Top Five Universities in the Southeast

Choosing the school that's right for you can be one of the most harrowing decisions you will ever have to make. There are very few choices in life that commit us to years in a new place, with new people, and can possibly shape the course of the rest of our lives. It is no wonder that people approach this decision with a huge amount of anxiety and fear.

Before deciding upon an institution of higher learning, it is wise to consider what exactly it is you are looking for. Just because a school is ranked number one in the nation, does not mean it will necessarily be able to fit your needs---all the hopes and dreams that are particular to you. When shopping for a school, be sure to consider not only academic excellence, but also the quality of student life, and the track record of alumnae. How much interaction do students have with professors? What do students do to let off steam? What do the school's graduates tend to do and do they enjoy it?

These are some of the questions that were taken into consideration in the researching and writing of this list of the top five universities in the Southeast. While no list will perfectly reflect the experience of every student, we are confident that the schools that earned their way onto this list are each phenomenal, each in their own way.

1. Duke University, Durham, NC

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, tops the list of best universities in the Southeast due to a nearly unbeatable combination of outstanding academics and consistently high level of student enjoyment of life and engagement in campus activities. Duke is highly competitive, and for good reason. Applicants come from around the nation and the world, giving Duke a unique flavor among Southeastern schools, at once familiar and exotic, traditional and modern. Duke's Durham campus allows access to a wealth of opportunities, both cultural and educational. A Duke education is great to have; first you have to get accepted.

2. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Like Duke, number two Johns Hopkins University is not just one of the best schools in the Southeast, but one of the best in the entire country. Johns Hopkins is known as one of the most challenging academic programs in the nation. Students are seen not as passive receptacles for professors to pour wisdom into, but as active participants in their education. Johns Hopkins gives students a role in shaping their education that is unlike that at any other university.

3. Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Georgetown University, number three on this list, is the oldest Catholic university in the nation. Georgetown's stellar reputation for its accessible faculty and wide-ranging programs is well earned. The school's District of Columbia location gives Georgetown students a thrilling opportunity to enhance their educational and cultural experience by immersing themselves not only in school but in the thriving life of the nation's capitol.

4. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

The University of Virginia earns its place on this list by joining a liberal arts college feel with a full research university. Academics are rigorous at University of Virginia, but students still report a rich life outside of the classroom, enjoying the historic environs of the school and its Charlottesville setting.

5. Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Finally, Atlanta's Emory University fights its way onto the list with its offering of a broad education combined with a sense of mission, involving students in international, national, and local communities. Like the others who share space on this list, Emory University is an outstanding place to receive an education. Getting past the competitive admission process may be the hardest part of you Emory experience.