Antioch College (
http://www.antioch-college.edu)
Located in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Antioch offers a unique co-op work experience that is bound together with its academics. Students choose to major in one of eight interdisciplinary feilds, working with a faculty member to create a personalized educational plan. These areas include the arts, cultural studies, physical sciences, environmental and biological sciences, history/philosophy/religious studies, languages/literature, self/society/culture, and social and global studies. After completing two trimesters of academic study, students begin alternating trimesters of on-campus study with off-campus jobs (or sometimes travel or independant work). Each co-op experience is planned in advance with a faculty advisor, and a paper or project is due upon completion of the experience. About half of the student body is away from the campus at any time. Antioch also prides itself on involving its students in the governance of the college to a uniquely large extent.
Simon's Rock College (
http://www.simons-rock.edu) This small college, located in western Massachussetts, is specially designed for younger students. Most students enter Simon's Rock upon completion of the 10th or 11th grade in high school (without a high school diploma). They complete two years of college and earn an associate's degree. At this point, a few decide to stay at Simon's Rock, but many transfer away to traditional four-year schools. Simon's Rock is associated with Bard College (
http://www.bard.edu), which gives this tiny college more resources. Students are assisted in their new independance by a caring professional staff. Their lives are more highly regulated than those of students at traditional four-year colleges, but their freedom increases as they move through the program. Simon's Rock provides a great alternative for those students who are bored in high school and need to move on with their education.
Old Dominion University(http://www.odu.edu)
Old Dominion is a University of about 13,000 located in Virginia. It offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in liberal arts, business, education, science, engineering, and health, as well as an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Urban Services. Credit is offered for experiential learning (military service, portfolio development, or examination is required to receive credit). A variety of distance learning programs, including a weekend college, are also available. Fees are low because of Old Dominion's semi-public university status (like many institutions in Virginia). Students have their choice of traditional dormitory living, substance free housing, quiet study housing, year-round residence, limited visitation housing, apartment-style living, an honors floor, and housing for older students with kitchenette facilities. Students are required to participate in the Career Advantage Program, which enables them to pursue gaurenteed internships for course credit or to participate in a two to three semester cooperative work experience. A wireless networking initiative will soon enable campus-wide internet access and 180 student organizations provide a lot to do. Commuter students are also supported by initiative such as a car-battery charging station and weekly morning welcome centers.
