I recently visited Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, where I toured campus and spoke with the admissions office about the latest trends in admissions. Here are some takeaways from my visit:

· Furman University, although a university in name, is a de facto liberal arts college of just under 2,300 undergraduates and a handful of graduate students. Located on a scenic 750 acre campus set against a mountainous backdrop outside of downtown Greenville, Furman has its own lake, golf course (to which students have access), Zen garden and eco cabin where students can opt to live sustainably right alongside the lake.

· Furman students are actively involved in their campus community, with most participating in two-to-three different student organizations. Students are required to live on campus all four years, and concerts, performances, basketball games and other events all draw students on the weekend. 26% of students participate in Greek life, which is relatively non-exclusive and very focused on service. There are no Greek houses on or off campus, but Greek students can live in a dorm hall affiliated with their fraternity or sorority sophomore year. The campus climate is less conservative than at some neighboring Southern colleges, such as Wofford.

· Because the campus is so spread out, it’s easiest for students to have cars.

· Students can venture into downtown Greenville, which features a walkable urban core, upscale restaurants, a theater where Broadway shows performance, a Saturday farmers market and a large sports stadium.

· Furman’s First Gen Alliance supports first gen students on campus, and a number of Furman faculty were first gen themselves. There is a Student Diversity Council on campus, as well as a variety of diversity-related student organizations in which students can get involved.

· Furman hosts 18 Div I sports teams, and 13.4% of students are athletes.

· The average class size is 14, and professors have a reputation for being deeply invested in students. 90% of students intern, research and/or study abroad, and the university helps connect students to a database of internship opportunities from employers with whom Furman has relationships.

· There are over 70 areas of study, and students on campus have a wide range of majors and interests. Business and education are both popular, and the business program has five tracks students can choose from, including one in international marketing. It’s easy for all students to double major and/or minor.

· While most students are from the South, students come from 47 states and 43 countries, and around 15% of students come from outside the South, particularly the Northeast.