There are countless factors that go into finding the right college-Academics, Cost, Reputation- but an increasingly important factor can’t be found on campus- the town the college is located in. College towns are different than other American cities; these towns and cities are shaped around the universities that surround them leading to a surplus of activities off campus, whether it be the world class museums and restraunts of New York City and Boston or the outdoor activities of Vermont and upstate New York all offered on a student’s budget.
Burlington, VT
The picturesque small city of Burlington is nestled between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain offers not only a top notch education at the prestigious University of Vermont but a plethora of outdoor activities –whether it’s hiking the Green Mountains by summer or skiing them by winter- along with a bustling downtown boasting stores like The North Face and Banana Republic with first-rate restraunts- all on a student’s budget makes Burlington a town with option for every student.
Boston, MA
Home to over 50 colleges including Harvard, Boston College and Northeastern the city of Boston thrives on the energy from the more than 250,000 students that make their home here. Home to New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox, Boston serves as a haven for not onlysport fans, but students seeking a college experience in a city combining a great history with modern amenities offered by a world class city of Boston’s size gives the students of Boston options unrivaled by any city in America.
New York, New York
The city that never sleeps-home to such institutions as NYU and Columbia- allows for students to experience the best 4 years of their life in arguably the greatest city in the world. NYC offers more experiences and activities to its student residents than can be experienced in the 4 years they will spend there. The diversity existing in NYC allows for students of all walks of life to feel at home in a city of nearly 8 million also giving students a chance to experience what the world has to offer all just a subway ride away.
Ithaca, NY
This small city located about 4 hours north of NYC is home to 20,000 students studying at the Cornell University and Ithaca College. Located in the picturesque Finger Lakes Region, Ithaca students take full advantage of the glorious waterfalls and many lakes that surround the city of 30,000 giving student the opportunity for a world class education surrounded by the natural beauty of Upstate New York. For less adventurous students downtown Ithaca offers an excess of cultural activities-galleries, restraunts, museums-all within a student’s reach.