So you’re not quite Ivy League material. Tough break, but it’s nothing to hang your head over. Korean students are thriving in every type of school this country has to offer. From mega-universities out West to small liberal colleges tucked away in rural areas, there’s a whole world of higher education available to you, many of them with an active Korean American network.

High-caliber learning environments, first-rate professors — these “other” schools have more to offer than you might expect.

So, tell your mom and dad to quit sobbing. As prestigious as the Ivies are, the best four years of your life can be had just about anywhere. Remember, it’s not the name of the institution on your diploma that matters, it’s what you do with it.

 

Carleton College

Northfield, Minnesota

Don’t Just Join the Club … Create One

 

Undergraduate enrollment: 1,980

Asian American population: 10%

Type: Private, Liberal Arts

Setting: Rural

Tuition/Fees: $36,156

Room/Board: $10,220

 

 

Perennially a top-tier liberal arts institution, Carleton pays much more than lip service to the pursuit of diversity; it’s a mission statement inseparable from the identity of the school. Countless clubs and organizations abound here, all student-initiated and school-supported. It’s a testament to the enthusiasm of the student body and to the school’s firm commitment to fostering multiplicity. “Because we all know each other, if you just hear about an event, you’re likely to attend it, rather than being at a big school where you might think, ‘Well, it’s just another event,’” says senior Joo Ree Richards. “There’s a more personal feel to our school.”

 

- The Scene: The Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) is the happening place to head for a night out, although it’s quite a distance — 30 miles north of Northfield. Consider attending on-campus KASA events at Asia House, where the Korean food is catered.

- Notable: Bizarre traditions abound at Carleton. The looniest of these is the Rotblatt, an annual softball game that lasts for as many innings as the college has had anniversaries. This year, Carleton will be celebrating its 141st.

 

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

 

Undergraduate enrollment: 6,646

Asian American population: 18%

Type: Private

Setting: Suburban

Tuition/Fees: $34,336

Room/Board: $10,220

 

Rolling roads paved with red bricks. Cottage-like buildings that scream Southern comfort. Welcome to Emory, the charming belle of elite academic institutions. The homey décor of the campus accurately reflects the closeness of the student body. “You’re constantly running into the same people and you gradually get to know them all,” says junior Hannah Shin. “It’s a really intimate campus.” Situated in Dekalb County, a quiet suburb about 20 minutes away from the bustling metropolis of Atlanta, Emory offers students the best of both worlds. The school is also known for attracting notable speakers and events (this month it welcomes his Holiness, the Dalai Lama). Next year, Emory will open its doors to students across the country as it plays host to the 22nd annual Korean American Student Conference (KASCON) in March.