University of California--Berkeley in USA

University of California--Berkeley is a public institution that was founded in 1868. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 25,951, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,232 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of California--Berkeley's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 20. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,844 (2014-15); out-of-state tuition and fees are $25,064 (2014-15).

The University of California—Berkeley, often referred to as Cal, is situated overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Berkeley guarantees two years of housing for incoming freshmen in a number of residence halls throughout campus. There are more than 1,200 student organizations on campus, ranging from political groups to a hang gliding club and everything in between. Berkeley also has a thriving Greek life with more than 55 fraternity and sorority chapters. The California Golden Bears, Berkeley’s athletic teams, compete in the Pac-12 Conference and are known for their traditional arch rivalry with Stanford.

Berkeley is comprised of 14 schools and colleges, including a number of graduate and professional schools such as the School of Optometry, Graduate School of Journalism and College of Environmental Design. Other graduate programs are the highly ranked Haas School of Business, Graduate School of Education,College of Engineering, School of Law, School of Social Welfare,School of Public Health and Goldman School of Public Policy. Berkeley is well known as a hub of liberal student activity: the Free Speech Movement—a 1964 student protest at Berkeley in response to the administration’s attempt to remove student political groups from campus—gained widespread national attention. Distinguished alumni include former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley and actor John Cho of the "Harold and Kumar" films. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, scientific director of the Manhattan Project during WWII to develop the atomic bomb, was a physicist and professor at Berkeley.110 Sproul Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720-5800

Phone: (510) 642-6000

2014-2015 Tuition & Fees

$13,844 in-state

$25,064 out-of-state

Students

25,951 enrolled

48% male / 52% female

Admissions

Nov. 30 application deadline

17.7% accepted

Emory University in USA

Emory University is a private institution that was founded in 1836. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,836, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 630 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Emory University's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 21. Its tuition and fees are $45,008 (2014-15).

Emory University is located in the suburb of Druid Hills near downtown Atlanta. First- and second-year students are required to live on campus, but a majority of students choose to remain on campus for all four years. The Student Programming Council organizes events and performances throughout the year and has brought entertainers and musicians such as Tracy Morgan, Sean Kingston and Guster to campus in past years. A popular organization among students is Volunteer Emory, which oversees community service activities. The Emory Eagles have nearly 20 NCAA Division III varsity teams and are well known for their successful swimming and diving team. In addition to varsity athletics, all students are required to take two courses in physical education. There is a thriving Greek community at Emory with a number of fraternity and sorority chapters.

Emory is divided into nine schools and colleges, four of which serve undergraduates and graduates. Emory’s graduate programs include the highly ranked Goizueta Business School, School of Law, School of Medicine, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursingand Rollins School of Public Health. "Dooley’s Week," a tradition that takes place every year, is named for Dooley, a skeleton and "Lord of Misrule" who remains steeped in Emory legend. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, physician and CNN chief health correspondent Sanjay Gupta and activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu have all taught at Emory.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

Emory University is known for demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate education in the arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research. Emory encourages students to become fully engaged in the classroom and beyond and to create their own learning experiences, with top faculty committed to teaching and fostering undergraduate research in the sciences and humanities.

We have a diverse student body from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and over 100 countries/ territories. Our students and faculty enjoy affiliations with and access to some of the most revered institutions in the world, including Yerkes National Primate Research Center, The Carter Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our student-athletes are among the best in NCAA Division III sports, having recently won championships in Swimming & Diving and Tennis. Nationally competitive awards and honors recognizing Emory students include the Fullbright Fellowship, Goldwater Scholarship, Luce Scholar, Marshall Scholarship, National Science Foundation Fellowship, NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, and Rhodes Scholarship.

At Emory, students have four primary options for their undergraduate education. Entering freshmen can apply to Emory College, which offers a liberal arts education within the heart of a major research university. Students also can apply to Oxford College where they spend the first two years on Emory's original campus 38 miles east of Atlanta, transferring in their junior year to the Atlanta campus. Oxford and Emory College students can apply for junior year admission to the renowned Goizueta Business School to earn a bachelor of business administration. They can apply also to the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, one of the nation's top private nursing schools. As Emory College juniors, students can choose from 71 majors, including 15 interdisciplinary programs, and from more than 57 minors.

201 Dowman Drive

Atlanta, GA 30322

Phone: (404) 727-6123

2014-2015 Tuition & Fees

$45,008

Students

7,836 enrolled

43% male / 57% female

Admissions

Jan. 15 application deadline

26.5% accepted

Georgetown University in USA

Georgetown University is a private institution that was founded in 1789. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,636, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 104 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Georgetown University's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 21. Its tuition and fees are $46,744 (2014-15).

Georgetown University is situated overlooking the Potomac River just a few minutes from downtown Washington. There are numerous traditional residence halls, and freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus. Other students choose to live in the townhouses and apartments surrounding campus. Student organizations on campus include religious groups, media outlets and student government. The Georgetown Hoyas are part of the NCAA’s Division I and are well known for their dominant men’s basketball team, which maintains a fierce rivalry with Syracuse University and plays most home games at the Verizon Center, also home to the Washington Wizards. The popular chant "hoya saxa," a mix of ancient Greek and Latin that means "what rocks," gained prominence in 1920 and – contrary to popular belief – has nothing to do with Georgetown’s mascot, Jack the Bulldog.

Georgetown comprises several undergraduate, graduate and professional schools, including the highly ranked Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business, Law Center, School of Medicine,School of Nursing and Health Studies and McCourt School of Public Policy. Georgetown’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service also offers well-regarded graduate programs. The neighborhood of Georgetown surrounding the university’s campus houses high-end shopping, restaurants and bars. Notable alumni include former U.S. President Bill Clinton, actor Bradley Cooper, journalist Maria Shriver and Hall of Fame basketball player Patrick Ewing. The famous "Exorcist steps" used in the 1973 horror film "The Exorcist" are located just below Georgetown’s campus.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

As the nation's oldest Catholic University, conveniently located in the District of Columbia, Georgetown University offers its students the dynamic combination of accessible and prominent faculty, an extensive curriculum, and an exciting and culturally appealing location, as well as opportunities to complement the on-campus experience through internships, study abroad programs, and community service abound.

37th and O Streets NW

Washington, DC 20057

Phone: (202) 687-0100

2014-2015 Tuition & Fees

$46,744

Students

7,636 enrolled

45% male / 55% female

Admissions

Jan. 10 application deadline

17.1% accepted

University of Virginia in USA

University of Virginia is a public institution that was founded in 1819. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 16,087, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,682 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Virginia's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 23. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,998 (2014-15); out-of-state tuition and fees are $42,184 (2014-15).

Founded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville. It’s referred to among insiders as Mr. Jefferson’s University or simply The University. Only first-year students are required to live on campus, and many upperclassmen live in off-campus apartments or fraternity and sorority houses. Greek life is prominent at UVA with a membership that includes approximately 30 percent of the student body. The Cavaliers, known unofficially as Wahoos or ‘Hoos, are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference and are well known for their consistently dominant men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.

UVA’s graduate programs include the highly ranked Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, Curry School of Education, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine. UVA houses one of the 25 remaining original copies of the Declaration of Independence, called a Dunlap Broadside, in its Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. The school also has its own distinct lingo: The campus is referred to as the "grounds," the central quad is the "lawn," and students are either a first, second, third or fourth year. Former U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, journalist Katie Couric and former NFL player Tiki Barber all earned degrees from UVA. Famous writer Edgar Allen Poe was forced to leave the school after losing his tuition money to gambling, but his dorm room on the lawn is still preserved and on display for visitors.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

The University of Virginia offers the vast intellectual resources of a major research university, but fosters the intimacy, sense of community, and dedication to undergraduate life typically found at a small liberal arts college. While it is public, and welcomes women and men of every background, it also is highly selective and attracts students who seek challenges. Their motivation to achieve is matched by a culture of mutual support, openness, civility, and above all, integrity and trust. With its balance -- between cutting-edge scholarship and first-rate teaching, between rigorous academics and rewarding activities -- U.Va. offers an undergraduate experience with few equals.

Charlottesville, VA 22904

Phone: (434) 924-0311

2014-2015 Tuition & Fees

$12,998 in-state

$42,184 out-of-state

Students

16,087 enrolled

44% male / 56% female

Admissions

Jan. 1 application deadline

30.1% accepted

Carnegie Mellon University in USA

Carnegie Mellon University is a private institution that was founded in 1900. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,306, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 147 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Carnegie Mellon University's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 25. Its tuition and fees are $48,786 (2014-15).

Carnegie Mellon University, founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, is located in Pittsburgh, which offers dining and entertainment options as well as professional sports teams including the Penguins (hockey), Steelers (football) and Pirates (baseball). Only freshmen are required to live on campus, but the university guarantees housing for all four years, and the majority of students choose to remain on campus. Nearly 20 percent of the student population is affiliated with Greek life, which consists of more than 20 fraternities and sororities. The Carnegie Mellon Tartans compete in NCAA Division III competitions, and the Kiltie Band, which sports full Scottish regalia, performs at every home football game.

Carnegie Mellon is known for its programs in science and technology, but its seven schools and colleges include a College of Fine Arts and College of the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Its graduate programs include the highly rankedTepper School of Business, Carnegie Institute of Technology andSchool of Computer Science. Undergraduates at Carnegie Mellon have the opportunity to participate in research and can even receive grants or summer fellowships to support research in their field of study. Randy Pausch, author of the New York Times best-selling book "The Last Lecture," was a professor at Carnegie Mellon.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

Carnegie Mellon University is a top-tier global research university that has been a birthplace of innovation since its founding in 1900. Our award-winning faculty work closely with students in the classroom and laboratory. Our groundbreaking research yields new discoveries that impact people's lives, and our students are recruited by some of the world's most innovative companies. In addition to campuses in Pittsburgh, Silicon Valley and Qatar, Carnegie Mellon has programs in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America. Carnegie Mellon alumni, faculty and students are known for their powerful combinations of intellectual strength, creative spark, tireless work ethic and a commitment to problem solving. Today, more than 95,000 alumni live and work around the world, embodying founder Andrew Carnegie's famous words, "My heart is in the work."

5000 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Phone: (412) 268-2000

2014-2015 Tuition & Fees

$48,786

Students

6,306 enrolled

57% male / 43% female

Admissions

Jan. 1 application deadline

25.5% accepted

University of Southern California in USA

University of Southern California is a private institution that was founded in 1880. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,445, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 226 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Southern California's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 25. Its tuition and fees are $48,280 (2014-15).

The University of Southern California’s central campus, referred to as the University Park campus, is located in Los Angeles’s Downtown Arts and Education Corridor. USC has other campuses in L.A. in addition to sites around Southern California and in Sacramento, Calif., and Washington. Students can participate in the more than 700 on-campus organizations, ranging from religious groups to club sports. USC students are not required to live on campus, but the university offers housing in its 40 or so residence halls and apartment buildings. A thriving Greek life comprises more than 60 chapters representing more than 3,500 students. The USC Trojans compete in the Pac-12 Conference and are known for their legendary football program.

USC is comprised of the USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and 17 graduate and professional schools. The number of graduates exceeds the number of undergraduates at USC, with students enrolled in such programs as the highly ranked Marshall School of Business, Rossier School of Education, Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering, Gould School of Law, Keck School of Medicine and School of Social Work. USC is also well known for its Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and its highly esteemed School of Cinematic Arts, which has graduated students such as directors Judd Apatow and George Lucas. Films including "The Graduate," "Legally Blonde" and "Forrest Gump" all filmed scenes on USC’s campus.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology and international trade, the University of Southern California is a world-renowned private research institution enrolling more international students than any other U.S. university and operating an integrated academic medical center that serves more than a million patients each year.

USC operates from two main campuses. The University Park campus, south of downtown Los Angeles, is adjacent to the museums and recreational facilities of historic Exposition Park. With its park-like atmosphere and rich architectural history, the campus fosters a stimulating academic environment as well as a vibrant cultural community. The Health Sciences campus, northeast of downtown, offers world-class patient care, classroom and laboratory facilities that draw scientists, patients and students from around the world, forming a dynamic, interactive environment shaping the future of health care.

Within the USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and 18 professional schools, USC encourages all students to cross traditional boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge. The university offers bachelor's degrees in 162 majors. As of fall 2012, graduate students were enrolled in nearly 380 master's, certificate, doctoral and professional degree programs. With 155 different academic and professional minors, USC offers the broadest selection of any U.S. university. Selected students may participate in Thematic Option, USC's interdisciplinary undergraduate honors program. The Renaissance Scholars program honors students who study subjects across disparate fields.

USC also presents opportunities for travel, independent discovery, and addressing basic questions of human value and social challenges affecting our country and the world. The Global Scholars program honors undergraduates who excel both at home and abroad, the Discovery Scholars program recognizes students who demonstrate original research and creativity, and the USC Dornsife Scholars program honors graduating college seniors who combine the talents sought in the USC Discovery and Global Scholars programs with an added emphasis on positive human impact.

At the graduate level, each year the Provost's Ph.D. Fellowship Program supports 100 doctoral students who show exceptional promise. The USC Annenberg Graduate Fellowship Program funds cutting-edge study in communication and digital media, and USC's Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program offers grants and fellowships to increase the involvement of women in science and engineering. The new Provost's Postdoctoral Scholars Program in the Humanities eventually will attract up to 10 outstanding humanities scholars to USC.

The university also commits itself to fostering research with wide-ranging social impacts and is one of a few premier research institutions upon which the United States depends for a steady stream of new knowledge, art and technology.

Unusual among major research institutions, the University of Southern California is home to six arts schools, in the disciplines of cinematic arts, music, dramatic arts, architecture, fine arts, and dance. Other top-ranked programs include art history, creative writing, a master's program in professional writing and the new USC International Artists Fellowships, graduate fellowships for promising artists from across the Pacific Rim, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

The university's innovative and university-wide Visions & Voices arts and humanities initiative has few parallels in higher education. It features a spectacular array of events conceived and organized by university faculty and schools, including presentations by critically acclaimed artists and distinguished speakers, theatrical productions, music and dance performances, film screenings, lectures and workshops on both USC campuses, as well as a variety of opportunities to experience the dynamic cultural landscape of Los Angeles.

University Park

Los Angeles, CA 90089

Phone: (213) 740-2311

2014-2015 Tuition & Fees

$48,280

Students

18,445 enrolled

50% male / 50% female

Admissions

Jan. 10 application deadline

19.8% accepted

Wake Forest University in USA

Wake Forest University is a private institution that was founded in 1834. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,823, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 340 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Wake Forest University's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 27. Its tuition and fees are $46,200 (2014-15).

Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, just a few hours by car from skiing in the Blue Ridge Mountains or relaxing on the beaches of South Carolina. Campus Recreation offers intramural sports and outdoor trips such as kayaking on the New River, hang-gliding and sky-diving. The Demon Deacons, Wake’s athletic teams, are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference. When Wake Forest played rival Duke University in 1922 and won, a local reporter described the Wake players as "Demon Deacons," and thus, the mascot was born. Students must live on campus for six semesters in one of the residence halls. Greek organizations play a big role at Wake Forest, with a membership consisting of almost half of the student body.

Wake Forest is made up of six schools. Its graduate programs include those in the highly ranked School of Law, School of Business and School of Medicine. Undergraduates are enrolled in either Wake Forest College or the business school. About 60 percent of students take advantage of Wake’s study abroad programs offered in more than 70 countries around the world. Notable alumni include the shortest NBA player of all-time, Muggsy Bogues; legendary golfer Arnold Palmer; and journalist and talk show host Al Hunt.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

One of the nation's most respected private schools, Wake Forest University is a collegiate university recognized for its outstanding academic reputation and challenging liberal arts curriculum. With 4,500 undergraduates, the University provides the highly personalized attention characteristic of America's most selective private institutions coupled with the breadth and depth of a large research institution. Founded in 1834, Wake Forest is committed to personal education, inquiry and exploration, and service. The Graduate School for Arts and Sciences, along with professional schools in law, medicine, business and divinity, enrich the intellectual environment and provide robust resources to undergraduates, as do extensive programs in international studies, entrepreneurship and undergraduate research. The University further distinguishes itself through its beautiful residential campus, sophisticated computing and networking technology, and Atlantic Coast Conference athletic programs. The vibrant campus offers students opportunities to get involved, explore ideas, and take initiative to create programs and events of their own. Wake Forest professors embody the teacher-scholar ideal, which links exceptional teaching with fundamental research and discovery. This results in meaningful research opportunities for students and classroom experiences with professors who are relevant in their fields. Undergraduate classes are taught by full-time faculty, not graduate assistants. Wake Forest's motto, Pro Humanitate (for humanity), is at the heart of the University's identity and reflects a dedication to making a difference in the world. Volunteerism is a priority among Wake Forest students, who serve regularly at local agencies or travel around the country and the world to participate in various projects. Wake Forest is home to the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials, which works closely with industry leaders to transfer its groundbreaking work in nanotechnology to practical applications in the areas of medicine, manufacturing and national defense. The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is an international leader in the translation of scientific discovery into clinical therapies. Wake Forest received a significant grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support its new Humanities Institute and has developed new initiatives to support sustainability, entrepreneurship, public engagement, translational science, bioethics, and molecular signaling.

Box 7305, Reynolda Station

Winston-Salem, NC 27109

Phone: (336) 758-5000

2014-2015 Tuition & Fees

$46,200

Students

4,823 enrolled

48% male / 52% female

Admissions

Jan. 1 application deadline

35.2% accepted