University of Georgia
At its founding, The University of Georgia made history as the first public, state-supported college in America. These days, the school is known for its vibrant student community. UGA's college town of Athens was rated among the best sports towns in the country by ESPN, and the competitive Bulldogs sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference. There are more than 600 student clubs and organizations, including nearly 60 Greek chapters that involve almost 25 percent of UGA students. Community service is a particularly big focus, with student-run philanthropies such as ugaMiracle, a year-long fundraiser and 24-hour Dance Marathon for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Students also run the University of Georgia Insider, an online forum for advice on everything from "10 Secrets to On-Campus Survival" to "Saving Money the College Student Way." Students must live on campus, but Atlanta is 60 miles away for those itching for a road trip.
