• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (aka MIT) admitted their first students for study in 1865
• MIT is located in Cambridge, MA
• Very competitive Admissions process – in 2009 10.7% of all applicants were accepted into MIT
• Currently there are 7 Nobel Prize Winners who are actively involved with MIT

When I was little, my Dad had me convinced that I was going to grow up with a degree from MIT, I would make a million dollars and buy him a Ferrari Testarossa (which I called a Ferrari Toaster Oven). So for the first 8-10 years of my life, that was my main goal. I didn’t know anything about MIT, how prestigious it truly was, or what type of career I would get from a degree at MIT.

Sadly, my course of study took me quite far away from anything affiliated with MIT, as I chose to go the route of Elementary Education. If I still had the drive to do some sort of engineering or more technological savvy career, however, MIT would be one of my top choices. For more information on MIT and the degree programs they offer, visit their website: MIT.

As noted above, the admissions office only accepts about 10.7% of all of the applicants they receive. They are very selective in the process. Currently, their degree offerings include:

• Bachelor of Science (SB)
• Master of Architecture (MArch)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master in City Planning (MCP)
• Master of Engineering (MEng)
• Master of Finance (MFin)
• Master of Science (SM)
• Engineer (each degree designates the field in which it is awarded)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Doctor of Science (ScD)

Undergraduate students also have the opportunity to test drive a few experimental methods of learning, including MIT’s Experimental Study Group (in which 50 freshman maintain a “close-knit” community through the learning process), the Concourse Program (which presents a variety of subjects in a more intimate setting), Media Arts and Sciences Freshman Program (which offers 25 students the ability to participate in research for communication), Seminar XL (a study program for students who want to explore courses deeper than the traditional college course. This program is facilitated by an instructor who holds two 90-minute groups each week).

There are a number of ways that students can learn at MIT. With such a selective admissions process, it enables MIT to try alternate methods of education. For more information on MIT and the degree programs they offer, visit their website: MIT.

• The University of Notre Dame is ranked #17 Best College in the United States by US News & World Report
• Founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
• Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, 90 miles from Chicago
• Very competitive admissions process
• Catholic University

 When most people think about Notre Dame, they think of one of the following:

• Excellent Academic Reputation
• A killer football team
• The Hunchback

Two out of the above three are correct. Hopefully you’ve guessed which two are actually affiliated with the school. The “Fightin’ Irish” definitely have great academics and athletics, which has helped build them a very strong reputation and each year, incoming freshman applicants have to face a very competitive admissions process (1 out of every 5 applications is accepted).

For more information about Notre Dame, visit their website: University of Notre Dame.

Academics

Students can enroll in one of the several schools within the University of Notre Dame. They include the School of Architecture, College of Arts and Letters, the Mendoza College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Science, The Law School, and The Graduate School. Notre Dame offers a wide variety of majors in engineering, business, liberal arts, law and science. Most of their programs are strictly “on-campus”, however there are a few online courses as well.

Athletics

The University of Notre Dame offers men’s and women’s athletics, in basketball, soccer, golf, lacrosse, swimming & diving, tennis, fencing, softball (women’s), baseball (men’s), football (men’s), track & field, and rowing (women’s). In a few words – something for everyone! Notre Dame is one of the “dream schools” for many student athletes because of their great winning history, as well as their passion for athletics in general. Very few schools have the popularity on a national scale that “The Fightin’ Irish” have, as evidenced by the school’s mascot on t-shirts, hats, and other paraphernalia in stores coast-to-coast.

Faith

On top of the great degree programs and sports, University of Notre Dame is a faith-based institution with campus ministry programs, an on-campus church, and a number of service-oriented programs for students.

For more information about Notre Dame, visit their website: University of Notre Dame.

• Villanova University is located in Radnor Township - right outside of  Philadelphia, PA
• The Augustinians have sponsored Villanova since 1842
• Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the AACSB International, and the Computing Science Accreditation Board
• Villanova University has been designated an arboretum with two, one mile self-guided walking tours on main campus

Villanova University is one of the top Higher Education institutions in the nation with more than a 150 year history. Villanova, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded by the Order of St. Augustine in 1842, and is the largest Catholic learning institution in the state of Pennsylvania.

Upon visiting Villanova, students will find a mix of old stone-front buildings, such as Alumni Hall (built in 1849) and Tolentine Hall (built in 1929) mixed with more modern architecture of the College of Engineering (built in 1997). The fact that Villanova has also been given the title of being an Arboretum, students enjoy beautiful scenery as they walk along campus paths between classes, to and from the dining halls, and upon leaving their dorm rooms to begin their day’s classes. If you are interested in learning more about Villanova, visit their website: Villanova University.

Villanova also offers more than 50 bachelor’s degrees and 35 graduate degrees from five colleges. Degree programs are offered in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Nursing and Law.

Villanova enrolls more than 10,000 students each year and is regionally accredited. Villanova’s top notch athletics include more than 20 NCAA Division I teams. A majority of Villanova’s faculty are experts in their field and hold the highest degree.

As for student life on & off-campus, there are a variety of faith-based organizations and service groups as well as Greek Life, theater groups, academic based clubs, and athletics. Villanova is also situated on “The Main Line”, which is home to several other neighboring colleges, and there are plenty of shopping and dining opportunities all within a short walk or drive. Villanova is also about 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia, and there are several bus routes and a train station on campus that whisk students away to the City of Brotherly Love.

Villanova has a great deal to offer students academically, atheltically, and socially. If you are interested in learning more about Villanova, visit their website: Villanova University.

• University of Maryland University College was established in 1947
• UMUC is located in Adelphi, Maryland
• UMUC is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• UMUC is governed by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents and certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
• With classroom locations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Europe, and Asia, UMUC provides award-winning online classes to students worldwide and has a global reputation for excellence.
• Solid, global reputation
• Offers dozens of online degrees in a wide-range of fields

Interested? Take 2 minutes and get complete details (pre-reqs, term start dates, program details, etc.) from University of Maryland University College.

History of University of Maryland University College

Founded in 1947, UMUC has built an institution of working adults that includes military personnel and other students around the globe that look to achieve their degree for higher learning. Adult students worldwide, choose UMUC as their school as it provides a an array of programs not offered at other institutions. UMUC greatly concentrates on having a global university and serves more than 90,000 students worldwide.

UMUC Online Programs

UMUC offers everything from Business and Management Programs to Psychology and Legal Studies. UMUC also puts you on the quick path to professional and academic credentials by offering certificate programs in your field of study. There are a number of options to explore in Graduate and Undergraduate Certificates.

UMUC Online Programs – What sets them apart?

UMUC makes is easy to stay informed and helps you through the process of “getting set up” by supplying you with different versions of online open housing and offers a wide range of options for you to finance your schooling.  Qualified teachers, real world experience and practical education accelerates you to get the degree you deserve!

Want to learn more? Take 2 minutes and get the complete scoop from UMUC.

UMUC Online Degrees:

• Business and Management
• Communication, Arts, and Humanities
• Computer Information Systems and Technology
• Legal Studies, Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Psychology, Social Science, and Science
• Business and Executive
• Doctor of Management
• Health Care Administration
• Information and Technology Systems
• Management, Accounting, and Finance
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Teacher Education

UMUC Online Program Tuition and Financial Aid

UMUC tuition for online programs varies depending on the degree program and level. Financial aid is available for qualified students including scholarships, grants, loans, and payment plans.

Need more info? Take a couple minutes and get the details you need (pre-reqs, term start dates, program details, etc.) from University of Maryland University College.

Source: University of Maryland University College website, 2008.