MU
The University of Missouri is located in Columbia, Missouri, which is midway between Kansas City and St. Louis. MU, the flagship campus of the University of Missouri system, is home to more than 1200 faculty, 6500 graduate and professional students, and 26,000 undergraduate students. Graduate and professional students come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
MU's research strength lies in the life sciences with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research. MU is one of only five universities in the U.S. with a College of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, and School of Medicine on the same campus.
Social and cultural organizations are an important part of MU's extensive support infrastructure designed to promote an inclusive environment, networking, and a sense of community among all students. The MU Multicultural Center builds community, fosters a sense of belonging, and provides educational programs and resources for all students centered on the goals and values of Awareness, Education, Exploration, Community and Advocacy. The Association of Black Graduate and Professional Students, the Latino/a Graduate and Professional Network (LGPN), and a local chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science offer all students a place to both celebrate their own cultures and share them with the wider MU community. The Access Office coordinates services for students with mobility, visual and hearing impairments and learning disabilities.
The Graduate School web site has links to more than 50 graduate student academic and social organizations at MU, including many housed in individual departments including Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, the Informatics Institute, and Physics.
Columbia
Columbia is a vibrant college town with a culturally diverse population of about 102,000. Columbia combines the best of urban and rural life with inexpensive housing, low cost of living, excellent childcare centers, and a vibrant downtown district.
Columbia also boasts multiple parks, including Rock Bridge State Park and Three Creeks Conservation Area. The MKT Trail winds its way through most of Columbia before linking up to Missouri’s 225-mile long Katy Trail State Park. Canoeing and camping opportunities abound in nearby conservation areas and state parks, and the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways are only three hours away.
You can find more information about Columbia from the following links: