Connecticut College

Photo: Connecticut College. Retrieved from: www.conncoll.edu

Connecticut College is known for its selectivity of students and its rigorous academic programs, as well as its interdisciplinary academic centers. This institution competes in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). Connecticut is a member of the group of colleges colloquially known as the “little ivies”, which is made up of small colleges with academic standards and facilities that can rival the big universities belonging to the Ivy League. Standardized test scores are not required for admission.

A Connecticut College education will help you develop skills for success in any arena. You’ll learn how to evaluate and synthesize information, solve complex problems, reason cogently and communicate effectively. The honor code is a tradition that the school upholds, and its main message is self-discipline. All academic and social activities in the campus are done under the honor code, which the students implement in whatever they do.

A degree from Connecticut College education is geared towards helping the graduate succeed in his or her field. The college offers opportunities for off-campus education through college-funded internships, student-faculty research, service learning and study-abroad programs. The school specializes in majors in the arts, sciences, humanities and social sciences department. The mission of the school is to “educate students to put the liberal arts into action as citizens in a global society”.

School History

Connecticut College started out as Connecticut College for Women in 1891. The school was established during the time when Wesleyan University closed its doors to women. The campus is picturesque, right on the Thames River, and with a beautiful view of the Long Island Sound on the highest point in New London. During that time, women were started to develop the interest in higher education, prompting some colleges to establish female counterparts of already established all-male colleges. Since 1932, the Connecticut College has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. In 1969, the college changed its name to Connecticut College when the institution became co-educational.

Campus Life

The student population is nearly 2,000, with males comprising approximately forty percent of this population. Connecticut College residences compruse 23 halls or houses. All the residence halls or houses are located very near the school, so most students prefer to walk rather than drive to class. Each house is unique in terms of architecture and the environment surrounding it. Some are modern, while other houses are classically designed in the granite style. The best residences are those that afford the view of Tempel Green, where the lacrosse and soccer teams compete and practice regularly, and those that have views of Long Island Sound. There are special theme houses, such as Knowlton Language House, 360Earth House, and Burdick.

There is no Greek housing system and there are no freshman-only residences. Each house welcomes all year levels, but most upperclassmen take the singles while freshmen live in doubles, triples and quads. There is a Residential Education and Living office that will match a student with a roommate based on the answers to the residence-related questionnaire in the application kit.

Social life in Connecticut College revolves around the activities in the residence halls. Most residences hold acquaintance parties where members of each house discuss rules and plan events. Study breaks are organized as well as teams that engage in competition versus the other houses.

Financial Aid

The amount of financial aid given to a student is based on the demonstrated financial need, which is determined by the Financial Aid Office based on the documents submitted by the student and his or her family. Grants are awarded, and the average amount received by each qualifying student is around thirty thousand. Loans and a work-study job may be offered as a part of a student’s financial package. The average student loan a student has to pay back after graduation is close to $30,000.