For most high school seniors graduating this year post-secondary education is a part of the future. Whether, this Fall or after a year or so away, college is something most will experience. The future earnings statistics are clear. Anecdotal evidence is everywhere. Common sense agrees. Forbes concurs. Kiplinger says “Yup.” College is important.
Seniors who have just completed the college search and application process know how arduous selcting between colleges can be. “Where can I get the best education?” “What can I afford without acquiring crippling debt for the rest of my life?” Do I want to be a long way from home, or just a couple of hours away?”
Gildshire Magazines hears your worried concerns. We know these are important questions. We also know that the next 4-5 years will be ones you remember forever.
Will you remember them for the classes? Somewhat. Will you remember them for the big games? Sure, in part. What you will most remember, though, is the campus experience.
Here is some knowledge, free of per credit charge. The success you experience on the academic side of your college life is totally dependant on you. You can get a great education at Harvard and Yale. You can also get a great education at Montana State University in picturesque Bozeman. It all depends on you.
Do you like cities? Or, are you more comfortable in a small town? Would you like the diversity and opportunity of a large campus? Or would you like to know everyone’s name on the way to lunch? However you roll, these are our ideas for colleges with the best campus experience. This is the first in a three-part series. These are large Universities in large cities.
University of Southern California: “Fight on!” That’s what they say on this urban campus in the heart of the Southland. With an undergraduate population of 44,000, there is always someone with whom to do it.
Bovard Auditorium on the USC campus.
What will the two (or 200) of you do? It’s L..A., baby. Beaches, bistros, bandstands and barrios abound, and those are just the “B” words. It is said that as California goes, five years later so goes the rest of the nation. Well, as Los Angeles goes so goes the rest of California shortly thereafter. Cutting edge campus life, and Will Ferrell may do the Commencement Address.
University of Texas: With just under a million in population Austin barely qualifies as a large city, but it carries a vibe that proves everything really is bigger in Texas. The music scene, in particular, is out of this world. It’s Austin so every kind of music is represented on Austin’s famed Sixth St.
UT/Austin campus
The campus itself is home to over 50,000 undergraduate students, so there is always something happening without anyone having to leave campus. Basketball or football game? Hook em’ Horns! Club fair, jam session, food stand, party? Hook em, Horns!
Ohio State University: In the heart of Ohio is the largest city in the State. Yes, larger than Cleveland or Cincinnati, Columbus is home to Ohio State University. The city is a unique combination of government and fanfest for the Buckeyes.
OSU students are treated to a campus of great diversity. Greek life is big here, but so is spontaneity amongst the non-Greeks. Of the colleges on our list, Ohio State was the one most often described as “home.”
University Hall on the OSU campus.
Just off campus, the Short North neighborhood is a trendy place for dinner or a drink (that is once you’re 21). Later, walk on the Oval. If you are hand in hand with your guy or gal with the Orton bells ringing your love will last forever…as long as no one crosses your path.
Did one of these huge centers of higher education sound appealing? They sure sounded good to us. If you didn’t find one on the list watch this space in the next few days. We’re ranking large schools in smaller cities next. After that, we’ll rank small colleges for campus life.
