I recently visited Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where I toured campus and spoke with the admissions office about the latest trends in admissions. Here are some takeaways from my visit:

· Trinity is a small liberal arts college of roughly 2,100 students. Historically known for a relatively conservative, white and preppy atmosphere, the school has diversified in recent years and features a wider range of students and political views than in years past.

· The residential campus, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted’s firm, is architecturally striking and reminiscent of another well-known gothic campus further south in Connecticut. Located about a 10-minute drive from downtown Hartford, the self-contained campus features flourishes like crests and Latin inscriptions that lend it a traditional feel. The on-campus film house designed by McKim, Mead & White, Cinestudio, screens independent and repertory works, while the chapel features a 4,416 pipe organ that students can study on.

· Unlike most liberal arts colleges, Trinity boasts a fully-accredited engineering program. Engineers at Trinity, however, should expect a healthy dose of liberal arts and writing coursework.

· Trinity has leaned into hands-on, experiential learning. There are over 200 credit-bearing internship opportunities that capitalize on Trinity’s urban location (relatively unique for a liberal arts college). Through Trinity’s Center for Hartford Engagement and Research (CHER), students put their learning and research to use on real world projects in partnership with community organizations. Political science and public policy majors benefit from being walking distance from the Connecticut State Capitol, where they can intern through Trinity’s Legislative Internship Program.

· Although there is no business major, economics is one of the most popular majors on campus. Bloomberg terminals and a finance club serve students interested in finance, and a new Entrepreneurship Center offers curricular and co-curricular programming for budding entrepreneurs.

· A Division III school and member of NESCAC, Trinity is an institution where students rally around their sports teams. The squash program is particularly strong. On the weekends, there are a range of on-campus activities, although Greek life is particularly popular.

I recently visited Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where I toured campus and spoke with the admissions office about the latest trends in admissions. Here are some takeaways from my visit:

· Although a “university” in name, Wesleyan, or “Wes,” is a de facto liberal arts college of just over 3,000 undergraduates and only 200 graduate students. As with many liberal arts colleges, it is 100% residential, and students enjoy small classes, ample research opportunities and an outstanding degree of personalized attention from faculty. Wesleyan’s slightly large size for a liberal arts college, flexible curriculum and strength in the arts help distinguish it from many of its peers.

· Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of Hamilton, wrote In the Heights while a sophomore at Wesleyan, and the school continues to be known for its strong (and portfolio-optional) arts programs. Outside of the classroom, there are also abundant opportunities in the arts any student can participate in, from a 24-hour playwrighting festival to music ensembles like the Mazel Tones (Wesleyan is 20% Jewish) to regular foreign, indie and documentary screenings at the college’s 400-seat film theater.

· At Wesleyan, it’s OK to come in undecided. The college likes students eager to explore their academic options and learn across disciplines, which the school’s relatively flexible curriculum facilitates. Given that flexibility, over half of students double major, and one in five even triple major. 75% of classes are under 25 students.

· The architecturally eclectic campus, located just under 30 minutes south of Hartford, is about a 10-15 minute walk from one end to the other.

· The student body is collaborative and supportive. Around 1/3 of students participate in athletics in some capacity (whether PE, intramural, club or D3), and athletes and non-athletes have a reputation for mixing seamlessly. The housing model is an intentional one of “progressive independence,” as students take on more responsibility and independent-style living with each year.

· Despite Wesleyan’s artsy vibe, computer science is a popular major, and a new design engineering program just launched this year. Students studying the natural sciences (including psychology and math) are eligible for a free 4+1 master’s degree.

· Students have lifetime access to the career center, which features a unique winter break program where students have the opportunity to do informational interviews with alumni.

I recently visited the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut, where I toured campus and spoke with the admissions office about the latest trends in admissions. Here are some takeaways from my visit:

· The University of Connecticut has seen a surge in applications, especially out-of-state applications (40% of students come from outside CT), in recent years. A scenic campus, robust school spirit and strong programs, particularly in STEM, draw students to Storrs.

· Located in rural CT (the university makes its own ice cream from campus cows), UConn created its own artificial “downtown,” a walkable, European-like agglomeration of buildings 10 minutes from the center of campus where students congregate. The four-acre campus is relatively walkable, and a shuttle also provides transit.

· Famed for its basketball teams (the Huskies have won 25 national championships), UConn is a place where students crowd into the Harry Gampel Pavilion to cheer on their winning teams. In part owing to the school’s rural location, students tend to be very involved in their 700+ student organizations. Greek life only draws 13% of students.

· UConn is most known for its strengths in STEM, including engineering, computer science, business and health. The computer science major features a cybersecurity track (hackathons are held on campus), and multiple makerspaces (open to all students) are located throughout campus. A concentration in entrepreneurship is available to business students, but non-business students can still take a course in entrepreneurship and benefit from UConn’s Worth Institute for Entrepreneurship. Opportunities to become involved and research are also bountiful.

· While UConn has just under 20,000 undergrads, its “learning communities” offer freshmen a more intimate feel. These faculty-led themed communities allow students with a common interest or background to take classes and engage in activities together and receive support from sophomore mentors and faculty. Many are residential communities, and each has its own dedicated space where students can gather. Entrance into one of these communities is not guaranteed, however: because space is limited, there is a lottery and waitlist, with only 35% of students participating.

· Introductory courses are large lectures. In addition to its learning communities, however, UConn provides extensive support to help students meet any challenges. Most freshman participate in First Year Experience courses, small seminars of 19 students that help them successfully transition to college life. Peer mentors are bountiful, and the Academic Achievement Center provides individualized academic advising, in-classroom coaching to teach students key study strategies during critical times of the semester, as well as additional layers of academic support. Career advising ensures all new students are on LinkedIn by Thanksgiving.

I recently visited Eastern Connecticut State University in Windham, Connecticut, where I toured campus and spoke with the admissions office about the latest trends in admissions. Here are some takeaways from my visit:

· Eastern Connecticut State University belongs to a rare breed of institutions: public liberal arts colleges. With 3,300 undergraduates and almost no graduate students, ECSU is also slightly larger than the typical liberal arts college, joining a small class of schools like Wesleyan and Colgate. Robust investment in undergraduate education and a sleek residential campus help define the undergraduate experience.

· The average class size is 21, with a cap of 40 and many courses closer to 10-15 students. Courses are discussion based and focus on active learning rather than lecturing. There are ample undergraduate research opportunities and extensive faculty mentoring.

· The curriculum emphasizes the liberal arts, writing, collaborative projects and service-/community-based learning. The largest majors are psychology and business. All psychology students complete an individual research project while receiving structured, one-on-one support from departmental faculty, with many students presenting their research at the New England Psychological Association. Students can also take advantage of an annual global field course.

· Some majors require internships, and both the career center and faculty help students secure them. Career education is also built into the curriculum.

· 85% of freshmen live on campus, and only 35% of students commute. Each residence hall is equipped with a gym. Given the quiet, small-town location (cows abound), students take part in the many campus activities run by student organizations, cheer on ECSU teams at D3 athletic events and take advantage of local movie theaters and parks. There is no Greek life.

· Out-of-state students enjoy nearly identical tuition to in-state students, and students admitted to the honors program receive a scholarship for full tuition and fees, along with access to an honors living learning community, colloquia and directed research courses.

I recently visited Washington University in St. Louis in Missouri, where I toured campus and spoke with the admissions office about the latest trends in admissions. Here are some takeaways from my visit:

· Washington University in St. Louis, or “WashU” for short, is one of the nation’s leading universities. A mid-sized, private institution with roughly 8,000 undergraduate and 8,000 graduate students, WashU combines high-level academics with a collaborative, supportive community characterized by Midwestern kindness, plush amenities and an urban backdrop.

· Although well known for its strengths in premed, biomedical engineering and computer science, WashU offers a range of programs in the arts & sciences, engineering and design and visual art. A special interdisciplinary program, Beyond Boundaries, allows a small cohort of students to explore a specific intellectual interest through a variety of disciplines.

· The average class size is 24, and only 3-5% of classes have 150+ students (typically intro courses in psychology, chemistry and other popular majors).

· Premeds benefit from the extensive opportunities available at St. Louis’s many medical schools and hospitals, including WashU’s renowned med school and Barnes Jewish Hospital. Research in all subjects is available to students starting freshman year. A new public heath major and minor are in the works.

· Although students are admitted to one division, many students double major, which can be done across divisions.

· All first-year business students participate in a small, cohort-based introductory business course in which they are assigned a real consulting case for a major company. The business school is globally focused (60% of students study abroad), and its new Bauer Leaders Academy will help students hone their leadership skills. Students can minor in the business of the arts or sports, as well as gain hands-on experience working at the multiple student-run businesses on campus.

· Co-ops are available for engineering students. Boeing, with its local footprint in the St. Louis area, is a popular destination.

· WashU is located in an upscale, suburban neighborhood replete with a movie theater, bars, restaurants and thrift shops. Students can also use either of the two metro stops on campus to head into downtown.

· 15% of students participate in Greek life. There are a range of student clubs and performing arts groups, and many students volunteer in St. Louis. There is robust school spirit, and the D3 football games are well attended.

· WashU students enjoy some of the best housing, food and amenities of any college in the US. Freshman live in South 40, a residential portion of campus that looks like an upscale ski resort and features large, modern dorms and multiple singles. On-campus dining options include a restaurant and pub, and, unsurprisingly for anyone who visits, the Princeton Review has rated the school #1 in the country for food and #3 for dorms.