Choosing The Right College School Spotlight: University of Iowa Written by Elyse Krantzon May 14th, 2019 I became interested in the college admissions process after serving as a student tour guide in the admissions office of my alma mater. After graduating, I accepted an admissions counseling position at Bennington College in Vermont where I evaluated applications and reviewed art portfolios from students across the country. Three years later, after pursuing my master's degree in New York City, I joined the admissions staff at Barnard College where I served as a senior admissions officer. At Barnard, I directed Long Island and Boston recruitment in addition to managing the College's alumnae interview program, coordinating admissions statistics, and editing various college publications. Having also served as an alumni interviewer for Dartmouth College and visited over 75 colleges, I feel especially well-equipped to help students prepare for admission interviews and campus tours. Learn More About Elyse choosing the right college, college lists, There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. And while the media tends to focus on just a handful of schools, we at College Coach encourage students to think outside the box during their college selection process and explore a wide range of colleges. As such, we are highlighting a new college each week in our School Spotlight series. Check out the college below, along with the other posts in our series, and you may just stumble upon your dream school! School Spotlight: University of Iowa Iowa City, IA At the spirited and down-to-earth University of Iowa, 24,500 undergraduates find a warm and welcoming community that’s bursting with academic, extracurricular, and athletic opportunities. The University features 24 varsity teams that compete in the Big Ten conference. Wrestling is a particular standout, with 23 national championships earned since 1975. First year students are divided into one of six colleges, with the Colleges of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Business, and Engineering being the most popular. Interested in pursuing a writing career? Not only does the University sponsor the world-renowned Iowa Writer’s Workshop, they also provide undergraduates the opportunity develop serious writing skills though courses such as The Art & Craft of Humor Writing, Creative Writing & Popular Culture, and Introduction to Literary Publishing. First year students looking for a supportive, tight-knit environment may want to consider joining one of Iowa’s residential communities. There are 19 options in all, including Women in Science & Engineering, First Generation, and Justice for All, each of which combines elements of residential life with academic coursework. Good to know: students who join the honors program have access to intimate honors-level classes, an honors residence hall, an honors student center, and special scholarships and funding opportunities. Photo credit: Top, Courtesy of The University of Iowa, Office of Strategic Communication Related Resources Read | Posted on December 10th, 2024 Navigating Medical School Applications: The Three Types of Letters Applicants Send Read | Posted on November 12th, 2024 Unlocking College Admissions: The Power of the Common Data Set Read | Posted on October 3rd, 2024 Does Where You Go To College Matter?