What are some characteristics of an excellent univeristy?

Question

what makes a university better compared to others?

Answer 1

It must have faculty who are creating, not just conveying, knowledge in their fields, and who are engaged in their disciplines beyond the university itself. It must have facilities current and adequate to teach the subject matters it offers, including labs, studios, and libraries. It should have ties to the fields with which it works - for example, the business school should have connections to the business community, the medical school should be tied in to the broader medical community. It should foster a love of learning, not just train people for specific jobs, so there should generally be an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity on campus. It should be open to a variety of viewpoints, and not quick to condemn those who are outside the mainstream of academic thought (assuming they have some authority for their ideas). It needs to have a global worldview, not just a national one. It should accept students who are eager learners and capable of learning. It should care about learning, both for its students and its faculty and staff.

Answer 2

--Student/teacher ratio. The smaller the classes the better. Think about it: would you rather be in a seminar with 500 people, or in one with 10, where you can really interact with the teacher and the other students?
--Student resources. Does the school have a Career Development Center? A Writing Center? A Health Center? A campus center? Jobs for students/a work-student program? A number of clubs? Cultural opportunities? An art museum? The more of these things a University has, the better.
--Are there any traditions which bring the students together? Having a tight-knit student body is very important, as is the celebration of diversity.
--Do professors regularly publish articles or books? If so, that's a good thing!

Answer 3

Its faculty includes the "giants" of their academic fields.

Class sizes are small, so each student gets one-to-one attention.

Classes at all level are taught by professors, not teaching assistants.

It's highly selective, so only student who were high achievers in high school (often both academically and in some other way) make up most of its student body.

There's a joy of learning evident when you tour the campus. People seem happy, not totally stressed out, depressed, etc.

The school does not have a reputation as a party school, babe school, etc.

The school enjoys an excellent reputation for graduate success--their graduates have good educations and get good jobs, enter good graduate programs, and so on.

Answer 4

It's simply the value of an "A". In some universities, any dope can get an "A". In other schools, it's extremely difficult. Employers know the reputation of universities as either being "easy" or "challenging". That's what make a degree from one university worth more than another.

Answer 5

An excellent university churns out students who are able to get good-paying jobs. Just my opinion; if a college does not prepare you for real-world stuff, it's just an overpriced 4-year-sleep-away-from-home camp. A degree from an "excellent" university should be a ticket to a good job.

Answer 6

It ultimately boils down to the quality of the students. Money, good professors, expensive equipment means nothing without smart students who are willing to learn and make a difference. Besides most of the big colleges are more concerned with research and prestige so the professors assign their TA's to teach their classes so the quality of teaching is diminished so it is up to the student to learn on their own. Small classes and teachers that are available to meet with students one on one helps.

Answer 7

The above answers are good ones. Having a good football team is not one of the criteria.

Answer 8

it compels students to use spell check until they prove they are competent spellers.