Ursinus College (UC)

Located just outside of Philadelphia, Ursinus College has done a remarkable job of building a "close-knit community" dedicated to helping students succeed with strong academics and "plenty of opportunities for leadership involvement through clubs, student jobs, and internships." The "liberal arts curricula [encourages undergrads] to explore different fields" and potentially uncover new academic areas of interest. Even better, there's a tremendous "focus on research." Students also rush to highlight the "science and pre-health prep program[s]," duly noting Ursinus's "high medical school acceptance rate." Some of that success can likely be attributed to "small" classes, which are a staple here. As one first-year student brags, "My smallest class size is seven and my largest is twenty-one." She continues, "I receive...[so much] attention that [it] makes it feel as though I have a seal team of PhDs looking out for me, and that is truly amazing." Indeed, professors here are "very supportive, intelligent, and passionate about the subjects they are teaching." And they work hard to make sure they're accessible. As one student shares, "Their office hours are incredibly flexible (at certain times and by appointment as well). I've gone into some professors' office hours three times a week for the entirety of the semester, I've had professors come in on Sundays to help, and I've been to their houses for dinner...I've grown substantially...with their help."

Students at Ursinus speak enthusiastically about their classmates. Of course, it's difficult to say something negative about people who "are always smiling" and "very welcoming." Undergrads do admit that the majority of their peers are "white [and] middle class": "While the college is homogeneous...in ethnic terms, it is ideologically very heterogeneous." As one undergrad explains, "I have encountered many ideas and beliefs that have challenged my own...[which] I very much appreciate." Students also stress that their classmates are "hardworking" and "down to earth." Moreover, as you might expect with college students, these undergrads also "tend to be curious." Indeed, "Everyone has something they really want to know more about." Interests and passions seem to run the gamut at Ursinus; you'll find everyone from "athletes [and] bio nerds [to] theatre kids" along with "prep[s and] hipsters." You "truly get a bit of everything here." Another happy student concludes, "Ursinus is a school where everyone fits in and you are encouraged to be yourself no matter how weird you may be. [It's a place that] appreciates people with different backgrounds, interests, and abilities."

We've been assured that "there's never a dull moment" at Ursinus. After all, the college "offer[s] so many activities [with which] to get involved." Extracurricular clubs range from a "premedicine help group...to a nerf club where [members] battle on the weekends in academic buildings." Community service is also pretty popular here too. For example, "on Saturdays, groups of people will generally wake up and volunteer at the soup kitchen or go to the local nursing home and either visit or sing songs to them." Once the weekend rolls around, you can certainly find "a lot of parties." Then again, that's probably a given considering that "many students are [involved] in Greek life." However, if you aren't down for drinking, it's not a problem. There "are always people who will just hang out and watch movies or play silly board games." Students who love to laugh will be delighted to learn that Ursinus sponsors a number of "comedy events," either "hosted by the UC improv club or...a guest comedian [brought in by the school.]" Finally, the "Campus Activities Board also puts on events multiple times a month that can be anything from trivia to Pinterest nights." It's virtually impossible not to have fun here!