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

· Unique among colleges, High Point, a private, mid-sized university in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad, emphasizes helping students develop life skills that will benefit them throughout their professional and personal lives. These include effective communication, coachability, a growth mindset, emotional intelligence, motivation, gratitude, collaboration, adaptability, appreciation of differences and relationship building. All students are introduced to these skills through a required first-year course with the university president, and they are embedded into the curriculum throughout all four years.

· Located in the small city of High Point, the university’s gated campus is a 20-minute drive from Greensboro and a 30-minute drive from Winston-Salem. The campus has undergone continual expansion in recent years, and facilities and residence halls are more lavish than one would typically find at a college. Students can dine at one of three fine-dining establishments on campus, where trained staff coach students on proper mannerisms to help prepare them for the business world.

· A signature “In Residence” program invites high-profile figures from a range of industries to campus to teach and support students. Current innovators include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph.

· Classes average 20-25 students, and there are no large lectures. Experiential learning is woven into the curriculum and makes up 25% of every major. Students receive academic and career support at regular intervals.

· 99% of students reside on campus all four years. Over a third participate in Greek life, which includes co-ed professional and service organizations. The university completes in DI athletics and there is ample school spirit. On campus, students can enjoy a giant campus arcade, movie theater and range of student-led activities. 75% of students come from out of state.

· High Point is Methodist-affiliated, but there are no religious requirements. Most students are Christian, although there is a new Hillel House with a kosher kitchen and a growing population of Jewish students, as well as a religious space on campus for Muslim students. On average, students can be described as fiscally conservative and socially libertarian.

· The university features a range of programs and majors, including cybersecurity, nursing, engineering, communications and business. A 4+1 combined undergrad-masters program is available for many majors, with free tuition for the master’s degree.