The College of William & Mary

The College of William & Mary
The charter for a “perpetual College of Divinity, Philosophy, Languages, and other good Arts and Sciences” was signed by King William III and Queen Mary II of England in 1693, establishing the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. as the second-oldest college in America. The college severed ties with Britain in 1776, became state-supported in 1906, and coeducational in 1918. The first Greek-letter society, Phi Beta Kappa, was established at William & Mary in 1776, as well as the first student honor code and the first school of law in America. George Washington received his surveyor’s license through the College and served as the school’s first American chancellor. Presidents Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler, and James Monroe received their undergraduate educations at William & Mary. U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 “Best Colleges” list ranks William & Mary 33rd in the “National Universities” category, 6th in the “Top Public Schools” category, and 8th in the “Best Undergraduate Teaching” category. Other notable alumni include former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, actress Glenn Close, and comedians Jon Stewart and Patton Oswalt. The university’s five schools — Arts & Sciences, the Mason School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Marine Science, and the William & Mary Law School — administer 35 undergraduate departments and programs, including Africana studies, American studies, computer science, economics, military science, literary and cultural studies, sociology, and women’s studies. These five schools also offer 12 graduate programs and professional degree programs in business, education, law, and marine science. William & Mary sponsors more than 30 study abroad programs in 23 countries. The hallmark of a William & Mary education, as stated by the university website, is the “high level of student engagement which often translates into independent or faculty-mentored student research projects.” Students are expected to contribute to research efforts, and participating students are invited to share their results in an annual Honors Colloquium. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited the College of William & Mary since July 1921. The American Bar Association has accredited the Marshall-Wythe School of Law since January 1932, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has accredited the baccalaureate and graduate programs of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools since January 1973.

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pa. was founded in 1864 by the liberal Hicksite branch of the Society of Friends as an institution “under the care of Friends, at which an education may be obtained equal to that of the best institutions of learning in our county,” according to the university’s history. U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 “Best Colleges” list ranks Swarthmore 3rd in the “National Liberal Arts Colleges” category, 2nd in the “Best Undergraduate Teaching” category, and 5th in the “Best Value Schools” category. In addition, former Massachusetts Governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, and Nancy Roman, NASA’s first Chief of Astronomy in the Office of Space Science, attended Swarthmore College. Swarthmore emphasizes the relationship between its students and faculty with small class sizes (an 8 to 1 student-faculty ratio) and an Honors Program based on independent evaluation of a student’s work. Swarthmore offers two degrees: a bachelor of arts, and a bachelor of science in engineering. More than 600 courses are available in more than 50 programs of study including art history, biology, black studies, chemistry, classics, cognitive science, economics, engineering, film and media studies, history, linguistics, peace and conflict studies, psychology, and public policy. As a part of the Tri-College Consortium, students may enroll in courses at nearby Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges. Students may also cross-register for undergraduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania. The Honors Program allows for flexibility of course and project combinations, and examination. Honors candidates are evaluated by external examiners at the end of their senior year who assess the student’s overall level of Honors — Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors — which appears on the academic record. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has accredited Swarthmore College since January 1921. Swarthmore requires an application and $60 application fee, secondary school transcripts and class rank, standardized tests, essays, two teacher recommendations, and one counselor recommendation. An interview with admissions is recommended but not required. Regular decision deadline is January 1; early decision is due November 15.

Princeton University

Princeton University
Princeton University is the fourth-oldest university in the United States. It was founded in 1746, and has evolved into a private, not-for-profit university dedicated to promoting research, knowledge, and the development of skills to a diverse student body. Around 7,500 students attend Princeton, with more than 1,100 faculty members teaching them. Princeton houses 34 departments and offers undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and certificate programs. It is considered an Ivy League university, and has a strong history of producing graduates and faculty members that go on to acquire prestigious awards. Three faculty members have won the National Humanities Medal and 17 have won the National Medal of Science. In addition, 14 alumni and 21 faculty and staff members have won Nobel Prize awards. With such distinctive faculty, staff, and alumni, it is clear that Princeton University adheres to a high standard of education. At Princeton, undergraduate students begin their education with general classes that encourage their growth into well-rounded individuals. Students then move on to take courses specific to their major areas of interest. They can choose their concentrations from 34 departments, which include majors in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The graduate school offers advanced degrees in those fields, with an emphasis on both theory and practice. While enrolled at Princeton, students can earn certificates, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, or doctoral degrees. No matter the level of the degree they choose, all Princeton students will engage in research, seminars, and projects like theses or dissertations. In addition to academic programs, Princeton offers many extracurricular programs that provide cultural, athletic, and social learning opportunities. Princeton University was accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 1921. Since then, it has continued to offer a high quality of education to its students, and therefore has remained recognized by the accrediting agency. Graduate application requirements vary based on the department, and Princeton’s website provides a list of those requirements. However, prospective graduate students can expect to submit transcripts and proof of bachelor’s degree, the application and associated fees, three letters of recommendation, mid-year grades, a statement of purpose, and a resume. Many departments require the GRE general exam, and some require the GRE subject exams as well. In addition, some programs require prospective students to submit a statement of financial resources. Other requirements are listed on the website.