College Review: Bennington College
Founded in 1932 by educators who felt traditional colleges were too rigid and conservative, Bennington College has always done things differently. Located in the fifth-largest town in Vermont, Bennington is a school for students who want freedom—with structure. With just 800 undergraduates and about 1,200 grad students (not all of whom live on campus), the community is small but ambitious, creative, and tightly woven. The campus itself is modern, with sleek, clean-lined buildings set against a backdrop of trees, trails, and wide-open views of the Green Mountains. You're never far from nature here, and many students take full advantage of [...]
College Review: Middlebury College
Founded in 1800, Middlebury College is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the country—and it’s long been known as a place where ideas, community, and global citizenship converge. With just under 2,800 students, Middlebury offers a highly personal experience set against a backdrop of mountains, hiking trails, and snowy ski days. When Lisa visited with a group of college counselors, the landscaping didn’t exactly wow her (more “functional” than “picturesque”), but the academics, student life, and campus culture left a strong impression. Academic Excellence and Flexibility Middlebury students enjoy the best of both worlds: a core curriculum that [...]
College Review: University of Vermont
Lisa visited the University of Vermont (UVM) in September 2025 with a group of fellow college counselors, and it was immediately clear: this is a flagship that punches above its weight. Nestled in the vibrant, lakeside city of Burlington, Vermont, UVM blends academic rigor with a strong sense of community, inclusivity, and access to nature. Despite being the state’s public flagship, UVM feels more intimate than many of its peers, with just over 10,000 undergraduates and a manageable 1,300 graduate students. This smaller size gives students more personal access to faculty and resources, while still offering the full breadth of [...]
College Review: Champlain College
With only 1,700 undergraduates, Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont may be small, but it thinks—and teaches—on a grand scale. During my visit, I heard directly from President Alex Hernandez, whose energy and clarity of vision set the tone for the whole campus. His message was simple but powerful: Champlain’s mission is to graduate students who are truly career-ready—not just with degrees, but with portfolios, experience, and confidence to step right into the workforce. The “Upside-Down Curriculum”: Learn What You Love Now, Not Later Most colleges make students wait until sophomore or junior year to dive into their major. Not Champlain. [...]
College Review: University of New Hampshire
If you love the idea of a beautiful red-brick campus just 20 minutes from the ocean and an hour from Boston by train, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) might check all your boxes. Located in the charming town of Durham, UNH feels quintessentially New England—hilly, green, and walkable, with a main street full of pizza places, coffee shops, and friendly faces. With about 11,000 undergraduates, it’s big enough to offer endless opportunities yet small enough to still feel like a community. Strong Academic Programs and Hands-On Learning UNH is especially well-known for its marine science, biology, business, and engineering [...]
College Review: Dartmouth College
Our group of college consultants visited Dartmouth College on the first day of classes, and honestly—it was hard not to smile. The main courtyard was buzzing with energy: students laughing over a welcome-back barbecue, tossing frisbees on the grass, and clearly living their best lives. The sense of joy and community was immediate and contagious. Nestled in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth feels like a blend of historic charm and outdoor adventure. With its green quads, stately brick buildings, and tree-lined paths, it’s quintessential New England—but with a liveliness that’s all its own. A Legacy with Modern Purpose Founded in 1769, [...]