-Big Ten student-athletes. This distinction is offered to students who maintain good grades while playing sports. 


Why Purdue?

Beyond the university’s well-established academic reputation, curious traditions, and winning sports teams, Purdue is a university that students attend because they want an education that aligns with their values. 

With a commitment to inclusion, environmental justice, women in STEM, and many more important issues, students who come to Purdue will find the impact of their education goes far beyond the classroom. 

Being part of the Boilermaker community means being part of the future of space research and travel, contributing to an understanding of how to create more sustainable fuels, exploring how disease develops and how to cure it, and creating innovative technology to improve life. 

Despite the university being over, Purdue creates an educational environment for students open to new ideas and to come up with better ways of living.

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What is Pepperdine Known For? Is Pepperdine a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-pepperdine-known-for-is-pepperdine-a-good-school/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 22:20:47 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=7547 Established in 1937, Pepperdine University is a private, Christian institution of higher education. The university’s campus spans 830 acres of scenic Malibu, CA, nestled among the Santa Monica Mountain foothills.  Pepperdine’s main campus in Malibu is home to Seaver College, their undergraduate school. As of the fall of 2020, Pepperdine has a total undergraduate enrollment […]

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Established in 1937, Pepperdine University is a private, Christian institution of higher education. The university’s campus spans 830 acres of scenic Malibu, CA, nestled among the Santa Monica Mountain foothills. 

Pepperdine’s main campus in Malibu is home to Seaver College, their undergraduate school. As of the fall of 2020, Pepperdine has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,459 students. 

The university is made up of five separate graduate and undergraduate schools, with most graduate programs being offered at additional campuses located throughout the Southern California area.

Located at Pepperdine’s Malibu campus is the highly-esteemed Caruso School of Law and Public Policy. Additionally, two of Pepperdine’s other schools — the Graziadio Business School and the Graduate School of Education and Psychology — host some of their programs on this campus. 

Since the college was founded, Pepperdine has maintained a solid commitment to upholding the values and traditions associated with the New Testament of the Churches of Christ. 

In fact, Pepperdine requires that its students attend no less than 14 religious events each semester and take a minimum of three courses relating to religion before graduating from the school. 

It is likely that you have heard of Pepperdine University, but perhaps you would like to learn more about just why the school has earned its robust and long-standing reputation as a widely-known, distinguished institution of higher education. 

Here, we have compiled some of the most essential information to know regarding Pepperdine’s prestige, such as its most well-known academic programs, its strong sports teams, prominent clubs offered, and much more.


What Majors & Academics Are Pepperdine Known For?

Pepperdine University
Alexander Migl, Malibu Pepperdine University, CC BY-SA 4.0

Across its five constituent graduate and undergraduate schools, Pepperdine University offers 82 degree programs. Students at the school can choose from among 46 undergraduate majors and 47 minors in the areas of business and liberal arts.

At Pepperdine, more students choose to pursue a bachelor of science in business administration major than in any other undergraduate degree program. 

According to the college, an impressive 76% of Pepperdine business graduates are employed full- or part-time. An additional 16% are enrolled in a graduate program, leaving just 8% of this group of students unaccounted for. 

Part of what makes the business program at Pepperdine unique is that the school emphasizes the importance of having a solid background in the liberal arts, in addition to substantive training in business-related skills such as accounting, marketing, management, and finance. 

On top of that, Pepperdine’s business administration majors in the areas of business, international business, and accounting are required to take the Service Leadership Project course. 

Combining community service and academic study, the Project helps students develop leadership and service skills through forming consulting teams. 

These teams are intended to provide support to nonprofit organizations through the application of business theory to collaborative, student-led service projects. 

Pepperdine is also well-known for its International Studies Major program, an interdisciplinary bachelor of arts degree that blends political science, intercultural studies, and language skills. Students in this major can opt to specialize in either Global Politics or Regional Studies.


Is Pepperdine a Good School?

According to the most recent edition of the US News and World Report’s annual college rankings, Pepperdine University is ranked #49 among all colleges in the country. Thus, it is safe to say that Pepperdine is an outstanding school. 

The school has also been ranked #12 in the United States in terms of the best study abroad programs offered by universities. 

This ranking was determined by analyzing the quality and intensity of the academic workload given and the level of interaction between the student and the culture throughout the program.

Another area in which Pepperdine excels is its highly-knowledgeable, capable faculty. In 2022, the college was named the #13 best school in the country in terms of undergraduate teaching.

Further attesting to Pepperdine’s status as a stellar school is its relatively high standards for admission. 

With an acceptance rate of 42%, Pepperdine’s admissions process can be considered moderately selective, inviting only high-achieving students to be a part of their campus community.

For example, the middle 50% of students who were accepted into Pepperdine University’s first-year class of 2021 had a high school GPA between 3.69 and 3.96. 

This means that the average Pepperdine freshman earned nearly all As throughout all high school classes. 


Pepperdine Traditions

Since its founding, Pepperdine University has come to establish a number of traditions that students eagerly anticipate each year. 

One of these is Waves Weekend, a three-day event open to students, family, friends, faculty, staff, and alumni. 

Taking place each fall, Waves Weekend doubles as a homecoming celebration and family weekend, with festivities including carnival games, food trucks, alumni reunion events, a lip-sync competition, and many more. 

The annual celebration culminates with a concert at Alumni Park on Saturday night.

Adding to the excitement of the cherished Waves Weekend is Blue and Orange Madness, named for the school’s spirit colors. 

During Blue and Orange Madness, Pepperdine athletes mark the start of the women’s and men’s basketball season at the school by convening at the Firestone Fieldhouse. 

In addition to allowing players to get to know one another, the event also includes opportunities to compete for prizes. 

The most highly-contentious event during Blue and Orange Madness is, without a doubt, the half-court competition for a year’s worth of free tuition. Each participant in this contest is given 30 seconds to make as many half-court shots as they can, and the person who scores the most points wins the scholarship.

The longest-running student tradition at Pepperdine is Songfest. Dating back to the 1970s, Songfest is a musical variety show students put on each March.

In this event, groups of students are tasked with writing, producing, and performing an original, 12-minute musical to be scored by a panel of industry professionals and community members. The group that receives the highest total score takes home the coveted Songfest Sweepstakes Award.


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at Pepperdine

Pepperdine students can choose from the more than 70 student clubs and organizations the school offers. 

One prominent type of student group at Pepperdine is Greek life. The school is home to eight sororities and five fraternities, and approximately a quarter of undergraduate students participate in one of these organizations over the course of their time at Pepperdine.

Due to Pepperdine’s strong Christian affiliation, the school also features several student-led ministry groups. Students in these groups create and develop ministries as a means of nurturing Christian faith and values within the student body. 

Pepperdine’s prominent clubs also include a number of club sports teams, such as women’s lacrosse, men’s rugby, and esports. Students who want to make the most of the college’s sunny, coastal location will be pleased to learn that surfing and beach volleyball are also offered.


What Sports Are Pepperdine Known For?

Pepperdine University is home to 17 varsity sports teams, which are known as the Pepperdine Waves. Most of the school’s athletic teams are members of the West Coast Conference of the NCAA, competing at the Division I level. 

One of Pepperdine’s strongest athletic programs is the women’s tennis team, which College Factual has ranked #5 among the 21 teams in their division. In addition to its fiercely competitive tennis team, Pepperdine is also home to a stellar women’s soccer team. 

The college has been named the #13 best college for Division I women’s soccer in 3 out of the 306 programs included in the rankings. This places the Waves within the top 5% of women’s soccer teams in the country. 

Pepperdine is also known for its men’s basketball team. In this sport, Pepperdine has claimed 12 regular-season conference championship titles and three tournament wins. Over 68 seasons, the Pepperdine Basketball Waves have appeared in a total of 13 NCAA tournaments.


Why Pepperdine?

There are many reasons students choose Pepperdine University, from its phenomenal academic program offerings to its vital athletic programs, its Christian values, its excellent reputation, and more. 

Regarding location, it is hard to find a more breathtaking locale in which to attend college than Malibu, CA. In fact, according to Expedia, Pepperdine’s is among the top 15 most beautiful college campuses out there. 

Poised right on the coastline, the school’s campus overlooks the vast Pacific Ocean, allowing students the opportunity to travel just a few minutes down the Pacific Coast Highway to relax at the beach in between classes. 

Beyond all the perks of attending school by the sea, Pepperdine also offers students small class sizes and ample opportunities to receive one-on-one attention and support from the school’s highly-esteemed instructors. 

To be precise, the student-to-faculty ratio at Pepperdine is 13:1, and there are 20 students or fewer in over 65% of classes.

Thus, for students who prefer to have classes with a more intimate, tight-knit academic environment, Pepperdine is a great choice of college.

Another reason to choose Pepperdine is that the school has proven to be effective in providing students the support they need to graduate on time. 

The four-year graduation rate at the school is 80%, meaning that the vast majority of students can earn a degree within the expected time. 

All of the above considered, Pepperdine is genuinely a fantastic college to choose.

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What is Northeastern Known For? Is Northeastern a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-northeastern-known-for-is-northeastern-a-good-school/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 22:05:20 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=7543 Established in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in Boston, MA. It is tied for being the #49 best university in the country, according to the 2022 edition of US News and World Report’s annual list of college rankings. The school’s modest, 73-acre campus is urban, positioned in the heart of one […]

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Established in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in Boston, MA. It is tied for being the #49 best university in the country, according to the 2022 edition of US News and World Report’s annual list of college rankings.

The school’s modest, 73-acre campus is urban, positioned in the heart of one of the most iconic college towns in the United States. 

First- and second-year students at Northeastern are required to live in one of the college’s six on-campus residence halls but are permitted to live off-campus for their final years of study. 

Students interested in exploring all the historical and recreational opportunities the lively college town has to offer can use Boston’s robust subway system, which is colloquially known as the T. The university even has its own designated stop on the T’s route. 

As of the fall of 2020, Northeastern has a total undergraduate enrollment of over 15,000 students. With an acceptance rate of just 20%, it can be said that Northeastern is highly selective in its admissions process.

The cost of one year of attending Northeastern is nearly $58,000, making the school somewhat more expensive than the average for American colleges. 

On the bright side, 75% of first-year students receive some form of tuition assistance, making the school more affordable. 

In the 2020 academic year, the college awarded more than $300 million in financial aid. In addition, Northeastern offers many different scholarship and grant opportunities.

You have likely heard of Northeastern University, as the school is an established, well-respected institution for higher education. 

Here, we have compiled everything you may want to know about NU, such as why it is considered such a good school, what its best sports teams and clubs are, its strongest academic programs, and much more. 


What Majors & Academics Are Northeastern Known For?

Northeastern University
Sdkb, Northeastern University in fall 2021, CC BY-SA 4.0

At Northeastern University, students have the opportunity to customize their courses of study through one of the university’s more than 170 combined major programs. 

On top of that, across its eight colleges, Northeastern offers over 270 singular major programs, meaning that the possibilities are nearly endless.  

One of the defining characteristics of Northeastern’s approach to undergraduate education is the emphasis the school places on hands-on, real-world, work experience

Over 90% of Northeastern students participate in one or more professional co-op programs prior to graduating. 

Students have two different options regarding the time it will take to complete their degree programs. First, students may opt to earn their degree in the expected four-year period, with up to two co-ops.

The alternative is to take five years to complete a degree. The added year of study gives students the time to complete a total of three co-ops prior to graduating.

Over their years of study at the school, Northeastern students alternate between traditional semesters of academic coursework and full-time employment. 

This model allows students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the workplace while it is still fresh in their minds, as well as to explore and adjust their professional aspirations as they learn. 

Northeastern’s integration of academics and work allows the school to produce graduates who are highly capable, employable, and in-demand in whatever industry they aspire to pursue. 

In fact, just nine months after graduation, 93% of Northeastern alumni are either employed or enrolled in a graduate program. 

With over 2,000 potential participating employers to choose from, Northeastern’s co-op program firmly establishes the school as one of the world’s leading institutions in terms of experiential learning opportunities.


Is Northeastern a Good School?

Northeastern is undoubtedly a good school. In fact, NU’s extensive co-op program has been named the #1 program of its kind in the nation, surpassing even elite Ivy League schools such as Stanford. 

In other words, Northeastern is not just a good school — it is perhaps the best school out there in terms of experiential learning opportunities. 

Beyond career programs, Northeastern is also well-renowned for pushing boundaries in many ways, from its cutting-edge curricula to its state-of-the-art facilities and more. In fact, NU has been ranked the #11 most innovative school in the United States.

The college has also been highly ranked in terms of senior capstone experiences and service learning, occupying the #14 spots in the country in those areas. 

Another piece of evidence supporting Northeastern’s status as a great school is the median high school GPA of accepted students. 

The middle 50% of NU first-year students earned a GPA between 4.1 and 4.5, meaning that the average freshman at the school completed high school with almost exclusively As in all classes, many of which must be AP or IB courses.

Thus, it can be said that Northeastern only accepts the most high-achieving students to become a part of the campus community. 


Northeastern Traditions

Northeastern University
Edward Orde, West Village C Entrance, Northeastern University, CC BY-SA 4.0

Since its founding, Northeastern University has established numerous traditions that play a significant role in student life on campus. 

The first NU tradition new students get to experience is Welcome Week, during which freshmen and their families learn about campus resources, participate in events, and get acquainted with one another. 

Shortly after Welcome Week comes Fall Fest, a celebration of the start of the semester with live music, games, food, giveaways, and many other fun activities.

Northeastern’s many campus events do not stop when the weather cools down. For one, there is Winter Wonderland, an annual festival with food, ice sculpting, and other cold-weather goodies. 

Another wintertime tradition at NU is Interfaith Harmony Week, a part of the United Nations concurrent global celebration. During this week, NU students are given a chance to learn more about the school’s religious/spiritual diversity. 

In the spring, there is the highly-anticipated New England StepFest, a schoolwide tradition since 1974. Hosted by Kappa Alpha Kappa — the oldest Greek life organization created by African American women — StepFest is an event where students show off their skilled footwork. 


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at Northeastern

Northeastern University is home to more than 400 student clubs and organizations, so students at this school are sure to find an extracurricular that suits their interests.

Out of the hundreds of student groups at NU, 11 are sororities, and 16 are fraternities. Greek life membership at the school is slightly lower than the national average, with 9% of students joining a fraternity or sorority. Still, Greek life remains an influential aspect of campus life at Northeastern.

Among Northeastern’s prominent clubs is Acting Out, a student-led theater performance group that aims to promote social change through acting. Each semester, Acting Out puts on two plays, one of which is an original, student-written show. 

Open to all students regardless of skill level, Acting Out facilitates discussion regarding the relation between performance and social activism, encouraging others on campus to get involved. The club also hosts a variety of other events, such as comedy nights and readings.

Another of NU’s many prominent student groups is the Real Food Challenge. An extension of the school’s long-held commitment to sustainability, this is a small group of students who work with campus dining services to analyze NU’s food purchases over time. 

The data is then analyzed, sorting food into four categories: locally sourced, environmentally friendly, humane, and fair. This information is used to create better food policies for the college, as well as an action plan for implementing those policies.


What Sports Are Northeastern Known For?

Northeastern University’s sports teams are known as the Huskies, with black, red, and warm gray being the school’s colors. The school is a NCAA’s Division I member, competing in the Colonial Athletic Conference. 

Over 3,000 students participate in one or more of the college’s 25 intramural and 64 club sports. Of these, Northeastern is perhaps most well-known for its fiercely competitive men’s basketball team. 

From 1981 to the present, the basketball Huskies have claimed just short of a dozen conference championship titles, the most recent of which took place in 2018. On top of that, they have also brought home nine tournament wins.  

The women’s outdoor track and field team are also among Northeastern’s most robust athletic programs, securing 13 conference championship victories between 1991 and 2007.

When it comes to men’s track and field, Northeastern has a strong record indoors. From 1985 to 2005, the men’s indoor track and field team emerged victorious from a total of 10 conference championships.


Why Northeastern?

Students choose to attend Northeastern University for a vast array of different reasons, such as the world-class experiential learning programs they offer, the campus’ picturesque location in Boston, its robust career outcome statistics, and more. 

One way to evaluate how satisfied students at a particular school are is to look at that school’s first-year retention rate. 

On average, around 97% of NU freshmen choose to return to the school for an additional year of study, suggesting that students are generally more than content with everything the university has to offer.

Another reason to choose Northeastern is that they offer small class sizes, with nearly 62% of classes having 20 students or fewer.

In addition, the student-to-faculty ratio at NU is 14:1, so students are able to benefit from an intimate classroom environment, developing close academic relationships with fellow students and course instructors.

Furthermore, there is hardly a better place to attend college than Boston, the largest urban center in New England. With as many as 35 colleges and universities packed into the city and surrounding areas, it is no surprise that many people consider Boston to be the best college town in the United States.

All in all, Northeastern University is an excellent college. 

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What is UCSD Known For? Is UCSD a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-ucsd-known-for-is-ucsd-a-good-school/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 21:55:31 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=7538 Located in the La Jolla community right on the Pacific Ocean, the University of California – San Diego is a public university that was established in 1960. It is one of the ten schools making up the University of California system, offering both graduate and undergraduate degree programs.  UC San Diego itself contains seven undergraduate […]

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Located in the La Jolla community right on the Pacific Ocean, the University of California – San Diego is a public university that was established in 1960. It is one of the ten schools making up the University of California system, offering both graduate and undergraduate degree programs. 

UC San Diego itself contains seven undergraduate colleges, six graduate and professional schools, and six academic divisions, all of which are led by highly-esteemed faculty members. 

As of 2017, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities named UCSD an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University, a title thus far conferred upon only 60 universities in the country. 

The purpose of the designation is to honor colleges that have shown a deep commitment to bolstering local economic conditions through innovation, business, and workforce development.

The college’s urban campus occupies nearly 2,000 acres. While first-year students are guaranteed campus residence for their first two years of study, they are not required to do so for any period of time.

In addition to numerous academic buildings and student residence halls, the UCSD campus also features the Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table — used to test objects’ ability to withstand simulated earthquakes — and an aquarium.  

As of the 2020-2021 academic year, UC San Diego has a total undergraduate enrollment of 31,824 students and nearly 8,000 graduate students. 

It is more likely than not that you have heard of UCSD, but do you know why this college has been able to establish itself as a household name? 

For those who want to learn more about just what makes UCSD the well-respected, well-known institution of higher education that it is, here we have compiled all the most essential information to know about this school, including the most prominent clubs, most popular major programs, and so much more.


What Majors & Academics Are UCSD Known For?

UCSD
Myasuda, 2020 UCSD Natatorium, CC BY-SA 4.0

At the University of California — San Diego, students can choose from among more than 130 major programs. 

The most popular degree programs at the school are those in the social sciences, with about 37% of the student body electing to pursue a degree in this field of study. 

However, the most popular major at UC San Diego is actually a STEM field: biology majors make up a little more than 17% of students at the school, suggesting that the college offers appealing programs in many different academic subject areas. 

In fact, the second, third, and fourth most popular fields of study at UCSD are all in the STEM field. These are engineering, biology, and physical sciences. 

When it comes to the rankings, the biotechnology and bioinformatics program offered by UC San Diego is perhaps the college’s most highly-esteemed academic program. 

UCSD is currently tied — with MIT — for the #1 spot on the list of best schools for undergraduate biotechnology in the United States.

UCSD is also well-known for its academic offerings relating to mobile and web application development, currently ranking #7 in the country. 

In terms of its cybersecurity and computer systems programs, UCSD is ranked #11, just barely outside of the top 10.

In addition, UCSD has been named #12 in the country in terms of best undergraduate data science programs, further establishing this university as a leading institution for computer science education.


Is UCSD a Good School?

There is no doubt about it: the University of California — San Diego is an outstanding school. 

In fact, all of the nine schools in the University of California system are often regarded as some of the best public colleges in the United States. 

Much like all of the UC schools, UC San Diego is known for having a competitive, selective admissions process, a diverse, high-achieving student body, and a strong reputation for student research programs. 

According to the 2022 editions of US News and World Report’s annual list of the best universities in the country, UC San Diego is tied for the #34 spot in the rankings.

Further contributing to UCSD’s status as an excellent undergraduate school to choose from are the solid academic backgrounds of students who are accepted to the school. 

In 2021, the middle 25-75% of those who were admitted to UCSD as first-year students earned a high school GPA between 4.07 and 4.29. 

With so many students at the school earning nearly straight As over the duration of their entire high school careers, it is safe to say that UCSD admits only the most exemplary students to be a part of the college’s rigorous academic community.


UCSD Traditions

UCSD
Tktktk, Warren Mall, UCSD, CC BY 3.0

UCSD has a number of exciting, highly-anticipated traditions and annual events during each of the four seasons. 

In the fall, there is Welcome Week, a seven-day celebration with various festivities to kick off the start of the new school year. 

Welcome Week activities include a pool party, movie screenings, a bonfire, and late-night Target runs to help get new students initiated to life on campus. 

Shortly after this week of fun, there is Snoopy’s Fall Festival, during which students can enjoy seasonal treats, activities, and pumpkin painting. 

In the winter, the UCSD office for Residence Life hosts Let It Flow. 

UCSD welcomes the spring season with Kunchocshun, an annual Spring Festival with live musical performances, vendors, chocolate, other foods, and much more.

To help students decompress before finals week and celebrate the close of the quarter, UCSD hosts Breakfast and Boardgames. 

One of the college’s most cherished traditions, Breakfast and Boardgames, is a cost-free event where students can enjoy their favorite breakfast foods while playing games with friends. 


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at UCSD

The University of California — San Diego offers more than 500 clubs and extracurricular activities for students to choose from. 

A number of Greek life organizations are among the hundreds of student organizations at the school. To be precise, UCSD is home to 21 sororities, 24 fraternities, and 16 cultural-based Greek letter organizations

Over 2,500 students — or about a quarter of the student body — participate in one of these 61 Greek life organizations over the course of their years at UCSD.

Of course, Greek life is just one of the many types of extracurriculars offered at UCSD. The college is also home to more than a dozen student publications, including the KSDT radio station and the UCSD Guardian newspaper. 

For students looking to show their Triton spirit, UCSD has a pep band and a cheer squad. All students, regardless of skill level or instrument of choice, are invited to try out for the pep band, which plays at sporting events.

The UCSD cheerleading squad is open to students of all genders, with a varying number of male and female students on the team each year. The cheer squad boosts school spirit at sports games and various other Triton Athletic department events.


What Sports Are UCSD Known For?

The University of California – San Diego is home to a number of strong athletic teams, which are known as the Tritons. Since 2020, UCSD has been a member of the NCAA’s Division I, competing primarily in the Big West Conference.

Since the NCAA does not sponsor rowing, UC San Diego’s rowing teams are members of the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association. 

Similarly, the fencing team is a part of the Intercollegiate Fencing Conference of Southern California, men’s water polo competing in the Western Water Polo Association.

The men’s basketball team is UCSD’s most well-known athletic program. Before the school transitioned to Division I, the men’s basketball Tritons were ranked the #1 team in Division II. 

The team made five Division II tournament appearances, four of which were consecutive from 2016 to 2019. The team also brought home five California Collegiate Athletic Association conference tournament championship titles, first in 2008, then four years in a row from 2017 through 2020.


Why UCSD?

If going to college in one of the liveliest, most beautiful urban areas in the sunshine state is not appealing enough to convince you that UCSD is a great choice of undergraduate institution, then perhaps the university’s remarkably high first-year retention rate — a commonly accepted indication of how content students at a given school are — will be. 

With 95% of first-time freshmen at UCSD returning to the school for an additional year of study, we can see that the average Triton is generally quite satisfied with all the college offers. 

Looking at what past UCSD alumni have been up to since completing their degrees, one can see that the college has a history of producing highly-employable, successful graduates. 

91.2% of UCSD’s graduating class of 2020-21 is either employed or pursuing a graduate program, showing that earning a degree from UCSD almost guarantees that you will be able to find work. 

Furthermore, UCSD is not just an excellent school for those who want to start their careers in San Diego or the Southern California area. 

Although almost half of UCSD graduates find jobs on the west coast, more than a quarter are employed in another country.
Although Californian cities — San Diego, San Francisco/San Jose, and Los Angeles — make up three of the top five cities in which UCSD alumni are employed, Washington D.C. and New York also make the cut.

In terms of international cities, Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing are among the most common, showing that a degree from UCSD can take you worldwide.

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What is Wake Forest Known For? Is Wake Forest a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-wake-forest-known-for-is-wake-forest-a-good-school/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 21:14:06 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=7525 Wake Forest University is one of the oldest higher learning institutions in North Carolina. Originally conceived as the Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute, the school was rechartered as Wake Forest College four years later. Wake Forest is currently situated in Winston-Salem – approximately 100 miles from its original location in the city of Wake Forest. […]

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Wake Forest University is one of the oldest higher learning institutions in North Carolina. Originally conceived as the Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute, the school was rechartered as Wake Forest College four years later.

Wake Forest is currently situated in Winston-Salem – approximately 100 miles from its original location in the city of Wake Forest. Admission is competitive, with the college accepting only one of every three regular decision applicants.

Many noteworthy figures have served as Wake Forest faculty members, including author and activist Maya Angelou, editor and news host Melissa Harris-Perry, and Anthony Atala, who is recognized for his trailblazing work in organ growth. 

About 99% of classes at Wake Forest have fewer than 50 students, and an 11:1 teacher-to-student ratio creates an ideal context for developing strong mentoring relationships with professors.

It’s easy to overlook a school like Wake Forest University. Students who are particularly interested in study abroad opportunities, interdisciplinary approaches to their studies, and long-enduring campus traditions should take the time to review the school’s most popular majors, student organizations, and campus assets.

 Keep reading to learn what makes Wake Forest stand out among other schools.


What Majors & Academics Are Wake Forest Known For?

Wake Forest University
Public domain photo via Wikimedia Commons

The most popular majors at Wake Forest are political science, economics, and business. Political science majors who pursue a minor in Latin-American studies may complete the 5-year cooperative BA/MA program at Georgetown University. 

Showing strong support for an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, Wake Forest offers several interdisciplinary minors

In addition to a Latin-American and Latino Studies minor, political science majors can alternatively pursue a minor in Global Trade and Commerce Studies, Russian and East European Studies, or Women’s and Gender Studies.

Economics majors also benefit from an array of interdisciplinary courses at their disposal, such as Economics of Health and Medicine. 

Students can even enroll in a College Fed Challenge course, where they work in small teams to analyze the economic conditions of a theoretical context and design a monetary policy solution.

Wake Forest’s business program maintains a reputation for being one of the best in the country. The School of Business’s part-time MBA program has ranked #1 in North Carolina for the last twelve years, according to U.S. News & World Report. The school itself is ranked #13 of the nation’s best business programs. 

Undergraduates can select from four concentrations within the B.S. degree – Business and Enterprise Management (BEM) is a unique concentration that emphasizes leadership and critical thinking and grants students the freedom to customize their course pathway based on their interests, whether they lie in nonprofit management, marketing, or new business incubation.


Is Wake Forest a Good School?

Wake Forest is ranked #28 by U.S. News – the school has a positive reputation because 94.5% of its graduates secure employment or enrollment in graduate school within a year of matriculating.

Students gravitate to a school like Wake Forest for its interdisciplinary approach to learning. The Open Curriculum option grants a select number of students the opportunity to co-create a course of study with an advisor. 

Speaking of opportunities, Wake Forest has a robust study abroad program that is ranked #33 in the nation. 

The Tropical Biodiversity and Environmental Journalism in Peru program challenges student participants to analyze the intersectionality of environmental, human, and biological factors impacting climate change and how to report on various media topics.

Students admitted to Wake Forest can expect to enter a community of ambitious and intellectually curious students – 61% of admitted applicants ranked in the top 5% of their graduating classes, while 87% ranked within the top 10%.

While Wake Forest is a competitive private university, they are committed to meeting 100% of admitted students’ demonstrated financial needs. Additionally, the school offers merit-based scholarships to approximately 3% of first-year applicants. Unsurprisingly, the school ranks #24 in the nation for the best value.

For example, Carswell Scholarships are awarded to five students who demonstrate strong leadership skills and academic achievement – the scholarship covers a year of tuition, room and board, and a $3400 stipend for personal expenses. 

These esteemed scholars are prompted to apply for research or study abroad funding during their time at Wake Forest.


Wake Forest Traditions

Wake Forest University School of Law
Boltlm17, Worrell, Wake Forest University, CC BY-SA 4.0

Many students think of on-campus traditions as one of the fondest parts of their Wake Forest experience, starting with Homecoming and Family Weekend in the fall. 

Alumni and students enjoy participating in the pep rally around a large bonfire on Davis Field, tailgating before the Homecoming football game, attending the President’s Ball, and introducing their family members to college life.

Another fall favorite is Hit the Bricks for Brian Piccolo – a campus-wide relay race that has been raising funds for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund Drive since 2004. 

In 2021, the event surpassed its fundraising record by securing over $202,000 in donations!

Project Pumpkin is one of the most entertaining philanthropic events of the fall. Nearly 1,000 Wake Forest students volunteer to run carnival games on the Quad and go trick-or-treating with schoolchildren in the residence halls. 

Money raised goes directly to supporting the Wake Forest Freedom School, a summer literacy program for 3rd through 8th-grade students.

D.E.S.K. is the spring’s response to Project Pumpkin. In this yearly event, representatives from many of Wake Forest’s clubs design desks for underprivileged elementary school students in the Winston-Salem community.

Many of Wake Forest’s most beloved traditions revolve around music and dance. Springfest – which takes place in the last week of April – attracts students with live music and dancing. The Wake N’ Shake dance marathon raises funds for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund.

One of the newer traditions at Wake Forest is the Reynolda Film Festival. Cinema fanatics will love attending various workshops, film screenings, and panel discussions featuring illustrious figures like Spike Lee.


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at Wake Forest

Wake Forest students can choose to get involved in over 250 clubs! Greek life is prevalent at Wake Forest, comprising about 40-50% of the student population, though there is a strong social scene outside of fraternities and sororities. 

A special aspect of the Wake Forest Greek life recruiting system is that all recruits must have completed at least one full semester of college. 

Thus, the spring semester witnesses the majority of fraternity and sorority recruitment. 

Athletics are also extremely popular at Wake Forest – more than half of the students are involved in intramural sports. 

There are traditional offerings as well as more unique teams for spikeball, free throw tournaments, and street hockey.

Prefer to get your competitive fix off the field? The Wake Debate team has entered the semifinal round of the National Debate Tournament six times, made the finals on two occasions, and won the tournament twice. 

The Lilting Banshee Comedy Troupe commands the stage with improv performances parodying Wake Forest social life and current events.

Speaking of current events, the Old Gold & Black is Wake Forest’s student-run newspaper, “covering the campus like magnolias.” Student writers contribute stories on topics focused on news, opinions, sports, and life.

One of the most popular clubs at Wake Forest is the Student Union, a group that offers over 200 programs throughout the year, ranging from trivia nights and guest lectures to week-long festivals and concerts. 


What Sports Are Wake Forest Known For?

Despite being the smallest school in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Wake Forest boasts one of its largest trophy collections! The school has won 53 ACC championships and nine NCAA Division I championships overall.

The Wake Forest men’s basketball team has produced several successful athletes who went on to play in the NBA, including Billy Packer, Chris Paul, and Muggsy Bogues, the shortest professional basketball player in the United States at 5’3”.

The women’s field hockey team has won three national championships and four ACC championships in the last two decades. 

Three-time Olympian and captain of the Olympic field hockey teams – Lauren Crandall Liska – is the first Wake Forest athlete in history to get inducted into Team USA Field Hockey’s Hall of Fame.

The men’s golf team has also accumulated an impressive trove of accolades. Its history is marked by 19 ACC championships and three NCAA championships. Sophomore player Michael Brennan was recently awarded a Second Team All-America Honors by Golfweek.

Regularly making appearances in the national title match is the Wake Forest men’s soccer team. Not only does the team demonstrate excellence on the field, but they are also dedicated to making a positive impact in their community.

The team was named the 2021-2022 Helper Helper Team Community Service Challenge Champion after recording almost 1,000 hours of community service.


Why Wake Forest?

Wake Forest provides an ideal learning environment for students interested in collaboration, interdisciplinary problem-solving, and hands-on learning experiences. 

Enrolling almost 8,000 students, the student population is small enough to create a sense of familiarity while sizable enough to warrant ample activities, events, and opportunities to get involved in campus life and leadership.

Wake Forest students are perceived as well-rounded. Many students are involved in athletics and/or philanthropic pursuits, and a significant portion opts to venture outside of their comfort zones by studying abroad in a new country. 

The school’s motto – Pro Humanitate – translates to “For Humanity,” and feels ingrained into every aspect of academic and extracurricular life.

Students also adore Wake Forest for its top-notch faculty, remarking that professors truly seem as committed to their students’ progress as they are to their research. 

The ideal teacher-to-student ratio is conducive to more student-driven discussion, and most departments offer various opportunities for students to collaborate with faculty members.

Students interested in global affairs shouldn’t count out this often underestimated Southern Ivy in their search for the ideal college. A college experience at Wake Forest is sure to unlock possibilities that students wouldn’t have access to at other schools.

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What is UCSB Known For? Is UCSB a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-ucsb-known-for-is-ucsb-a-good-school/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 20:55:01 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=7521 The University of California at Santa Barbara campus is situated on a precipice overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  Surrounded by beaches, nature trails, and only a boat ride away from Channel Islands National Park, the school is an attractive option for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Being so close to Los Angeles allows for an abundance of […]

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The University of California at Santa Barbara campus is situated on a precipice overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 

Surrounded by beaches, nature trails, and only a boat ride away from Channel Islands National Park, the school is an attractive option for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Being so close to Los Angeles allows for an abundance of internship opportunities in the city.

UCSB is the largest employer in Santa Barbara County – almost 100 companies have been founded based on technology discovered or innovated on campus. In fact, a handful of new companies are formed each year based on research conducted at UCSB.

UCSB has witnessed the birth of modern wonders such as the internet and the atomic force microscope, the latter of which allows researchers to study how diseases develop and other irregular body processes function at the atomic scale.

UCSB is a fairly large school, enrolling just over 23,000 undergraduates and nearly 3,000 graduate students. The school accepts approximately one in three applicants, making admission a competitive process.

In the sections that follow, we’ll divulge valuable information about UCSB’s most popular majors, thrilling traditions, and reputable student organizations.


What Majors & Academics Are UCSB Known For?

UC Santa Barbara
Coolcaesar, UCSB University Center and Storke Tower, CC BY-SA 4.0

Social sciences, biology, and psychology are the most popular majors at UCSB. The school is also known for its engineering program as well as the College of Creative Studies. 

The Division of Social Sciences supports interdisciplinary exploration and collaboration among the humanities, sciences, and engineering.

Within the social sciences department, nearly 2,000 undergraduates pursue an economics degree. 

UCSB has established several excellent study-abroad programs that many economics students take advantage of, including experiences at the University of Commerce in Milan and the Global Business Program in Asia: Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Biology is another popular major at UCSB – the school’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes it an optimal context for studying marine biology and ecology. 

The Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology creates opportunities for students to engage in marine science, paleontology, conservation, and other topics. 

At any given moment, one student might be conducting research in a tropical rainforest while another is taking samples from a coral reef.

Ranked #18 among national public universities, UCSB’s College of Engineering enrolls 1,500+ undergraduates. 

Students have the opportunity to enroll in a five-year program to earn a combined BS/MS in topics like mechanical or chemical engineering.

Students taking courses in the College of Creative Studies have the flexibility to design their own majors and degree pathways. 

Each of the 400 students in the CCS works in close collaboration with a faculty adviser to explore and address a range of social and environmental problems. 

Students majoring in writing and literature, for example, will draft a creative work as part of their senior portfolios, while a student majoring in physics might create a prototype.


Is UCSB a Good School?

UCSB has an exceptional reputation based on its esteemed faculty, research impact, and interdisciplinary teaching approach. It is currently ranked #5 among national public universities, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges” list.

There are ten national centers and institutes stationed on UCSB’s campus. At the Southern California Earthquake Center, scientists study the behavior and impact of earthquakes in order to better aid communities in recovery efforts. 

The Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies – funded by the Army Research Office – brings together scientists, doctors, and engineers to innovate revolutionary tools in synthetic biology, cognitive neuroscience, and bio-enabled materials.

UCSB’s host of institutes results in increased opportunities for student and faculty collaboration. At its highest point, UCSB was ranked #2 in Research Impact in the Sciences. 

Many well-known faculty researchers have gone on to win the Nobel Prize, including the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics Laureate Shuji Nakamura, who won the award for inventing blue-light emitting diodes.

Other notable alumni represent various disciplines at UCSB, including Grammy-nominated DJ Steve Aoki, co-founder/CEO of Lyft Logan Green, and Robert Ballard, the discoverer of the Titanic.

UCSB is also known for its exceptional UCSB Education Abroad Program, which sends more than 1,000 students to different countries all over the world. 

Popular destinations include Spain, Italy, and the UK, with the most represented majors being communication, economics, and global studies.


UCSB Traditions

When it comes to UCSB traditions, we have to start with throwing tortillas. Throwing a tortilla at a soccer game has been a bucket list item for all UCSB students since the 1990s when the tradition first “took flight,” and no coach, athlete, or referee is off-limits as a target! 

Another questionable tradition involves the “Undie Run,” where students run two miles through the UCSB community in their undergarments during final exam week. 

UCSB Parents & Family Weekend is an exciting time when students can immerse their family members in campus life. 

Activities include tours of the REEF Touch Tanks at the Marine Science Institute, a walking tour through Isla Vista, free admission to sports matches, and meet and greet sessions with the deans of various colleges.

The most widely-attended campus event is Extravaganza, a private on-campus concert in the spring that attracts headliners like Sublime, Busta Rhymes, and Drake. 

Deltopia is another highly popular but unsanctioned event featuring concerts, food, and activities at the RecCen.

Seniors enjoy the privilege of attending UCSB First’s annual Senior Class Breakfast – the event intends to encourage alumni participation in the ongoing future of UCSB and its community.


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at UCSB

Students at UCSB can get involved in more than 500 student groups on campus. Organizations center on leadership, philanthropy, recreational activities, and other academic interests.

Coders SB invites all students to attend workshops designed to improve their programming and coding skills. The group manages project series in which individuals work in small teams to approach a particular challenge. They regularly collaborate with partners such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft.

Have a desire to explore the various natural wonders of Santa Barbara? The Excursion Club is committed to getting students outdoors by organizing activities like skydiving, backpacking, spearfishing, and paintballing. There’s no need to hold out if you don’t think you have the right equipment – the Excursion Club is all about sharing and educating!

The UCSB Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is an excellent club for students in the engineering department. The largest and best-funded engineering club on campus, UCSB IEEE, aims to provide students with the resources to develop projects and conduct research.

Students wanting to give back to the community should consider joining the UCSB Community Affairs Board. They’re involved in an array of community projects at any one time, including the weekly Adopt a Block effort where students pick up trash on the street. 

The Family Literacy Project is CAB’s oldest and most expansive effort that dedicates resources to pairing UCSB students with Isla Vista children in tutoring/mentoring relationships.


What Sports Are UCSB Known For?

UCSB oversees ten men’s and ten women’s varsity sports, all of which compete at the Division I level in the NCAA. The Gauchos have won three national championship titles in men’s swimming and diving (1962), men’s water polo (1979), and men’s soccer (2006).

The men’s soccer team has one of the best records at UCSB, and their fans have gone all out to smash NCAA attendance records. The team leads in average attendance (over 6,000 attendees per match) and overall attendance in the NCAA, and its biggest crowd reached almost 16,000 attendees in 2010. The team has won the Big West Championship for five of the last seven years!

UCSB’s baseball team shows strong performance on a regular basis – they have competed in 12 NCAA championship tournaments. 

Most recently, two of their players – Ryan Gallagher and Matt Ager – were named to the 2022 Freshman All-American team, making this the third straight season in which more than one UCSB athlete has received the rookie award.

The basketball program is perhaps best known for the Thunderdome, one of the loudest basketball arenas in the country! 

The women’s basketball team has dominated the Big West for the last several decades, winning 12 conference championships since 1997 (nine of which were consecutive)!

Both the men’s and women’s volleyball teams enjoy frequent appearances in the NCAA tournament, as well. 

In fact, the men’s volleyball team has played in more NCAA championship games than any other UCSB team, while the women’s volleyball team has rarely missed appearing in the tournament for the last 30 years.


Why UCSB?

Expert faculty members, Involved students, and a modern approach to designing a college degree – students can expect all of these things in more throughout their four years at UCSB. 

UCSB is an ideal school for students looking for a nontraditional pathway to graduation. The College of Creative Studies affords students the flexibility to merge two or more disciplines and carry out their research endeavors from the ground up. 

For decades, UCSB has been a leader in the trend of adopting a more interdisciplinary approach to curriculum and instruction.

UCSB’s diversity lends itself to a host of student organizations, many of which provide low-stakes environments where students can learn and practice new skills – be they academic or athletic. 

Many clubs are committed to sustainability and philanthropy by organizing fundraisers, clean-up efforts, and informational sessions.

There are few places where students are accompanied to and from classes by the mist of the Pacific Ocean! Students will relish the quintessential California climate on an almost year-round basis at UCSB. Surrounded by many parks and forests, Santa Barbara offers many havens for taking a break from the books.

While UCSB is an appealing option for all kinds of students, those interested in pursuing a career in engineering or the social sciences should spend time researching the school’s programs and opportunities. 

With many opportunities for scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study placements, earning a degree from UCSB is attainable for the average American student.

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What is Oxford Known For? Is Oxford a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-oxford-known-for-is-oxford-a-good-school/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 20:43:30 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=7516 Oxford University – one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Set in a verdant, river-run city that bears its name, Oxford is equally known for its traditions, athletic prowess, and research contributions.  The academic calendar at Oxford is divided into three 8-week-long terms – Michaelmas in the fall, Hilary in the […]

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Oxford University – one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Set in a verdant, river-run city that bears its name, Oxford is equally known for its traditions, athletic prowess, and research contributions. 

The academic calendar at Oxford is divided into three 8-week-long terms – Michaelmas in the fall, Hilary in the spring, and Trinity in the summer. 

Twice a week, students meet in tutorials, which are groups of two to three students and a subject matter expert who serves as the tutor. These sessions allow students to ask questions, clarify their thinking, and receive more in-depth feedback.

Home to some of the world’s best research facilities, Oxford also launches initiatives such as Enterprising Oxford, an effort to bolster student entrepreneurship through fostering connections among students, alumni, and business leaders within the greater Oxford community.

Several of Oxford’s popular majors are some of the best-ranked programs in their disciplines. With traditions, sports rivalries, and student organizations dating back several centuries, Oxford offers an unmatched college experience to the best and brightest students worldwide.


What Majors & Academics Are Oxford Known For?

Queen's College, Oxford University
Odicalmuse, Facade of The Queen’s College, Oxford, 2020, CC BY-SA 4.0

Students use the term “subjects” in place of “majors” at Oxford, and all subjects are housed within one of four academic divisions: humanities, medical sciences, social science, or mathematical, physical, and life sciences.

The most popular subjects at Oxford are medicine, chemistry, philosophy, politics, and economics – students pursuing a degree in these subjects make up 20% of the Oxford undergraduate population.

Medicine is far and away the most popular subject at Oxford. Students can complete their preclinical stage in three years, then enter a three-year clinical stage after they graduate with an honors BA in Medical Sciences.

The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) degree was conceived from the belief that complex modern problems require an interdisciplinary problem-solving approach. Students explore questions like “What happens if banks shut down immediately?” or “Why should a person have a moral code?” 

90% of PPE graduates confirm that they are employed or engaged in further study within a year of graduating. 

Many PPE graduates soar to exciting positions, such as prime minister David Cameron – a close analysis into PPE alumni will find that they make up a significant percentage of elite British society.

Oxford’s Department of Chemistry is one of the highest-ranking chemistry programs in the world. Students spend their entire fourth year conducting research projects under the guidance of world-renowned scientists. 

John B. Goodenough and M. Stanley Whittingham – two former staff members –  won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on developing lithium-ion batteries. 

Other popular subjects at Oxford include law, history, and English Language & Literature. Notable alumni from the ELL department include authors T.S. Eliot, Seamus Heaney, and William Golding.


Is Oxford a Good School?

Oxford may very well be the best university in the world, and various renowned rankings list will attest to the nomination. 

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings have named Oxford as the best university in the world for six years in a row, while U.S. News lists Oxford at the top of Europe’s best universities.

Oxford maintains some of the best research facilities in the world, including the recently developed Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery

Here, scientists follow an interdisciplinary approach to examining how various diseases respond to new treatment methods. 

The Bodleian Libraries at Oxford make up the most expansive library system in the United Kingdom – housing more than 13 million printed items, the libraries also offer an array of digital technology for students to use at no extra cost.

It should come as no surprise that Oxford is also home to the world’s oldest public museum, the oldest scientific gardens in the world, and various other museums

On what other campus could you find a preserved blackboard from Einstein’s lectures, fossilized remains of the first dinosaur discovered by scientists, and more than 6,000 species of plants?

In addition to the ever-growing list of facilities and equipment, Oxford offers highly acclaimed academic programs in subjects like infectious diseases, public health, and endocrinology and metabolism. 

Oxford has proven to be an ideal setting for inventive, ambitious scholars. It is at Oxford where some of the most groundbreaking discoveries in modern medicine were made, including the behavior of antibodies, needleless injections, and penicillin.


Oxford Traditions

St. John's College, Oxford University
Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia, UK-Oxford-St John’s College, CC BY-SA 4.0

There are truly too many traditions at Oxford to count, but that won’t stop us from sharing information about some of the most treasured campus rituals and celebrations. 

Let’s start with the Matriculation Ceremony, held at the end of the first week of the new school year. Here, students wear their formal academic attire and proceed to the Sheldonian Theater to watch the first-year students go through initiation. 

The St. Giles Fair is one of the most looked forward to events of the autumn season. Dating back to the 13th century, it brings the Oxford community together through food, games, carnival rides, and other social activities.  

Once settled at Oxford, students begin to develop their “Oxford families.” College parents are returning students paired with new students to help them transition smoothly into the academic and social scene at Oxford. Think of the match as similar to the “Big” and “Little” pairings in American sororities. 

Several Oxford traditions fall into the formal category. For example, students wear a white tie outfit called a “sub fusc” to exams. 

Additionally, they have been known to pin carnations on their formalwear, the color of which corresponds to a specific exam. For example, white carnations signify the first exam, while radiant red carnations represent the end of exams.

Some of the most beloved traditions include match-ups against rival schools like Cambridge. Events like the Boat Race on the River Thames and the Varsity Match at Twickenham Stadium attract hordes of enthusiastic Oxford students and community fans.

It’s worth noting that Oxford’s colleges maintain their own rivalries with each other. In addition to belonging to academic departments (such as political science, literature, and physics), students also belong to colleges, which are similar to dormitories and residence halls on American university campuses.

Students can select a preferred college in their applications to Oxford or submit an open application in which they agree to live in their assigned college. 

Colleges house rooms, kitchens, laundry centers, and even libraries. Colleges regularly host building-wide meals, games, and social events throughout the academic year.


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at Oxford

We can’t talk about clubs at Oxford without first mentioning the Oxford Student Union (SU). All students automatically become members, and six officers are elected for a one-year term. 

The Oxford SU organizes various on-campus events, maintains a record of the status of on-campus student organizations, and assists students in finding resources needed for academic projects.

The Oxford Union is a separate entity from the Oxford Student Union, and definitely worth mentioning! The Oxford Union is known as the world’s most famous debating society, and they bring in several highly acclaimed speakers each term. 

On most days, students can tune in to sessions featuring figures like Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelensky, fashion designer Maria Chiuri, and triathlete Alistair Brownlee.

Lovers of theatre, film, and song will find an array of choirs and performing groups at their disposal. The Choir of Magdalen College was founded in 1480, making it one of the oldest and largest choral groups in England. 

The Oxford University Dramatic Society (OUDS) announces upcoming auditions and crew calls. Additionally, they host the New Writing Festival playwright competition and the Cuppers intercollegiate drama competition. To join or not to join, is that really a question?

Students looking to contribute to a charitable cause will find Oxford Hub to be a helpful resource. The group is committed to building programs that link students with the Oxford community – it regularly organizes tutoring relationships, sporting games, residential home activities, and sustainability campaigns, among other social events.


What Sports Are Oxford Known For?

Oxford has an admirable reputation in the collegiate sports domain. 

Nearly 300 Oxford students have competed in the Olympic games, winning 167 medals (of which half are gold). Oxford students are highly encouraged to take part in either varsity-level or college club sports.

Rowing is one of the most popular and widely-attended sporting events at Oxford, and the majority of Olympic gold medals in Oxford’s treasure trove stem from rowing victories. 

One of the most exciting match-ups of the year takes place on the River Thames – the yearly Varsity against Cambridge University in “The Boat Race” provides an avenue for rival fans to show their support and enthusiasm! 

Cambridge currently leads Oxford 85-81 in overall men’s rowing history and 45-30 in women’s rowing history.

Football is another beloved sport at Oxford, and the university’s Varsity Match holds the record as the oldest match-up in global football! 

It has been played every year since 1873 (except for several years during WWI and WWII). In 136 years of competing, the Oxford men’s football team excels over Cambridge with 54-50 victories.

Other popular sports at Oxford include rugby and croquet. Croquet is especially popular in the spring, and many Oxford students will play socially against friends on the college lawns. 9% of students enter a knockout Cuppers competition, which runs throughout the final term of the school year. Rugby matches are another fan favorite, typically exceeding 15,000 in attendance.


Why Oxford?

Those students fortunate enough to gain admission to one of the world’s most competitive universities will find few reasons not to enroll at Oxford. Tuition is expectedly high, though the university provides more than 8.5 million pounds of financial aid to undergraduate students living in lower-income homes. Nearly one in four domestic UK students receive an annual bursary.

The community of Oxford provides a vibrant, close-knit setting for students to inhabit while they pursue their studies. Dotted with parks, courtyards, and pedestrian-friendly areas, students will enjoy stopping by the Covered Market and lounging by the river on temperate days.

Students admitted to Oxford join a large network of successful alumni. Several current and former world leaders got their start at Oxford, such as Benazir Bhutto, Tony Blair, and Bill Clinton.

Students who are particularly interested in pursuing medicine, chemistry, or an illustrious PPE degree will find no better context than Oxford for engaging in collaborative research endeavors, hands-on internships, and stimulating small-group tutorial sessions on a regular basis.

For most students accepted to Oxford University, there is no better choice.

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What is University of Michigan Known For? Is UMich a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-university-of-michigan-known-for-is-umich-a-good-school/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 20:31:58 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=7512 According to the fight song played at all of their sporting events, the University of Michigan Wolverines are “the victors valiant” and the “leaders and the best.”  More than just a bit of self-congratulatory hype, U of M can back up that claim with success in the classroom, the football field, and beyond. A full […]

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According to the fight song played at all of their sporting events, the University of Michigan Wolverines are “the victors valiant” and the “leaders and the best.” 

More than just a bit of self-congratulatory hype, U of M can back up that claim with success in the classroom, the football field, and beyond.

A full two decades before Michigan changed from a territory to a state, the University of Michigan was founded in 1817. 

U of M may be a public school, but its research output not only earns it a tier-one ranking but also rivals elite private schools. 

Thanks to an endowment worth over $12.4 billion, Michigan is one of the nation’s wealthier schools, allowing it to pursue numerous research projects and fund world-changing clinics.

One such institution is the Center for Social Media Responsibility, through which students and faculty examine the role of social media platforms in shaping public consciousness. 

At the Learning, Education, and Design Lab, participants investigate the possibilities of digital media and instructional technologies in creating new avenues of learning.

U of M’s main campus in Ann Arbor features 860 acres of beautiful land, housing everything from scenic botanical gardens to an advanced teaching hospital. 

It’s no wonder that the school has been affiliated with 53 MacArthur Geniuses, 26 Nobel Laureates, and even a U.S. President with Gerald Ford.

All of these amazing attributes come from a strong foundation of academic excellence, long-held traditions, and sports dominance.


What Majors & Academics Are UMich Known For?

University of Michigan
Michael Barera, University of Michigan (Ann and Robert H. Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building), CC BY-SA 4.0

For the layperson, the University of Michigan is synonymous with its world-famous athletic program. But the school boasts a commitment to learning rarely found outside of elite private schools.

It should come as no surprise that one of U of M’s best academic majors is related to its sports programs. 

By providing students with access to state-of-the-art equipment and a cadre of first-class competitors to serve, the university’s athletic training program is recognized as one of the best in the nation. 

Like everything else at U of M, research initiatives drive the athletic training program, with labs that increase our understanding of the body’s functions.

Equally impressive are the majors offered through the school’s Department of Music Education, ready to train music teachers for every instructional level. With a curriculum that combines instrument mastery with a foundation in pedagogy, the music education program prepares its students to inspire and equip the next generation. 

When combined with the program’s 100% placement rate, it’s easy to see how the Department of Music Education is improving the world, sending its award-winning graduates to positions in New York, Chicago, and elsewhere.

Thanks to its association with a nationally-recognized teaching hospital, U of M’s medical school is one of the best in the nation. But some would be surprised to learn that the university’s School of Dentistry is often ranked within the top five in the entire world.

This praise comes in part from the outstanding alumni who have gone on to be leaders in the field of dentistry. But it all starts with resources available at the school, including research labs that increase students’ understanding of the human body. 

Focusing on everything from taste receptor cells to the development of the craniofacial skeleton, these labs help create some of the nation’s most well-informed dentists.


Is UMich a Good School?

The University of Michigan may be a state-sponsored public school, but it often ranks among the world’s most respected private schools, including Ivy Leagues such as Harvard and Yale.

According to Niche.com, U of M earns A+ overall grade, with special acknowledgment for its academics, value, and athletics. 

The university stands out even better on Niche’s specialized list, taking the number two spots on the lists for Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy in America and Best Colleges for Sports Management in America, and taking the number one slot as the Best Public University in America.

The highly-respected U.S. News & World Report gives U of M equally high marks, placing it at #23 on its list of national universities, tied with Georgetown University and above such luminaries as Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Virginia. 

U.S. News also puts U of M within the top five on its more focused lists, including those for business programs, nursing, and top public schools.

In short, the University of Michigan is not just a good school. It’s one of the best public schools in the nation.


UMich Traditions

University of Michigan
AndrewHorne, Michigan Union, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons

In addition to its tradition of scholarly excellence, the University of Michigan has also accrued several fun myths and traditions over the decades.

Given the exacting academic standards at U of M, it’s no surprise that students would come up with stories to explain their success or failure. 

One of the most persistent involves a large brass “M” in the Diag, a large open space on campus. Legend has it that if you step on the M, you’ll fail your next bluebook exam.

Fortunately, most professors don’t use bluebooks anymore. Still, students prefer not to take the risk and thus avoid the M.  

Along with its world-famous athletic program, U of M has one of the most recognizable fight songs of all time, “The Victors.” 

While it’s usually up to the band and vocal groups to sing the fight song, the Men’s Glee Club takes time out every year to teach the football team how to sing “The Victors.”

Finally, a tradition that brings together the newest and oldest students involves a wading pool. During their freshmen orientation, the new students signal their preparedness for the future by walking toward the camps. 

After graduation, they wade in the opposite direction, away from campus and into the world.


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at UMich

On a big campus with lots of history, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s why it’s so essential that students get involved with the university’s clubs and take part in extracurricular activities.

In addition to every manner of fraternity and sorority, you can find clubs to match any need or interest.

For those who like a physical challenge, there’s Ann Arbor Ninja Warrior. Based on the popular television competition, Ann Arbor puts participants through the wildest obstacle course. Even if combatants don’t end up on tv anymore, you can still get a good workout and have fun with this club.

If you prefer your competitions to be more mental than physical, you can join the Michigan Poker Club. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a longtime card shark, the Poker Club welcomes all players. It’s a great place to learn the game or test your skills, at any level.

Between these clubs and the many events happening every single day, there’s always something to do on U of M’s campus.


What Sports Are UMich Known For?

It doesn’t matter where you go, every place in the world, you’ll find someone who recognizes the maize and blue of the Michigan Wolverines. 

That brand awareness doesn’t come from just marketing but from a history of excellence in a variety of sports. In fact, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics has put U of M among the top five programs in eleven of the past twenty years.

As part of the Big Ten Conference, the Wolverines have 29 varsity teams in sports ranging from swimming and gymnastics to baseball and basketball.

The men’s basketball program has won fourteen regular-season titles in the Big Ten and has made the Final Four of the NCAA tournament eight times, winning the national championship once in 1989. 

The women’s basketball program has its own victories, winning the WNIT tournament in 2017 and making it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.

But perhaps the most well-known Wolverines compete on the gridiron. Beyond its legendary rivalry with The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan football team has an overall record of 976–352–36, complete with 49 appearances in Bowl Games. 

The football team has claimed eleven national titles and two division titles, most recently in 2021.


Why UMich?

University of Michigan School of Kinesiology
Michael Barera, University of Michigan (Kinesiology Building), CC BY-SA 4.0

In addition to being one of the best-known and well-respected schools in the nation, the University of Michigan is also one of the most popular. 

For the Fall of 2022, the university received almost 80,000 applications. Out of that group, only approximately 16,000 received letters of admission, for an acceptance rate of 20%.

While that rate is much higher than most schools of U of M’s caliber, it does reveal a highly competitive admission process. For every ten students who apply, eight will be rejected. You may be wondering if it’s worth the challenge to apply.

We can’t answer that question for you, but we can put things into perspective. As you’ve seen, the University of Michigan is one of the best public schools in the nation, one with outstanding resources and a commitment to excellence. 

Some of the smartest people in the world have studied at U of M and have gone on to make a real impact in the world.

Even better, U of M offers a lot of fun for their students, from time-honored traditions to numerous clubs and activities. Plus, they have one of the most beloved athletic programs in the nation.

In short, if you value first-class athletics and active social life, then the University of Michigan is the place for you.

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What is Emory Known For? Is Emory a Good School? https://collegegazette.com/what-is-emory-known-for-is-emory-a-good-school/ Thu, 18 Aug 2022 20:20:44 +0000 https://collegegazette.com/?p=7506 The second-oldest private higher learning institution in the state of Georgia, Atlanta’s Emory University was established by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1836.  More than a matter of age, Emory’s reputation for academic excellence has established it as one of the country’s elite private schools, often confused with an Ivy League institution. Thanks to its […]

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The second-oldest private higher learning institution in the state of Georgia, Atlanta’s Emory University was established by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1836. 

More than a matter of age, Emory’s reputation for academic excellence has established it as one of the country’s elite private schools, often confused with an Ivy League institution.

Thanks to its $11 billion endowment, Emory has become a leader in many fields, earning a tier-one rank for its very high research activity.

Emory does not go about these pursuits alone but in cooperation with other impressive intuitions. Working alongside Bejing’s Peking University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory hosts the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. 

In cooperation with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Emory provides students with access to cutting-edge resources. Together with Nanjing University, Emory operates the Confucius Institute in Atlanta and has a research partnership.

Thanks to these connections, Emory has been associated with the most influential people in the world

Several heads of state have graduated from Emory, including U.S. Vice President Alben W. Barkley and the prime ministers of Georgia and South Korea. 

Emory alumni and faculty have won nearly every major award, including the Pulitzer and the Emmys. Numerous MacArthur Fellows worked with the school, as have CEOS of Fortune 500 companies.

Impressive as this list of achievements certainly is, these accolades aren’t all that Emory is known for. The school features respected academic programs, fun traditions, and even championship sports.


What Majors & Academics Are Emory Known For?

As one of the most elite private schools in the South, Emory University boasts first-class programs in several fields.

Some of those great programs are part of the Goizueta Business School, including Emory’s unique JD/MBA degree. 

Offered in conjunction with the university’s School of Law, the degree prepares students who wish to use their legal degrees in the world of business. 

In a joint program designed for efficiency, students can finish their degree in four years, leaving time for internships in each of the three summer sessions.

For those who want to begin their work even more quickly, there’s the one-year MBA program that Goizueta provides to those who have completed two years of law school. 

Participants may only have two summers for internship opportunities, but they can earn their JD/MBA degree in just three and half years.

Drawing from the school’s religious history, the Candler School of Theology’s M. Div. degree is one of the most respected in the nation. 

A professional degree designed for future church leaders, ministers, or social workers, the M. Div. degree puts an emphasis on practical skills. 

Leaning on the school’s theological tradition in Methodist Episcopal Church, Candler covers everything from leadership practices to critical thinking.

Emory’s medical school is one of the best in the country, especially its award-winning dermatology program. 

Working in conjunction with the 587-bed Emory University Hospital, the program seeks to train practitioners from diverse backgrounds, putting equal attention on classroom and clinical training. 

With a range of service opportunities available, the program ensures that graduates will become excellent doctors.


Is Emory a Good School?

Emory University
Daniel Mayer, Emory University – Dobbs University Center, CC BY-SA 3.0

If you think that Emory may just have a few good programs and is otherwise a run-of-the-mill university, a quick look at lists from ranking outlets will prove otherwise.

According to the most respected outlet U.S. News & World Report, Emory is the 21st best school in the nation, coming in above the University of California at Berkley, Georgetown University, and the University of Michigan. The school earns similar recognition on the site’s list for Best Value Schools, also coming in at number 21.

Niche.com concurs with the findings of U.S. News, awarding Emory with an A+ grade overall. The site points to Emory’s strong academics, overall value, and diversity. 

Emory also comes out quite well on the site’s specialized list, ranking among the top ten on the lists for Best Christian Schools in America, Best Colleges for Nursing in America, and Best Colleges for Chemistry in America.

As these numbers show, Emory is one of the best schools in the United States.


Emory Traditions

Emory’s proud history doesn’t just stop with academics. Over the decades, Emory students have established unique traditions to connect newcomers to the school’s past.

Every week, students and faculty celebrate Wonderful Wednesday, an opportunity to break from the regular grind to relax and spend time together. 

Sometimes, Wednesdays are low-key affairs, no more than a nice meal in the food court. 

Other times, Wonderful Wednesdays constitute a significant event, as is the case with the annual kick-off, which takes place across Atlanta.

To help first-year students get to know their new students, the school hosts Songfest, a competition between those in first-year residence halls. 

The annual competition draws people from all over campus, to watch first-year students put on their best show, which is judged by second-year students. This connection between first-year classes and upper classes helps build cohesion on campus.  

This small sampling makes it easy to see that Emory strives to situate its students in the school’s larger culture.


Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at Emory

Emory may be a smaller campus than other schools of the same quality, but it has an incredibly active student body. Without question, the most popular clubs at Emory are the various Greek organizations. But if that’s not your thing, you can either start a new club or join one of the several already in place.

For those who have a heart for helping others, Volunteer Emory equips students for working in the community. 

For more than four decades, Volunteer Emory has been locating needs in the Atlanta area and letting members make real improvements.

Volunteer Emory ensures that learning doesn’t just happen in classrooms, from short one-day projects to weekly service trips to social justice education sessions.

Musically inclined men should check out No Strings Attached, the oldest student-run acapella group at Emory. Spinning out of an open-mic night in 1994, No Strings Attached has grown into a true school tradition. 

No Strings Attached puts on a campus-wide concert each year, and the group has performed at major events, including Atlanta Falcons and Braves games.

Best of all, Emory strongly welcomes the formation of new clubs. So even if you can’t find a place to belong among the school’s already great offerings, you can start a new club and gather with others.


What Sports Are Emory Known For?

While best known for its academic achievements, the Emory Eagles fields 18 varsity teams in NCAA Division III, earning recognition as a great sports school from the Directors’ Cup of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. 

Across its many teams, the Eagles have taken home 31 NCAA championships.

Perhaps the most successful programs at Emory are the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams. 

The teams have taken home 15 national championships since 2005, with the men’s team winning the 2022 championship, earning coach Jon Howell his second CSCAA National Coach of the Year award. Howell earned his first award in 2018, thanks to women’s swimming and diving team victories.

Emory is on the cusp of establishing a new winning tradition with its women’s golf team, which won the national championship in 2022. The victory came as the team broke the previous Division III record for a four-round total. The team posted a total of 23-over par 1175, almost 40 strokes less than the record last set in 2001.

So while the Emory Eagles may not sell as many hats and t-shirts as the Michigan Wolverines or the Duke Blue Devils, the school stands second to none in athletic excellence.


Why Emory?

As we’ve seen, Emory University is one of the best schools in the south. Emory has earned the respect of academics worldwide, a first-class private institution.

With that level of renown comes a great deal of attention, including many applicants. In 2022 alone, 33,517 hopefuls applied to come to Emory as freshmen. Out of that group, only 5,303 received letters of admission, for an acceptance rate of just 15.8%

While that rate is higher than the Ivy League schools to which Emory is often compared, it is undoubtedly highly competitive. Out of every ten students, eight will be rejected half of the time, and nine will be rejected the other half.

In short, the large majority of those who apply to Emory will not be offered admission. So why should you even try?

The answer to that question can be found throughout the rest of this article. In terms of academics, Emory is one of the best schools in the nation, with countless first-class thinkers and researchers doing their best work on its Atlanta campus. 

The school’s alumni have gone on to make a real difference in the world, setting a tradition that anyone would be proud to follow.

When combined with the university’s wonderful traditions and active campus life, it’s easy to see why the best and the brightest flock to Emory.

The post What is Emory Known For? Is Emory a Good School? appeared first on collegegazette.com.

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