Princeton University

Princeton University is the fourth-oldest university in the United States. It was founded in 1746, and has evolved into a private, not-for-profit university dedicated to promoting research, knowledge, and the development of skills to a diverse student body. Around 7,500 students attend Princeton, with more than 1,100 faculty members teaching them. Princeton houses 34 departments and offers undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and certificate programs. It is considered an Ivy League university, and has a strong history of producing graduates and faculty members that go on to acquire prestigious awards. Three faculty members have won the National Humanities Medal and 17 have won the National Medal of Science. In addition, 14 alumni and 21 faculty and staff members have won Nobel Prize awards. With such distinctive faculty, staff, and alumni, it is clear that Princeton University adheres to a high standard of education.

Programs Offered

At Princeton, undergraduate students begin their education with general classes that encourage their growth into well-rounded individuals. Students then move on to take courses specific to their major areas of interest. They can choose their concentrations from 34 departments, which include majors in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The graduate school offers advanced degrees in those fields, with an emphasis on both theory and practice. While enrolled at Princeton, students can earn certificates, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, or doctoral degrees. No matter the level of the degree they choose, all Princeton students will engage in research, seminars, and projects like theses or dissertations. In addition to academic programs, Princeton offers many extracurricular programs that provide cultural, athletic, and social learning opportunities.

Accreditation

Princeton University was accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 1921. Since then, it has continued to offer a high quality of education to its students, and therefore has remained recognized by the accrediting agency.

Admissions

Princeton recommends that applicants create an application package that accurately portrays their abilities, rather than focusing on meeting certain specific criteria. Princeton’s admissions department wants to see who each applicant is individually, and therefore views the application packet holistically. They are especially interested in seeing leadership qualities and community involvement, and encourage applicants to address those topics in their applications. All undergraduate applicants must submit an application, the Princeton application supplement, transcripts, two teacher references, a mid-year school report, SAT or ACT scores, SAT subject test scores, and essays. Interviews and supplemental art materials are optional.

Graduate application requirements vary based on the department, and Princeton’s website provides a list of those requirements. However, prospective graduate students can expect to submit transcripts and proof of bachelor’s degree, the application and associated fees, three letters of recommendation, mid-year grades, a statement of purpose, and a resume. Many departments require the GRE general exam, and some require the GRE subject exams as well. In addition, some programs require prospective students to submit a statement of financial resources. Other requirements are listed on the website.

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Washington and Lee University

Located in Lexington, Va., Washington and Lee University can trace its roots back to a classical school founded in 1749. In 1796, George Washington rescued the school from insolvency with a $20,000 endowment in stock. At the time, this was the largest gift to an educational institution in U.S. history. The same year, the school’s trustees changed the name to Washington Academy, before it became Washington College in 1813, when it chartered. Former Confederate general Robert E. Lee became president of the school after the Civil War in 1865 and remained so until his death in 1870, after which the school changed its name to Washington and Lee University. Today, Washington and Lee consists of three schools: The College, the Williams School, and the Washington and Lee School of Law. Combined, the university has more than 1,780 undergraduate students, with about 400 students enrolled in the School of Law. The school is ranked 12th among national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report.

Programs Offered

Washington and Lee University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9-to-1, and more than 70% of its classes have fewer than 20 students. According to U.S. News & World Report, the most popular majors at the school include business administration, accounting, economics, political science, and English language and literature. The College, Washington and Lee’s undergraduate liberal arts college, offers more than 40 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, both in-person, and online. Areas of study include art, chemistry, computer science, journalism, and more. The Williams School contains all of William and Lee’s undergraduate programs in accounting, business administration, economics, and politics. The School of Law at William and Lee offers both Juris Doctor and Master of Laws programs exclusively in-person.

Accreditation

Washington and Lee University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school is also accredited by the Association for Management Education International, the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, and the American Chemical Society. The School of Law is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and is approved by the American Bar Association.

Admissions

Students applying to Washington and Lee University must submit their applications by January 15 to enroll the following fall, or by November 15 for the early decision deadline. For first-year students, scores from either the SAT or ACT are due February 15. The application fee is $50. Washington and Lee is also highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 19%.

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Williams College

With funding from Colonel Ephraim Williams Jr. of the Massachusetts provincial forces, Williams College was founded in 1793. This private, liberal arts college was an exclusively male institution until coeducation was adopted in 1970. U.S. News & World Report ranked Williams College as the No. 1 national liberal arts college in their “2012 Best Colleges” report.

Programs Offered

Williams College offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs from 25 departments divided into three academic divisions: languages and the arts, social studies, and science and mathematics. The two graduate programs are Master of Arts in Policy Economics and Master of Arts in the History of Art. They offer a large number of undergraduate degree programs in areas such as geosciences, chemistry, political economy, religion, and environmental studies. Williams College also offers several programs that focus on cultural and language studies, such as Asian studies, Latin, Greek, Jewish studies, Russian, and Africana studies.

Accreditation

Williams College gained accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, in 1929. The NEASC is a nationally recognized regional accrediting organization.

Admissions

Williams College is very selective when admitting students and states that they only accept about 20% of applicants. Applicants are required to pay a $65 application fee and submit a Common Application, the Williams Supplement form, either their SAT results along with two SAT subject tests or their ACT results along with the ACT Writing Test, two letters of recommendation from past teachers, and a secondary school report completed by the applicant’s guidance counselor. If the program you are applying for has additional requirements, your admissions contact will let you know.

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Founded in 1861, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in the nation and the world. In the 2012 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” list, MIT ranked as No. 5 in the nation. Quacquarelli Symonds, an organization specializing in education and study abroad, ranked MIT the No. 3 best university worldwide. The same organization ranked MIT’s engineering program No. 1 in the world. Located in Cambridge, Mass., the university is just across the Charles River from downtown Boston. Enrollment stands at more than 4,000 undergraduates and 6,500 graduate students. The school primarily educates students in disciplines related to science and technology. It also offers more than 450 student groups, ranging from ethnic and cultural associations to activism groups and media organizations. Approximately 40% of the student body studies, volunteers, or interns abroad during their time at MIT.

Programs Offered

MIT offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through seven schools. Fields of study include architecture, management, science, humanities, arts, and social sciences. MIT also offers interdisciplinary programs, such as the Media Arts and Sciences Freshman Program, which exposes students to the intersection of technology, communication, and expression. MIT offers 32 undergraduate majors, the most popular of which are engineering, computer science, and the biological and biomedical sciences. Among its graduate schools are the highly ranked School of Engineering and Sloan School of Management, in addition to strong programs in economics, psychology, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, physics, and mathematics.

MIT also makes a portion of course materials available on the web for other instructors and motivated self-learners. The initiative, MIT OpenCourseWare, makes these materials available free of charge to any user, anywhere.

Accreditation

MIT is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. It has been accredited by this agency since 1929.

Admissions

MIT’s early action deadline is November 1, and the regular action deadline is January 1. Applicants must submit an application, letters of recommendation, official transcript(s), and test scores, along with the non-refundable application fee. Interviews are also strongly recommended. MIT’s regular acceptance rate is 10.1%, and its early acceptance rate is 10.4%.

MIT’s application consists of two components. The first part requests biographical information and the second requests essays, academic information, and information on extracurricular activities. Two letters of recommendation should be submitted. The first letter should come from a teacher in the math or science field, while the second should come from a teacher who teaches the humanities, arts, or social sciences. Supplemental evaluations are also welcome. MIT requires that students submit test scores from the ACT plus writing section, SAT, or TOEFL. Students must submit scores from two SAT II Subject Tests, in math and science. For math, students may take either Math Level I or Math Level II. In science, students must take subject tests in biology, chemistry, or physics.

Transfer applicants must submit three recommendations. One must come from a math and science teacher, but the remaining two may come from any college instructors. Transfer students must also submit all college transcripts.

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Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College is a private institution that was founded in 1864. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,542, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 425 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Swarthmore College's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 3. Its tuition and fees are $47,442 (2015-16).

Swarthmore College is located 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia – far enough away to have a 425-acre campus that is designated as an arboretum. The school was founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), but has no religious affiliation today. The school has more than 100 organizations that students can get involved in on campus, and about 40 percent of students study abroad. Swarthmore has about 20 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams cheered on by mascot Phineas the Phoenix. Its Greek life is limited to two fraternities and one sorority. Although only freshmen are required to live on campus, less than 10 percent of students live off campus.

Swarthmore College students can take courses at Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College through the Tri-College Consortium. Unlike most other liberal arts colleges, Swarthmore also offers an undergraduate engineering program. Swarthmore has many unique traditions, including the Crum Regatta, where students race homemade boats down Crum Creek; and Worthstock, which features live music, dancing and food. Notable alumni include Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief of astronomy in the Office of Space Science and "mother of the Hubble telescope”; former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis; and Robert Zoellick, former president of the World Bank.

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Amherst College

Amherst College is a private institution that was founded in 1821. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,792, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 1,000 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Amherst College's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 2. Its tuition and fees are $50,562 (2015-16).

Amherst College, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, is known for its rigorous academic climate. Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, which also includes Smith, Mount Holyoke,Hampshire and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Students may take courses at any of these colleges. Amherst offers more than 100 student organizations; the college banned fraternities in 1984. Amherst claims to have the oldest athletics program in the nation, along with the third oldest football field. The Amherst Lord Jeffs participate in NCAA Division III sports in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. The school is also part of the unofficial Little Three athletic conference with Williams and Wesleyan, which has lasted more than 100 years. Freshmen are required to live on campus in one of seven residence halls.

Amherst is an undergraduate college that offers degrees in more than 35 different majors. Amherst, known as "the singing college," has many a cappella groups, including the Zumbyes, the Bluestockings and Route 9, to name a few. Amherst is also taking great strides to become more sustainable, and it protects 500 acres of open land and water in its wildlife sanctuary. Notable alumni include former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, Prince Albert II of Monaco and former Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Harlan Fiske Stone.

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Williams College

Williams College is a private institution that was founded in 1793. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,045, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 450 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Williams College's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 1. Its tuition and fees are $50,070 (2015-16).

Williams College – located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, at the foot of Mount Greylock in the Berkshires – is one of the oldest colleges in the country. The school was originally a men’s college; women were first admitted in 1970. The college’s fraternities were abolished in the 1960s. The school’s traditions include a semiannual, schoolwide trivia contest and a Mountain Day each October when students hike Mount Greylock. The Williams Ephs, named after the school’s founder Ephraim Williams, participate in NCAA Division III varsity sports in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Williams is also part of the unofficial Little Three athletic conference with Amherst College andWesleyan University. The school requires almost all students to live on campus.

Williams College has three academic branches – languages and the arts, social sciences, and science and mathematics – and graduate programs in the history of art and economics. Williams has small class sizes, with a student-teacher ratio of 7-to-1. The school also has Oxford-style tutorials, which rely heavily on student participation. The college has seen many firsts: Its alumni society is the oldest in the world; it hosted the first intercollegiate baseball game; and its class of 1887 was the first in the U.S. to wear caps and gowns at graduation. The school has a tradition at each graduation to drop a watch from the top of the college chapel. If the watch breaks, tradition holds that the class will be lucky. Notable alumni include Elia Kazan, director of "On the Waterfront" and "A Streetcar Named Desire"; John Frankenheimer, director of "The Manchurian Candidate"; and Prince Hussain Aga Khan, whose father is the spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.

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Pomona College

Summary

Pomona College is a private institution that was founded in 1887. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,650, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 140 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Pomona College's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 4. Its tuition and fees are $47,620 (2015-16).

Pomona College is located in Claremont, California, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles near the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Pomona’s founders envisioned "a college of the New England type" when they created this school with small classes and strong student-faculty relationships. Pomona is a member of the NCAA Division III Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. On-campus housing is guaranteed if requested, and more than 97 percent of students live in the 14 residence halls, two-thirds of which contain single rooms. Pomona offers more than 200 student organizations. A well-known secret club called "Mulfi" has left cryptic notes with social commentary around campus since the 1940s. Students can also get involved with the three campus fraternities.

Pomona College has around 45 majors and offers a 8:1 student-faculty ratio. Pomona students can also take classes at the other six colleges in the Claremont Colleges consortium: Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. More than half of Pomona students study abroad through the nearly 50 programs Pomona offers in approximately 30 countries. "Ski-Beach Day" takes advantage of Pomona’s unique location: Students ski at a local resort in the morning, and spend the afternoon at a beach in Orange County. Notable alumni include former New York Times executive editor Bill Keller and renowned choral conductor Robert Shaw.

Pomona offers its nearly 1,600 students-evenly divided between men and women-a comprehensive curriculum in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. With a student-faculty ratio of eight to one, students have the opportunity to work closely and collaboratively with professors who are also top scholars in their fields. Students and faculty challenge each other in laboratories, classrooms, and co-curricular activities, and everyone benefits from the energy generated by such an assemblage of sharp and eager minds. Friendships forged among Pomona faculty and students frequently endure far beyond the four years of college. Few institutions offer Pomona's ability to combine intimate qualities as an average class size of 15 with such large-scale resources as a two-million-volume library. Fewer have enrolled as talented and high achieving a student body which is as happy with their environment and choice. As the founding member of The Claremont Colleges, a unique consortium of seven independent institutions on adjoining campuses, Pomona offers its students the experience of a small, academically superb liberal arts college and the breadth of academic and social resources normally associated with major universities. Students challenge and learn from one another not only in the classroom but also in daily life. On-campus housing is guaranteed, and few students choose to live anywhere else. The extraordinary ethnic and social diversity of its student body gives Pomona a broader mix of backgrounds than just about any comparable educational institution. Our location-within an hour of the Pacific Ocean, the Mojave Desert, the San Gabriel Mountains and the city of Los Angeles-informs and shapes daily life at the College. There aren't many places in the world where you can ski in the morning, play on the beach in the afternoon, and take in a major league baseball game or an opera at night. Beyond the recreational and cultural possibilities, our location offers unequalled opportunities for field study, community involvement and internships. Pomona students are so varied that they resist easy categorization. They embrace new ideas, take initiative, ask questions and challenge the status quo. They are as academically capable a group as any college or university can claim, and they are interested in doing something important with their talents.

Our students share a spirit of openness and collaboration. Our students are competitive but not cutthroat - a very important distinction. They work hard, but don't compare grade point averages to peers. Maybe it's the weather or the palm trees but, we tend to think it's something more: a cooperation fostered by faculty in the lab and classroom. Professors encourage collaboration, and many students continue working together after class, forming study groups that meet in the residence halls, in lounges and computer labs and over laptops and shakes at the Coop Fountain. Students come to Pomona from every state in the nation and from many other countries, from private and public schools, from large cities, suburbs and towns so small they don't appear on most maps. More than one-third are students of color, and a substantial portion are in the first generation of their families to attend a four-year college or university. To maintain the remarkable strength and variety of Pomona's student body, the College's financial resources are critical.

For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, admission decisions are made without consideration of a student's financial circumstances. Over half of Pomona's students receive financial aid from the College to support their study, and the College meets 100 percent of the demonstrated financial need of every enrolled student. This practice ensures that the most capable students will always be able to enroll at Pomona regardless of their financial circumstances.

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Middlebury College

Summary

Middlebury College is a private institution that was founded in 1800. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,526, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 350 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Middlebury College's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 4. Its tuition and fees are $47,828 (2015-16).

Middlebury College is located in the Champlain Valley between the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks in the small town of Middlebury, Vermont. The Middlebury Panthers have 31 NCAA Division III varsity teams and are members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Students can join more than 150 organizations on campus. For skiers, Middlebury has 17 trails on the Middlebury College Snow Bowl ski area. The school also competes in "Muggle Quidditch" and founded the International Quidditch Association based on the sport from the "Harry Potter" novels. Middlebury also hosts the country's oldest Winter Carnival, featuring a ski competition and music. All freshmen are required to live on campus and are assigned to one of five Commons, which provide academic and social activities.

Middlebury College's graduate programs offer a Master of Arts degree and Doctor of Modern Languages. The Middlebury Language Schools take place in the summer and offer instruction in 10 languages. Middlebury is also the home to the Bread Loaf School of English, as well as the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, one of the oldest and most prestigious writers' conferences. C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad has more than 40 schools in 16 countries for students to study abroad, and more than 50 percent of juniors study abroad. Notable alumni include former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer; playwright Eve Ensler, author of "The Vagina Monologues"; the members of the popular band Dispatch; and writer Jeff Lindsay, who wrote the books that have become the basis for the TV show "Dexter."

Located in the quaint New England town of Middlebury, Vermont, Middlebury College offers scenic mountain views and a rigorous liberal arts curriculum that is particularly strong in environmental studies, international studies, sciences, languages and literature. A commons-based residential life system allows students to pursue their interests in an intimate atmosphere while participating fully in the life of the larger college community. Success in NCAA Division III sports competition reflects a culture that embraces the importance of the scholar/athlete. The student body encompasses a broad array of cultures, ethnicities, religions and economic backgrounds, making up a vibrant community with numerous intellectual perspectives.

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Bowdoin College

Summary

Bowdoin College is a private institution that was founded in 1794. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,805, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 207 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Bowdoin College's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 4. Its tuition and fees are $48,212 (2015-16).

Bowdoin College is located in the coastal New England town of Brunswick, Maine. The Bowdoin Polar Bears compete in 31 varsity sports in the NCAA Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference. Bowdoin has nearly 100 student organizations. One of the largest and most active groups is the Outing Club, which offers 100 excursions each year. Peucinian Society, founded in 1805, is one of the oldest literary and intellectual societies in the country, with alumni including poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Bowdoin abolished fraternities in 1997 and replaced them with a system of college-owned social houses. Freshmen are required to live on campus and are assigned to a college house that provides residential social activities.

Bowdoin was a men’s college until 1971, when the school admitted its first female students. It was also one of the first selective schools to make the SAT and ACT optional on its application in 1969. More than half of Bowdoin students study abroad for a semester through more than 100 affiliated academic programs. Notable alumni include former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Melville Weston Fuller, author Nathaniel Hawthorne, former U.S. President Franklin Pierce, and human sexuality and gender researcher Alfred Kinsey—subject of the 2004 biographical film bearing his surname.

A liberal arts education at Bowdoin is not about being small and safe; it is about having the support to take surprising risks. That means caring more about the questions than giving the right answers, discovering you are good at something you did not think was your strength and making connections where none appear to exist. Bowdoin's curriculum offers a bold blueprint for liberal education designed to inspire students to become world citizens with acute sensitivity to the social and natural world. Its interdisciplinary focus encourages students to make connections among subjects, discover disciplines that excite their imaginations and develop keen skills for addressing the challenges of a changing world. Bowdoin students achieve at the highest levels but also lead balanced lives. Campus visitors frequently comment on how friendly everyone at Bowdoin is to visitors and how happy everyone seems at Bowdoin. This impression is supported by high retention, graduation and alumni giving rates. The connection to place is vitally important to the educational, social, service and recreational opportunities at Bowdoin. Maine is much more than the College's address.

A Bowdoin education is best summed up by "The Offer of the College": To be at home in all lands and all ages; To count Nature a familiar acquaintance, And Art an intimate friend; To gain a standard for the appreciation of others' work, And the criticism of your own; To carry the keys of the world's library in your pocket, And feel its resources behind you in whatever task you undertake; To make hosts of friends ... Who are to be leaders in all walks of life; To lose yourself in generous enthusiasms, And cooperate with others for common ends. This is the offer of the college for the best four years of your life. --Adapted from the original "Offer of the College" by William DeWitt Hyde, President of Bowdoin College, 1885-1917.

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Swarthmore College

Summary

Swarthmore College is a private institution that was founded in 1864. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,542, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 425 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Swarthmore College's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 3. Its tuition and fees are $47,442 (2015-16).

Swarthmore College is located 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia – far enough away to have a 425-acre campus that is designated as an arboretum. The school was founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), but has no religious affiliation today. The school has more than 100 organizations that students can get involved in on campus, and about 40 percent of students study abroad. Swarthmore has about 20 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams cheered on by mascot Phineas the Phoenix. Its Greek life is limited to two fraternities and one sorority.

Although only freshmen are required to live on campus, less than 10 percent of students live off campus.

Swarthmore College students can take courses at Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College through the Tri-College Consortium. Unlike most other liberal arts colleges, Swarthmore also offers an undergraduate engineering program. Swarthmore has many unique traditions, including the Crum Regatta, where students race homemade boats down Crum Creek; and Worthstock, which features live music, dancing and food. Notable alumni include Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief of astronomy in the Office of Space Science and "mother of the Hubble telescope”; former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis; and Robert Zoellick, former president of the World Bank.

Swarthmore College, a highly selective college of liberal arts and engineering, has empowered students to pursue their intellectual interests with purpose for 150 years. What lies at the heart of our community? It is passion. We do not trade in the type of motivation that is extrinsically imposed on you. That is coercion. We do not value a superficial reward. That is a pat on the head. We believe that it is hard to motivate in a vacuum, and that is why the caliber of the people around you makes such a difference. Everyone at Swarthmore embarks on an intellectual journey. The students are compelled to find their calling --- undauntingly and unceasingly. The faculty is inspired to collaborate with students on joint research projects, which helps students find themselves as scholars and leaders and doers. That sparks the kind of discussions you cannot stop thinking about. Before long, you are thinking of ways to apply your ideas, to make them more relevant to the world.

Whether that means advancing sustainability research, starting a microfinance incubator, founding a dance-based youth empowerment program in New Orleans, or making adaptations for blind students in the engineering curriculum, as a Swattie, you will have what it takes to apply your knowledge with meaning and purpose. The Honors Program brims with intellectual exploration, celebrating the free and spirited exchange of ideas through small-group interactions and challenging students to assert leadership with discussions. The College's Quaker roots manifest themselves in a cash-free campus, as the annual activity fee covers everything from digital printing and sporting events to campus movie screenings and dance performances. Swarthmore's robust financial aid program ensures affordability --- without loans. More than half of students received aid in 2014-15, with an average award of $43,250. Swarthmore makes admissions decisions for U.S. citizens and permanent residents with no regard for a family's ability to pay. If you are admitted, it carefully considers various factors and offers up to 100% of your family's demonstrated need.

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Amherst College

Summary

Amherst College is a private institution that was founded in 1821. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,792, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 1,000 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Amherst College's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 2. Its tuition and fees are $50,562 (2015-16).


Amherst College, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, is known for its rigorous academic climate. Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, which also includes Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Students may take courses at any of these colleges. Amherst offers more than 100 student organizations; the college banned fraternities in 1984. Amherst claims to have the oldest athletics program in the nation, along with the third oldest football field. The Amherst Lord Jeffs participate in NCAA Division III sports in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. The school is also part of the unofficial Little Three athletic conference with Williams and Wesleyan, which has lasted more than 100 years. Freshmen are required to live on campus in one of seven residence halls.


Amherst is an undergraduate college that offers degrees in more than 35 different majors. Amherst, known as "the singing college," has many a cappella groups, including the Zumbyes, the Bluestockings and Route 9, to name a few. Amherst is also taking great strides to become more sustainable, and it protects 500 acres of open land and water in its wildlife sanctuary. Notable alumni include former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, Prince Albert II of Monaco and former Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Harlan Fiske Stone.

Cost and Financial Aid

At Amherst College, 57.8 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $47,243.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs, or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.

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Great Southern Institute of Technology

Great Southern Institute of Technology has helped students set and reach their goals, and provided them with the confidence and skills they need to succeed, for 40 years. From our home in Albany we offer a broad range of qualifications and skills development courses to regional, online and international students.

Established in 1974, Great Southern Institute of Technology is the largest training provider in a region that covers an area of 40,500 square kilometres. The institute's capacity for training stretches right across that region operating at more than 10 sites, including four major campuses.

The primary campus is located in Albany, and additional campuses are in Denmark, Mount Barker and Katanning. Albany is the region’s administrative hub and accounts for 60 per cent of the region’s population of 54,000.

All hinterland campuses offer a broad range of qualifications, as well as professional and skills development courses to suit local community and business needs.

Nationally Accredited Training
Nationally accredited qualifications are offered from Certificate to Advanced Diploma level and many feed in to university pathways. Alternative study options are made available through external studies, delivery and assessment in the workplace, skills recognition, recognition of prior learning and through a blended delivery approach that offers convenience and flexibility.

The institute provides vocational education and training products within the Australian Qualification Framework, consisting of training packages and courses accredited with the Training Accreditation Council. Customised fee-for-service training is also available.

A Customer Service Centre operates at the Albany campus, amalgamating all student services into one centralised and easily accessible facility.

Regional Context
Great Southern Institute of Technology provides 95 per cent of the region’s vocational education and training delivery. The institute also delivers several VET programs with statewide and international reach.

This has been achieved through sound planning and strategic processes, and maintaining a client-driven culture where internationally recognised training services are developed locally in consultation with industry and agency partners.

This intimate context demands that the institute engages meaningfully with the community at all levels. It requires creative leadership and well-timed development and delivery of market-driven products and services.

In many ways, the institute's achievements are the fruits of its capacity to steward, respond, innovate and contribute proactively in the regional community.

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West Coast Institute of Training

 TO BE THE FIRST CHOICE OF STUDENTS AND INDUSTRY

West Coast Institute is the premier large training provider in Perth’s northern suburbs. With campuses in Joondalup and Clarkson, you can live and train locally in first class facilities.

DIVERSE RANGE OF COURSES

Offering exceptional vocational education and skill-set training in the areas of commerce and technology; health, education and social sciences; hospitality and culinary arts and trades, West Coast is a truly diverse learning environment.

INDIVIDUALLY-TAILORED LEARNING

At West Coast we value personal service. Our smaller class sizes ensure each of our students get one-on-one attention from their lecturers to really maximise their learning potential. West Coast students are part of a tight-knit, caring community.

The Institute also prizes flexibility. Students can choose to study our nationally accredited courses face-to-face, full time, part time, off campus or maybe even in their own workplace.

INNOVATIVE TRAINING TO MEET INDUSTRY DEMANDS

West Coast is a hub for some of the greatest industry minds and our staff are always striving to find innovative new ways to deliver training. All of our courses are guided by current and emerging industry requirements, ensuring that our graduates are able to tackle on-the-job challenges from day one.

The Institute has also developed five Academies of Excellence in areas of particular importance to the State’s workforce development.

BUILDING WORKFORCE CAPACITY

West Coast is passionate that people continue to train after they enter the workforce – it is good for them individually and it’s important for increasing productivity in their workplace. The Institute has a dedicated team that works with businesses to address their specific staff-training requirements.

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Flinders University

One of Australia's leading teaching and research institutions, Flinders University combines traditional values with a progressive outlook and a flair for innovation. At times, Flinders is also proudly unconventional.
Applications for courses have risen consistently in recent years, reflecting a determination to provide exciting and flexible options that reflect the needs of today's students, their future employers and the wider community. This includes undergraduate degrees and diplomas and postgraduate programs through to doctoral level.
On a per capita basis Flinders consistently rank among Australia's top universities for spending on research and experimental development and for the citation of our work in professional journals.
Flinders offers a wide array of undergraduate degrees. Depending on their interest, undergraduate students can take degrees which are related to study areas such as education, humanities and law, science and engineering, social and behavioral sciences and medicine, nursing and health sciences.
Students can gain entry into an undergraduate degree at Flinders through year 12 qualifications, foundation studies, special tertiary admissions test (STAT), TAFE/VET qualifications and higher education transfers. Flinders students are able to make industry connections and enhance their skills and experience through workplace and internship programs in Australia and overseas and by participating in the student exchange program.
For professionals who wish to further their career or want a completely different career, Flinders has a range of postgraduate courses. Postgraduate coursework will lead graduate students to graduate entry bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorates, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas.
Aside from postgraduate coursework, research degrees are also on offer at Flinders. Research degree types include masters by research degree, doctor of philosophy (PhD) and professional doctorate. Study areas include arts, biotechnology, business, clinical education, engineering, laws, science and theology.
Flinders provides a range of study online options for students. Selected undergraduate courses such as disability and developmental education, government and public management and theology are offered for external students. Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are freely available, short online courses that are available to anyone to participate in.
The university offers a range of Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters programs online. Students can study postgraduate course in many fields including Arts and languages, Business and commerce, Culture, heritage, tourism and theology, education, science, health and medicine and nursing and midwifery. Resources and information such as student help desks, forums, lecture recordings, academic and study skills help are also available for off-campus students.

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James Cook University

James Cook University is Australia's leading tropical research University. The University takes its name from the eighteenth century English navigator and explorer, James Cook. Cook's epic voyages in the southern hemisphere contributed significantly to the world of science. The University was proclaimed in Townsville on April 20, 1970.
JCU is a multi-campus university with the main sites located in the vibrant northern Queensland cities of Townsville and Cairns. Smaller sites are located in Mackay and Mt Isa. Affiliated operations with Holmes Colleges are in Sydney and Melbourne.
The University is a high-ranking research university with a strong focus on matters relating to the tropics. JCU enjoys an international profile, maintained and promoted through linkages with universities and research institutions world-wide. Graduates are provided with the qualifications and skills for entry into the global workforce. All degree programs emphasise the skills of critical thinking and problem solving, effective communication and familiarity with information technologies.
JCU works with local industries and professions to ensure that courses relate to employer needs. Work placement schemes feature in many degree programs, equipping graduates with valuable practical skills.
JCU offers a range of undergraduate courses that can be completed on or off-campus. For off-campus study, courses are delivered using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. Students can pursuit their interests through a variety of study areas which include arts and social sciences, business, creative arts, education, engineering, health and medicine and languages.
There are two pathways for undergraduate studies at JCU, bachelor degrees and diplomas. As for entry requirements, Year 12 applicants need to gain a Queensland Overall Position (OP) or equivalent interstate rank (TER, UAI, ENTER) that meets the entry requirements for the course they are interested in.
Postgraduate study at JCU falls broadly into two categories: coursework and research. Postgraduate programs come in many study areas which includes humanities and social sciences, business, health and medicine, education, creative arts, science, law and engineering.
To cater to the diverse lifestyle of postgraduate students, JCU offers different study options which includes part-time, full-time, distance study and online study options. Support programs such as academic support, financial assistance, postgraduate scholarships, personal support, health and wellness services and disability support are provided to graduate students.
JCU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses that can be completed off-campus via online means. These courses are delivered using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. External students can study a bachelor's degree, graduate diplomas, graduate certificates, master's degrees and even doctorates.
Students who decide to study online at JCU will get access to LearnJCU where they may be able to download podcasts and slideshows of lectures, participate in weekly activities and questions, engage in web based tutorials, download readings and interact through online discussion boards. Assessment may include participation in online discussion boards, essays and online exams.

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Edith Cowan University

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is an innovative university which prides itself on being relevant to the real world. ECU graduates are sought after by employers, as they are considered highly effective within their industries and are ready for the modern global environment. This is due to ECU's unique approach to education and focus on the right balance of practical and theoretical learning.
ECU is located in the beautiful city of Perth, Western Australia, which is well known as a friendly, safe, and cosmopolitan city with a Mediterranean climate.
ECU is a modern, innovative university, well known for its award winning facilities. All campuses are wireless and offer state of the art facilities and equipment. Many of the facilities including the Libraries and e-Labs are open 24 hours.
ECU delivers more than 400 courses, providing a pathway to a wide variety of traditional and contemporary careers. ECU Study Areas include: Biology, Chemistry & Environmental Science; Business; Communications & Arts; Engineering & Technology; Exercise, Biomedical & Health Sciences; Law & Justice; Nursing; Psychology & Social Science; Security & Computing; Sport, Tourism & Hospitality Management; Teacher Education; Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA); and Urban & Regional Planning.
ECU offers courses that are relevant and practical, and often the only ones of their kind in Western Australia or Australia. Such courses include Performing Arts, through the famous Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Aviation, Motorsports, Game Design, Photomedia, and Mechatronics
ECU undergraduate courses are grouped together into 12 broad study areas, making it easier for students to find disciplines and major subjects. The 12 areas of study include biology and environmental sciences, business, communications and arts, computing and security, engineering and technology, exercise and health sciences, law and justice, medical and paramedical sciences, nursing and midwifery, psychology and social science, teacher education and western Australian academy of performing arts. The minimum admission requirements for our undergraduate courses can include the indicative ATAR (TER) and English competency.
There are two ways graduate students can study for a postgraduate qualification at ECU - by coursework or by research. The majority of postgrad coursework disciplines offer Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters level courses. Study areas include environmental sciences business, arts, health sciences, law, medical sciences, nursing, psychology and social science and teacher education. The university also offers the flexibility and convenience of part-time and online study options.
Support services for postgraduate students are also provided by the university. This includes fully-accredited childcare centres on-campus and sport centres which offer short-term crèches during semesters. Learning advisers and academic skills and career counsellors are also in place to help students. ECU's graduate research school also provides loads of support to students who wish to apply for a research degree.


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Griffith University

Since opening its doors in 1975, Griffith University has come to be regarded as one of Australia's most innovative tertiary institutions. Griffith's five campuses (Gold Coast, Logan, Nathan, Mt Gravatt and South Bank) are located in the nation's fastest growth region, the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor. Students can enjoy easy access to Brisbane's social, cultural and recreational facilities and the attractions of Queensland's top surfside tourist destination. With a sub-tropical climate with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year Griffith is the perfect location to combine study with a great lifestyle.
On-campus accommodation is available at the Nathan, Mt Gravatt and Gold Coast campuses. Privately owned student accommodation located a short walk from campus is available at our Logan and Southbank campuses. Students also have the additional option of Griffith Homestay, a University based program that provides international students with the option of living with an Australian family whilst studying.
With more than 300 degree programs that students can choose from, studying at Griffith can provide students with great opportunities to further their education. Undergraduate students can take a course in areas of study such as business and government, criminology and law, education, engineering and IT, environment, planning and architecture, health and humanities, social sciences and languages.
Undergraduate degree programs at Griffith include bachelor's degree and bachelors with honors degree. For admission to Griffith's undergraduate degree programs, students will usually need the successful completion of a secondary school qualification equivalent to Australian Year 12. A portfolio, audition or interview may be required for admission to some degree programs.
Griffith offers a suite of distance education courses, designed to help students fit their learning style and lifestyle. Students can choose from many different fields in the undergraduate and postgraduate levels such as arts and humanities, business, education, health, information technology, law and justice and science and engineering. Study online programs at Griffith may also be delivered through the Open Universities Australia (Curtin OUA).
Support and resources are provided to students including a 24/7 access to learning resources, the flexibility to study anywhere and at any time, unique opportunities to communicate and collaborate with teachers and other students, access to a user-friendly assignment submission system, ongoing support, including a mobile app and access to teachers with experience delivering online education.
Griffith University has well laid support programs for overseas students. To ensure that international students are provided utmost comfort, support programs start as early as pre-departure. Students are given instructions about fees, how to organize their health insurance, how to apply for an Australian student visa, book flights, airport collection and temporary accommodation. They are also given information about Griffith per se.
Coming to an unfamiliar destination can be stressful so Griffith has prepared free airport reception. Once students are settled, Griffith Mates will guide them regarding enrolment procedures, university life preparation and international student events and activities. A week long orientation is offered by the university to introduce students to university-life. Aside from all these, Griffith offers a wide variety of international student scholarships both for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

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Macquarie University

Macquarie University is a modern, sophisticated and cosmopolitan leading provider of education in Australia which began in 1967. Macquarie is a university which prides itself on outstanding academic achievement and high quality research.
Macquarie University is located in the suburb of North Ryde, and is set on 135 hectares of bushland which includes a sculpture park, golf driving range, two hotels and many historical, scientific and cultural museums. The Macquarie University campus houses a Research Park which is well known and regarded.
The University strives to be at the cutting edge of research and technology, with an emphasis on innovation in all aspects of our curriculum. Innovation combined with a commitment to excellence has resulted in recognition for the University in a range of areas.

Macquarie University is a good place to study because it offers industry-relevant undergraduate degrees, provides students with overseas study and exchange opportunities in over 50 countries and has a vibrant campus life. In the undergraduate level, faculties include arts, business, human sciences, medicine and health sciences and science and engineering.
The study options offered at Macquarie include full-time, part-time, distance study, evening classes and mid-year starts. As for the entry requirements, Macquarie does not solely look at students ATAR ratings. Other pathway options are also available for students who have insufficient ATAR ratings. Macquarie also offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate students.
Macquarie offers many undergraduate and postgraduate study online programs in fields such as the arts, human sciences, science, actuarial studies, history, business and finance and psychology. Macquarie also has connections with Open Universities Australia (OUA).
The Centre for Open Education (COE) assists students undertaking external units or courses, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees by distance education. COE provides advice and guidance and, where possible, liaises with other University staff on the student's behalf.
Students are provided with different learning resources such as mobile apps, learning programs, student forums and chatrooms, CD's, assignment folders and wall planners and diaries. They can interact with tutors through audio, video, chat, and other interactive tools.

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University of the Sunshine Coast

The University of the Sunshine Coast offers a broad mix of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, Study Abroad courses, English language programs and research opportunities. The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) first opened its doors as the Sunshine Coast University College in 1996. In 1999 it was renamed to the current University of the Sunshine Coast. The main campus is on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland around 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Brisbane.
USC offers a range of single or double bachelor degrees. The university has almost 100 undergraduate programs to choose from, relevant to the real world and covering a vast array of professions. Students can also take courses through associate and combined degree, diploma and honours program. Aside from all these, students are given the opportunity to study overseas.
The basic entry requirement for undergraduate studies at USC is an ATAR qualification. However, for students who are not able to meet this requirement, there are a number of other pathways to gain entry into tertiary study. Examples include year 12, TAFE and the indigenous direct entry and access scheme (IDEAS).

USC's coursework programs are offered at graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master's level. Higher degrees by research at masters and doctorate level are also available. Postgraduate programs can enhance a student's previous degree, offer a change in direction, or create a new career.
To help postgraduate students balance study, family life and work, USC prepared study options such as part-time, full-time, online and external studies. There are two faculties at USC, the faculty of arts and business and the faculty of science, health, education and engineering.
USC sees the struggles that first-time overseas students experience in an unknown country. To address international student needs, the university begins its support services as early as pre-departure. Students are thoroughly briefed prior to their arrival in Australia. Discussions on student visa, health insurance, the essential documents to be packed and booking accommodations are all part of the pre-departure briefing.
Upon arrival, students don't have to worry for transportation as USC offers free airport pick-up. After students are fully settled, students have to attend a week long orientation which is scheduled by the university. Guidance services, language support programs, international student advisors, an International Student Centre and international student scholarships are all offered at USC.

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