Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Cornell University is unusual in that it houses four private and three public colleges.  If you are a New York state resident that means you can have the opportunity to get an Ivy League education at a state school price.  Cornell is well known for rigorous academics.  The engineering, architecture, and hotel administration programs are especially strong. 

The campus is spread out and very beautiful.  Gorges, ravines, waterfalls, lakes, and parks are all around.  The weather can be cold and snowy for much of the year. 

Freshmen live together on North campus.  Cornell's food is the best I've had on a college campus, hands down.  Greek life is popular and hockey is the most popular sport on campus.  There are more than 600 extracurricular clubs to get involved with.  Collegetown, which is next to campus, offers students plenty of restaurants and bars.

If you have visited or attended Cornell University lately, share your observations.

Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ

A student who wants a pre-professional or liberal arts education in a private school with small classes near the beach might find Monmouth University to be a good fit. The school is set on 156 acres and includes Woodrow Wilson Hall, a National Historic Landmark (pictured to the right).

The school has just under 4000 undergrads with housing on campus for 2000 undergrads.  Classes are small with an average class size of 22 and no lecture halls.  Experiential learning is part of the graduation requirement (e.g., internships, co-op education, and service learning courses).  Bachelors and Masters degrees can be completed in 5 years.  There is an Honors programs with a Senior thesis and special housing (if desired).  Merit awards of up to $16K a year are available.

The school has Division 1 athletics featuring excellent soccer teams, a nice athletic center, and sports fields.  There are 70 student groups with an involvement fair each semester.  Greek life, travel abroad, music, drama, theatre, a radio station and a TV station are available.  Students can travel to NY by train. 

If you've visited or attended Monmouth U, share your observations.

Time to Plan February College Visits

If you are a high school student with time off from school on President's weekend, plan a college visit.  On a week day during your break, visit a college that is in session.  Sign up, if needed, for a tour, information session, and to sit in on a class.  Take notes and photos to capture your college visit.

• For Seniors, visit or re-visit schools you have been accepted to (or are waiting to hear from).  Include an overnight stay if possible.
• For Juniors, who have a list of colleges they are considering, pick a school that is on your list. 
• For students who don't yet know what schools they are considering, use a visit to a nearby college to help you understand college characteristics better (e.g., whether you like big or small schools, whether you like city schools or schools in the suburbs, to see how you feel about a large lecture).

Share what schools you visited and what you learned.