Washington Monthly's Listing of Worst US colleges

Food for Thought

The Washington Monthly has compiled a list of colleges it regards as the worst US colleges.  The colleges on the list  have been ranked according to net price, average student debt, graduation rate  and default rate.





See full article at  http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/septemberoctober_2014/features/americas_worst_colleges051752.php?page=all

Cornell University

Located in the heart of Ithaca, surrounded by gorgeous gorges, Cornell University, a private institution, stands as one of the premier universities in upstate New York. Set on 745 sprawling acres of picturesque land, the university is home to 14 colleges and schools. The two largest undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

·         119 foreign countries represented at the university

·         International student enrollment – 19.13 % as of 2012

Cornell offers nearly 80 formal major fields, as well as challenging dual-degree programs and a score of interdisciplinary majors that cross traditional departmental boundaries.

Cornell Undergraduate Colleges and Schools are all autonomous in their programs, though students will graduate with a ‘Cornell degree’. Students are advised to be mindful of the fact that they are applying to a specific faculty/school within the university, and as such, their applications should reflect this, especially with some degree of sensitivity in their personal essays. They will be expected to demonstrate that their program of choice is not only best suited for them, but also that they would be a worthwhile addition to the student body. It is key then for students to be aware of what faculties offer and if their academic goals are in alignment with the faculty offerings.

FOR IB students: The University offers course exemption (depending on the school/college of choice) for grades 6 and 7 in the IDBP.

 Scholarships to Cornell are strictly need-based. No merit or athletic scholarships are awarded.

“With more than 1,000 student organizations on campus, there's a community for every interest. And what doesn't exist is easy to create.”

There is an expansive range of student activities at Cornell, providing a way for all to get involved in ‘campus life’. From sporting activities, (Cornell is home of  The Big Red- the name given to sports teams and other competitive teams) to film festivals, to hiking on the Cornell Plantations nature trails, there are many ways to integrate as a new student, and broaden the scope of the university experience beyond academics.

Housing- traditional Greek fraternity and sorority houses, of which there are approximately 70 chapters.

 

Dining- there are  ten All You Care To Eat dining rooms  where students can choose from hundreds of menu options, sampling and enjoying extra helpings at no extra cost. Additionally there are cafés, food courts, and coffee houses which offer an a la carte dining experience, with options as diverse as Trillium's six specialty food stations to the Cornell Dairy Bar's selection of ice cream, yogurt, pudding, and Big Red Cheddar, produced at Cornell's very own dairy processing plant.

Cornell Fun – SLOPE DAY - During the spring, a well-known celebrated day at Cornell is Slope Day. What started off ‘Spring Day’ as a gathering on the slope to celebrate the end of winter in 1901, has evolved to Slope Day when students, staff, faculty and guests enjoy a day of liberal activities. This year, guest artiste Ludacris headlined Slope Day with performances by Matt and Kim. 

Syracuse University

Syracuse University (SU) was founded in 1870 and is located in the heart of central New York in the city of Syracuse, home to over 650,000 people.  The University draws on world-class cities and offers special programmes in New York, Washington, DC and Los Angeles.  SU offers learning opportunities in over 30 countries. Students prepare for the world through research, study abroad, internships and community service.

The city of Syracuse has a population of over 700,000.  There are a wide range of activities available in Syracuse, including the Syracuse Symphony, Syracuse Film Festival, Syracuse Stage, and Syracuse Opera.

The total enrollment at SU is 18,200.
Total undergraduate enrollment is 13,400.
Total undergraduate international enrollment is 1,395.

SU has one of the first Schools of Journalism and fourth oldest architecture schools.

SU has 11 colleges: 9 undergraduate, 2 graduate.  They are:

School of Architecture
Colleges of Arts and Sciences
School of Education
David B Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
School of Information Studies
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Visual and Performing Arts -
Martin J. Whitman School of Management (ranked #4 for entrepreneurship)
College of Law
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs (recognized as one of the world's best graduate school of public affairs)

Most popular majors: management, communications, architecture, engineering, social sciences  

SU's Discovery program
The aim of the Discovery program is to set the tone for a student's college career with an inaugural semester in Florence, Italy, Madrid, Spain or Strasbourg, France. It is designed for select first-semester students who have an interest in arts, humanities, languages, international studies or social sciences.  The SU's Discovery programs provide an international foundation that expands the student's:
academic and professional options
foreign language proficiency
comprehension of global politics and issues

For more information, visit the SU website for webinars on the Discovery programs

SU is a world partner with 30 institutions which allow students to study abroad for a semester and receive credit.

SU Gap year program
International students living in Madrid or London and how decide to take a gap year can make the best of their gap year, while gaining college credit, traveling, working/interning and volunteering. Gap year students can take up to 3 courses (9 credits).

Admissions
Selective - Acceptance rate is 51%
Mean GPA: 3.69
Mean SAT 1162 (Critical reading and Mathematics)
The SAT/ACT is not required for international students studying outside USA, but it is highly encouraged. Possible Division athletes need to take the SAT/ACT to meet NCAA Eligibility.

Several schools are highly selective:
School of Architecture
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Visual and Performing Arts
S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Faculty to student ratio is 16:1
Average class size is 25

Studies
The SU student is able to customize his/her studies from a wide range of majors and minors.

Famous SU alumni
Joseph Biden, United States of America Vice President
Dick Clark
Bob Costas
Vanessa Williams, famous actress

Employment
95% of the SU 2012 seniors were employed after graduation 

Financial Aid
Merit scholarships up $15,000 are available to international students but there are limited merit based scholarships for international students. Need based aid is available to American citizens





       

10 Colleges That Award International Students the Most Financial Aid

Taken from US News Education website

Yale University (CT)
Amherst College (MA)
Williams College (MA)
Wesleyan University (CT)
University of Chicago
Skidmore College (NY)
Stanford University (CA)
Bates College (ME)
Trinity College (CT)
Harvard University (MA)

Please see link to read the full article

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/2014/09/23/10-colleges-that-award-international-students-the-most-financial-aid?int=ae4109

Ithaca College

Ithaca College (IC) is a private, residential college of 6700 students and has a 11:1 student faculty ratio.  Offerings include a blend of liberal arts education and professional preparation in over 100 majors in 5 distinct schools. IC is located in the college town of Ithaca, New York in the center of the Finger Lakes region. Ithaca, the town, has been ranked best college destination by the American Institute of Economic Research.  This is due to several factors:

Ithaca is Gorges - there are beautiful gorges and waterfalls in the area
Students make up half of the population as it is home to Ithaca College and Cornell University
It has an awesome local music scene
It has a huge range of great food
It is easy to get around
It has a unique and endearing local culture


Cornell and Ithaca are the 2 biggest employers in the town.

Total international enrollment is 170.  International students represent 2.5% of the student body.

The five schools at Ithaca are:
School of Business
Roy H. Park School of Communications
School of Humanities and Sciences
School of Health Sciences and Human Performance
School of Music

There are 100 undergraduate majors and 73 minors.  The most popular majors are:
Communications
Performing Arts
Business
Health Related Professions
Sciences

First year Profile -Fall 2013
Acceptance rate 65%
Mean GPA 3.27
Mean SAT 1779

Ithaca College is test optional

Integrated Core Curriculum
IC takes pride  in having an Integrated Core Curriculum (ICC). ICC is focused on a relevant real world theme of the student's choice, which he or she will examine from many different perspectives.  It incorporates courses in diversity, quantitative literacy and writing.

IC has a strong performing arts programme.  While on the tour, a group from the tour participated in a performance arts workshop where we learned the art of "hitting" a fellow performer. The students receive hands on learning with respect to theatre productions as they are responsible for all aspects of the production.   There is a strong network of theatre alumni and students who are referred to as the Ithaca Mafia.  Famous alumni include Jeremy Jordan from the the Broadway production, Newsies, Ben Feldman from Mad Men, Amanda Setton from Gossip Girls and the Mindy Project.

IC students are able to take courses at the nearby Cornell university if the course is not offered at IC.

There is a hallway which connects several buildings so students do not have to go outside to get to classes and activities, especially during the winter months.

October 5, 2014

It is important for students to be independent and ready for university/college life



October 5, 2014

What you should know before prepping for the ACT or SAT tests

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/2014/10/06/what-to-know-before-starting-sat-act-prep?int=95a608

Zits October 6, 2014

I am sure many students can relate



October 6, 2014

Haverford College

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2014/09/24/eastern-pennsylvania-college-road-trip-haverford-college?int=95a608

Bryn Mawr College

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2014/09/24/eastern-pennsylvania-college-road-trip-bryn-mawr?int=95a608

US schools which offer the most financial aid to international students

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/2014/09/23/10-colleges-that-award-international-students-the-most-financial-aid?int=ae4109

Solutions for Common Application mistakes

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/2014/09/15/students-offer-solutions-for-common-college-application-mistakes?int=95a608

Need blind vs Need based policies in US Colleges

Provides excellent explanation of need based vs need blind policies of US colleges

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/international-student-counsel/2014/09/16/contrast-need-blind-need-based-aid-policies-in-us-college-search?int=95a608

US Colleges with high application fees

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/2014/09/16/colleges-that-charge-the-most-for-applying?int=ae4109

US News Infographic on Paying for college

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2014/09/16/infographic-paying-for-college?int=ae4109

List of US post secondary institutions that have pending Title IX sexual violence investigations pending

Please see attached link for list

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/sites/default/files/copy_of_ocr_sexual_violence_-_open_investigations_-_higher_ed_-_7-23-14.pdf

Things to know about US college experience before applying

US News article

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/international-student-counsel/2014/09/09/what-to-know-about-the-us-college-experience-before-applying?int=ad9009&int=ad9009

10 questions every parent, student should ask about campus safety

Parents and students, please read this article.

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2014/09/09/10-questions-every-parent-student-should-ask-about-campus-safety?int=ae4109

Questions College Financial Aid Officers wish parents would ask

Questions College Financial Aid Officers wish parents would ask

 http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2014/09/10/7-questions-college-financial-aid-officers-wish-parents-would-ask?src=usn_tw

US News Latest ranking of US universities is available. Please see link below.  You should use the rankings very carefully.  Remember "fit" is more important than rankings.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/princeton--williams-take-top-spots-in-u-s--news-best-colleges-rankings-153155189.html?soc_src=copy

My Favorite College Essay Tip

My Favorite College Essay Tip

Is There An Easier SAT Testing Date?

Is There An Easier SAT Testing Date?

Applying to College Early Decision

Applying to College Early Decision



Interesting article on applying to College early decision

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Aerial of HWS

It was a beautiful morning when we visited Hobart and William Smith Colleges  (HWS).  We had a beautiful view of the area as we neared HWS.  HWS is located in the Finger Lakes Region.  It is one hour away from Rochester.  We drove through a small picturesque town to get to the colleges.

Total enrollment is 2368.  Total international population is 123 which represents 5.2% of the student body.

Five most popular majors are Economics, Art/Architecture, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Media and Society.

Financial aid is available to international students but they must complete the College Board's CSS Profile. HWS offers merit based scholarships and need based grants to International students.  The average amount of award is $34,267.  HWS does not offer 100% tuition scholarships.  The minimum family contribution is $3500. 

Scholarships
HWS is test optional.  However, some scholarships require SAT/ACT scores.  Biggest scholarship is $25,000.  See link to scholarship page    http://www.hws.edu/admissions/merit_based.aspx

I feel it is incumbent to mention that HWS that there was a recent article in the NY Times and other publications re a female student being sexually assaulted on campus.  The article is "Reporting Rape and Wishing she hadn't:How one school handled a sexual assault complaint" I know that HWS has taken several measures with respect to security as the Head of Security met with the group of college counsellors whilst we were on the tour.

Academics
Every student has to have 2 areas of concentration - either a major and minor or a double major.  The first of the majors must be a disciplinary major i.e. biology, music etc, the other must be interdisciplinary e.g media and society.  The rationale is that students need to have different perspectives to be able to do well in the world. 

HWS students must complete a course of study which includes
HWS's eight educational goals and objectives
First year seminar
Passing 32 courses.

The 8 educational goals are:
Effective communication skills
Critical thinking and argumentation skills
Quantitative skills
Experience scientific inquiry and understand nature of scientific knowledge
Appreciation of artistic expression
Grounded foundation for understanding differences and inequalities of gender, race and class
Critical knowledge of the multiplicity of world cultures
Foundation for ethical judgement and action

University of Rochester

Our trip to University of Rochester was on the afternoon of July 13 and it was still raining. Our first view of University of Rochester campus.

University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY.

Colleges/Schools/Departments
School of Arts and Sciences
Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Eastman School of Music
Simon Business School
Warner School of Education
School of Medicine and Dentistry
School of Nursing

Most popular majors are Psychology, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Economics and Political Science

Acceptance rate is 36%

International students represent 16% of student body

Financial aid
University of Rochester offers financial aid to international students.  The average amount of award is $20,679. University of Rochester has a 2 billion dollars endowment and it offers both need based and merit based scholarships to international students  Please note it is not need blind.

U of Rochester is oriented around self directed curriculum.  Students design their own major. U of Rochester does not have any general education courses.

U of Rochester has one of the best music schools in the world and has both conservatory and acdemic programmes up to the Ph.d Level.


Graduation rate is 87%

 Inside the foyer of Rush Rhees library

 Wilson Commons

The tunnels

For prospective students who are afraid of the cold in Upstate NY, U of Rochester has a series of connecting tunnels between several buildings.  Some of them are decorated by student groups

 

Inside the Eastman School of Music

A stage inside Eastman School of Music

Another stage in Eastman School of Music

Rochester Shuttle Express

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

RIT Global Village


RIT is located in Rochester in New York.

It was a rainy, bleak morning when we visited RIT.

College of Engineering

Toyota Production Systems Laboratory in College of Engineering

The total enrollment is 18,292.  International students represent 11% of the student body.  Rochester is the 3rd largest city in New York state. RIT has a 58% acceptance rate. Graduates receive a BFA os BS degree

Academics
RIT has 9 colleges
College of Applied Science & Technology
E. Philip Saunders College of Business
B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
College of Health Sciences and Technology
College of Imaging Arts and Sciences
College of Liberal Arts
National Institute for the Deaf
College of Science

RIT is test optional for international students( meaning you do not have to take the SAT or ACT).

RIT has over 20 accelerated dual degree programmes

RIT is a part of the Rochester Area Colleges consortium.  Students are able to take courses at the other schools at no extra charge.

The University calendar features 15 weeks of teaching.

Financial aid
Financial aid is offered to international students.  The average amount of the award was $8000. International students are eligible for merit scholarships. Merit scholarships can range up to $16,000. Applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships once completed application has been submitted.

Cooperative education
One of the features of the RIT experience is the cooperative or co-op education.  Co-op is full time, paid work experience directly related to course of study and career interests. Many of RIT's academic programmes require co-op. The length of a co-op can be one term or two consecutive terms.  Students get experience from internships and other work options.

Campuses
In addition to the main campus in Rochester, RIT has campuses in Dubai and Croatia.  Person can apply directly to Dubai, Kosovo and Croatia.

Academics
Top 15% of applicants are invited to participated in RIT's Honor programme.

Rankings
RIT is listed in 2014 Princeton Review's "Best 378 Colleges"
RIT's student incubator, the Simone Center for Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship ranked No 1 in the nation

  
 

Upstate New York Tour

I participated in the Upstate New York Overseas Counselor Tour from July 12 - 17, 2014.  It was a whirlwind tour which allowed the counsellors to visit 10 institutions

Rochester Institute of Technology
University of Rochester
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Ithaca College
Syracuse University
Colgate University
Hamilton College
Skidmore College
Union College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

I will be posting information and photos from each visit. 

Look out for later blogs

Applying to college is different this year

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patrick-oconnor/applying-to-college-is-di_b_5710871.html#es_share_ended

Welcome

Welcome to College counsellor blog.  In this blog I will share information about the college application process  and my college visits.