Sunday, February 5, 2012

Washington University

Washington University in St. Louis is one of the most selective and highly-ranked universities in the Midwest. Indeed, for both the quality of its programs and the strength of its students, Washington University is comparable to many of the East Coast Ivy League universities (with, Wash U would argue, a bit more Midwest friendliness). Washington University was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences, and it is a member of the AAU. Every undergraduate at Washington University belongs to a residential college, creating a small-college atmosphere within this mid-sized university.

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is a private university located a little over a mile from downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The university tends to place well in national rankings with particular strengths in education, law, medicine, and business. Because of its strong emphasis on research, Vanderbilt is a member of the Association of American Universities. Its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences earned the school a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. In athletics, Vanderbilt is the only private university in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference.

Rice University

Rice University earns its reputation as a "Southern Ivy." Located in Houston, Texas, the university boasts a multi-billion-dollar endowment, a 5 to 1 ratio of undergraduates to faculty members, a median class size of 15, and a residential college system modeled after Oxford. Admissions are highly competitive, with roughly 75% of students coming from the top 5% of their class. Rice has won high marks for its diversity and value. In athletics, the Rice Owls compete in the NCAA Division I Conference USA (C-USA). Rice has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, and it is a member of the Association of American Universities.

Notre Dame University

The University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, near South Bend and about 90 miles east of Chicago. The university boasts that its undergraduate alumni have earned more doctorates than any other Catholic university. The University of Notre Dame is highly selective and has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Roughly 70% of accepted students rank in the top 5% of their high school class. The university's 1,250 acre campus has two lakes and 137 buildings including Main Building with its well known Golden Dome. In athletics, many Notre Dame Fighting Irish teams compete in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference.

Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a large, competitive, private university located on a 240-acre campus in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb community just north of Chicago on the shore of lake Michigan. Northwestern has a rare balance of exceptional academics and athletics. It is the only private university in the Big Ten athletic conference. For its strengths in research and instruction, Northwestern earned membership in the Association of American Universities. For its strong liberal arts and sciences, the university was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Be sure to compare the Big Ten schools.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins has multiple campuses in the Baltimore area, but the majority of undergraduate programs are housed in the attractive red-brick Homewood Campus in the northern part of the city. Johns Hopkins is best-known for its professional programs in the health sciences, international relations and engineering. However, prospective students shouldn't underestimate the quality of the liberal arts and sciences. With a multi-billion dollar endowment and 10:1 student / faculty ratio, a teaching and research powerhouse. These strengths have earned Hopkins a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and membership in the AAU.

Georgetown University

Georgetown is a private Jesuit university in Washington, D.C. The school's location in the capital has contributed to its sizable international student population, and the popularity of the International Relations major. Bill Clinton stands out among Georgetown's notable alumni. Over half of Georgetown students take advantage of the many study abroad opportunities, and the university recently opened a campus in Qatar. For strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, Georgetown was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. On the athletic front, the Georgetown Hoyas compete in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference.