<p>FYI - Forbes comes out with another international college “rankings” list, and the United States is well represented:</p>
<p>[The</a> World’s Most Beautiful College Campuses](<a href=“http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/the-worlds-most-beautiful-college-campuses]The”>http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/the-worlds-most-beautiful-college-campuses)</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>We really did think that Kenyon was absolutely gorgeous. Of the 16 or so schools we visited, I’d have to say that Kenyon, Wellesley and Bryn Mawr were the prettiest from a classic collegiate sense. Georgetown really appeals to me, personally, as well, but that’s a different look.</p>
<p>Another set of photos:</p>
<p>[Most</a> beautiful university campuses around the world - SkyscraperCity](<a href=“http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=291709]Most”>Most beautiful university campuses around the world | SkyscraperCity Forum)</p>
<p>Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. DD1 took one look at Kenyon in the middle of the corn fields and wanted to turn around while I wished I could attend. I could argue the schools both DDs attend should be on the list: Denison U (where the original design came from Frederick Olmsted’s firm, the designers of Central Park) and Lewis and Clark College (former estate of Lloyd Frank).</p>
<p>True. It’s sort of like arguing what’s prettier, a snow covered mountain or the beach. Different strokes.</p>
<p>Indeed. My D thought the neo-Classical style of Columbia combined with the beaux-artes Barnard campus perfect. My girl loves a city. She now lives in a brownstone on the Upper West Side in NY.</p>
<p>Vassar used to make this lists. Hm.</p>
<p>Just my 2 cents…West Point is incredibly gorgeous and Naval Academy is very pretty. Both are (IMHO) much better looking than Air Force Academy.</p>
<p>mythmom- I also like Columbia/Barnard</p>
<p>Yes, I loved the Naval Academy - the setting can’t be beat but my favorite is Oxford. It’s not only the architecture - but the feeling of something “great” as you walk around its campus.</p>
<p>I would love for my D, a HS jr, to consider Trinity. Now, I have another reason!</p>
<p>Really enjoyed those photos, zapfino. Thanks for posting!</p>
<p>I must be very old school - Oxford, Cambridge and Trinity (Dublin) are my favorites.</p>
<p>Looks like their panel of experts had a penchant for arches and arcades. Also, they sometimes appear to include a campus based on one iconic building (e.g. the churches at Stanford and the AF Academy) rather than the campus as a whole.</p>
<p>The only colleges I’ve seen in person are the three within 8 miles of where I live, but from pictures, Emory looks very pretty.</p>
<p>I’d like to give Cambridge some love. Cambridge has lots of green and space - beautiful college campuses always include spacious green fields, IMO. I much prefer it to Oxford’s more compact city feel.</p>
<p>Behold!</p>
<p>[Trinity</a> Hall: Library Court: Master’s Lodge](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/0009/P9052364.html"]Trinity”>Cambridge 2000: Trinity Hall: Library Court: Master's Lodge)
[Latham</a> Court: Jerwood Library](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/0007/P7211825.html"]Latham”>Cambridge 2000: Trinity Hall: Latham Court: Jerwood Library)
[Newnham</a> College: Sidgwick Avenue: Sidgwick Hall](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/0006/P6181385.html"]Newnham”>Cambridge 2000: Newnham College: Sidgwick Avenue: Sidgwick Hall)
[Newnham</a> College: Newnham Walk: Pfeiffer Archway](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/0006/P6171333.html"]Newnham”>Cambridge 2000: Newnham College: Newnham Walk: Pfeiffer Archway)
[Newnham</a> College (Cambridge)](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/mattong/3079331485/"]Newnham”>Newnham College (Cambridge) | Founded in 1871, Newnham Colle… | Flickr)
[Peterhouse:</a> Old Court: dining hall](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/0010/PA172709.html"]Peterhouse:”>Cambridge 2000: Peterhouse: Old Court: dining hall)
[Peterhouse</a> Panorama](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/liamgrue/1298532401/"]Peterhouse”>Peterhouse Panorama | A panorama of Peterhouse, the oldest c… | Flickr)
[Downing</a> College: main court: east range](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/0004/P4050446.html"]Downing”>Cambridge 2000: Downing College: main court: east range)
[Pembroke</a> College: Ivy Court: east range](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/0006/P6171367.html"]Pembroke”>Cambridge 2000: Pembroke College: Ivy Court: east range)
[Pembroke</a> College: Library Court: library](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/addendum/P3115244.html"]Pembroke”>Cambridge 2000: Pembroke College: Library Court: library)
[St</a> John’s College: Cam: Bridge of Sighs](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/0005/P5140918.html"]St”>Cambridge 2000: St John's College: Cam: Bridge of Sighs)
[St</a> John’s College: New Court: south range](<a href=“http://cambridge2000.com/cambridge2000/html/0001/P1010023.html"]St”>Cambridge 2000: St John's College: New Court: south range)
[Great</a> Court, Trinity College, Cambridge](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/abbietabbie/3750059772/"]Great”>Great Court, Trinity College, Cambridge | For Trish (alaska1… | Flickr)
[Cambridge</a> University, the River Cam](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/geckospake/4282422895/"]Cambridge”>Cambridge University, the River Cam | Cambridge University, … | Flickr)</p>
<p>Excuse me, I’m simply a girl in love.</p>
<p>How does the beauty of the entire campus affect the mind of students?</p>
<p>I did not have the chance to see the beautiful trees or the classic architectures of other colleges, but I was quite satisfied with the modern architectures of 2 or 3 buildings of my college. When I looked at them I was thinking of their inside activities.</p>
<p>I just love a campus that feels ancient. Notre Dame has that feeling to me. I walk around and think about all the learning that has taken place in those hallowed halls over the years, and I yearn to study there. I’ve never been on an Ivy League campus or to Oxford, Cambridge, St. Andrews, etc., but I imagine the feeling would be multiplied. A modern-looking campus makes me think more about technology and cutting-edge thinking, but my Gothic sensibility makes me crave the wisdom of the ages.</p>
<p>I just know someone is going to say, “You shouldn’t assume that you can’t learn the wisdom of the ages on a modern-looking campus,” to which I preemptively respond, “Duh!!! I know!!! I’m just saying!!!”</p>
<p>Can’t imagine why they didn’t list Amherst with its acres and acres of conservation preserve land and the historic chapel, etc.</p>
<p>I went to Oxford (and likely the college with the most beautiful grounds - Worcester - where Alice in Wonderland takes place - but Scripps is still more beautiful.</p>
<p>None of my children so far have been concerned with finding a beautiful campus. They are concerned with school size, setting (urban vs rural) and quality of academic programs, but haven’t said “I can’t go here because it is not pretty enough”. I would think all campuses have a few lovely spots somewhere.</p>
<p>When I was in college, our football team played at Princeton on a perfect October day with blue skies and leaves that were at their peak of color. I went to the game as a member of the marching band. I remember thinking to myself, “Now THIS is college.” One of the most beautiful days and fun football games I can remember (although my team lost).</p>
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<p>Seems sensible. But apparently campus beauty, or at least achieving a certain campus look is very important to some students. Consider this post put up just today on the Dartmouth board by a recruited athlete:</p>
<p>"Hi,</p>
<p>So the other day I was called about an OV to Dartmouth. This was my first OV call of the fall so I bounced off the walls and now we’re going to start planning it. But my concern is…</p>
<p>Before the call, I was never really considering Dartmouth. I was never in love with the rural environment or heavy Greek life. Honestly, I’m just a nerd wants to live in a castle-looking dorm. But from what I’ve seen from Dartmouth’s campus, while very beautiful, is that it lacks the “castle” feel and instead has the “traditional college” look to it. But this is all creeping I’ve done online.</p>
<p>I would greatly appreciate if any students (alumni or current) would give me more of an insight (architecture, Greek life, non-academic life) about the college; pictures can tell only so much.</p>
<p>Thanks" </p>
<p>I’m not sure what he means by a “castle” look - Gothic architecture would be my guess.</p>
<p>A lot of people I know want to buy a house near a golf course. But everytime I drive by a beautiful and well cared golf course I feel depressed. It’s too cold, too fake, too lonely, and uninteresting.</p>