Many US Universities are idea for young activists! With so many US universities to choose from, students are sure to find a university that shares their values. In student applications, many college admissions officers are looking for a student’s passion and commitment to different causes; young activists will find they are well supported at many US universities.
When meeting with students, Vela Education is often asked about different types of activities around activism from racism to climate change. It is important to have universities on your list that support your causes and beliefs. At Vela Education, we aim to provide tailored information to help students find their “best fit” university.
It may come as no surprise that the nation’s capital plays host to two politically active campuses. George Washington University is one of the most politically active universities with many alumni going on to have very successful political careers. Students are involved in over 100 advocacy and awareness clubs on campus. There is also a Human Services and Social Justice major offered to students who want to make their activism their academic pursuit. American University is another research university in D.C that offers an interdisciplinary major called CLEG: Communications, Legal Studies, Economics, and Government. This college has a long history of political activism, starting with protests against the Vietnam War in the 1960s.
On the other side of the country, UC Berkeley – one of the University of California campuses – is renowned for its history of activism dating back to the 1920s when the faculty fought for immigration rights. There are 100 student-run activist groups covering gender equality, racial equality, disability rights, and sustainability among others. Vela Education recommends that students also research Columbia University and Yale University as these campuses are excellent examples of student activism in the Ivy League.
Activism at university can be found on campuses of all sizes. For students hoping to attend a university with a bigger student population, some of the public universities have very active student populations when it comes to involvement in awareness groups. The University of Washington created the School for Social Work which puts an emphasis on local community involvement and encourages students to think about national issues on a local level. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill encourages its students to participate in student demonstrations, most recently around climate and environment. Students at the University of Missouri also regularly participate in demonstrations and work towards different causes.
Many students are looking for smaller university environments and there are many liberal arts colleges that encourage their student activists. The Claremont Colleges – Pitzer College and Claremont McKenna College in particular – are proud hosts to students who care about issues from racial and economic inequality to sustainability. Pitzer College regularly invites activists to speak and hosts an annual Arts and Activism panel. Students are also required to take classes in the Social Responsibility and the Ethical Implications of Knowledge and Action sections. Campuses such as Vassar College, Wesleyan College, and Smith College also offer fantastic opportunities for students to get involved in social and political movements.
Vela Education knows how important it is to find the best fit university for each student. We offer strategic consultations to get the conversation started around our students’ applications. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.