I wanted to be part of a college-town atmosphere, where the town revolves around the university, and not the other way around. When I visited Iowa, I really liked the Big Ten atmosphere and down-to-earth people.

Career placement was also important to me when I was researching colleges. Through the College of Business’s Hawkinson Institute, the internship placement is comparable to ones you’d find through an Ivy League institution. 

Politics is important in Iowa because of the first-in-the-nation caucus status. I saw nearly every presidential candidate speak in front of crowds of less than a few hundred people on campus before the 2008 election. I even asked a few of my own questions. It’s enlightening to be part of the process, and make a truly informed decision about candidates.