Check out this small eclectic community of Hiram College, OH.

 Hiram is the smallest of liberal arts in Ohio. Set atop a hill, the college aims to provide the best education with strong research opportunities both at the college and abroad-- a perk that almost 50% of the students take. The Hiram Plan allows students to cover a breadth of material in three courses during each semester’s longer 12-week session and to focus on a seminar-style class during the additional three-week term. Even non-seminars are small, though; 95 percent of Hiram’s courses have 25 or fewer students, allowing for an impressive degree of faculty accessibility. According to the Fiske's Guide: "Hiram offers several unusual summer opportunities, most notably the Northwoods Station up in the wilds of northern Michigan, where students choose courses ranging from photography to botany and geology to writing. And Hiram is the only affiliate college of the Shoals Marine Lab, run by Cornell University and the University of New Hampshire, which offers summer study in marine science, ecology, coastal and oceanic law, and underwater archeology." These opportunities makes biology, chemistry, and psychobiology one of the strongest programs offered by the college. 

Social life does not revolve alcohol as the dorm rooms are dry and strict about those rules. This means student hang out in dorm rooms while over age students can enjoy the student pub with alcohol and pizza. All in all the college is a great small school with a challenging academic program and a typical college social life. 

Learning about Kent State University's standout Architecture, Fashion and Business programs was a revelation.

Kent State University is a public institution that was founded in 1910. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,607, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 950 acres. Kent State University is located in northeastern Ohio, about 40 miles south of Cleveland, with seven regional campuses situated across the state. Students at Kent State can choose from more than 300 academic programs, including graduate degrees from the College of Business Administration, the College of Education, Health and Human Services and the highly ranked School of Speech Pathology and Audiology. Undergraduates at Kent State have a unique opportunity to earn a degree in peace and conflict studies, which is offered through the Center for Applied Conflict Management. One of the most popular studies courses in criminology. 

Outside the classroom, Kent State students can get involved in more than 200 campus organizations, including Greek life, leadership programs and community service clubs. There are also many events nearby at the Blossom Music Center, the Porthouse Theatre and the Wick Poetry Center, as well as in the neighboring cities of Cleveland and Akron. All in all a good choice for a student looking at a big public school in a small town setting. 

Amazing options to study business and music at Baldwin Wallace University, OH

Baldwin Wallace University (BW) is a private institution that was founded in 1845. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,382, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 150 acres. Baldwin Wallace University is a private school located in Berea, Ohio, about 15 miles southwest of Cleveland. Undergraduates at Baldwin Wallace University can choose from more than 50 academic programs to earn bachelor’s degrees in arts, science, science in education, music, and music in education. BW also offers master’s degree programs in business and education.

BW students can get involved by playing intramural sports, exploring the city life of Cleveland, or joining the school’s more than 100 clubs, which include about a dozen fraternities and sororities. Student athletes can play for the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets varsity sports teams, which compete in the NCAA Division III Ohio Athletic Conference.

Take aways from my visit. 

- BW's business program has close ties to the startup scene in Cleveland. Students can get GEIR visa status if they live and create jobs in the area.   

- Business majors interested in finance get hands on access to its new Bloomberg trading center

 - Marketing students can do live projects with SME clients. 

Learning about pathbreaking ideas at an artsy community of Oberlin College

Oberlin is not like other liberal arts college. It challenges students in different ways with experimental classes and an opportunity for students to take an unlimited number of classes grade-free. Situated in a small town in Ohio, this private liberal arts college is steeped in history and excellence. Oberlin was the first American college to accept women and minorities, and it was a stop on the Underground Railroad. That pioneering spirit has not faded. With diverse academic challenges ranging from cinema studies to neuroscience, "Obies" thrive on higher thinking and exploring their myriad talents. 

There are no requirements for freshmen at Oberlin, but general education requirements include proficiency in writing and math and nine credit hours in each of the three divisions—arts and humanities, math/natural sciences, and social sciences—plus another nine credit hours in cultural diversity courses, including a foreign language. Students are also required to take one-quarter of the semester hours needed to graduate outside their major’s division; those who shy away from math and science can satisfy distribution requirements by taking interdisciplinary courses such as “Chemistry and Crime.” Students must also participate in three January terms, during which they pursue month-long projects, traditional or unique, on or off campus. Academics therefore are competitive but social life is thriving. It isn't like a regular school, social life is built around discussions, poetry, and the occasional parties. All in all, Oberlin is one of the finest colleges in the country and will strive to make you a whole rounded person. 

There is something afoot on Cleveland State University's campus. The downtown spirit adds to the excitement.

Cleveland State University (CSU) is a public institution that was founded in 1964. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 12,443, and the setting is Urban. Located in downtown Cleveland, CSU offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs. About one-third of CSU students are there to earn a graduate degree, and programs offered include those in the Monte Ahuja College of Business, the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, the Washkewicz College of Engineering and the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. At CSU, many students have full- or part-time jobs, so the university offers flexible academic planning and convenient class times.

Outside the classroom, students can get involved in more than 150 campus clubs, about a dozen fraternities and sororities and three different student newspapers. The university also offers numerous Cleveland State Vikings varsity sports teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Horizon League. Off campus, CSU students can explore the city's museums, restaurants, professional sports teams and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Here are some takeaways from the information session I attended:With a budget $500 million dollar makeover of the downtown campus CSU has added to the renaissance of the city. The Ahuja School of Business attracts the most number of international undergraduates. Roughly 118 international UG students were admitted in Fall 2017. Several scholarship options in the college of business too. The college of engineering's new building will be ready by Spring 2018. CSU is launching a film school soon. The Mandel Honors College sounds appealing to high achieving students.

John Carroll University, OH

John Carroll University is a small private institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,153, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 62 acres. The institution is a Jesuit school located just on the outskirts of Cleveland. The university emphasizes the importance of a Jesuit education, especially through programs such as the Institute of Catholic Studies, the Ignatian Spirituality Institute, and the Cardinal Suenens Center for Theology and Church Life. John Carroll undergraduate students can choose from more than 50 areas of study, and graduate students can study in the College of Arts and Sciences or the Boler School of Business.

Outside of the classroom, students at John Carroll keep themselves busy with a full events calendar. Annually, there’s the Christmas at John Carroll celebration, the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser, and a spring concert with a major musical act. On the weekends, students participate in Late Night at John Carroll, a program with events such as ice skating and themed dances planned for each Friday or Saturday evening. Student athletes at John Carroll can choose from more than 10 club and nearly 15 intramural sports. There are also roughly 20 Blue Streaks varsity sports teams that play in the NCAA Division III Conference. 

JCU offers very generous scholarships upto $30000 per annum and the cost of attendance is roughly $54000. 

University of Akron

Finally moving to Ohio, I started at the University of Akron (UA) was founded in 1870 as Buchtel College to serve the needs of the Akron, Ohio region as well as those of the Universalist Church. Since then, the university has transitioned to a public, non-denominational school. Akron has been dubbed the “Rubber Capital of the World”, and the university is now home to the largest and most diverse polymer research and educational program in the country. UA offers a total of 256 undergraduate majors as well as a six-year BS/MD program with Northeast Ohio Medical University. When students aren't studying, they have access to the school’s Student Recreation & Wellness Center that boasts a 53-foot climbing wall, a lazy river and a weight room. UA also has a vibrant Greek life with 850 members participating in 14 fraternities and five sororities. As a member of the Mid-American Conference, the UA Zips compete in NCAA Division I athletics. 

Here are some fun facts:

• Akron is one of very few colleges that have a female mascot. Zippy the Kangaroo with a pouch.
• UofAkron recently announced full tuition room and board for international students. Only public university that does this.
• The regular Akron Guarantee Scholarship has an interesting upgrades plan which starts kicking in when students earn 30 credits or more.
• Lebron James went to high school in this town.
• The new President brings his long international career experience.
• Biomimickry research lab and the corrosion engineering major seemed impressive with a promise of a high paying career.

Here is the class profile the class of 2019

It was great visiting Northwestern University yesterday.

Just like Boston, Chicago is an educational haven with some of the greatest institutions in the world. Northwestern is 12 miles away from Chicago but makes the city proud. The Big Ten private school is know for its strong undergraduate liberal arts program, engineering school, and journalism. No matter what stream of education you pursue, the rigor is intense. The school believes in providing students with a education that promises a better life post graduation. The music school runs a five year program that trains students in orchestra level music but also makes students pursue another subject. Hence, when students leave after five years, they have two BA degrees. The journalism school is one of the best in the country with professors who have time in both research but also in industry. The dorms are inviting and the food is delicious. Social life is dominated by greek life with 38% students going greek, though other options do exist. All in all, Northwestern is a school with a public school feel but with a private school education (and price). 

Walking around the beautiful Evanston area was a treat after the visit.

Here is the college profile for the class of 2020

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a private institution that was founded in 1866. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,843, and the setting is Urban. The student-faculty ratio at School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 11:1, and the school has 86 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. Most students who go here get a bachelors in fine arts (BFA) in programs such as architecture, art therapy, photography and graphic design. Most students live on dorms in the city and love how close they are so much culture and food. Students also believe that the career center is helpful in finding internships and jobs after college. 

Know more about undergraduate admissions at SAIC

One of SAIC's many buildings in The Loop area of downtown Chicago.  

The fantastic exhibits at Art Institute Museum and nearly Millennium Park inspire future creatives. 

Join Arjun as he travels through the United States!

Trintiy University, San Antonio, Texas

Arjun will be traveling for the International Association for College Admission Counseling conference 2017 held at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. The annual event is a meeting place for thousands of college counselors and admissions staff from universities around the world. Along with this conference, Arjun will also be going on tour and visiting about 20 universities. 

Follow our blog as we bring you snapshots of the conference as well as unique insights, tips, and pictures of the different universities in Midwest! 

Here is a list of colleges that Arjun will be traveling to: 

1. University of Chicago
2. Northwestern University
3. School of Art Institute of Chicago
4. University of Akron
5. Case Western Reserve University
6. John Carroll University
7. Cleveland State University
8. Oberlin College
9. Baldwin Wallace University
10. Hiram College
11. Allegheny College
12. University of Pittsburgh
13. Chatham University
14. Carnegie Mellon University
15. Washington & Jefferson University
16. Ohio State University
17. Otterbein University
18. Ohio Wesleyan University
19. Kenyon College
20. College of Wooster 

Trinity University, TX

Trinity is a small liberal arts college in San Antonio with a lot of money. With an endowment of about $1.3 Billion, the school is one of the richest small schools. This can be seen at the impressive infrastructure. All students live in suite style apartments and study in popular programs such as engineering, Business, and Computer Science. The university makes sure students get some career experience. Students get a summer stipend of $4,000 for internships in the San Antonio area. Housing is great and students love the food. Social life doesn't just stay inside college walls but extends into the beautiful city. College sports is Division III where tennis and soccer have the strongest teams. Trinity offers a great education, housing, and that wonderful Texas weather! 

Here are enrollment statistics for the class of 2020

Texas Christian University, TX

TCU embodies everything about Texas. A huge football program with immense college pride, a burgeoning social life with almost half the students in greek life, and a strong academic program. TCU has great programs in nursing, business, communications, engineering, and child development. About 40% of the students do research during their time in college while others get internships and part time jobs in downtown Forth Worth. Speaking of Fort Worth, the city provides a great space for TCU. About 60% of the students live off campus in the city and the social scene is big with bars, clubs, and restaurants. If you are looking for good programs in business, communications, and nursing then you might want TCU on your radar. 

Here is a link to TCUs college profile

Rochester Institute of Technology, NY

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is the largest technological university in New York. Founded in 1829, this private school has a total enrollment of just over 16,000 students. The school has campuses in the US, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. The US campus has 9 colleges and 90 majors to choose from. The 1300 acre school has 2700 international undergrads with most of them taking courses in Computer science or business. The college boasts strong programs in CS, business and film studies. The film studies major has a bachelor in fine arts (BFA) degree option and a funding from George Eastman-Kodak. The institute is very career oriented with strong co-op programs. Rochester provides a good setting for the school as a college town filled with apartments, restaurants, and things to do outside of campus. RIT is a great school for film making and CS. And with opportunities to study in other RIT campuses, it can be a great investment. 

Here is an admissions profile about the Institute.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges, NY

Hobart and William Smith colleges provide a unique single sex college experience. Hobart is all men while William Smith is all girls however through a "co-ordinate system," Students from both schools eat together, study together, and even live together in co-ed residence halls, but also take advantage of unique traditions and programs generally reserved for single-sex establishments. Situated in the Finger Lakes regions of Upstate New York, the colleges have strong science and architectural studies programs, with about 30% of the student population majors in these programs. The college starts career planning from the first year with a first year career counsellor which helps conducting career assessments, and finding internships for the first summer-- something the institutions guarantee to each student. Social life is run by fraternities while there are no sororities. Geneva, the town near the school is equipped with the basics needed by every student but is no where close to the amenities provided by a large city. With a strong academic program and a focus towards life after college, Hobart and William Smith seems like a great choice.  

Here is the admissions profile for the class of 2020

Hamilton College, NY

Hamilton is a small liberal arts school in Upstate New York. It was founded in 1978 and sits around verdant greens. The college is proud of its open curriculum where students don't have general education requirements but can choose their own adventure. It has strong science and social science majors with Economics, Political Science, and Biology being the most popular programs. Students are involved in heavy research and a senior thesis. Students are fairly outdoorsy with hike trails all around the campus. Almost a quarter of the students are of color and social life is dominated by greek life. Going with the liberal arts trend, Hamilton is very giving when it comes to financial aid making the school great for academics and worth the money. 

Here is a link to the admissions profile for the class of 2020

Colgate University

Colgate is a small private liberal arts college in Upstate New York, with a student population of less than 3,000 students. The college boasts great academics and a D1 sports scene, something that is rare amongst liberal arts schools. The 300 faculty members work alongside students through a teacher scholar method, where professors teach classes based on their current research. The most popular majors are biology, economics, history, and political science. The school is big on research with opportunities of academic travel and summer research projects. Social life is largely run by greek life, recruitment for which only begins sophomore year. Colgate provides a great academic experience with a vibrant social life and opportunities to shadow alumni. With new residence halls coming up, this college promises an amazing four years. 

Here is the admissions profile for the class of 2020

Union College, NY

Founded in 1795, Union College is one of the oldest nondenominational  colleges in the country. The 100 acre campus in the Upstate New York has deep roots in providing a sound liberal arts and engineering education. The school has a "T-shaped" learning model where students are provided with a breadth of knowledge in their first year and a more in depth curriculum following your sophomore year. The most popular majors are political science, math, and mechanical engineering. Students have a senior capstone research seminar, and have the opportunity to study in the summer with many publishing their work in academic journals. The college has an intensive writing course as well as opportunities to study abroad for a whole semester and during the semesters in special classes where the students and teachers take a 3-3.5 week trip abroad. Greek organizations run the social life with 42% of men and women in greek life. Sports are big as well with Ice Hockey being Division 1 while the other sports are Division 3. In all, Union College has a great academic program and is a great option for students who are interested in science/ technology and liberal arts. 

Here is a link to the college admissions profile