College is more than just the academics. It’s going to be your home for four years and it should be in a place you really like. Not only that, the colleges you’re applying to should match your personality. Schools want more than just A+ students with perfect scores. Each one has a unique vibe and culture and they want students whose personalities are a great fit and who will thrive there. There are plenty of great schools out there for nature lovers:
Stanford
Stanford not only tops our list because it’s in a beautiful area, but it’s also one of the nation’s top schools. Stanford is located in beautiful Stanford, California on 8,000 acres of land—making it one of the largest campuses in the United States. Not only is the campus beautiful, but there are hiking and walking trails all around. Students are a short drive to some of the most beautiful mountain and water landscapes on the West Coast. It’s just 35 miles outside of San Francisco, with easy access to one of the coolest cities in America, too.
CU Boulder
University of Colorado--Boulder is a notorious school for those would otherwise be ski bums. Boulder itself is also widely considered to be one of the best college towns in America. There are ample creeks, walking paths and biking paths all around. It’s also close to some of the nation’s best skiing as it’s just a short drive from Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, and the local mountain, Eldora. It’s no wonder some 31,000 students decide to attend.
U of Hawaii
University of Hawaii is nestled in the Manoa neighborhood of gorgeous Honolulu. What more can we say? If you like snorkeling and surfing in one of the most beautiful environments in the entire world, this might be the school for you. You can also take excursions to any of Hawaii’s nearby extraordinary islands, hike volcanoes, swim under waterfalls or just lounge around on some incredibly stunning beaches.
Berkeley
UC Berkeley is a prestigious school that’s part of the UC system. It’s nested on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, a tough location to beat. On campus alone there’s plenty of nature to see. The UC botanical garden alone has 34 acres of plants. It’s one of the most diverse plant collections in the nation. There’s also great hiking within Berkeley and surrounding areas. It’s also within driving distance of tons of state parks, beautiful mountains, and of course, it’s right on the Pacific Ocean.
U of Oregon
University of Oregon is so outdoors-centric, it has its own Outdoor Program. This incorporates trips, gear rentals, events, bike loans, maintenance options and more. That’s because U of Oregon is located in the gorgeous heart of the Pacific Northwest, right in Eugene. The campus is located on the Willamette River, and is surrounded by natural areas for hiking, canoeing, walking, biking, and more.
Cornell
Cornell is a private research university and an Ivy League school located in Ithaca, New York. It’s located in the New York Finger Lakes, just on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake. It’s a bit of a trek, though there is a small airport located just a few miles away. Ithaca is known for its many waterfalls and gorges. The campus itself is up on a steep hill. So, it’s great for walkers and hikers. There are four state parks within about an hour of campus (and one within ten minutes!) and lots of little lakes, swimming holes, gorges and waterfalls a walk from campus. Cayuga Lake is a spot worth visiting well on its own. It offers boat tours and rentals, as well as tons of interesting short cruises. Cornell also has its own Outing Club for those who want to enjoy the landscape and adventures with their fellow students
Miami
University of Miami is a private research university in Coral Gables, Florida. A man-made lake (Lake Osceola) is located in the center of campus. There is also a campus arboretum, a botanical garden, and a sustainability garden. But the big appeal for nature lovers at Miami is, of course, that the campus is just a few minutes from the beach!
Boise State
Boise State is a public research university in Boise, Idaho. The 200+ acre campus is located in the heart of Boise, right on the south bank of the Boise River and just across from Julia Davis Park. The university has an intermountain bird observatory and a research outpost at the Diane Moore Nature Center. The area is ripe with pine wood and wilderness and Boise itself is home to a national forest.
Pepperdine
Pepperdine is a private Christian research university located in beautiful Malibu, California. This school is in one of the most beautiful (and exclusive) beach towns in America. Pepperdine’s main campus consists of about 800 acres of land overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The school is within miles of many excellent beaches, making it an ideal spot for surfers and beachgoers. It’s also in an area with great hiking.
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