Most Odyssey readers are in college or have been through college. We, on this website, constantly talk about college-related subjects to further enhance your college experience. So, why write an article about different colleges to visit? Because colleges are important.

Unless you were bred from birth to go to a specific college, you most likely spent a great deal of your senior year of high school trying to figure out which college you wanted to apply for, and which college you wanted to attend. Even if you did not visit any universities, you most likely searched for pictures of college campuses on the Internet. However, even though you have already made your decision about where you want to go to school, and even though you may have seen and or visited a plethora of campuses in your lifetime, there are still many more out there to learn about.

Universities are where the next generation is building their minds and expanding their knowledge about the world. A majority of people who will, in the future, hold high positions of leadership are currently in college. Many universities around the United States have a lot of aesthetic appeal and interesting historical backgrounds, which make them fascinating to visit.      

1. Harvard University. I’m sure you’ve heard of this university countless number of times. Wouldn’t it be great to finally put a face to a name, so to speak? Harvard is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its 400-acre campus includes beautiful gardens, the Charles River flowing through a section of the University, and stunning buildings designed by famous architects such as Le Corbusier. Not to mention, wouldn’t it be awesome to see the university where eight of our presidents have received their education? 

2. University of Virginia: Located in Charlottesville, the University of Virginia is home to many intelligent, well-accomplished graduates such as Woodrow Wilson (28th president of the United States), Tina Fey (actress, writer, comedian, and producer), and Charles T. Pepper (the original “Dr. Pepper”). The campus was founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson, one of the greatest U.S. presidents, and features a lot of greenery and neoclassical buildings that many campuses built after it have copied. 

3. Stanford University: Located in Northern California, Stanford University is another famous college name. The campus was once home to a variety of gifted individuals, such as Sandra Day O’Connor (former Supreme Court Justice), Sally Ride (first American woman to enter space), and Reed Hastings (co-founder of Netflix). The campus is 8,180 acres and features many Spanish, colonial style buildings. They even have a huge, stunning church located directly on campus, which Mr. and Mrs. Stanford built for their son.

4. University of Washington: This University offers gorgeous views of mountains and downtown Seattle. Cherry blossom tress and tall, exquisite gothic-style building are located all around the campus. What makes the campus even more beautiful is the snow in the wintertime, when it gently blankets all the buildings and trees at the university. The University of Washington is also home to many great inventions, such as bubble gum, vinyl, synthetic rubber and the color TV tube. 

5. Scripps College: Although not as well known as some universities, Scripps College contains beautiful Mediterranean revival style buildings, many fountains and well-maintained landscaping. This women’s college located, in Claremont, Calif., is only 37 acres, but includes 17 academic buildings, nine residence halls, a 25-meter swimming pool, and many other facilities. Notable alumnae from the university include Nonie Creme (founder of Butter London cosmetics company), Gabrielle Giffords (former U.S. congresswoman), and Michelle Maltais (editorial broadcast manager for the LA Times).