1. Pepperdine University (Malibu, California)

Comfortably settled in the oceanside community of Malibu, Pepperdine students enjoy lots of sunshine, great beaches, and tons of celebrity sightings. The campus itself sits right in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains, and for many students that means "the beach is visible" from their dorm rooms. When they finally pull themselves from their "breathtaking" bedside views, they "walk to class with the Pacific Ocean right there."

2. Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey)

Students at Princeton know they've got a good thing going. The school's "amazing resources, world-class professors," and "beautiful architecture" make it a plum choice for students seeking a well-rounded college experience. From gargoyles perched on various campus buildings to a faculty room modeled after the British House of Commons, Princeton is the epitome of old-world learning in historically inspired splendor.

3. Sweet Briar College (Sweet Briar, Virginia)

A "beautiful campus, quirky traditions, [and] really friendly people" are just some of the reasons students sing the praises of Sweet Briar College. The well-rounded students at this Southern women's college enjoy doing it all: "If you want to be in three clubs, have great professors, [attend] horse shows every weekend, be on student council, and do it all while working your butt off in your classes, this is the place for you." The college's campus "is beautiful and quickly feels like home rather than a school." The dorms "are gorgeous as well."

4. Agnes Scott College (Decatur, Georgia)

The appreciative students on ASC's campus enjoy the perfect Southern backdrop. When they're between classes at this women's college, many Scotties simply hang out in their "absolutely amazing dorms with high ceilings and hardwood floors." The campus itself is "beautiful," with "large trees, flowers, a gorgeous quad, [and] historic buildings." The women on this campus agree that ASC is a "really supportive, nurturing place to get an undergraduate education."

5. Sewanee-University of the South (Sewanee, Tennessee)

As one might expect based on Sewanee's moniker, this university combines the best elements of Southern living in an environment dedicated to higher learning. Sewanee's mountain-top location and sprawling campus afford students many opportunities to "do a lot of outdoor activities" such as kayaking, rock climbing, caving, hiking, and swimming. At Sewanee, "all the buildings are made from stone that comes from the same quarry," contributing to a "beautiful, peaceful" atmosphere for its lucky students.

6. Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, Massachusetts)

Mount Holyoke is home to the "best golf course and equestrian center ever, dorms like palaces," and "classic brick buildings covered in ivy." While hometown South Hadley can be a little boring, the beauty of the natural surroundings more than makes up for it. "In the fall, the colors welcome students. In the winter, the skating rink is within walking distance of many sledding hills and cross-country skiing trails. In the spring, the lakes are home to baby geese and the campus is covered in flowers." All in all, life is beautiful at Mount Holyoke.

7. Scripps College (Claremont, California)

At Scripps, "the dorms are like hotels," and this fact contributes to the "calm atmosphere" at this all-women's college in the much-praised Claremont consortium. While "some people wonder how Scripps students get work done in such a beautiful place," the better question might be, "What more can motivate you to walk to class than 80-degree weather in February?" The campus itself has "flowers, fountains, and gardens everywhere." When it's warm, students enjoy the "smell of growing oranges wafting in the air." Even the grass here is "beautiful."

8. Kenyon College (Gambier, Ohio)

Since there's "not a lot to do" in hometown Gambier, it helps that the "beauty of the campus" makes students want to stick around. Students "love to go biking and take walks on the Kokosing Gap Trail," while "wintertime brings sledding down hills on trays, cardboard, and mattresses." This classically beautiful hilltop campus is also a great example of organizational planning: "The whole campus, end to end, is a mile long; you can walk anywhere you need to be in under ten minutes."

9. Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, California)

The students at Loyola Marymount agree: "Life at LMU is awesome!" It boasts "one of the most beautiful campuses ever, right on a bluff overlooking LA," so that you "definitely feel like you're in southern California." Life off campus offers "tons of things" to do--from "clubs, beaches, museums, [and] shopping" to anything you can think of.  At LMU, every student "has the potential to expand their mind, body, and spirit" while being surrounded by a "beautiful atmosphere, encouraging professors, and plentiful resources."

10. University of California-Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, California)

Fun at UC-Santa Cruz can be as simple as taking in the natural surroundings; the campus is "in the middle of the forest, and the beach is only three minutes away. It's the most awesome campus overall." The school is home to many beach fanatics who enjoy surfing, scuba diving, sailing, and swimming. As one student puts it, "What's the point in living next to the ocean if you waste it?"

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Tip 1: To thine own self be true. Sometimes the housing office gives incoming freshmen questionnaires about their living and studying habits in order to help match them with compatible roommates. Fill these out honestly! If you're a messy person who likes listening to music at all hours, don't be ashamed to admit it. Of course, roommate assignments often bear no relation to the completed questionnaires, but at least give the housing computers a chance to pair you with somebody suitable.

Tip 2: Speak up. Get to know your roommate. Even if you're not great friends, you'll be able to get along better if you understand each other. Discuss what you expect from each other. Don't be afraid to tell your roommate if his/her actions bother you. Let each other know when important events (tests, papers, competitions, etc.) are coming up.

Tip 3: Silence is golden. Yeah, we just told you that you shouldn't be afraid to discuss things with your roommate, but you'll probably be better off if you don't tell your roommate about all of her little annoying habits. Think long term. You're going to have to live with your roommate for an entire school year, so don't nit-pick or judge her on how she acts the first week of school. It takes people a while to adjust to college life and living with a stranger, so give your roommate the benefit of the doubt before criticizing his/her actions.

1. The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas)

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the "huge" party scene at UT Austin. "From the Greek houses [and] off-campus houses" to the "football games and other sporting events," students say if "you are looking for a party there is likely one happening." Beyond campus is the capital of Texas, a city that "never sleeps. If you can't find anything to do in Austin, you're crazy."

2. Penn State-University Park (University Park, Pennsylvania)

"There is always something fun to do" at Penn State. Undergraduates report that "every night revolves around which fraternities are hosting parties, and which other organizations are invited that night." And if it's "football season the partying doesn't stop." The combination of great academics, great football, and great parties causes Penn State students to have "so much pride in [their] school it hurts."

3. West Virginia University (Morgantown, West Virginia)

"There is a party every night at this school. It would be hard to get bored here unless you locked yourself in a room like a hermit." There are also plenty of alternatives to the traditional party scene: "You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do here; there are many other things to do besides drink, like the mall, movies, sports, clubs, and hanging out with friends, to name a few."

4. University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, Wisconsin)

Badger athletics drive the party scene at UW. "Sports are insane here, and 'football Saturdays' rank among the best days of the year." As one student reports, "There's nothing like getting up at 9 AM to drink before an 11 AM football game. The streets are lined with parties and blasting music by early morning." When it comes to parties and academics, students say "this school is great for both."

5. University of Mississippi (University, Mississippi)

Football and Greek life are "huge" at Ole Miss. In the fall, students tailgate at The Grove, "a social setting jam-packed with friends and families all bound by the same values of hospitality and friendship." When football season is over "[al]most all activities outside of class or studying are centered on Greek life." The mantra often repeated by students is: "We might not win every game, but Ole Miss has never lost a party."

6. Ohio University-Athens (Athens, Ohio)

Most students at OU "tend to be responsible partygoers," which means they "work hard" during the week and "party hard" on the weekends. OU social life revolves around the "19 bars along a two-block stretch of the main drag in town." Of course, you have to be 21 to get into a bar, so "for the first two years you're here, house parties rule." Whether they're partying off campus or hanging out in the dorms, OU students are always having "a rip-roaring good-time."

7. University of Massachusetts-Amherst (Amherst, Massachusetts)

There is something for everyone at UMass. "You can choose to party every night, or to study." Most students choose to strike a balance and take advantage of the many entertainment options on and off campus. "Off-campus keg parties are huge," while nearby Northampton offers a music scene and quaint shops. The result is a "good social environment" for UMass's "fun-loving" students.

8. Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

LSU's student partygoers take football very seriously. "Tailgating before football games is as much a sport as the game itself. RVs pack the campus starting on Thursday before the game and stay for a day after." So what do students do when football season is over? "Greek life is very big on campus. The typical student is frat-tastic." Make no mistake though: "As much fun as we like to have, we [also] have an outstanding academic program."

9. University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa)

At UI, "If you want to get wild and crazy on the weekends, you can." Nearly everyone here is "football crazy," and tailgates and games are "must attend" events. Although partying is popular, "not everyone on this campus drinks." For abstaining students, "there are many residence hall-sponsored activities like swing dances, dorm parties, barbecues, tug-of-war. [The school] tries to do something every weekend." Hometown Iowa City also offers "many social activities, restaurants, and coffee shops geared toward college students."

10. University of California-Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, California)

UCSB's idyllic setting results in "a relaxed atmosphere, an ideal place in which [to] enjoy life." Enjoyment comes in many forms. "At night, one has many options. There is always the Isla Vista party scene. For the more subdued, there is the school theater and other special performances/guest lectures, night walks along the beach, and the ever-enchanting downtown Santa Barbara," where "shopping, clubs, and many good restaurants" abound.

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