Liberal Arts Colleges in Ohio: Part One

A Profile of the "Ohio Five"

Thomas West
Deciding to attend college is an enormous decision, and part of making that decision is deciding on what type of college to attend. Liberal arts colleges are particularly strong choices, due to the fact that they often prepare students to be lifelong learners and imbue students with a number of skills. The following five colleges in Ohio, known collectively as "the Ohio Five," are some of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the country, and as such offer a number of exciting and fascinating educational opportunities.

Oberlin College
Founded in 1833, Oberlin Collge is a very selective institution, and has established a substantive reputation for diversity and a commitment to social justice and academic excellence. The student to faculty ratio is one of the best to be found, with the current standing at 11 students to everyone faculty member; thus, you can be assured of extensive individual attention during your studies here. In addition, most classes are composed of fewer than 20 students. There are currently over 40 majors in many different disciplines, so you're sure to find something that suits your interests and long-term goals.

College of Wooster
The College of Wooster is an excellent choice for those who want to immerse themeslves in their learning experience and to develop the skills to be lifelong learners. Students that attend the College of Wooster are required to live on campus, thus creating strong bonds between students and between students and their faculty mentors. Students are also required to complete a comprehensive senior project, which imbues students with a number of skills including self-confidence and creative problem solving.

Kenyon College
If you're looking for a liberal arts college in Ohio that combines superb academic excellence with a strong community, then look no further than Kenyon College. Located on one of the most beautiful campuses in all of Ohio, this liberal arts college places a strong emphasis on the quality of its faculty, so in going there you can be assured that you will be working with some of the leading scholars in their fields. Furthermore, individual attention is considered one of the hallmarks here, so students have numerous opportunities to work closely with faculty. They are also very selective, so it is best to keep this in mind when applying to Kenyon College.

Ohio Wesleyan University
Located just a short distance from the bustling state capital of Columbus, Ohio Wesleyan University offers students a comfortable atmosphere that is still within reach of other excellent opportunities. Ohio Wesleyan University has been consistently well-ranked by a number of magazines and foundations, including the Templeton Foundation and the National Survey of Student Engagement. They also have a tremendously diverse and eclectic student body, so students coming here will be part of a multicultural learning community. There are also numerous extracurricular opportunities in which students can participate.

Denison University
Founded in 1831, Denison University has a long and illustrious reputation of offering outstanding education to its students. The curriculum here is both broad and deep, exposing students to various ways of looking at and addressing problems and issues and creating a desire to learn and develop critical thinking. There is a 10:1 student/faculty ratio, ensuring that all students receive the individual attention that makes for a strong education. They also have a standardized-test optional admissions process, so this is something to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to apply to this institution.

Whichever institution you decide to attend, be certain that you will receive a top-notch education that will certainly prepare your for success in whatever career you decide to pursue.

Published by Thomas West - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment

Thomas grew up in West Virginia, where he earned a B.A. in English, History, and Classics from Marshall University. He went on to earn an M.A. in English (with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Women s and...  View profile

To comment, please sign in to your Yahoo! account, or sign up for a new account.