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.