Destination YOUniversity

The Ivy League consists of eight schools:

Brown Harvard

Columbia Princeton

Cornell University of Pennsylvania

Dartmouth Yale

While all eight elite schools have been in existence for more than 150 years, and most for well over 200 years (Harvard was founded in 1636!), did you know that that the term IVY LEAGUE was born in 1954, when the eight schools formed a Division I Athletic league?

I don’t have to tell you that these eight schools are among the most competitive in our nation to earn an offer of admission. But to me the most intriguing about nearly any institution across the country is their traditions.

Here is a flavor of what you’ll find at three Ivy League schools.

A Visual and Symbolic Tradition comes from BROWN:

The Van Wickle Gates at Brown University are opened only twice per year. The gates open inward towards the campus as new freshmen walk into the campus and are welcomed home. At commencement the gates turn outward as the graduates step out of the comforts of campus and are ready to take flight.

PRINCETON Tigers: Have a Tradition of a Fierce and Fiesty Competition

Known as Cane Spree – This event was literally was born out of street riots between freshmen and sophomore Princeton students in the 1860s. Over time the event resembled more of a Freshman-Sophomore Field Day – competing in a variety of sports. Today the battle for class supremacy takes place each fall on Powers Field.

YALE: Tradition of Celebration

The Freshman Holiday Dinner takes place each December in Commons Dining Hall. All 1300 freshmen dress up and enjoy lights, ice sculptures, and overabundance of sweet savory food choices and decadent desserts. Food is enough to make any college student ravenous. This is quite a celebration for completing their first semester of college.

So let’s talk some numbers:

Located in Ithica, NY, Cornell is the largest of these institutions with a total of over 14 thousand total students and a freshman class of over 3300. The smallest is Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, with a total of 4300 students and 1100 freshmen.

The number of high school seniors applying to these eight schools range from 20,000 to over 45 thousand applicants at any one college – with 5 schools well in the 30 thousand range. The acceptance rate at these schools has dropped to under 10%

You can apply to each of the Ivy League colleges through the Common Application at Commonapp.org

I cannot emphasize enough just how competitive these schools are to get into. HOWEVER – students everywhere DO in fact get in each year – and that too could be you. My advice is simple: make a plan sooner rather than later that includes meeting with your college counselor. If you are a freshman – make an appointment before the end of the year and get to talking and planning. If you are a junior – please go see your counselor – decide now on steps you can take immediately to make your application more compelling between today and the fall.

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Alabama: “Million Dollar Band” 

Today I honor my father, Benjamin Colon  - otherwise known as Benny or Dad 

Dad was the Drum Major at Dominguez High School, and he LOVED bands and music!

A college marching band adds tradition, pomp and circumstance, fight song, the alma mater, and the memories of college football, basketball, and those crazy pep rallies.

Alabama’s marching band is known as “The Million Dollar Band” 

My research led me to Alabama Alumnus, William Champ Pickens, who bestowed the name on the band after the 1922 football game against Georgia Tech. The Crimson Tide lost 33-7 to the Yellow Jackets. Atlanta sportswriter commented to Pickens, “You don’t have much of a team, what do you have at Alabama?” To that, Champ proudly answered, “A Million Dollar Band.” And so the name stuck. 

That was in 1922 – hard to believe Alabama ever had a losing season!

You might know the name “Bear” Bryant. For 25 years, he coached the Alabama football team. Coach Bryant’s collection of 323 collegiate wins includes 13 Conference Championships and 6 National Titles with the University of Alabama. 

What I love about this legendary coach is this: he often gave the Million Dollar Band partial credit for the many football victories. What a true gentleman! 

University of Alabama

Large, public institution - With at total of over 32K students

7500 freshmen – that’s big!

Priority Deadline: February 1 

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Gonzaga Bulldogs

I’m sure you’ve heard of  these famous Jesuit institutions, Boston College, Georgetown University Marquette – but have you hear of Gonzaga?.

According to Wikipedia – Gonzaga made their CINDERELLA RUN in  1999 – and became a household name by making it to the Elite 8 with a win over Florida.

Since then - Bulldogs have appeared 25 times in the NCAA tournament.

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY

Founded: 1887

Located in Spokane, WA – 300 miles due east of Seattle

Size: 5160 / about 1200 freshmen

52% Women

51% Out of State

Colors: Red and Blue

Mascot: Spike the Bulldog

Nickname: Zags

NOTEABLE ALUMNI:

Father Greg Boyle: founder of Homeboy Industries and Author of Tattoos of the Heart

Carl Pohlad – owner of the Minnesota Twins

Tom Foley – Speaker of the U.S. House (1989–1995)

Bing Crosby – Academy Award-winning actor and singer (did not graduate)

When it comes to sports at Gonzaga – basketball rules. The student section is known as the KENNEL – and fits upwards of 1200 students are there to make a racus at each game. Let me repeat – 1200 students out of 5100 – that is 25% of the entire student body – that is AMAZING!

For a few extra special games – like against St. Mary’s – there is such a demand for great seats in the Kennel that they have a tradition known as TENTING – where the students live in TENTs days leading up to the game, earning them a specific row and seat in the KENNEL. Too long to explain here – but I’ll leave the link.

FACTS AND FIGURES for Gonzaga and few other Jesuit institutions: from 2022:

Gonzaga

# of Applicants: over 9200

% Accepted: 61%

Loyola Marymount University,  Los Angeles

# of Applicants: over 21,000

% Accepted: 46%

Fordham University in New York

# of Applicants: over 46,000

% Accepted: 58%

Boston College

# of Applicants: 31,000

% Accepted: 327%

Georgetown University

# of Applicants: neary 27,000

% Accepted: 12%

So, if you’re interested in a Jesuit education, Gonzaga, in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, just might be the place for you!

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When you grow up dreaming of becoming a Trojan, and then become one, you just can’t seem to bring yourself to try on anything in powder blue, let alone wear it. As an adult,  I chose to become a Bruin when I attended the doctoral program at UCLA. I have fond memories and met incredible colleagues at UCLA. This is my tribute to Bruins everywhere.

Bar none, UCLA is a top academic research institution AND top DI athletic program!

UCLA  has the perfect combination of attracting the serious student who is also a die hard advocate of the Bruins! Bruins spend their days working to solve world problems and spend their free time donning their favorite powder blue shirts. You really can’t go wrong with choosing any major, while also knowing there is plenty to get involved with on this top notch campus!

The DI athletics – WOW – no other university has won more National Championships than UCLA. Bruins have earned 133 Championships. That’s right – 133!!

You might be surprised that the men’s team with the most national titles is: Men’s Volleyball with 19, followed by Men’s tennis with 16, then men’s basketball coming in at 11!

As for our female Bruins – the softball team has earned 11 national championships, women’s water polo has earned 7, and the darlings of gymnastics have won 6 national titles.

Men’s Soccer team has won 4 NCAA Championships and is always in the hunt for the next one.

If you are a smart student committed to the highest level of talent on the field, gym, or court - UCLA is worth a second look.

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Season 7, Episode 161

College Spotlight: University of Oregon

Which college has a combined Men’s and Women’s 20 NCAA Championships in track and field?

University of Oregon does.  I remember being on campus in the summer of 2016 – U of Oregon was hosting the Track and Field Olympic Trials. With eighteen varsity teams, the Oregon Ducks are best known for their football team and track and field program. This fact becomes both more interesting and  more logical when you learn that UO has a very special relationship with a little company known as NIKE.  It was a UO that little idea for a company was born at U of Oregon.

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Season 7, Episode 160

College Spotlight: Northwestern University

Northwestern University does seem to have it all - top academics, DI athletics, highly impressive students, AND quick access to a major city. With Lake Michigan as your backyard for four years, what is not to love? Oh – and – I just have to mention that Julia Louie Dryfus is an alum of Northwestern. She was once watching her son play basketball at the school where I was the principal. I was nervous but I walked right over to introduce myself and told her I was a big fan. I still am – and she was wonderful!

Here are THREE things you need to know about Northwestern University:

ONE: Northwestern attracts students from all over the world

It shouldn’t have surprised me but – it piqued my interest to learn that the 8000 students at Northwestern represent 75 countries

As I walked around campus, albeit the end of the school year – It did feel more diverse than most campuses I’ve been to.  It was terrific to  hear so many different  languages being spoken.

TWO – Academic emphasis with good connections with professors

THREE: Student Run campus. The school is focused on  training student leaders.

For example:

Dance Marathon

1500 students dance for 30 hours straight as a Fundraiser for a different organization each year.

What I loved about this tradition is that in March 2017, Northwestern students raised 1.3 million dollars for Gigi's Playhouse

This event is completely student run and operated by an Executive board that plans, coordinates, manages a huge budget, supervises workers – every detail!

Imagine having the opportunity to run a small organization with a 100K or 500K dollar budget – all before you turn 21! I can’t tell you what an opportunity that would be for you in developing leadership and management skills for the future.

Here are the facts and figures:

https://www.northwestern.edu/

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Season 7, Episode 159

College Spotlight: Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN

While I am a product of a co-educational collegiate experience – I will admit that my life was forever changed when I discovered institutions whose sole mission is to empower young women. Saint Mary’s College is set in a college town, with a beautiful sprawling campus, and next door neighbor as Notre Dame University. But it is the empowerment of young women that serves as the headliner for this  notable women’s college.

FIRST:

St. Mary’s was invited to merge with then all-boys Notre Dame University in the early 1970s and chose to stay committed to their mission of educating women.

SECOND:

Their choir has performed all over the world

THIRD:

Saint Mary’s College offers nearly 60 majors, and students are able to take classes at Notre Dame. Further, Saint Marys and Notre Dame share traditions, activities, clubs, campus events, you name it!

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Season 7, Episode 158

College Spotlight: Miami University (OH)

If you want a great education on a traditional college campus – at a public school price – this is the place to be! AND – as a bonus – if you are a hopeless romantic like me, this place has a great tradition for love birds.

Located in Oxford, Ohio, Miami is home to 19K students, with just about 17,000undergraduates. Students are represented from all 50 states and the District of Columbia And 86 countries.

Miami University has been labeled one of the country’s ‘Public Ivies’  and it has   “The brains of a big university, heart of a small school”

Here are 3 things I love about Miami:

First: The feel of the campus and local town

Second: The Hopeless Romantic Tradition (click below to hear about this unique tradition)

Third: The Tuition Promise -  Whatever the tuition is when your child arrives on campus is the tuition price for ALL FOUR YEARS!!

Curious about what makes Miami University so special?  Click below to watch or listen

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Season 7, Episode 157

College Spotlight: Seton Hall

This university’s alumni tell their story of achievement -- from the first class that included three signers of the Declaration of Independence and a signer of the Constitution to a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, a Tony Award-winning choreographer and the 46th president and 47th vice president of the United States.

Other Notable alumni include: First Lady of the United States Jill Biden (B.A. 1976); New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Super Bowl XLVII's MVP Joe Flacco.

Quick Facts and Figures:

History:

The private academy from which the university grew was founded in 1743, making it one of the oldest in the nation. However, UD was not chartered as an institution of higher learning until 1833. Historian John Munroe toasted UD’s original class as "possibly the most distinguished in terms of the later achievements of its members, taken as a whole, of any class in any school in America."  Those first students would go on to become statesmen, doctors, merchants and scholars. Thomas McKean, George Read and James Smith signed the Declaration of Independence, and Read also signed the U.S. Constitution.

This week, I’m excited to share two cool things I learned about UD

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Season 7, Episode 156

College Spotlight: Seton Hall

Seton Hall may be known to many as a sports powerhouse, but their students also take their Catholic roots seriously.  According to the Seton Hall website, in 2013 – Hilary Sadlon conducted 21 acts of kindness to celebrate her 21st birthday. Her selfless acts sparked the community to do the same during the Christmas season.

What I love about this tradition is this: You do not have to be Catholic or Christian to offer the world simple acts of kindness.

The truth is  – you may make your college list based on your head but you will choose a  college based on your heart.

The HOW do I feel, and WHY do I feel this way comes so much later in the process, but really should come at the front end. That gut feeling you have when you meet “the one” – THAT comes from the heart.

That being said, if your religion and/or your spiritual journey is important to you, take the time to research what is offered and get to know the community on campus.

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