New in February

We recently paid a visit to some of the colleges and universities in the southern New England region of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and then headed down to Southern California to warm up….

Our first stop was Brown University, where a Seattle student reported the following:

"Brown has an excellent combination of urban/relaxed environments. Downtown Providence has a very urban, fast-paced feel similar to Boston, but the nice thing is Brown isn't directly in the middle of downtown. Also, downtown is only about 10 minutes away. Literally everything that you need is close by. With the exception of a really quality grocery store, EVERYTHING (including parties, events, downtown, movies, good places to eat, sporting events, train station) will always be within 10-15 minutes walking time. Also, going into Boston is about 45 minutes and costs seven dollars. The population at Brown is the perfect size. It's easy for me to meet new people all the time because of the size, but I can also count on seeing people I meet again because the campus isn't overwhelmingly large. Providence is a good place for people who have a lot of love for the West Coast and are worried about transitioning to the East Coast. People here are consistently very nice and helpful. Brown Admissions seems to have this thing where they only allow nice people into the school. I know it sounds cliché, but everyone I've talked to has spontaneously come to the same conclusion. The open curriculum is amazing. I only take classes I want to take."

Brown's historic Van Wickle Gate is pictured to the right (a less wintery photo of the campus is below left).

Our next stop was Connecticut College, which we highlighted in the November/December newsletter. We were reminded that Northwest students get to enjoy life near water and can pursue crew, sailing and other outdoor activities that transition well from the West Coast. Nearby, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (middle photo below) is the smallest of the five service academies and admissions is highly competitive. The admissions process begins earlier than that at other universities, and students who are considering this unique program should consider the weeklong summer AIM program to experience life as a cadet.

Back on the West Coast in Southern California, we visited the University of Redlands (right photo below) and had a chance to explore the new science building, as well as other excellent facilities. Athletics are popular at this Division III college, and 89% of the students live on campus all four years, creating a strong sense of community. Students at Redlands enjoy a 4-1-4 schedule. They can spend the January term on an overseas program or on campus, or can pursue other enjoyable opportunities. The Salzburg Program is owned and operated by Redlands, and is primarily attended by Redlands students. Financial and merit aid can follow students on overseas programs. Interesting programs include the global business major, the writing program at the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, and a dual degree program in liberal studies and teaching with credential.

See the February newsletter for more new information.