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Over 10 years ago I bought three vintage suitcases (over 100 years old) at various second hand stores and flea markets. When cleaning one of them I found a Panama Canal Medal in an inside pocket.I learned a lot about the canal and the men & women who built it. In addition to the heavy manual labor involved, the heat, humidity, Malaria and insects were oppressive. In their time off, there was nothing for workers to do except drink… and many became alcoholics. Eventually a pool hall and theater were added. Local labor was used as well as the US Army since the local men were accustomed to the conditions and the soldiers assigned to the Canal Zone had no choice but to stay. Going AWOL was pretty much out of the question as there was no way to return to the States. For civilians who signed on voluntarily to work there, most left after a few weeks or months.Of over 50,000 men and women who worked on the Panama Canal, only 7,404 received this medal, and 3,885 of those received a bar indicating the four years of service. The one I found, Roosevelt bronze medal #5205, was awarded by President Roosevelt for 2 years (1909-1911) continuous service building the Panama Canal; the bronze service bar #3228 was added for two additional years of service (1911-1913). Name inscribed on the medal: W. H. StoneI noticed several Roosevelt Panama Canal medals for sale on eBay and online coin shops at prices ranging from $500 to $750. I believed that the owner was unaware the medal was in the suitcase pocket when he sold it. I also realized that if he was old enough to be working in Panama in 1909, it was impossible that he would still be alive over 100 years later. The extra money would have been nice but I decided I would not sell it until I had done everything in my power to reunite the medal with the family of the man who earned it. Little did I know the search would take me nearly 10 years. Every time I seemed to hit a wall, I stopped the search for days or weeks and sometimes months, until I came up with a new idea or another approach.I tried fruitless searches using various terms on Google and Facebook. I didn’t want to advertise that I had the medal for fear that someone would falsely claim it only to sell it. I really had no idea how to find descendants of someone who lived over 100 years ago when I knew nothing about him (or her??) except initials and a rather common last name. No full name, no birth date, no hometown, etc.When my sister took a cruise through the Panama Canal, I sent the medal inscription information with her and requested that she query the canal expert who was lecturing on board how I might locate the rightful owner’s family. He didn’t know, but referred me to the George A. Smathers Libraries’ Panama Canal Museum Collection at the University of Florida in Gainesville.Online, at the George A. Smathers Libraries website, I found an entry for William H. Stone on page 188 of the Panama Canal Personnel Records matching his medal number. So at least now I had a first name in place of initials. Still, the search would have been so much simpler if he had a less common first or last name. There are many, many people online named William Stone including the governor of the colony of Maryland from 1649 to 1655, and a William Henry Stone who was a patriot during the American Revolution. Neither of them were related to the medal’s owner.I eventually found his canal Service Record Card online through the genealogical records of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. I gleaned bits and pieces of information and unrelated factoids about him along the way, but made little progress in locating his descendants.A message from Rebecca Fitzsimmons at the George A. Smathers Libraries in response to my voicemail there suggested that I contact the Archives in College Park, MD, which keeps construction period records on personnel employed by the Isthmian Canal Commission, Panama Railroad Company, or the Panama Canal from 5-4-1904 through 12-31-1920. However, she noted, they did not keep records on workers once they left work in the Canal Zone so would probably be unable to help me find anything about his living descendants.Weeks passed. I finally received a response to my email from an Archives Specialist at the National Archives Building in College Park MD stating that their Panama Canal records had been relocated to the National Archives in St. Louis, MO and suggesting I contact them since they also had military records and many Panama Canal employees subsequently joined the military.I contacted the St. Louis Archives. They reported that they had no relevant information but referred me to the National Personnel Record Center archives website. There I read: “On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the NPRC destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. The records affected 80% of the records on Army Personnel discharged November 1, 1912 to January 1, 1980.” According to a notation on his Panama Canal service record, William H. Stone was discharged in 1919 so that was most likely a dead end. (Hmm… I had to wonder: How could a fire in 1973 destroy records of personnel discharged in 1980?)I followed up with a phone call, hoping William H. Stone’s records were among the 20% that were not destroyed in the fire. The administrative Aide I spoke to took lots of information from me that she said she “would relay to staff who would get back to me in a couple of weeks”. Six weeks later, I received a letter stating that they do not provide services to locate living individuals. (So, does that mean that they provide services to locate dead ones?)Once I’d learned that “W” stood for “William”, a Google search of “William H. Stone”with “Panama Canal” turned up an entry on a William H. Stone, Jr. which, in spite of his name being the same, his being the right age to be William’s son, and having joined the Army to serve in the Canal Zone, turned out to be a red herring. No relation at all. Dead end.I had already determined that William was not in the Army between 1909 and at least 1913 while in Panama. He had to have worked on the Canal as a civilian since only civilians were awarded the medals and military personnel working on the canal were specifically excluded from receiving them, as they were “just doing their jobs”.Beginning 8-24-1909, at the age of 28, he worked on the canal for at least four years from that date to earn the medal plus one bar. The last entry on the service record lists him as a Deputy Inspector on 2-1-15. Per the service record, he was a machinist in the engineering department who was initially paid 65 cents per hour, but it appears that was gradually increased to either $1.75/hour or $175 per month (which is the equivalent of about $1.10/hour if he worked a 40-hour week). From the record card, it’s unclear whether he had been a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army prior to work on the canal or joined the Army after 2-1-1915. However, it’s very unlikely that he was already a Lt. Colonel by age 28. More likely, he attained that rank after his work on the Canal. It notes that he was discharged from the US Army on 6-21-1919, but subsequent information on his military tombstone shows that he fought in World War II so either he was not discharged in 1919 or he joined up again after that.At this point, I was stuck. I posted a question on Quora: “How can I locate and contact descendants of Lt. Col. William H. Stone (born 11-3-1880), a machinist who left his home in San Francisco to work on the Panama Canal from 1909 to at least 1913?” I received only one response but it was a great one. Alan Moll responded with links to the tombstones of William and his wife Annie and their mortuary records.From these links I found photos of their headstones in the Golden Gate Natl. Cemetery in San Bruno, CA and their precise dates of birth and death, plus the mortuary records provided the name and address of their son, and more.William Henry Stone, born 11-3-1880; died 9-9-1962 at age 81California Lt. Col. US Army, US Army, World Wars I and IIHis wife Annie Stone, born 6-23-1882; died 9-26-79 at age 97 (She died in Coral Gables, FL but she is buried beside William in San Bruno. Her inscription is on the back of his tombstone and they didn’t bother to include her maiden or married surname,)Alan informed me that “a search of Google Books showed that William was a member of the Board of Local Inspectors for the Panama Canal in June 1916.” William’s Panama Canal Service Record card (above) lists him as "Deputy Inspector" there on 2-1-1915.It was Alan Moll who discovered and shared with me the links to the headstones, the mortuary records, and other valuable information. I’m convinced that my search could never have succeeded without his help.From the mortuary records I learned that William Henry Stone’s father, Thomas F. Stone, and his mother, Ellen Fallon Stone, were both born in Ireland. Thomas came to the US in 1859. I was never able to learn if he came directly to San Francisco at that time, perhaps for the Gold Rush, or whether he settled somewhere else in the US first. In San Francisco, he was employed by a company that made gold dredging machines. By 1870, the US Census located him in San Francisco, but his whereabouts between 1859 and 1870 are unknown, at least to me.I eventually learned from his granddaughter that William Henry Stone was the third son in the family and it was traditional for the third son in an Irish Catholic family to become a priest. He did not want to do that, so he ran away from home at age 15 and lied about his age in order to join the California National Guard. That would have been 1895 or 1896. By 1909 when he went to the canal zone, he had been discharged from the National Guard. He must have joined the Army at some point after he received his 4-year bar in 1913 since the army inscribed on his headstone that he fought in both World War I and World War II.All these facts were teased out one at a time from information I found online. Each document or narrative that gave me an additional fact allowed me to do another search by combining it with previously ascertained names, places, or other information.William Henry Stone’s only child, William Francis Stone was born 6-4-1916 in Ancon in the Canal Zone. William Francis Stone was living in Los Angeles in 1935 and was single and living in Berkeley in 1940. He married Joyce Ellen Horgan (born in San Francisco 7-11-1918; she died there on 9-28-2003) who was a single medical assistant in 1940, living in San Francisco. And they had six children. Only their firstborn, Pamela A. Stone survived. Sadly, the other five babies were either stillborn or died the same day they were born. (Twin girls 8-22-1952; a boy 6-8-1953, a girl in July 1954, and another girl 8-25-1957.) William Francis Stone died 5-6-1992 in San Francisco.Their daughter, Pamela Ann Stone, was born in San Francisco. She married and at 22 she had a son, Francis “Frank” also born in San Francisco. She and her husband divorced when Frank was young and she eventually relocated to Fresno, CA. Frank earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Davis. While a student there in the mid-late 1990's, Frank was part of a group working on "Future Car". From their report cover I found the names of the classmates he collaborated with and tried searches using his name with each of theirs in an effort to locate him.I found a 2005 post where his friend Del mentioned that Frank was known as Frank the Tank and that he had moved from northern to southern California. He was working for a firm which makes shock absorbers and Del stated that Frank was a supporter and fan of racing and all things with wheels.Another friend mentioned the name of Frank’s fiancée and that they were planning to marry in Puerta Vallarta in late 2008. When I did a search with Frank’s name and his fiancée’s, I found their engagement announcement in his fiancée’s hometown newspaper.From a forum thread started by Frank’s friend Fred, I learned that the wedding was lovely but there was a tragic accident at the reception when Frank jumped into the pool and woke up days later in a San Diego Hospital, a quadriplegic.I located a record of Frank selling his home, which provided his mother Pam’s address in Fresno. A fairly simple search then yielded a phone number and I learned she was back in San Francisco. We met shortly after that and I was finally able to return the medal to the family of W. H. Stone. Pam shared wonderful memories of her grandfather and planned to pass the medal on to her son.Her happiness at receiving her grandfather’s medal and my thrill at finally solving the mystery meant far more to me than the money I might have gained by selling the medal.

Shaded by rows of live oak trees, rolling lawns with St. Augustine grass brilliantly green, and graced with architecturally harmonious buildings (with an Italian Renaissance look?), this is a truly beautiful campus. It's hard to believe that Downtown Houston is nearby and the huge Texas Medical Center is immediately adjacent. Beautiful Campus ... - Review of Rice University, Houston, TX - TripAdvisorRice is beautiful in that as it expanded, the original Mediteranean architecture is maintained. New buildings fit an overall vision, not added haphazardly. The style resembles certain buildings at the University of Southern California, which however show no consistency. While it is located near the huge Texas Medical Center, the school is secluded by arbory.The 100 Most Beautiful College Campuses In America18. Rice University – Houston, TexasThe campus of Rice University may be relatively diminutive at only 295 acres, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in lush green expanses and stunning wooded areas. Threaded through the grounds is the Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum, which with its approximately 4,200 shrubs and trees is a treat for any budding botanist – or indeed those who just love to bask in the beauty of nature. On the architectural front, Rice doesn’t disappoint either, thanks to splendid buildings like the iconic Lovett Hall. This Mediterranean-inspired stone and brick edifice was constructed in 1911, based on the designs of noted American architect Ralph Adams Cram and Princeton faculty member and inaugural Rice president Edgar Odell Lovett. The university itself was established in Houston, Texas in 1912.2017's Most Beautiful College Campuses | The Best Colleges.org42. Rice UniversityLocated in downtown Houston’s Museum District, Rice University has still found a way to provide plenty of green space for its students. Priding itself as an environmentally responsible campus, Duncan Hall, the Math and Science Center, is one of the favorite buildings on campus. Two newer residential dorms, McMurtry College and Duncan College, are LEED Gold certified. Based on the request of the University’s first president’s watchful eye, nearly every building on campus was crafted in Byzantine style featuring sand and pink-colored bricks, large archways, and columns.America’s Most Beautiful College CampusesCourtesy of Rice UniversityRice University: HoustonDon’t be fooled by Rice’s urban address. A double row of majestic oak trees encloses its perimeter—a harbinger of the lush 285-acre campus to come, divided into quadrangles and planted with 4,300-plus elms, hickories, maples, and other trees (a ratio of more than one for each undergrad). The oldest buildings, like the standout Lovett Hall, borrow elements of medieval southern European architecture, including grand, arched passageways and rose-hued brick.—Ratha TepAmerica’s Most Beautiful College CampusesTake a crash course in architecture at the country’s most beautiful college campuses.Dan Addison/ U. Va. Public Affairs by Travel + Leisure Staff“If you ask freshmen why they chose their colleges, they usually say one of two things,” says Baltimore architect Adam Gross, who’s worked on projects at the University of Virginia and Swarthmore. “Either they got a good financial aid package or they thought the campus was beautiful.”America’s most beautiful college campuses have the power not only to sway indecisive high school students, of course, but also to attract tourists. Their appeal comes through varying combinations of awe-inspiring architecture, landscaping, and surroundings. To choose among more than 2,600 four-year American colleges, we considered these three key factors as well as architects’ expert opinions.“The most important thing to realize is that how landscaping and buildings interconnect is as important as the buildings themselves,” explains Boston-based architect Mark deShong. At Princeton University, for example, “It’s really about landscape,” he says. The campus connects its ivy-covered gray stone buildings with footpaths, idyllic small greens, and courtyards that create an intimate village-like scale.Architectural coherence also plays a role in making a campus beautiful. Take the University of San Diego, which sticks to one architectural style: the Spanish Renaissance, with its elaborate façades, delicate ironwork, and carved wood. Ocean views and palm-tree-lined courtyards are extra selling points.Yale can’t compete when it comes to location, but it has embraced one architectural movement after another. As Robert A. M. Stern, dean of Yale’s School of Architecture, puts it: “Our campus is a living history of the architecture and urbanism of its three centuries in New Haven.” Whatever your taste, you’ll find a structure to your liking on a campus stroll, perhaps dorms designed by 1960s starchitect Eero Saarinen or James Gamble Rogers’s imposing Gothic bell tower.But no assessment of America’s campuses would be complete without the University of Virginia. “You might think it looks like all these other campuses, but it’s the first to look like that,” says deShong. He cites founder and architect Thomas Jefferson’s then-novel concept of flanking a lawn with pavilions linked by colonnades and a grand library at its head. New York-based architect Alexander Cooper concurs: “UVA remains the masterpiece of American campus planning.”So plan your own trip to check out these campus masterpieces. Think we missed a beautiful campus? Tell us why it should make the grade by posting a comment below. —Ratha TepTina Case of Case Rust PhotographyStanford University: Palo Alto, CAThe entryway to Stanford’s 8,180-acre campus is arguably the grandest of any college campus: a mile-long, tree-lined Palm Drive leads up to the expansive green oval Main Quad, surrounded by red-clay-roof-tiled buildings, and the campus’s crown architectural jewel, Memorial Church, with its striking mosaic façade. Beauty continues at the Cantor Arts Center's collection of 170 bronzes by Auguste Rodin, one of the largest beyond Paris, including the Gates of Hell and The Burghers of Calais, one of twenty pieces in the outdoor sculpture garden. The view of campus—and all the way to San Francisco on a clear day—is best captured from the Hoover Tower observation platform.—Ratha TepBerry CollegeBerry College: Mount Berry, GAThis rural college holds a lofty record: it’s the world’s largest contiguous college campus in the world, with more than 27,000 acres of fields, lakes, forests, and mountains. Berry makes prime use of its setting too, with numerous reflecting pools and fountains situated nearby its beautiful English Gothic–inspired buildings like the Ford Dining Hall, Ford Auditorium, and Mary Hall, made possible by the school’s largest benefactor—Henry Ford. A new, 800-square-foot welcome center, planned to be a "simple but beautiful structure" is in the works. —Ratha TepDennis MacDonald / AlamyUniversity of Notre Dame: South Bend, INIt’s hard to miss the glistening golden dome of the university’s Main Building, not to mention the neo-Gothic Basilica of the Sacred Heart that defines this 173-year-old Catholic school. Besides gorgeous architecture, the campus is chock-full of lush quads, where students congregate to kick back when they’re not in class—or at the football stadium. A sculpture park of granite, steel, and bronze works appeared in 2014.—Joshua Pramisimac/ AlamyFlorida Southern College: Lakeland, FLWhat do Ellis Island and Florida Southern College have in common? They’re among the 40 U.S. spots that have recently been put under watch by the World Monument Fund as endangered cultural sites. You might also be surprised to learn that Florida Southern—on a hillside overlooking Lake Hollingsworth—has the world’s largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, including the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel with its colored pieces of glass and wrought-iron tower. It was dubbed the "first uniquely American campus" by Wright himself. Other accolades? It was dubbed a National Historic Landmark in 2012.—Ratha TepCourtesy of University of CincinnatiUniversity of Cincinnati: Cincinnati, OHA decades-long renewal topping $1 billion is paying dividends for Cincy, which has cultivated a strikingly modern look—and proven that “it doesn’t need ivy-covered brick walls” to be beautiful, as UC Magazine put it. Notable architects Michael Graves, Charles Gwathmey, Frank Gehry, and Peter Eisenman have each made their mark on the campus, whose Main Street leads to the prow-shaped Steger Student Life Center and the Tangeman University Center, which, in 2005, dramatically repositioned the original clock tower atop a skylight in a 90-foot atrium.—Kate AppletonCourtesy of University of San DiegoUniversity of San Diego: San DiegoSome campuses are an amalgam of styles; the University of San Diego sticks to just one, and what a glorious one it has chosen—the Spanish Renaissance, with its elaborate façades, delicate ironwork, and carved woodwork. Ocean views and palm-tree-lined courtyards only add to the paradise-on-campus appeal. The Immaculata Chapel, with its piercingly blue dome and solid bronze front door is visible from much of the city, and is a photo-op worthy landmark on the campus. Walk around the Garden of the Sea, behind the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, and linger alongside the serene reflecting pool and gardens overlooking Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean.—Ratha TepPeter Aaron/EstoBard College: Annandale-on-Hudson, NYFrank Gehry’s Fisher Center—an undulating work of glass and brushed stainless steel—showcases Bard’s thriving arts scene throughout the year (current college president Leon Botstein himself is an accomplished conductor). The center is on the contemporary side of the rural campus’s architectural spectrum, which goes back to the 19th-century Blithewood Mansion and its manicured Italian garden. Pathways make for easy exploring, with the Catskill Mountains visible in the distance. —Kate AppletonCourtesy of Lewis and Clark CollegeLewis & Clark College: Portland, ORSix miles from downtown lies this 137-acre parklike campus of verdant forests, sweeping pathways, and stone walls. A tree walk with native species encountered by the two explorers for whom the college was named on their epic journey west surrounds the Frank Manor House—originally built as a 35-room private mansion. The landmark estate gardens house a terraced Reflecting Pool, bordered by a wall of wisteria, which boasts a stellar view of Mount Hood.—Ratha TepCourtesy of Rice UniversityRice University: HoustonDon’t be fooled by Rice’s urban address. A double row of majestic oak trees encloses its perimeter—a harbinger of the lush 285-acre campus to come, divided into quadrangles and planted with 4,300-plus elms, hickories, maples, and other trees (a ratio of more than one for each undergrad). The oldest buildings, like the standout Lovett Hall, borrow elements of medieval southern European architecture, including grand, arched passageways and rose-hued brick.—Ratha TepCourtesy of Cornell UniversityCornell University: Ithaca, NYAmbitious campus planners wanted to create a main quad over dramatic Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes. “It’s the idea of putting education on a high platform,” says architect Mark deShong. That original plan evolved, and the beautiful setting now accommodates both historic structures (McGraw Tower) and contemporary ones like the I. M. Pei–designed Johnson Museum of Art—whose walls screen movies on summer evenings—and the new Milstein Hall by Rem Koolhaas. Prospective students (and their parents) are always impressed by Cascadilla Gorge, whose eight waterfalls drop more than 400 feet from Cornell’s campus to downtown Ithaca, the 25-acre botanical gardens, and Cornell Plantation’s 150-acre arboretum. Climb to the Newman Overlook for a sweeping panoramic view.—Ratha TepUniversity of the South, SewaneeSewanee, The University of the South: Sewanee, TNThis 13,000-acre rural campus on the Cumberland Plateau overlooking the Tennessee Valley combines Gothic-inspired architecture with magnificent surroundings: forest, lakefront bluffs, and a garden ravine that follows a stream through campus. In spring, it blooms with daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips. The univresity's All Saints’ Chapel draws inspiration from the University Church at Oxford and Notre Dame in Paris. Catch a performance at the on-site Tennessee Williams Center, named after the Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright who left his estate to Sewanee.—Ratha TepUniversity of Washington/University PhotographyUniversity of Washington: SeattleThe eye-catching Collegiate Gothic Suzzallo Library at UW’s Seattle campus has 35-foot-high stained-glass windows and elaborately gilded vaulted ceilings that soar 65 feet in the air. But come spring, the Quad’s 31 Yoshino cherry trees steal the spotlight with blooms of delicate pink petals set against red-brick buildings (peak cherry blossom season, mid-March to early April). The Drumheller Fountain is a great spot for views of snowcapped Mount Rainier, and musical acts are best seen at the newly renovated Neptune Theatre, which debuted in the University District in 1921. —Ratha TepPrinceton University; Office of CommunicationsPrinceton University: Princeton, NJGray stone buildings like the University Chapel and Cleveland Tower are pure Collegiate Gothic splendor. But the 500-acre campus’s beauty extends beyond their doors. “Princeton has beautiful buildings, but the exquisite landscaping amplifies them even more,” explains Boston-based architect Mark deShong. Courtyards, idyllic small greens, and crisscrossing footpaths dot the campus. The handsome ivy-covered Nassau Hall is not only the oldest building on campus, but also a former home to the Continental Congress.Don't miss the Princeton Art Museum's varied collection, which ranges from remarkable Mayan Jaina figures to Andy Warhol’s Blue Marilyn.—Ratha TepCourtesy of Kenyon College Office of Public AffairsKenyon College: Gambier, OHKenyon’s hilltop setting in tiny Gambier makes for one of the country’s most idyllic campus walks: the 10-foot-wide Middle Path, which spans the length of the college and through town, shaded by massive trees that glow fiery orange in the fall. Veer off the path for Kenyon’s castle-like Victorian Gothic Ascension Hall and the Greek Revival Rosse Hall with its elegant columns. The college’s first permanent building, Old Kenyon, stands out with its multicolored spire.—Ratha TepCourtesy of Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore College: Swarthmore, PAJust southwest of Philadelphia, Swarthmore’s Scott Arboretum nurtures idyllic gardens of hydrangea, lilacs, and tree peonies and a courtyard devoted to fragrant trees and shrubs. The highlight is its outdoor amphitheater, a series of cascading lawn-covered stone tiers shaded by tulip trees and surrounded by Crum Woods and its holly and rhododendron collections.The Dean Bond Rose Garden has 200-plus varieties and views of stately Parrish Hall in the background.—Ratha TepCourtesy of Indiana UniversityIndiana University: Bloomington, INTo explore IU’s flagship campus, follow the meticulously kept red-brick path that starts at the Sample Gates and winds through Dunn Woods, filled with 80 varieties of mature trees, and the Old Crescent Historic District with its carved limestone structures. Among the most impressive is the Student Building with its soaring clock tower. In spring, the flowbeds bloom with bright red tulips along the limestone Sample Gates. Yearround, I.M. Pei’s IU Art Museum displays more than 30,000 works of art by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. For a more controversial look at the human body, tour the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. —Ratha TepDan Addison/ U. Va. Public AffairsUniversity of Virginia: Charlottesville, VAHow’s this for honors? UVA is the only university in the U.S. to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and Thomas Jefferson chose its founding to be one of only three of his many accomplishments noted on his gravestone (being president wasn’t among them). Jefferson designed the campus’s since-copied layout and even hired its initial faculty and planned the curriculum. Highlights of this elegant campus include the Neoclassical domed Rotunda, modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, and the Small Special Collections Library, which showcases the most comprehensive collection of letters, documents, and early printings of the Declaration of Independence.—Ratha TepMichael Marsland/ Yale UniversityYale University: New Haven, CTWhile some campuses hold stubbornly onto their pasts, Yale embraces changing architectural movements. “Our campus is a living history of the architecture and urbanism of its three centuries in New Haven,” notes Robert A. M. Stern, dean of Yale’s School of Architecture. The collection spans from the Georgian-style red-brick Connecticut Hall (whose construction predates the Revolutionary War) to the Postmodernist (is it a turtle? a whale?) Ingalls Rink by Eero Saarinen and the School of Management's new Edward P. Evans Hall: a Norman Foster project completed in 2014. Duck inside the wondrous Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, which houses volumes in a six-story glass-enclosed tower, set against translucent grained Vermont marble panels.—Ratha TepChris Hildreth, Duke PhotographyDuke University: Durham, NCMuch of this Collegiate Gothic wonderland, including soaring Duke Chapel, was designed by Julian Abele, one of the country’s first prominent African American architects. But Duke’s campus isn’t all Gothic-inspired marvel. Among its newest architectural gems are the glass-walled Karl and Mary Ellen von der Heyden Pavilion and the Rafael Viñoly–designed Nasher Museum of Art—five pavilions shaped in a loose radial pattern that house contemporary works by Andy Warhol and Kara Walker.—Ratha TepGeorge Rose/ Getty ImagesUniversity of Colorado at BoulderThe flagship university of Colorado combines sweeping views of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains and Flatirons, a gorgeous natural setting that includes a serene lake and two creeks, and ruggedly beautiful buildings to match. Most, including the grand Norlin Library, feature a distinct Tuscan-meets-the-West architectural style of local sandstone walls, red tile roofs, and limestone trim.—Ratha TepImages-USA/ AlamyUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonThere are a number of campuses set on pretty lakes, but none commands its lakeshore setting quite like the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Its august Memorial Union and outdoor stone Terrace, dotted with bright green, orange, and yellow starburst chairs, practically hug the shores of Lake Mendota. Another building on campus occupying prime real estate: the white-columned hilltop Bascom Hall. —Ratha TepCourtesy of Wellesley CollegeWellesley College: Wellesley, MAOnly 12 miles west of Boston, Wellesley’s 500-acre campus is another world entirely, with pathways that meander through sprawling meadows, groves of conifers and hardwoods that surround tranquil Lake Waban, and 19th-century brick buildings tucked into the wooded hillsides. Sixteen greenhouses, lush with tropical, subtropical, and desert plantings, stay green straight through the long northeastern winters.—Ratha TepJoel Pattinson/ The College of William and MaryThe College of William & Mary: Williamsburg, VANamed for its royal English founders, William & Mary is the second-oldest college in the U.S. (Harvard came first) and is anchored by the brick Wren Building, whose weather vane bears the founding date of 1693. Students sprawl on the grassy Sunken Garden, which stretches from the Wren to Crim Dell Pond. Duke of Gloucester Street links the 1,200-acre campus to the town of Williamsburg—a throwback to the college’s colonial days. —Kate AppletonCourtesy of St. Olaf College, Marketing and CommunicationsSt. Olaf College: Northfield, MNNorwegian-Americans opened St. Olaf in the late 19th-century amid wetlands, woods, and prairie grass—and the college prides itself on environmental stewardship. A wind turbine supplies up to a third of its energy, and LEED Platinum–certified Regents Hall has a plant-filled greenhouse that overlooks two of the campus’s earliest, loveliest landmarks: the Old Main and Steensland Hall, with its Greek Revival columns, porch, and dome.—Kate AppletonIan BradshawScripps College: Claremont, CAThe Mission Revival–style buildings—popular in California when Scripps was founded in 1926—and campus landscaping are artistically connected thanks to the careful coordination of architect Gordon Kaufmann and landscape architect Edward Huntsman-Trout. Unlike many other palm tree–lined southern California campuses, Scripps also has an abundance of deciduous trees that turn rich shades of red and orange in autumn. —Lyndsey MatthewsiStockphotoUniversity of Chicago: ChicagoLocated in the South Side Hyde Park neighborhood, this campus blends traditional English Gothic style with the modern designs of Eero Saarinen and Mies van der Rohe—across 215 acres that include an official botanical garden. Be sure to pay attention to details: many of the gargoyles on the ivy-covered buildings date back to the end of the 1893 Columbian Exposition, when the campus was constructed. —Lyndsey MatthewsJim RoeseBryn Mawr: Bryn Mawr, PAThe first example of the Collegiate Gothic style created by architects Cope and Stewardson (who drew influences from Oxford and Cambridge universities) is found at this women’s liberal arts college. Campuses across the U.S., including Princeton and Washington University in St. Louis, went on to emulate the look of Bryn Mawr’s Pembroke Hall. But the buildings aren’t the only lookers; Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park, helped with the layout of the campus’s 135 tree-covered acres. —Lyndsey MatthewsCourtesy of Furman UniversityFurman University: Greenville, SCThe serene landscape of this 750-acre wooded university is focused around a lake and the landmark Bell Tower. From a Buddhist temple beside the school’s Asia Garden—full of irises, bamboo, and camellias—to a replica of Henry David Thoreau’s home, the setting on this campus is as diverse as its student body. Oh, and did we mention the 18-hole golf course and miles of walking trails? —Joshua PramisVespasian / AlamyVanderbilt University: Nashville, TNSure, it might be planted just outside of downtown Nashville, but you certainly wouldn’t know by looking around. The campus actually doubles as a sprawling arboretum. With some 170 species of trees scattered across 300-plus acres and sightings of hawks, owls, and cardinals, it’s easy to forget you’re actually in the middle of a city. Italianate-style Kirkland Hall is an orienting landmark and helps give the campus an atmosphere that T+L commenter blevins called “civility personified.” —Kate Appleton2017's Most Beautiful College Campuses | The Best Colleges.orgWhen choosing a college, many students overlook one of the most important factors: quality of life. At The Best Colleges one of our goals is to emphasize to students the importance of the context and learning environment in which they choose to get educated. In polling that we’ve conducted of recent college graduates, there is one thing in particular that stands out as playing a vital role in how a student perceives her last four years of education. The campus setting. And beautiful college campuses rule the day.Because students who graduate from beautiful campuses typically report higher overall satisfaction with their college experience, we decided to put together these rankings of the 50 prettiest college campuses of 2017 in the United States.50. University of MinnesotaNot only is the main campus of the University of Minnesota located in the “Happiest City in America” it also starts our list of the prettiest college campuses in the country. Ranked as a Public Ivy school for its excellence in academic standards, this campus boasts great facilities like the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, and the oldest building on campus, Pillsbury Hall. Students will enjoy the view between the East and West sides of campus as they cross the Mississippi river via the Washington Avenue Bridge.49. Wake Forest UniversityConsistently ranked among the Top 25 universities in the country, Wake Forest boasts the T.K. Hearn Plaza (the Quad) as a hub for student life. This feature allow for plenty of social gathering opportunities and is also the site of the infamous “Rolling the Quad” after major sports victories for the Demon Deacons. The Reynolda Campus area hosts all of the Undergrad programs as well as a few of the Graduate programs, in buildings that pull from regional architectural influences. The Z. Smith Reynolds Library, named after the foundation for which major funding was dispersed during the early 1900s, features views of the 350 acres designated in the Carolina hills for the campus.48. University of Colorado-BoulderAmong the top public universities in the country, the University of Colorado also features great facilities to round-out student life and benefit social experiences. The main campus west end features The Hill which includes lots of shopping, bars, restaurants and some prime residential spots for students wishing to not live in a dormitory setting. One of the most well-known buildings on the sprawling campus is the Mackey Auditorium. The building houses most performing arts programs for the University and was fashioned with a Neo-Gothic style. Most buildings on campus incorporate local products like sandstone and multi-leveled roofs that feature red tiles. Campus also features the Center for Community AKA the C4C a state-of-the-art facility for students which features commonly used student facilities as well as a 25% more energy efficient dining hall for the students. It’s not just the views that are great from the C4C, you can also eat there 24 hours a day.47. Northwestern UniversityWhile everyone loves a good weekend in Chi-town, students attending the suburban campus of Northwester in the Evanston, Illinois area will tell you that the historical importance of their campus adds to its charm. Located on the edge of Lake Michigan, the campus offers great spring and summer breezes but may also see a few feet of lake-effect snow in the winter! Students will be greeted by “The Arch” as they walk onto the main campus, introducing you to the late 1800’s architecture. University Hall is the second building constructed on campus (1869) and the oldest building still standing. In a vast difference from the “historical” side of campus don’t miss the University Library, built in 1970, which features a Brutalist style.46. Scripps CollegeRanked as one of the top private college’s exclusively for women in the country, the gorgeous California campus features mostly Mission Revival-inspired architecture including the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery and the Margaret Fowler Garden area. The campus, which prides itself on sustainability, also features lush landscaping throughout the campus, that features tulip trees, sycamores, almond and orange trees. The Claremont campus has been featured in The Princeton Review for accolades such as “Dorms Like Palaces” (#4), “Most Beautiful Campus” (#17), and “Best Campus Food” (#19).45. Bryn Mawr CollegeNamed for the town it’s located in (itself named for a Welsh word meaning “big hill”), this Pennsylvania campus features beautiful buildings such as the M. Carey Thomas Library which is surrounded by the Cloisters area, an open area of the campus that includes a fountain and green space. Much of the campus was designed by noted landscape designers Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted. Some of the women’s college’s other notable buildings include the beautiful Great Hall building and the Marjorie Walter Goodhart Theater, full of ornamental ironwork designs by Samuel Yellin in the Gothic Revival style.44. Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M boasts one of the largest campuses in America at 5200 acres. When you think of Texas A&M you think about the 12th man and Kyle Field. Steeped in tradition, the crowds at Aggie Football games are some of the best in the land. Spread out on the vast campus is the library of former President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, as well as the Corps Arches in the Quadrangle, an area featured to honor and welcome Cadets to the campus.43. Florida State UniversityThe Tallahassee chop has a long history in college football but exploring the gorgeous campus is as good a way to spend a Saturday as taking in a Florida State football game. The Florida State campus features several historical “Southern Style” dorms and buildings as well as the stoic Heritage Tower and the signature Spanish moss sprawling over the campus. The Heritage Grove is one of the most noteworthy areas of Florida State, featuring several interesting buildings and sports complexes as well the Westcott building, one of the most prominent on campus.42. Rice UniversityLocated in downtown Houston’s Museum District, Rice University has still found a way to provide plenty of green space for its students. Priding itself as an environmentally responsible campus, Duncan Hall, the Math and Science Center, is one of the favorite buildings on campus. Two newer residential dorms, McMurtry College and Duncan College, are LEED Gold certified. Based on the request of the University’s first president’s watchful eye, nearly every building on campus was crafted in Byzantine style featuring sand and pink-colored bricks, large archways, and columns.41. Sweet Briar CollegeLocated at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sweet Briar College is another women’s college on our list of beautiful campuses. Most of the campus buildings feature the architecture of Ralph Adams Cram. One of the highlights of the campus is the Equestrian center (situated on approximately 130 acres) which hosts the schools 7-riding teams. 21 of the 30 campus buildings have been designated by the National Historic Registrar’s office as historic buildings.40. University of California-Santa CruzWhen you compile a lists of the most beautiful campuses in the country, you could in theory list dozens of schools up and down the Pacific Coast that get a huge boost for their beautiful settings but for our list we’re only including the best of the best. The campus of UC Santa Cruz certainly fits. It’s nestled near Monterrey Bay and boasts natural wonders like Porter Caves, a hiking trails and open space reserve called Pogonip, and multiple views of California’s trademark Redwoods.39. University of San DiegoThe small private University of San Diego features stunning Pacific Ocean views from the Alcala Park corner of campus but of course, with the campus being in San Diego it’s all gorgeous. If the Alcala views aren’t enough for you, stroll around campus and you’ll be able to take in breath-taking views of the San Diego Harbor, the Coronado Islands, and La Jolla. Nearly every building located on the campus features a 16th-century Spanish Renaissance architectural style, of course keeping close to the founders Catholic roots.38. Wellesley CollegeLocated just 12 miles west of downtown Boston, one of the top women’s institutions in the country has loads of charm. The 500 acre campus offers elite female students opportunities with over 50 bachelor degrees as well as the opportunity to compete in NCAA Division III sports. The campus was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., who hailed from Boston, and was determined that the look of the campus would not be average but far superior to any other campus. Some favorite spots on campus designed by Olmstead and his team include the wooded areas surrounding Lake Waban and the open meadows contained within the limits of campus. The designers made sure to design the campus so that it was well integrated into the topography of the area, instead of following the typical quad surrounded by buildings set up that was popular and ubiquitous at the time.37. Rollins CollegeNestled just outside of Orlando, Florida, Rollins College sits along the banks of Lake Virginia. This small private college boasts great year-round weather and keeping with the Florida lifestyle, even offers something called “Fox Day” every year, a time when all students are encouraged to miss class and enjoy the local community (i.e. Disney!). In 2000, the New York Times did a feature on a campus standout, a memorial called the Peace Monument, which was constructed of a German artillery shell surrendered by Germany at the end of the First World War.36. Whitman CollegeWhile you may have heard of Whitman College, you may not realize that it is located in Wall Walla, Washington. The campus, built around the natural beauty of Walla Walla, features miles of trails, streams, ponds, and numerous outdoor sculptures. Many of the buildings on campus cling to a Victorian design scheme, but several of the new facilities have been erected with more modern designs. One of the largest areas of the campus is known as Ankeny Field, which is the main quad area. The campus also holds the deed to a local nature preserve, the Johnston Wilderness Campus, which is used for social events and research purposes.35. Duke UniversityWhile Duke is commonly recognized as a top institution of learning, it can also claim beautiful grounds. The 8600 acre campus features highlights like the Duke Chapel and the Perkins Library. Nearly every building on the west side of campus was constructed with Collegiate Gothic architecture in mind. Some of the east side campus buildings, including several dormitories, have been designed Georgian-style, including the famous Baldwin Auditorium. For the nature lovers, the Duke Forest is a must see. The over 700 acre-wood contains a variety of trees and is an active area for science research. The Sarah P. Duke Memorial Gardens is also a must visit.34. Sonoma State UniversityOne of the top “green” campuses in the country, nearly every building on the Sonoma State campus has set the standard for small universities to give their students the best overall experience. The nearly 59,000 square foot student center has been a model for colleges around the country, as it was built with sustainability in mind. The facility was constructed using UV ray reflective roofing, recycled rubber indoor track, recycled glass reinforced structural brick, recycled seat belts to upholster seating, and reclaimed water plumbing non-potable water systems. The campus is not just environmentally friendly with it’s buildings, it also has a wonderfully close relationship to local nature, with miles of walking trails and fantastic access to Redwood trees.33. University of AlabamaThe 1800 acre Alabama campus features many Greek Revival buildings. Several buildings (4) on the campus, including the President’s home, were all built pre-Civil War, survived the conflict, and are still used today. The center of the campus is the Quad, fronted by a campanile equipped with a 25-bell carillon. The campus includes many cultural centers, including an art museum, a Natural History museum, the Allen Bales Theater, Marion Gallaway Theater, Morgan Auditorium, and the Frank M. Moody Music Building. The University also runs an arboretum.32. United States Military Academy (West Point)A campus filled with Neo-Gothic inspired buildings, all constructed from gray and black granite, must be the home of a prestigious campus. About 50 miles north of New York City you will find the United States Military Academy. The campus, which educates and trains some of our armed forces bravest, is considered a national landmark. The 15,000 acre campus offers stunning views of the famous Hudson River and Highland Falls. The famous cemetery on grounds is the final resting place for some of the most prominent members of our country’s military including George Armstrong Custer, Winfield Scott, William Westmoreland and many Medal of Honor recipients.31. University of the PacificOriginally founded as California Wesleyan College, the now named University of the Pacific not only operates as a top institution in California but also a make-shift movie set. High Time, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Sure Thing are just a few of the films that have used the picturesque campus for a backdrop. One of the most commonly recognized symbols of the campus is the Burns Tower. The bell tower can be seen all over the campus area and hovers over common student gathering places.30. Washington University in St. LouisLocated in one of the quintessential “All-American” towns, St. Louis, Missouri, Washington University is one of the most prestigious research universities in the country. While the campus is divided into multiple locations, the total 11 million square feet of buildings include many notable and beautiful buildings, including Seigle Hall, Francis Field (site of much of the 1904 Olympic Games), and Danforth University Center.29. University of Wisconsin-MadisonWith a main campus located in the center of two massive lakes, Mendota and Monona, it’s no wonder that Wisconsin-Madison can offer 4 seasons of extra-curricular activities for the student body. With a little over 900 acres to offer, Wisconsin is proud to host 4 national landmarks, including Bascom Hall, which is a hub for student life. The campus, which is located just a mile from the capitol building, operates like a small city, offering students countless outdoor activities to round-out the student experience. The views from campus overlooking the lakes are some of the greatest in the nation.28. University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)Ole Miss is the quintessential southern university, with beautiful classic buildings and a campus steeped in tradition. Football Saturdays here are a religious experience, and tailgating before a game in the Grove is one of the coolest college football experiences one can have. The Grove is populated with oak, elm and magnolia trees, and tents are added on fall Saturdays. Notable buildings include the Lycecum, which is the oldest building on campus (1848). It is pictured on the school’s official crest. Another interesting building, and piece of history, is the School of Medicine, which was used as a Civil War hospital for both Union and Confederate soldiers.27. University of North Carolina-Chapel HillWhen we think of UNC we all think of the Dean Dome, the baby blue jerseys, and of course Michael Jordan but there’s much more to Chapel Hill than basketball. The 700+ acre campus is divided into two sections, Polk Place and McCorkle Place. Some of the most famous spots on campus are the gorgeous Old Well, a rotunda based on the Temple of Love in the Gardens of Versailles, which nurtures gorgeous landscaping and is the spot of many romantic moments for students.26. Cornell UniversityThe small town of Ithaca is the site of Ivy League school Cornell. The quaint New York town overlooks the picturesque Cayuga Lake. The campus features 6 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and access to local gorges, Fall Creek Gorge and Cascadilla Gorge, both of which provide spots for hiking and swimming. The University also owns a 2,800 acre botanical garden, Cornell Plantations.25. Amherst CollegeRanked consistently as one of the top three institutions for higher learning in the country, Amherst College is also among the most beautiful. College Row is the centerpiece at Amherst, consisting of multiple halls and Johnson Chapel. The Quad is beautiful and a popular hangout spot in nice weather. Students at Amherst are also eligible to attend other beautiful colleges, including Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts without any addition charge as they are all members of the Pioneer Valley institutions.24. Yale UniversityYale is of course at the top of the Ivy League, but there’s just as much to say about the campus nestled in the town of New Haven, Connecticut as there is the education offered. Many of the buildings are built in the Collegiate Gothic architecture style but a key building on campus, Connecticut Hall (built in 1750), is in the Georgian style. The campus has a decidedly Middle Ages feel to it. While the campus is gorgeous, Yale has even made inroads towards putting it’s stamp on the community also, by purchasing several mansions in the surrounding area, especially on Hillhouse Avenue. Yale is moving steadily towards an environmentally sustainable campus with eleven campus buildings as candidates for LEED design and certification.23. Gettysburg CollegeLocated adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg College is a highly selective institution that pays homage to one of the most important battles in our nation’s history. The quaint campus is often referred to as one of most gorgeous in the country. The quad area of campus which sees a great deal of student social interaction is called Stine Lake. It is not actually a lake, but the campus regularly experienced drainage issues in the early 1900s, often causing the quad and library to flood, hence the “lake” moniker. Something of a confusing situation for freshman.22. Occidental CollegeWith gorgeous Mediterranean style buildings, Occidental College in Los Angeles, consistently ranks as one of the most gorgeous campuses in the country. The campus features gorgeous tree lines and superb social gathering areas also ranks as one of the top universities in California. Several original buildings built in the early 1900s are still used today. One of the most notable campus buildings is the Johnson Student Center, built in 1914. The designer of Occidental’s original buildings, Myron Hunt, was also the designer of the Rose Bowl.21. Princeton UniversityThe “Gray Stone” of Princeton is renowned. The campus is one of the oldest in America, and the oldest building on campus, Nassau Hall, was built in 1754. The southern edge of the campus faces Lake Carnegie, and as you’d guess from the name, was donated by Andrew Carnegie. The lake was originally was designated for rowing but has since been transformed to a campus gathering point. Another famous building located on campus is the Princeton University Chapel, the third largest college chapel in the world.20. University of Washington-SeattleThe University of Washington at Seattle has easily one of the most stunning natural settings of any campus in America. The campus boasts great views of Mount Rainier, the Cascade Range, and the Olympic Mountains. One of the favorite spots for students is the blooming cherry trees on the campus quad. The oldest building on campus is the French-inspired Denny Hall built in 1895.19. Stanford UniversityThe 8000 acre campus nestled in the San Francisco Peninsula features stunning views of the San Francisco Bay. Most of the campus was destroyed in the powerful 1906 San Francisco earthquake but was originally designed in a Spanish-colonial style, commonly known as Mission Revival, featuring red tile roofs and sandstone masonry. Some buildings survived the 1906 earthquake such as the Quad, the old Chemistry building, and Encina Hall. The 1989 earthquake inflicted further damage to the campus, and the next two decades saw the school spend over a billion dollars to renovate and update the campus for better earthquake protection.18. United States Naval AcademyThe US Naval Academy is a small campus, but packs a lot of beauty into a small space. The Chapel is breathtaking, and Bancroft Hall is the largest dormitory in the world. The campus features many memorials and monuments, including a Pearl Harbor memorial and Battle Ensigns from famous ships that are displayed all over the campus.17. University of VirginiaThe beautiful grounds of the University of Virginia has always been admired for its unique Jeffersonian architecture, which includes the famous Rotunda. The campus draws thousands of visitors every year. The American Institute of Architects called the rolling landscape and gorgeous buildings, “the proudest achievement of American architecture in the past 200 years.”16. University of Notre DameBelieve it or not there’s more to Notre Dame than Touchdown Jesus and Rudy. The campus is quite beautiful, and includes many interesting areas and buildings. The statue of the Virgin Mary can be seen blessing the Grotto, and was built in 1896 as a replica of the original in Lourdes, France. The 1250 acre campus is divided into the “Old Campus” area and new. Old Campus is now controlled by the two seminaries connected through the Catholic church, the Congregation of Holy Cross and current Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The Golden Dome sits atop the main building, and is the inspiration for the famous golden Notre Dame football helmets.15. Indiana University-BloomingtonThe town of Bloomington, Indiana is the ultimate college town. A campus filed with over 1,200 miles of bike and running trails, this quaint town not only encourages students to embark on a sense of community it nearly demands it. Student can visit “off” campus stores, restaurants and coffee shops just a few steps from the limestone buildings in which they will live and learn. The student building on the IU campus is listed on the National Historical Registrar. The Sample Gates welcome students onto campus. Most of the campus is made of Indiana limestone sourced locally, and was built during the Great Depression by the WPA.14. University of ChicagoThe University of Chicago is an urban campus located in the Hyde Park area of Chicago, seven miles south of downtown. The campus features the Rockefeller Chapel, donated by the “Rockefeller” family, as well as some of the best architecture you’ll find in a college campus. Most of the older buildings feature Collegiate Gothic architecture that mimics their English rival Oxford. With several buildings landing on the National Registrar of Historic Places, you can enjoy the history of Chicgao with a short stroll around campus.13. Mount Holyoke CollegeMount Holyoke is widely credited with leading the “green” initiative among elite college campuses. With five buildings LEED certified, the Holyoke campus is not only providing sustainability for the region but protecting the natural environment and the Connecticut river. Most of the campus is located within the Skinner State Park, providing amazing opportunities for students to hike, jog and bike.12. Furman UniversityWith a campus full of Georgian-style architecture, Furman University ranks among the top campuses in the country. Several buildings on the campus surround a gorgeous lake, and iconic views of the campus Bell Tower are a must see. Amongst the standout buildings, the James B. Duke Library encourages study, research and community. The lush South Carolina campus has been named several times as one of the most beautiful places in the USA (Campus or Not) by the American Society of Landscape Architects.11. Harvard UniversityEstablished in 1636, this campus is the oldest in America. The campus might be surprisingly urban to some, located just a few miles northwest of downtown Boston. Students live in one of twelve residential houses, and each house is basically self containing, with a dining hall, space for tutors, undergrads, and grad students, and a library and other student facilities. Notable buildings include Sever Hall, built in Richardsonian Romanesque style, and University Hall, built from 1813-15 of white Chelmsford granite.10. University of Hawai at ManoaHundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the Hawaiian islands annually to embark on the vacation of a lifetime but what many people might not realize is that Hawaii contains a prestigious university with a long waiting list. The campus features views of the famous volcano Diamond Head and is located just a few steps from the famous Waikiki Beach. This campus location is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Students are treated to extraordinary experiences studying at the campus run Lyon Arboretum and have unbridled access to the Polynesian Cultural Center, a hub for the history of the Hawaiian islands. Good luck getting any studying done living here!9. Dartmouth CollegeThe history of Dartmouth (founded in 1769) will make all of the history buffs very excited to check out Wentworth and Thorton Halls. Two of the original campus buildings, these facilities were constructed in 1820. While Dartmouth has continued to offer extraordinary educational opportunities, they also work to complete the student-life experience by offering amazing access to the arts at “the Hop” the Hopkins center for the Arts. The technology available to student in the Baker-Berry Library will make even students at MIT jealous. And for those students who need to step outside and enjoy some fresh air, walking and hiking trails in the Upper Valley along the Connecticut River offer great year-round views.8. College of William & MaryThe College of William & Mary may be considered an “old” campus but they are leading the way for elite East Coast schools in the global sustainability field. The campus has over 1200 acres full of cozy wooded areas such as the Crim Dell pond. Most buildings on campus consist of Georgian and Anglo-Dutch architecture, and the highlight is the Christopher Wren building, the oldest collegiate building in the United States. The campus also profits from tourists flocking to the historic Williamsburg, Virginia area every year.7. Loyola Marymount UniversitySitting on top of a bluff in the Del Rey Hills, Loyola Marymount offers one of the top campus locations in the country. This classic California school boasts picturesque views of both Playa del Rey and the Pacific Ocean. Loyola’s campus is covered in architectural and art-inspired sittings including the Sculpture Gardens and even walk-ways between educational buildings offer students glimpses to amazing artwork.6. Emory UniversityWith an awe inspiring classically gorgeous southern campus, Emory is easily one of our top campuses in the country. This gem in the heart of Atlanta can offer students both an exceptional education as well as countless opportunities to expand their horizons. The Michael C. Carlos Museum on campus houses the most extensive art collection in the Southeast, with pieces from around the world. For the adventurous student, you can spend countless hours at Lullwater Park, comprising over 100 acres on campus that is dedicated to preserving the south and its natural environment. Lullwater features walking and hiking trails as well as a view of the president of the University’s home.5. Lewis & Clark CollegeThere are many excellent universities in the Pacific Northwest but none can claims the title of “prettiest campus” like Lewis & Clark College can. With extraordinary view of Mt. Hood, Lewis & Clark’s campus will inspire its students to get outside. The 130+ acre campus sits at the top of Palatine Hill, in Portland, Oregon. Attached to the campus is the Tryon Creek State Natural Area, an area which has inspired the college to continue “green” efforts working to make buildings on campus LEED certified. The unique architecture of the campus has been named the best by design experts as well as one of the prettiest campuses by the Princeton Review.4. Pepperdine UniversityMany visitors flock to the Catalina Islands every year for the views of the Pacific ocean but students attending Pepperdine University can wake up to those views everyday. Pepperdine has some of the best student dorms in the country, and you can’t beat living right on the Pacific ocean. True to the spirit of the Pacific, several buildings on campus, including the Keck Science Center, feature Mediterranean architecture. One of the most recognizable buildings on campus is the Phillips Theme Tower, surrounded by lush landscaping that provides a welcoming environment for students.3. Sewanee: The University of the SouthSewanee: The University of the South is the ultimate experience in southern living and education. With nearly every building paying homage to classic Goth-style architecture, the campus oozes southern charm. One of the most notable buildings is All Saints and of course, the Tennessee Williams Center. The Williams attraction on campus provides funding for many student experiences, through royalties from the family endowment. Sewanee has been featured in countless magazines as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.2. Kenyon CollegeKenyon College has been recognized for its superior swimming and diving teams but many people around the country may not realize this college in Ohio is one of the most picturesque in the nation. Known for its Gothic Revival architecture the campus features several buildings that have inspired designers around the country. Ascension Hall is an imposing and impressive structure and Old Kenyon Hall, built in 1827, is believed to be the oldest Gothic Revival building in America. The setting for Kenyon is wonderfully rustic and the college was named one of the most beautiful in the country by Forbes.1. Elon UniversityThe wooded grounds of Elon were designated as a botanical garden in 2005, making the beauty of the campus a contributor to the educational experience, as the landscaping is used as both an aesthetic and educational resource. Located in the heart of North Carolina, this campus not only offers an exceptional education but has been the site of several films, including Spike Lee’s He Got Game. Elon has been named the prettiest campus in the country on multiple occasions, including landing at the top spot in rankings by the Princeton Review and the New York Times. We can’t argue, and Elon takes the top spot in our list of the prettiest college campuses.​College RankingsOnline Colleges For Public Administration10 Best Film Schools In The United StatesE-Commerce / E-Business Degree Programs10 Best Grad Programs In Urban & Regional Planning10 Best Landscape Architecture Programs10 Popular Online DegreesLatest Blog PostsThe Best Colleges for STEM “Nerds”The Best Foods for Body and BrainTop Online Video Game Design Degree Programs of 2017Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2017Top Online MHA and Healthcare Management Degree Programs of 2017© 2017 The Best Colleges | Privacy Policy | Sitemap

Q. I am 14 years old and considering Rice University as a possible school, what are some things that would help me get there? What are some tips to get in and steps I should take along the way?A2A: Rice is a great school. It remains very competitive, despite having increased the size of the freshmen class by 30% in recent years. For 2017, I interviewed many applicants, but only one was accepted. This is lower than prior years. Rice doesn’t do much legacy. Only one child among my suite mates was accepted.You should show passion in your studies. Take advantage of everything your school offers. All the AP classes, and if too meager, community college, online classes. Be fluent in a foreign language, travel widely if possible. Seek out scholarship opportunities to attend summer programs. Perform well on standardized tests. Be a National Merit Scholar semi/finalist.You should show passion in non-academic pursuits. Perhaps varsity sports, cheer leading, band/orchestra, scout, debate, chess, coding … Win/place in events. Rice participates in Division I athletics. It is always on the lookout for potential Academic All Americans.You should demonstrate the ability to multitask and explore in depth your vocation. If you want to study premed - shadow doctors, volunteer in the ER, hospice. If you want to pursue engineering, join robotic teams, learn to code, hack.You should show an interest in your community or service, over a long period. Start a club, tutor, be a leader, volunteer, make a difference …You should show an interest in Rice and what makes it unique. Early decision acceptance is 23%. An 8% margin over regular decision.All the best!The following are for later in the application process.US News National UniversitiesNiche RankingPrep ScholarsAdmission StatisticsAdmission at Rice University is an individualized and holistic admission process which examines the entirety of an applicant's academic prowess, creativity, motivation, unique talents, leadership potential and life experiences. In making a decision to admit a student to Rice, we are careful not to ascribe too much value to any single metric, such as class rank, GPA, or SAT/ACT scores. We use a broader perspective that includes such qualitative factors as the overall strength of a student's academic program and the ways in which a student has engaged in their community.We provide these admission statistics to give prospective students a general picture of the freshman applicant and admitted student pool, and we encourage students to keep in mind that these statistics only reflect certain parts of our holistic review process.National Universities Rankings Schools in the National Universities category, such as Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania, offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and doctoral programs. These colleges also are committed to producing groundbreaking research.#15 (t) Rice University Houston, TXOverviewRice University is a private institution that was founded in 1912. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,910, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 285 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Rice University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 15. Its tuition and fees are $43,918 (2016-17).Rice University, located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, offers a dynamic student life in the nation’s fourth-largest city. The Rice Coffeehouse, Valhalla Pub and Willy’s Pub are all student-run institutions offering on-campus food and drink. Before stepping foot on campus, all students are assigned to one of 11 residential colleges, of which they remain members even if they decide to move off campus. The residential colleges provide housing, dining, and academic and social events. The Rice Owls boast 14 varsity NCAA Division I athletic teams and are well known for their strong baseball program. Students receive free tickets to all varsity athletic events.Rice is comprised of eight schools, including the School of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Wiess School of Natural Sciences. Its graduate schools include the highly ranked Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business and George R. Brown School of Engineering. Rice also has a well-regarded School of Architecture and the Shepherd School of Music. Rice is home to the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, a nonpartisan think tank, which offers coursework, internships and lectures. When a private detective found Rice’s stolen owl mascot at rival school Texas A&M in 1917, he sent a coded message back to Rice students letting them know that "Sammy" was OK, thus bestowing a name on the school’s mascot.School Mission and Unique QualitiesContent is provided by the school.As a leading research university with a distinctive commitment to undergraduate education, Rice University aspires to path breaking research, unsurpassed teaching and contributions to the betterment of our world. It seeks to fulfill this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor. Undergraduate education has remained at the center of Rice University s mission since the school s founding in 1912.Our students have unparalleled opportunities to learn from distinguished faculty through classroom interaction and research collaboration. Rice combines the advantages of a liberal arts college with the resources and facilities of a premier research university. Some of the important engineering and science developments include Rice being the first university in the nation with a department wholly dedicated to space science; Rice researchers joining Dr. Michael DeBakey and his Baylor College of Medicine team to produce the first artificial heart; and Rice professors Robert Curl, Richard Smalley, and British chemist Sir Harold Kroto receiving the Nobel Prize in chemistry for their discovery of buckyballs, which introduced the new field of nanotechnology.Rice Engineering studentsIn addition to engineering, Rice has highly respected schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, humanities, music, natural sciences and social sciences. Rice also is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy, a nonpartisan think tank that has brought a distinctive voice to national policy dialogue, and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, a leading urban think tank that now conducts the longest ongoing study of any metropolitan area in the U.S (35 years).The distinctive residential college system enhances the Rice experience by allowing students to flourish as individuals in a community of their peers. Minority students represent more than half of the undergraduate student body, and Rice ranks highly in national student surveys for quality of life and student happiness. Rice boasts an undergraduate student-faculty ratio of just under 6:1, a median class size of 14, an endowment of $5.6 billion and numerous opportunities for undergraduates to conduct primary research. Rice practices need-blind admission, meets 100 percent of students' demonstrated need and is consistently heralded as one of the best values in higher education.Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice is surrounded by the Texas Medical Center, the Museum District, Hermann Park, Rice Village and great restaurants, and is a short MetroRail ride away from the theater, symphony, ballet, opera and major league sports.Undergraduate InformationApplyingWhen applying to Rice University, it's important to note the application deadline is Jan. 1, and the early decision deadline is Nov. 1. The application fee at Rice University is $75. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due Dec. 31. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 16 percent.For more information about the tests, essays, interviews and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.Selectivity Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate 16%See full Applying details »Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Rice University is 6:1, and the school has 68.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Rice University include: Biochemistry, Psychology, General, Chemical Engineering, Kinesiology and Exercise Science and Mechanical Engineering. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.Class sizesClasses with fewer than 20 students 68.8%20-49 23.8%50 or more 7.3%4-year graduation rate 80%Student-faculty ratio of just under 6:1Student LifeRice University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,910, with a gender distribution of 53 percent male students and 47 percent female students. At this school, 72 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing and 28 percent of students live off campus. Rice University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.Student gender distribution 53% MaleTotal enrollment 6,719Collegiate athletic association NCAA ICost & Financial AidAt Rice University, 37% percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $36,025.Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs, or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.2017 Best Colleges in America (Niche Rankings) - This list combines the US News National Universities and National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings.Stanford UniversityMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyYale UniversityHarvard UniversityPrinceton UniversityRice UniversityBowdoin CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaWashington University in St. LouisBrown UniversityDuke UniversityColumbia UniversityDartmouth CollegeVanderbilt UniversityPomona CollegeCalifornia Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of ChicagoWashington & Lee UniversityCarleton CollegeColgate UniversityUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborNorthwestern UniversityTufts UniversityWilliams CollegeGeorgetown UniversityAmherst CollegeCornell UniversityBarnard CollegeRice alumniJones School of BusinessThis Year's Rice University Admission RequirementsGPA requirementsSAT and ACT requirementsApplication requirementsSchool location: Houston, TXAdmissions Rate: 17%This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. After crossing this hurdle, you'll need to impress Rice University application readers through their other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. We'll cover more below.Rice University GPA RequirementsAverage GPA: 4.08(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we've estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)With a GPA of 4.08, Rice University requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.08, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.SAT and ACT RequirementsYou must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to Rice University.Average SAT: 1510This score makes Rice University Strongly Competitive for SAT test scores.The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1430, and the 75th percentile New SAT score is 1570. In other words, a 1430 on the New SAT places you below average, while a 1570 will move you up to above average.The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.Rice University has the Score Choice policy of "All Scores."This means that Rice University requires you to send all SAT scores you've ever taken to their office.Rice University ACT RequirementsAverage ACT: 33Rice University is Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.The 25th percentile ACT score is 31, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 34.Even though Rice University likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 31 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 33 and above that a 31 will look academically weak.ACT Score Sending PolicyIf you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 34 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.ACT Superscore PolicyBy and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Rice University, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 34.SAT/ACT Writing Section RequirementsBoth the SAT and ACT have a Writing section that includes an essay.Rice University requires you to take the SAT/ACT Writing section. They'll use this as another factor in their admissions consideration.SAT Subject Test RequirementsSchools vary in their SAT subject test requirements. Typically, selective schools tend to require them, while most schools in the country do not.We did not find information that Rice University requires SAT subject tests, and so most likely it does not. At least 6 months before applying, you should still doublecheck just to make sure, so you have enough time to take the test.Final Admissions VerdictBecause this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in. If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration.To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1570 SAT or a 34 ACT. You should also have a 4.08 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.For a school as selective as Rice University, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.But if you apply with a score below a 1570 SAT or a 34 ACT, you unfortunately start out with the odds against you and have a tiny chance of getting in. There are just too many students with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.Application RequirementsEvery school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Rice University here.Application Requirements OverviewCommon Application Accepted, supplemental forms requiredUniversal Application Accepted, supplemental forms requiredElectronic Application AvailableEssay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmenLetters of Recommendation 2Interview Not requiredApplication Fee $75Fee Waiver Available? AvailableOther Notes Portfolio for architecture; audition for music recommended for some freshmenTesting RequirementsSAT or ACT RequiredSAT or ACT Writing RequiredSAT Subject TestsCoursework RequirementsSubject Required YearsEnglish 4Math 3Science 2Foreign Language 2Social Studies 2HistoryElectives 3Deadlines and Early AdmissionsRegular Admission Yes 11Early Decision Yes 115Admissions Office InformationAddress: 6100 South MainHouston, TX 77251-1892Phone: (713) 348-7423Fax: (713) 348-5323Email: [email protected] Expert's NotesWe did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:You will choose one of the six undergraduate schools -- Architecture, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences when you apply. This choice isn't binding, but each college looks for different strengths so you should make the choice carefully. (The music and architecture schools have extra admission requirements including a recording for music and a portfolio for architecture.) More specifics on the different schools here.To request an interview, which is not required but highly encouraged, you need to submit your application early -- by October 15th for early decision and December 1st for regular decision, with the interview request deadlines two days later. Learn more about deadlines here.SourceOther Schools For YouIf you're interested in Rice University, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Rice University.Reach Schools: Harder to Get IntoThese schools are more selective and have higher scores than Rice University. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.School Name Location SAT Avg ACT AvgYale University New Haven, CT 1540 33Harvard College Cambridge, MA 1540 34Princeton University Princeton, NJ 1540 33Duke University Durham, NC 1540 34University of Chicago Chicago, IL 1520 33Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 1520 34Columbia University New York, NY 1520 33Same Level: Equally Hard to Get IntoIf you're competitive for Rice University, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.Stanford University Stanford, CA 1520 33Dartmouth College Hanover, NH 1510 32University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 1500 32Tufts University Medford, MA 1490 31Brown University Providence, RI 1490 32Cornell University Ithaca, NY 1480 32Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 1470 32