<p>Here's a description of the schools from The Princeton Review. Read them and think about which college you'd fit in best with. Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>University Of Colorado - Boulder</p>
<p>"The University of Colorado—Boulder serves everyone from the most committed undergraduates to those who live by the motto “Skis and C’s get degrees.” The differences among students are many at this large research institution, but everyone agrees on one thing: The place is drop-dead gorgeous. Even those who tout at length the “opportunities to take classes and participate in graduate courses as an undergraduate, often in renowned academic departments” and the “chances for students to get published, receive grants, and develop relationships with prestigious faculty” can’t help appreciating the fact that “the skiing and snowboarding are the best here.” As one student puts it, CU provides students with plenty of resources “to pursue what they want (whether that be skiing, music, partying, or just about any outdoor activity imaginable) while also receiving a first-class education.” CU is also “a top engineering school” that has “great programs in the sciences and a strong commitment to scientific advancement”; the architecture, journalism and mass communications, and aerospace programs are also held in high esteem by students. Since the school is large there are many available academic choices; some here complain, however, that the school’s “core curriculum is overwhelming. It’s very hard to take classes that you want outside of your major because the requirements are too specific and too many. This contributes in a major way to the fact that it is not uncommon at all for students to graduate in more than 4 years.”
"There is a sense that “Most students are from upper-middle-class to upper-class families and are supported heavily by their parents,” at CU, although with a student population of more than 25,000 “there are also plenty of students who are not from wealthy families.” While “There is not much ethnic diversity” here, there are all types of people, from “liberals, conservatives, vegetarians, self-proclaimed nerds and computer geeks, hippies, jocks, savvy business students, poets, writers, [and] artists” to “scientists, partiers, and introverts. There is a group here for anyone.” While not all students are “focused academically,” those who are find many who share their interests. An interesting bit of trivia: “Almost everybody has an iPod,” several students observe.
"CU has endured its fair share of negative publicity in recent years. A football recruiting scandal and a radical professor who exercised his right to free speech to outrageous effect generated headlines, and the alcohol-related death of an underclassman added a tragic exclamation point. Students tell us that “Boulder needs to find a way to get itself out of the spotlight, because despite how wonderful it is, the media find a way of highlighting its problems, and that seems to be all that anyone knows about us, especially outside of Colorado.” There is, of course, so much more to life at CU; sure, “There are parties going on all the time where people can drink, but that is not all that CU has to offer. There are [also] hundreds of clubs that students participate in, along with a lot of fun intramural sports.” Intercollegiate football remains huge, the scandal notwithstanding. The Greek scene, though, has taken a bigger hit; these days “‘The Hill (the campus’ largest social scene) is heavily guarded by police, and the Greek system is under constant scrutiny.” As a result, “House and dorm parties are becoming very popular.” The best options for fun, though, are off campus, where “You can head up to the mountains to ski or snowboard, catch a concert at one of the many local music venues (from small clubs to Red Rocks), go to Denver (for free with your student pass), go camping, hang out on Pearl Street, or just sit at one of the many coffee shops in the city of Boulder.”</p>
<p>University Of Florida</p>
<p>"“It is often joked that we only pay tuition so we can have a football team,” one University of Florida student writes, but in fact UF provides “a quality education from the state’s oldest and most prestigious university” as well as top-flight football to its undergraduates. “The University of Florida is about finding out if you have what it takes to distinguish yourself from 35,000 other intelligent, talented people. It’s a reality check.” It also provides “tremendous” “networking opportunities.” A robust alumni network over 300,000 strong adds to the possibilities, and some undergrads to assert that, in addition to providing a top-notch education, UF delivers “a career in the future.” Stand-out programs include engineering, premed, and journalism. While the school “has its share of boring, unapproachable professors,” the “vast majority” are “available to help students throughout the week.” In fact, both professors and teaching assistants “are easy to access,” as they have “set office hours” that are “made very apparent to students.” UF’s administration “is not too bad, although there is so much red tape to get through that getting anything accomplished is likely to take half the semester.” Students appreciate that most administrative tasks can be accomplished “over the computer.”"
"The UF student body conjures to mind the “Greek macho man” and the “Barbie blonde” for many, but with undergrad enrollment around 35,000, “it’s hard to define the typical student” here. While the “large, sprawling campus” is home to “more students than can be observed,” even a perfunctory glance reveals “all kinds—jocks, Greeks, religious, political, nonreligious, out-of-staters, international people, intense athletes, and everything in between.” Some here tell us that “the typical student falls into one of two categories. Either the student is a know-it-all who graduated with an IB diploma and had a 4.0, or [he or she] is a slacker who somehow got into UF and now doesn’t take anything seriously except partying.” Because of UF’s size, “There’s a place for everyone to fit in, whether your thing is knitting, rugby, or video games.”
"“You can tell that students at UF like to have fun,” undergrads here agree, and fortunately for them the opportunities are ample. There is “a lot of stuff to do on campus,” and if partying is your thing, there are “37 fraternity/sorority houses” and “an ample number of clubs to check out” in downtown Gainesville. The Student Union also hosts “a bunch of different activities” and “shows recent movies in [its] theater, long before they come out on DVD.” Then, of course, there’s Gator athletics. “Almost everybody here is crazy about our sports teams, and team spirit is really high,” students tell us. One writes, “Sports, both intramural and intercollegiate, are very important. This is one of the main reasons people are drawn to UF.” Greater Gainesville “offers enough things to do” that “not being Greek does not hamper one’s social life.” Indeed, Gainesville “is a true college town—everything is catered to the UF student.” For outdoor enthusiasts, “There is a recreational lake that is university-owned, [and] students can go swim, boat, fish, or BBQ [for free].” UF is also located “within 2 hours” of the beach and “under 2 hours” from “theme parks in Orlando.” Students here are “always willing to drive the distance” to “away football games within the SEC (Southeastern Conference).”</p>
<p>University Of Minnesota - Twin Cities</p>
<p>"The University of Minnesota is an “insanely huge” “research institution” “in the heart of” the Twin Cities. You’ll find a wealth of majors here. Business is “superb.” Engineering is strong across the board. The U is also “a great place to study an obscure language” or virtually anything else you can imagine. There are more than 300 opportunities to work and study abroad. Local internships “and hands-on opportunities” are also ample. “The professors run the whole gamut.” “There are some amazing ones and some really terrible ones,” says a civil engineering major. Some faculty members are “brilliant” and “inspired people” who “enjoy teaching the material and getting to know the students personally.” Other professors “are knowledgeable but not always great at conveying the concepts.” “There are a few who can really be GPA wreckers,” too. Lower-level classes are full of “massive crowds of students.” The teaching assistants who “do the dirty work” are frequently “from foreign countries” and “have really thick accents,” especially in the hard sciences. “As your progress into upper-division course, the lectures rarely eclipse 100,” though, and you have more interaction with real professors. “The administration really seems to care about the students” and “the U is run very well for a university of its size.” Also, advising can be “beyond terrible.”
"“Students are generally from the Midwest somewhere.” More often than not, they are “right out of suburbia” or from “small to medium-sized towns” in “Minnesota or Wisconsin.” There are a lot of “tall,” “blond,” “pasty, white people” who “are ‘Minnesota Nice.’” “The U of M is a human zoo,” though. “It’s a school that embraces diversity.” “There are a lot of different ethnicities.” Some people are “snooty.” Others “grew up poor.” Some are “bubbly.” Some are “antisocial.” Also, “there is a microcosm for just about every subculture imaginable.” There are “the math nerds,” the “frat boys,” and “lots of hippies and artsy people.” There’s “a huge gay population.” “Preppy, athletic, emo,” and nontraditional students are also visible. Politically, “the conservatives add a good balance to the grand scheme of things,” but the campus leans left. Some students are “very politically aware.” “There always seems to be some group protesting or trying to convince me of something,” notes one student. Not surprisingly, “there is a limited sense of community” at the U. “It is too easy to get lost in the mass of people here, wandering among so many faces without knowing one,” laments a forlorn junior. Sooner or later, most everyone “is able to find their niche.” After that, “most people stick to their cliques.”
The “beautiful,” “very environmentally friendly” campus here is “spread over two cities and a river.” Consequently, “the ease of getting around campus is not the greatest.” Also, “frigid,” “crazy winters” are perennial. “By January, all you can see of students is their eyes,” observes a sophomore. “The rest of them are wrapped in coats, hats, and scarves.” “The snow is great for outdoor fun like sledding and ice skating” but “don’t come here if you can’t handle the cold.” Socially, “the U has everything, plain and simple.” You can have a “totally different experience than someone else.” “There’s a group for just about every interest,” and “there is always something to do, even on a random Tuesday night.” The campus provides a variety of events and “always has something going on during the weekends.” “Hockey games are always great” and sports are a “big thing.” “Partying is very popular but there are also a lot of people who don’t” participate. If you want to imbibe, though, “keggers,” house parties, and frat blowouts are frequent. There’s also quite a bit happening off campus. According to students here, “Minneapolis is one of the greatest places in the country.” “The music scene is unreal.” “Great art” and “gorgeous parks” abound. “Shopping at the Mall of America” is another favorite pastime. In some areas, “it is scary walking around at night,” but the neighborhoods near campus are generally “very young and energetic” and public transportation is “readily available and cheap.”</p>