Texas A&M University is the coeducational public school that lies in Collage Station in Texas. This university, which is also called TAMU or A&M, was formerly known as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. However, the school was renamed as Texas A&M in 1963 even if the letters A and M did not really have explicit meaning anymore. Students, alumni and even sports teams of this institution have been known as the Aggies.

If there is one school in Texas where the school spirit is deeply ingrained in its students and alumni, it can only be Texas A&M. In fact, a number of school traditions practiced by the Aggies can be traced back to its foundation in the 1890s. The Aggies believe that these traditions and practices are important in forging a spirit of respect and loyalty not only for the school but for the country as well. In fact, the bond of the students of TAMU and the Aggie spirit are especially perceivable during sports events.

Aside from the Aggie Rings and the Senior Boots, the one tradition that makes Texas A&M stand out is the concept of the 12th Man. Students and fans of the football team of the Aggies call themselves the 12th Man, or the 12th member of the 11-player football team, as a show of their support and devotion to the team. In fact, when players of Texas A&M is hurt or when the school band plays The Spirit of Aggieland or the Aggie War Hymn, the Aggies step off the bleachers as a symbol of respect. Another tradition that perks up the spirit of enthusiasm, desire and readiness is the Yell Leaders, which consists of only five members. Unlike in other universities that have several cheerleaders to rouse their fans for support of their sports teams, the Aggies only have five people, who are composed of three seniors and two juniors and are elected by the student body, to pass instructions of what to yell or cheer on Aggie fans during sports events. Majority, if not all, of Aggies watching the games heed the shouts of the Yell Leaders as a sign of unity and strong support for their fellow Aggies who are doing their best to win the games. Now, you may be wondering how the Aggies know how to respond to the hand gestures and signals given by Yell Leaders. Well then, you might find it interesting that the students of A&M actually have a Midnight Yell Practice at the Kyle Field on the eve of every game.

Aside from yells and cheers, another important part of every collegiate competition is the presence of the school mascot. In the case of the Texas A&M, Reveille is not simply a mascot but she is also considered as the first lady of the university, often called the Aggieland. The whole student body and even the alumni of TAMU show respect for Reveille. In fact the Aggies, especially the corps of cadets of the university, refer to Reveille as “Ma’am”.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former high school football coach of 25 years. His love of the game of football is reflected in his words and memories of growing up in the South and playing football in the back yard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood friends. His biggest thrill is watching former high school players he has coached play at the college level. His favorite pastime is watching college football on TV and attending the games in person every chance he gets. Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the Big 12 and the Texas A&M Aggies. Check out his Texas A&M Aggies Lamp or his Texas A&M Belts

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Freddie_Brister

With competition rising fiercely for admission into a good undergraduate school and the choice of subjects, school curriculum expanding with it, choosing the best undergraduate school can be confusing. There are large, small, public, private, urban and rural undergraduate schools to select from; while some are appealing because of their inviting locale in a countryside setting or in the midst of a cosmopolitan setting others lure the students with their state-of-the-art facilities and distinguished host of teachers.

The list of top 25 undergraduate schools listed below have many diverse traits and distinct characteristics, however the common thread running through them is that of the promise of the best education ever. The undergraduate school curriculum of these top 25 schools is unparalleled and makes them stand apart as the institutions of great learning.

Best Ivy undergraduate school

Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut Yale president Richard Levin is a leader and a visionary and has been tireless in his efforts to change ED admissions policies, making it a one of the many reasons for it being the vied for the number one position and topping the student’s list for admissions. A big attraction of the undergraduate experience for students is the residential-college system. Students live in one of twelve colleges, each with its own distinct personality, under the guidance of a master and a dean.

Best School for Entrepreneurs

Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa.

Six of the campus’s 10 undergraduate schools offer entrepreneurship courses. The Smeal College of Business and the College of Engineering are the most natural partners, with joint programs to show engineers how to run businesses and to teach business students the latest technology. Hotel-management students operate two on-campus hotels and conference centres where they’re involved in everything from food service to staffing the front desk while the College of Communications focuses on entrepreneurship in the Information Age.

Big 10 School – Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill

Comprising of six undergraduate schools, Northwestern University attracts students with diverse aspirations including budding actors, journalists, engineers and teachers as well as a host of liberal-arts students. Each school is world renown and attracts the best minds from across the globe. Set in Evanston at the edge of the bustling Cosmo polis of Chicago, Northwestern offers its students the best of both worlds.

Best Architectural School – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

President Charles Vest initiated an ambitious $1 billion construction program at MIT which includes the Steven Holl’s Simmons Hall, a aluminium-clad dormitory as well as the Fumihiko Maki’s expansion of the Media Lab. The more famous building is that of the Stata Center, a computer-science landmark by Frank Gehry containing labs for the “intelligence sciences” and connected corridors and public spaces to encourage spontaneous collaboration. MIT calls it an “intellectual village.”

Best school of for Arts – Juilliard School, New York, N.Y.

With a history of more than a hundred years, Julliard is known as one the most famous undergraduate school of arts and can boast of an impressive alumni list the likes of the actor Kevin Kline, violinist Itzhak Perlman and choreographer Lar Lubovitch. To celebrate this glory, the school has introduced new choreography, productions and performances. Only a few select students comprising of musicians, dancers and actors get chosen every year to showcase their talent in the Juilliard Theatre right next to Lincoln Centre. That’s the best inspiration for any aspiring star.

Best Library- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard’s library system ranks with the best of any kind in the country, even as compared to the Library of Congress. The collection which includes more than 15 million volumes, 5.5 million microforms, 6.5 million manuscripts and 5 million other research materials such as photographs, maps and recordings is the largest in the world. Harvard’s digital collection is particularly strong, and is hugely beneficial for students who want access to any existing online journal

Best Riding School – Hollins University, Roanoke, Virginia

Situated in the breathtaking locale of Virginia’s horse country, Hollins undergraduate school is known for its exceptional training for equestriennes. The school is a regular winner of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship, and the Hollins team has won ten times in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. Although many Hollins students work with horses after graduation as trainers, riders or veterinarians, the school also offers a strong liberal-arts program and a highly regarded creative-writing curriculum. It is famous for its celebrity alumni the likes of Margaret Wise Brown, Annie Dillard and Lee Smith.

Best undergraduate school for diversity-Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

Dean of Admissions Nancy Meislahn believes that only a large cross section of society from across the globe can contribute to the intellectual diversity of an educational system. Wesleyan’s student population comprises of one third coloured people and 7% international students. An additional 15% are the first in their family to attend a four-year college. It offers a huge diversity of shared learning and wide range of perspective to the classroom.

Best Tech Savvy School – Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H

This undergraduate school has been in the forefront of technological revolution ever since professors John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz, forty years ago, not only realized the importance of computers but were responsible for creating the computer language BASIC. It is known to have the first e-mail programs and an early campus computer network. Dartmouth was also the first Ivy to install WiFi on campus. The school offers free software to students so they can turn their laptops into telephones using the school’s WiFi.

Best Fitness School – University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

Following the adage of Thomas Jefferson, the founder of UVA, who advocated that a strong body makes the mind strong, UVA offers both varsity competitors and weekend warriors some of the best fitness facilities in the country. Students benefit hugely from the four indoor recreation centres, which together make up 300,000 square feet of pools, running tracks, weight rooms and classrooms for yoga and kickboxing. The school also maintains a 23-acre park for outdoor field sports and jogging.

Best Honor Code – Haverford College, Haverford, Pa.

The honor code is central to the college’s values and includes every aspect of academic and social life. Rob Killion, Director of Admissions says that the founder, Haverford expects people to learn from one another, debate and argue with one another–but to do so respectfully. It is an academically rigorous liberal-arts college that advocates take-home and non-supervised exams as well as students living in dorms, without resident advisers

Best school for studying abroad – Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts

The mission at Tufts is simple – to teach students to be world citizens. Tufts likes students who want to study abroad which translates into a strong language requirement, and a chance to learn a new culture in one of Tufts’s own centres in countries like Germany, Chile, China or Ghana. About 40% of Tufts juniors are travelling across the world during the academic year.

Best School for Politics – George Washington University, Washington, D.C

With a campus close to the World Bank and a stone’s throw away from the White House, GWU is a dream college for every Political Science major. Many of the professors are consultants to top government officials thus bringing a real, practical and intelligent perspective to the classroom. The school also encourages internships at government agencies, think tanks and advocacy organizations.

Best school for Double Majors – Rice University, Houston, Texas

Rice allows its students to explore their passions and requires them to commit to their majors only in the Junior Year unlike most schools who ask for it in the Sophomore Year. With an ambitious student body, many of them go for double majors. The most common combination is science and humanities. The school is best known for its engineering and science curriculum, but the social sciences are also becoming strong.

Best school for Greeks with brains- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich

Michigan is known for its multi-disciplinary approach including everything from music to medicine. A good eclectic mix of academics and a lively social life, it offers its students everything. About 15% of undergrads go Greek, which students say helps them find a friendlier community within the vast student population. Fraternities and sororities are especially popular with the many out-of-state students.

Best school for Hot and Dry – Pomona College, Claremont, Calif.

Pomona is one of five colleges of the Claremont University where students experience the best of both worlds – the academically challenging environment of a small New England liberal-arts college with year-round California sunshine. A combination that is attractive and motivating, the applications are up by almost 30% in the last few years. Students also can explore the academic and social resources of the other Claremont colleges, including Pitzer, Harvey Mudd and Scripps. But none of the colleges will be tapping a keg during “dry week,” a tradition at the start of the year during wherein no alcohol is allowed on campus.

Best State University – University of Texas at Austin

Although University of Texas Austin has attained the distinction of a laid-back campus, it is no place for slackers. With 50,000 students (more than any other school in the country), UT boasts some of the nation’s best business, law and engineering schools. Besides football, it has 900 student organizations that should keep you going.

Best school for landing a job – Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa

Practical approach and hands-on experience is the most important part of life at Carnegie Mellon. The school has 12 programs including computer science, engineering and drama which are very famous. The school takes pride in being on the cutting edge in every field and encourages students to think about applying what they learn to the real world. About 70 percent of Carnegie Mellon students have a job offer when they graduate.

Best school for Health Careers – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.

One of the top public universities in the US, UNC-Chapel Hill offers students a choice of more than 50 majors. But the main attraction for future doctors, nurses and other health professionals is the opportunity to study at a campus with all health disciplines in one place. The School of Nursing and the School of Public Health both have undergraduate programs. At the School of Medicine, undergrads can earn degrees in radiology science or clinical laboratory practice.

Best school for Individualists – Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin comprises of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. It has a unique approach to life and learning and the undergraduate school curriculum offers innovative subject matter like – Death and the Art of Dying, American Mixed Blood, and Destination: L.A. The student-run Experimental College lets undergraduates teach courses of their own creation, like Making Your Own Mobile or Mythology and Epic Storytelling in “Lord of the Rings.” This eccentricity is very rewarding and Oberlin graduates have more Ph.D.s than alumni of any other liberal-arts college.

Best school for city haters – Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

Cornell’s rural, upstate New York campus is bounded by deep gorges, spectacular scenery and a beautiful rural setting. However, it has one of the most rigorous and challenging curriculum that draws only the best minds. The school’s greatest attraction is its academic diversity, with top-ranked undergraduate schools of engineering, arts and sciences, architecture, hotel administration, industrial and labour relations, agriculture and human ecology.

Best school for city lovers – New York University, New York, N.Y.

With the Olsen twins Mary-Kate and Ashley lending NYU some of its fame, it is a school loved by the urban and the hip. Despite the 9/11 catastrophe, it continues to draw crowds of talented students. One of the top attractions is the Tisch School of the Arts, which nurtures future actors, dancers and screenwriters. The business school is also highly rated, and students can take advantage of internships on Wall Street. The campus of NYU is not structured in the strictest sense; in fact buildings scattered throughout the Greenwich Village, most students like to believe that they have the whole city as the campus to explore.

Best Military School – U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.

The four-year undergraduate curriculum at Annapolis is tough and technically oriented, with core requirements in engineering, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. Traditions play a huge part in campus life. “When you first show up for classes in the fall, students begin counting down the number of days until the Army-Navy game,” says Cmdr. Tim Disher, admissions officer. Graduates become commissioned officers in the Navy or the Marine Corps.

Best undergraduate school for scholarships – Berea College, Berea, Ky.
The 1,500 students at Berea come from families with average household incomes of only $30,000, and 80% have grown up in southern Appalachia, a region that spans nine states with some of the most remote and poor rural communities in the country. Berea’s mission is unique in that it believes in promoting education by giving scholarships to the poor but deserving. All students get full-tuition scholarships, although they do have to pay for their room, board and books. However, scholarships are available for those as well. Students are required to work–many of them at jobs on campus that help to keep Berea’s costs down.

Best Surf and Ski School – University of California, Santa Barbara

It is known to be the most beautiful campus located at the edge of the Pacific. UCSB also boasts Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, top research centres in science and technology and an extensive study-abroad program. Aside from the top academics, the various recreation programs offered attract many of the students. The campus has its own beaches where students can surf, and the Big Bear ski resort is just a few hours’ drive away.

William Brister – [http://www.plato.tv] – Federal Financial Aid

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Brister

Virginia is home to numerous colleges and universities, with many of them being nationally recognized for both their scholastic and athletic achievements. That being said, here are some of the Commonwealth’s institutes of higher learning that may be known on a national level:

The University of Virginia
Located in Charlottesville and founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA is regularly ranked one of the top academic institutions for both undergraduate and post graduate study. With a well-respected law school, undergraduate business school, post graduate writing program, and medical school it’s been home to those seeking academic and athletic excellence.

Notable alumni include: Edgar Allen Poe, Walter Reed, Katie Couric, Tiki and Ronde Barber, and James Farrior.

Virginia Tech
Formally known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, VTech, as it’s popularly known, is located in Blacksburg, having been founded in 1872. Featuring a well-ranked undergraduate engineering department, as well as a well-ranked undergraduate business school. In addition, six of VTech’s engineering specialities rank in the top 20 nationally.

Also known for athletics, VTech is an annual competitor in the ACC in football and recently saw a resurgence in their men’s basketball program. Their women’s basketball team is perennially represented in the post-season.

Notable alumni include: Hoda Kotb, Jayma Mays, Bruce Smith, Michael Vick, DeAngelo Hall, Josh Morgan, and Eddie Royal.

George Mason University
Located just outside DC in Fairfax, GMU is the largest university by headcount in the Commonwealth, with over 32,500 students enrolled, with approximately 5,500 actually living on campus. While GMU also has campuses in Prince William County and Arlington, only the Fairfax campus offers student housing.

Named for founding father George Mason, GMU was originally a branch of UVA. Established in 1957, it was separated from UVA in 1972 to become its own university. While one of the younger universities in Virginia, it has nonetheless gained acclaim for its economics department, which features two Nobel Prize winners on staff, and burst onto the national scene in 2006 when the men’s basketball team made it all the way to the Final Four before losing to eventual champion Florida.

Virginia Commonwealth University
Located in Richmond, VCU wasn’t officially created until 1968 when Richmond Professional Institute and Medical College of Virginia merged. Well-known for both the MCV medical school and their extensive arts programs, VCU is also a popular school thanks to its location in the heart of Richmond.

Much like GMU before it, VCU jumped into the national awareness with a 2011 Final Four appearance by their men’s basketball team, which eventually lost to Butler.

Notable alumni include: Path Adams, David Baldacci, members of the band GWAR, Debbie Matenopoulos, and Brandon Inge.

Virginia Military Institute
Established in 1839 and located in Lexington, VMI is the oldest state-supported military college in the country. While often referred to as the “West Point of the South”, cadets at VMI are not compelled into military service upon their graduation like at the other service academies, though during their time at the school they are required to engage in ROTC training.

With a history that predates the American Civil War, faculty have included Stonewall Jackson, and the school was pivotal for the South during the Civil War as it played a large part in training soldiers for battle, and a corp of cadets fought as an independent unit, a distinction it holds from the other service academies.

The College of William & Mary
Located in Williamsburg, William & Mary was founded in 1693 by royal charter from King William III and Queen Mary II. The only older school of higher education in the US is Harvard, though William & Mary is home to the first collegiate secret society, the F.H.C. Society.

Featuring the lowest student to faculty ration (12 to 1) and with 99% of all undergraduate classes (except for labs) taught by professors instead of teaching assistants, William & Mary is regularly listed as one of the top undergraduate teaching programs.

Notable alumni include: Jon Stewart, Mike Tomlin, Perry Ellis, Patton Oswalt, James Monroe, and Thomas Jefferson.

Maura Samson works at assisted living communities in Virginia, including a Alexandria and Richmond assisted living community. To learn more about assisted living communities visit Retirement Unlimited online at: RUI.net.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maura_Samson

Joining a fraternity or sorority is one way of getting to meet people when arriving at a college or university. Although some fraternities and sororities have gotten a bad reputation for hazing and hard partying, those are the actions of a few. Overall, fraternities and sororities promote friendship, brotherhood and sisterhood, as well as good grades.

Four Reasons to Join a Fraternity or Sorority

1. Joining a fraternity or sorority is a way to establish lifelong friendships. They offer a true brotherhood and sisterhood. Once you join, you are a member for life, not just during your college years. Your brothers or sisters can become valuable people in your adult life. The bonds that are formed are stronger in the Greek system than those formed with friends from other clubs. As an alumni, you will find many opportunities to stay involved in your sorority or fraternity.

2. Joining a fraternity or sorority allows you to develop leadership skills. Every sorority and fraternity has parties, rush, dinners and other formal events. Each event must be planned. This gives many opportunities to chair or sit on a committee. This, in turn, leads to the development of leadership and team skills that will be invaluable in the working world.

3. Joining a sorority or fraternity allows you to perform community service. Every fraternity and sorority has a service organization they sponsor. Whether it is providing supplies and money for the blind, those with juvenile diabetes, those with cancer or the elderly, there is always a philanthropic fundraising event or volunteer work to take part in.

4. Joining a sorority or fraternity provides you with valuable networking contacts. When you join a sorority or fraternity, you are making contacts that last a lifetime. In addition, you have the support services of all alumni as well as the possibility of meeting important business contacts. Fraternities and sororities have huge alumni networks. Once you graduate from college, these alumni contacts will work with you to help you get the job you want. From providing references to job leads, the networking contacts and skills you get from joining a fraternity or sorority are priceless.

Of course, having fun is a huge part of the Greek experience. In addition to the valuable skills and contacts you will learn and make, you are guaranteed to have fun. The Greek system, as a whole, has many fun experiences. With everything from “Greek Week” where all Greek campus members come together for fun activities to individual sorority and fraternity functions, fun is sure to be found. You will always find someone who is willing to make a road trip, have a late night study session or go to a sporting event.

Lexi Davis is a writer who enjoys sharing her knowledge and advice with readers. For more on college fraternities and sororities, Greek For Me offers readers information on fundraiser ideas for students in social organizations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lexi_L_Davis