Situated in upstate New York, Elmira College was established in 1855 and has long brought its approximately 60*0 undergraduates a solid liberal arts education grounded in critical thinking and reading. Class sizes are low, "so you are guaranteed a shot at success and a connection with your professors." Terms are also shorter, with the academic year broken up into two twelve-week terms, followed by a third six-week term of special, immersive classes. Not only does this structure give students the opportunity to study abroad-about 40 percent of students choose to do so-but it keeps courses "rigorous and challenging because...the shortened amount of time requires each class to be fast-paced and stimulating."
Those challenges are easily faced, as Elmira professors "are dead-set on providing their students with quality information" and are "engaged and willing to help any student with anything." And thanks to the faculty's different perspectives and backgrounds, "students really do experience a wide span of different people with different ideas and passions." This occurs in the classroom as well: though most classes are in lecture format, professors "make an effort to provide us with interactive activities, videos, and hands-on activities." Many also "use alternative assessments, such as a radio broadcast, creative writing, a debate, or a project of choice for a final," and are often "willing to offer independent and directed study courses if students are looking for different classes to take that are not offered."