The type of school you attend will affect how you live while you're in college. The environment that best suits you will depend on your education goals, your career goals, and your personality.
There are four basic types of schools: small, large, community, and military. The atmosphere, and your choices, will vary greatly among these. Here are some typical colleges that fall within these categories.
Small college
Otterbein College, located in Westerville, Ohio, is a private, four-year, liberal-arts college with about 2,900 students enrolled. Otterbein boasts a student to teacher ratio of 14:1 with an average class size of approximately 20 students. Freshman students are encouraged to live in the campus residence halls, while upperclass students may choose from apartments, traditional residence halls, or theme housing.
There are four local fraternities, one national fraternity, six local sororities, and five National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters. There are approximately 40 student organizations in which to get involved.
Large university
University of Texas is a research university located in Austin, the state capital. Over 48,000 students, 2,700 faculty, and 17,000 staff members call UT home. The university awards undergraduate degrees in 50 majors.
The University of Texas has 11 residence halls on campus, equipped with study rooms, TV rooms, vending areas, and laundry rooms. Each room has cable TV, ethernet, and telephone line. Freshman students are encouraged to live on campus while upperclassmen have housing options off campus. With the fifth-largest academic library in North America, more than eight million volumes are available to students.
UT is a member of the Big 12 Conference. In addition to men's teams in football and baseball and women's teams in volleyball, soccer, rowing, and softball, students can participate in intercollegiate athletic programs in basketball, cross country, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.
Community college
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), a two-year college, is located just outside of Washington, D.C. Approximately 60,000 students are enrolled. NOVA has five campuses and an extended learning option, allowing students to study at home. There are over 130 programs to choose from, and students can earn associates degrees, one-year or two-year certificates.
NOVA is a commuter-friendly campus and all students must live off campus.
Military academy
The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Admission to the USAFA requires a Congressional appointment and tuition is paid by the government. All students are required to live in the residence halls.
The U.S. Air Force Academy has 19 departments offering 30 academic majors. The faculty is composed of approximately 75% Air Force officers and 25% civilian professors.
Students can participate in collegiate athletics with a choice of over 40 different athletic teams. Cadets will study, march, and learn things like honor, discipline, and integrity. When you agree to attend the USAFA, you also agree to accept an appointment and serve as a commissioned officer in the Air Force for at least eight years after graduation-five of which must be active duty. |
