College Spotlight: Pace University

Our newest college spotlight comes from two students at Pace University in New York City!

M: What is your name?

L: Liz Carroll

B: Borna Barzin

M: What school do you go to?

L and B: Pace University

                      

M: Where is Pace located?

L: The Financial District of Manhattan

B: Downtown Manhattan, NYC

What is your major(s)/minor(s)?

L: English Language and Literature with a concentration in writing and literature and Communication and minors in Sociology and Anthropology, French Studies

B: Theatre directing with an Econ minor

M: Why did you choose to go to Pace University?

L: Because of its location, honestly.

B: Pace has an incredible performing arts school, I went there to be in the city while studying theatre.

M: What is your mascot?

L: The setter! A big ol' dog named T-Bone.

B: I have no clue.

M: Does your school care about sports?

L: The New York City campus is very limited on sports but the Pleasantville campus is really into it, but here we have basketball and volleyball.

B: I'm not sure actually, I haven't heard anything about it so probably not.

M: What else does your school care about?

L: The performing arts at my school is HUGE and there's almost always a show to go see.

B: Our school has a big career focus. I'd say more than half of students have an internship and are trying to balance career and school already.

                      

M: What isn't the best thing about your school or what would you change?

L: The cafeteria sucks, the staff is rude and the selection is minimal, and the health code violations aren't cool.

B: I love the location and the ability to work while being in school. Instead of being in a campus school, I feel like I'm a fully functioning, independent adult because I live in the city. I do think they need to improve the classrooms, many are pretty run down.

M: What would you definitely not change?

L: The opportunities, like the internship program is amazing and the resources on campus for students are top notch.

B: The size of the school. I know a lot of kids at my school, which is great. It's like high school in the sense that everyone knows everyone, but there are more people so it's easier to find your group of people you get along with.

                      

M: What is your favorite aspect of your school's campus?

L: There isn't really much of a campus to my school since its so metropolitan. The thing they say about Pace is that "New York City is your campus" so it's hard to say what my favorite aspect is.

B: Location

M: What is your favorite aspect of your program/major?

L: The diversity of class options. I can apply so many different things towards an English major like right now I'm taking a film and screen studies course that is giving me credit towards my major.

B: That all my professors are working in the city and use us in their professional work. By the time we graduate we'll have a lot of professional credits just because our professors use us in their work.

                      

M: What is the best thing to do in your college's city/town?

L: lol (see below)

B: It's New York City, you can do anything you want to do. See a show, go to a museum, see a Mets game, anything.

M: What is the best place to eat on campus and what do you like to eat there?

L: A block away from my school's main building is this street Fulton, that's full of restaurants. My favorite is Chipotle to be honest because I'm basic.

B: The caf sucks, just like most schools. Chinatown is a five minute walk and they have dope dumplings though.

                      

M: What is your favorite class that you have taken so far?

L: I took a really interesting one that was like the History of New York City.

B: I love my acting class so much.

M: What is a class you really want to take?

L: American Sign Language

B: I can't wait to take my theatre directing class next year.

                      

M: Where is your "spot" either on or off campus?

L: Now that it's getting warmer, I like doing homework at the seaport! It has been breezy and cute as heck!

B: Our spot is definitely the caf and maybe South Street Seaport? That's where I do a lot of my homework and lots of students tend to be there.

M: What is the party scene like?

L: There aren't a whole lot of parties for freshman, unless you know upperclassmen who throw down at their apartments. There are a lot of bars that Pace students go to.

B: It is what you want it to be. A lot of kids don't drink or party or anything, and a lot of kids go to clubs and do cocaine all day everyday. Depends on who you are.

                      

M: What is your favorite memory at your school?
L: Guacamole

B: My favorite memory is just hanging out with my friends after a long rehearsal. Going under the Brooklyn Bridge at night and just watching all the lights turn off in buildings, it's a fun time.

M: What makes Pace University unique?

L: Sometimes people call us the dumb NYU.

B: Pace is unique because of its location and its really strong performing arts/business school. Those two schools are filled with really talented, passionate people that are very career focused. It's great energy.

                      

College Spotlight: Vanderbilt University

Back at it again with Katie at Vanderbilt University!

M: What is your name?
K: Katie

M: What school do you go to?
K: Vandy

M: Where is located?
K: Nashville, Tennessee

M: What is your major(s)/minor(s)?
K: Mechanical engineering with either an engineering management or corporate strategy minor. I haven't decided.

M: Why did you choose to go to Vanderbilt University?
I chose Vandy because of the location and the academics - it has a beautiful campus but is in a busy part of the city, so there's plenty to do but you still get the homey feel of a campus (vs being a city campus). There's also lots of hiking and other things to do outdoors. I've also heard a lot of good things about Vandy alums, so I hoped it would help me get a good job.

M: What is your mascot?
K: Commodore

M: Does your school care about sports?
K: We're in the SEC so we care about sports, but definitely not as much as state schools. You can definitely find people who are super into it, whereas others don't care at all.

M: What else does your school care about?
K: We care a lot about academics.

M: What isn't the best thing about your school or what would you change?
K: The administration is cracking down on Greek life, which sucks a lot. I would definitely change that. Frats are getting kicked off and they're being stricter so it's not as fun as it apparently used to be. They're trying to get rid of it completely.

M: What would you definitely not change?
K: I wouldn't change our campus - it's beautiful. Additionally, I love that the teachers are so helpful/they're always willing to help one on one if you ask.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your school's campus?
K: Our campus is an arboretum, so it's all green with tons of trees and red brick buildings.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your program/major?
K: My favorite aspect of engineering is solving problems. Our senior year is mostly devoted to senior design, where we work with companies to solve real world problems.

M: What is the best thing to do in your college's city/town?
K: The best thing to do in Nashville is probably all the live music. Live on the Green is a free concert every Thursday in the fall.

M: What is the best place to eat on campus and what do you like to eat there?
K: I like Grins, a vegetarian cafe (even though I'm a carnivore). I like either the Mac n cheese or the caprese panini.

M: What is your favorite class that you have taken so far?
K: My favorite class has probably been computer science.

M: What is a class you really want to take?
K: I'm not really sure what I want to take. Our curriculum is pretty set as engineers. I'm looking forward to the more business-y classes for whichever minor I decide on, though.

M: Where is your "spot" either on or off campus?
K: My "spot" last semester was Provence cafe off campus, because they have awesome coffee and tomato soup. This semester I'm so busy I don't really have a "spot" since I'm always running around.

M: What is the party scene like?
K: The party scene is good! People go out Tuesday's and Thursday's, and then Friday and/or Saturday. And then of course there's tailgates in the fall and for St. Patrick's day and Rites of Spring.

M: What is your favorite memory at your school?
K: My favorite memory is probably the St. Patrick's day tailgates, or when we beat UK in basketball and stormed the court.

M: What makes Vanderbilt unique?
K: We're unique because we have such good academics, but also party and have fun. We're one of the few top universities left whose Greek life is intact.

College Spotlight: George Washington University

For our next College Spotlight we're looking at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

M: What is your name?

C: Caroline Clark

M: What school do you go to?

C: George Washington University

M: Where is located?

C: Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, DC

M: What is your major(s)/minor(s)?

C: International Affairs with a tentative minor in economics

M: Why did you choose to go to George Washington University?

C: GWU's international affairs program is one of the best in the nation, not to mention its location in the capital makes it ideal for career opportunities and enables unique opportunities such as having renowned guest speakers and walks on the national mall.

M: What is your mascot?

C: The Colonials

M: Does your school care about sports?

C: It’s not a big part of the culture, but sport (particularly basketball) enthusiasts do just fine.

M: What else does your school care about?

C: Definitely internships. I know 7 people right now who hold internships in the district, working on Capitol Hill or for a local NGO. In the summer a large majority of GW students stay in town to intern locally. Also political awareness. You can’t find someone who doesn’t have an opinion about the 2016 election. Discussions of electoral politics and social justice issues can’t be avoided.

M: What isn't the best thing about your school or what would you change?

C: The freshman Mount Vernon campus is hugely inconvenient and just generally a bummer. It’s about a 10-minute commute from the main Foggy Bottom campus and if you live there, it’s safe to guess your life is miserable.

M: What would you definitely not change?

C: The students, the faculty and staff, the location, the academic programs, Greek life, club sports, the list goes on and on.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your school's campus?

C: It’s in the city which means you can get anything you could possibly want or need at any time of day.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your program/major?

C: It provides international affair students with so many opportunities. We have specially held events and regularly host distinguish guest speakers, as well as have specific academic and peer advisors. Just recently we had H. E. Frank-Walter Steinmeir, the German foreign minister and H. E. Catherine Samba-Panza, the transitional president of the Central African Republic speak at GW.

M: What is the best thing to do in your college's city/town?

The options in DC are endless. In the immediate area, you can walk the National Mall, go see a show at the Kennedy Center or walk down Embassy Row. There are incredible restaurants and places to eat all throughout the city as well as on Foggy Bottom. In terms of going out my friends and I love the Friday night drag show at Town, Ultra Bar, and Kabin lounge.

M: What is the best place to eat on campus and what do you like to eat there?

Beefsteak is José Andrés’ super delicious veggie-focused restaurant; Burger, Tap, and Shake has great burgers and Sweetgreen has really good salads. We don’t have a dining hall in the traditional sense, but there are countless dining opportunities on-campus that accept Gworld.

M: Do you go to the gym?

Not since my ankle injury.

M: What is your favorite class that you have taken so far?

Microeconomics with Professor Foster.

M: What is a class you really want to take?

History of FBI Counterintelligence and Introduction to Existentialism.

M: Where is your "spot" either on or off campus?

I spend a lot of time in Gelman Library and my room, but I don’t really have a “spot” on Foggy because I live on the Vern.

M: What is the party scene like?

There’s something for everyone. If you don’t go out, that’s fine, and if you go out 5 nights a week that’s also okay. Frats and some athletic teams/club teams host parties most weekend nights. I think the party scene is equal parts clubs, frats, and bars for most people.

M: What is your favorite memory at your school?

Sometime hanging out with my friends. They’re my home away from home.

M: What makes George Washington University unique?

The students and the opportunities. GW students tend to be thoughtful, ambitious, fun and considerate. I already touched on some of the opportunities GW provides the students but truly the options are endless.

College Spotlight: University of Hartford

So I have decided to start a new series because I am obsessed with colleges and want to go to all of them. Thus has been birthed: College Spotlight! I have so many wonderful friends attending so many different, diverse, wonderful schools I am going to be interviewing all of them and spotlighting their colleges! So now that we are on the same page I present to you the first college spotlight.

M: What is your name?
G: Gabrielle

M: What school do you go to?
G: University of Hartford - The Hartt School of Music, Dance, and Theatre

Campus in winter

M: Where is located?
G: Hartford, Connecticut

M: What is your major(s)/minor(s)?
G: BFA Musical Theatre with a Minor in Performing Arts Management and I will be graduating from the Honors College Program.

At Hartford Stage

M: Why did you choose to go to University of Hartford?
G: I chose University of Hartford because of the Hartt school itself. The BFA musical theatre curriculum offered the best training for what I most wanted.

M: What is your mascot?
G: GO HAWKS! HOWIE THE HAWK!

Talcott Mountain, a nearby hike

M: Does your school care about sports?
G: Yes because we are division one. The schools advertises basketball, lacrosse, and rugby SO much though which is very alarming coming from West Coast.

M: What else does your school care about?
G: Weed. Haha just kidding. Our art school is actually pretty rad and respected, and our dance division and instrumental section is internationally renowned. We also have a very interesting Physical Therapy track of Health Science that allows specialization and acceptance in University of Hartford's graduate school program once the student graduates from undergrad.

Forest behind dorms

M: What isn't the best thing about your school or what would you change?
G: The actual University of Hartford can be pretty ratchet and it has lower academic standards than I wanted in an institution which can make my few strictly academic classes boring. Additionally, the Hartt School gets very little financial aid/scholarship money in comparison to the actual university. They also over accepted in my grade which was a little frustrating. (Editor's note: This means there's too many people in what should be and would otherwise be a small performing arts program)

Practice room life

M: What would you definitely not change?
G: I would not change the hardcore program I'm in. Like of course I would like some more camera classes and stuff but the overall curriculum is really strong and rooted in acting.

Trash bag sledding

M: What is your favorite aspect of your school's campus?
G: I love our fields. We have beautiful fields here.

Fields for reference

M: What is your favorite aspect of your program/major?
G: Our facilities are pretty bomb and I love our association with regional theatre. Also, I know I've said this like a million times, but the curriculum is epic.

M: What is the best thing to do in your college's city/town?
G: There is a cute like Downtown West Hartford with some cute shops and restaurants! Also a bomb ass mall but Hartford can get ghetto sooooo.

Blue Back Square during Christmastime

M: What is the best place to eat on campus?
G: Starbucks is best place to eat or the dessert station at commons.

M: Do you go to the gym?
G: I literally go to the gym everyday it's awesome I work out so hard here it's hilarious.

Campus in winter

M: How are your dorms?
G: Okay so like the dorms really aren't that bad. I got lucky and got a corner room which has a little more space, and usually the dorms have pretty nice views. Obviously bathrooms suck and sometimes the water is cold, but there are tons of upperclassmen housing available on campus which makes the party scene epic!

Dorms

M: What is your favorite class that you have taken so far?
G: My favorite class has straight up been Intro to Performing Arts Management for my minor. And ballet. Ballet is bombing

Makeup Masterclass

M: What is a class you really want to take?
G:  I really want to take camera acting.

M: Where is your "spot" either on or off campus?
G: Probably the practice rooms to be honest. It's kind of ironic because that's my work space, but it's the only place I can be alone.

Campus leaving music practice rooms

M: What is the party scene like?
G: The party scene is absolutely insane!! Always a party even on weekdays lol. Thursday is bar night 🍷🍾

Halloween

M: What is your favorite memory at your school?
G: Probably favorite memory is having like a legit squad of girls and going to the village (where the upperclassmen apartment buildings are) with them and actually experiencing true freedom.

The Squad

M: What makes University of Hartford unique?
G: University of Hartford is unique because the Hartt school is on the rise as one of the top musical theatre schools in the country.

So there you have it! The University of Hartford, tucked away in Connecticut, only a few hours away from New York City and Boston. Thank you to Gabrielle for being our first College Spotlight participant! Let me know if you like these kinds of posts and feel free to request any colleges you'd like to see featured on this blog!