Author Archives: Callie Kollenbroich

About Callie Kollenbroich

Callie Kollenbroich has been the Operations Coordinator and Content Writer/Editor at Rent College Pads since 2015. When she's not working, you can find her at home, eating peanut butter out of the jar and bingeing an unhealthy amount of Forensic Files. She's not as lame as she sounds.

State College Apartments: Five Top Rated Penn State Landlords
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Old Main at Penn State

Old Main at Penn State (Flickr)

As past and current students, we understand the challenges associated with finding the right off-campus housing at Penn State. However, it’s critical to remember that finding the right place is just as important as finding the right landlord. Whether it’s a friend-of-a-friend or property management team, all landlords should abide by a similar set of standards to offer their tenant’s the best living experience possible.

With this in mind, we combed through hundreds of apartments and property management companies near the Penn State campus and created a list of the five highest rated landlords in State College. Continue reading →

Top Rated Morgantown Landlords: WVU Off-Campus Housing
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Fall in Morgantown, WV

Fall in Morgantown, WV (Flickr)

The average college student has a lot of monumental decisions to make, from deciding which bio lecture they want to take to what toppings they’re going to order on that two a.m. pizza. All of these decisions might be crucial aspects of life on campus, but none of them can make or break a college experience like choosing a place to live.

To help make that choice a little easier, we ran through a list of apartments near WVU and property management companies near the West Virginia campus and settled on the ten best landlords in Morgantown based on their Google reviews. Continue reading →

UWL Off-Campus Housing: 10 Top Rated La Crosse Landlords
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Downtown La Crosse. (Flickr)

Downtown La Crosse. (Flickr)

La Crosse, Wisconsin is the definition of a college town. A large chunk of the population is students, a lot of the businesses and amenities of the city are meant to serve students, and there’s a downtown that is the stuff of legends.

There might be three colleges in town, but students and citizens know who runs the place: UW-La Crosse. We’ve surveyed the field and assembled a list of 10 realtors that provide the optimal housing options for UW-L students. Continue reading →

10 Reasons You Know You Went To Penn State University
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Penn State's Beaver Stadium

Penn State’s Beaver Stadium (Flickr)

Besides the inevitable search for apartments near Penn State, there are a few things that every Penn Stater should see and do throughout the academic year. You know you went to Penn State if you’ve experienced one, or all, of these ten things.

1. There’s no better place to be on a fall Saturday than Beaver Stadium

It’s the house Paterno built. It’s ninety thousand people wearing Navy and White and cheering for one of the country’s most prestigious college sports programs. It’s seeing the Nittany Lion run up and down the sidelines. It’s regularly considered one of the top college game day experiences in the country. It’s getting fired up just by hearing the words “We Are.” You simply can’t describe what it’s like to attend a Penn State football game; it’s something you just have to experience. Continue reading →

10 Reasons You Know You Went To Illinois State University
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The famous Pub II college bar in downtown Normal, IL

The famous Pub II college bar in downtown Normal, IL (Flickr)

1. Wednesday’s are for Pub II

Drinking in college is something a lot of students like to partake in. Some even go as far as to avoid having classes on Friday so they can participate in “Thirsty Thursday.” If you go to Illinois State, you know that the real fun starts on Pub Wednesday. A bar in Downtown Normal named Pub II, or The Pub for short, has a DJ and some wicked good drink specials on Wednesdays that attract a substantial college crowd. Pub II is, without a doubt, the place to be on Wednesday nights. Continue reading →

Landlord Profile: Walk 2 Class at Illinois State University
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blackIt’s important to feel both safe and comfortable. Comfort isn’t just a matter of choosing the right futon or getting rid of that chair passed down from two generations before when the bottom falls out. Comfort is about your surroundings and being able to rely on some backup whenever problems arise at home. Being stuck with a leaking toilet or oven that won’t even boil a pot of water causes the sort of unnecessary emotional stress that college students need to avoid while focusing on school and socializing.

Over the past month, we’ve been assembling lists of the top landlords at campuses around the country based on online reviews from former tenants. The same common themes came up time and time again at campuses all over. It turns out whether a student attends a large state school in New York or a small college in the Midwest, he or she typically is looking for the same thing in a landlord. Students want respect and responsiveness.

One company that stood out to us based on an extreme number of positive reviews was Walk 2 Class, located about as close to the Illinois State University campus as possible. We had the chance to speak with owner Chuck Kiven and Courtney Lahr, a property manager at Walk 2 Class about their service and what they’re doing to keep students so happy. Continue reading →

10 Reasons You Know You Went To Syracuse University
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A hefty plate of food from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Syracuse, NY (Flickr)

1. There’s only one Grocery store that has your heart: Wegman’s

Native to the upper east coast, Wegman’s offers a wide selection of food, household items, floral supplies, and anything else you could ever want or need. Whether you’re grabbing some ready-to-eat pizza or hunting for the best deals on organic food, Wegman’s is your grocery chain of choice if you’re a student attending Syracuse University. The crowds might drive off some, but the amazing sushi rolls will have you clamoring for this store when you’re back home for the holidays. Continue reading →

The 5 Instagram Accounts You Have To Follow If You Go To UVA
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The Rotunda at the University of Virginia (Flickr)

The Rotunda at the University of Virginia (Flickr)

1. @wahoofood

Looking to break up a newsfeed of girls in pearls and guys in ties with some wahoo-approved food pics? Look no further—wahoofood is sure to satisfy your deepest cravings. This student-run account devotes itself to posting pictures of the best treats that UVA and Charlottesville have to offer. From glamorous shots of Bodo’s bagels to scrumptious snaps of gooey Christian’s pizza, @wahoofood knows how to make your mouth water. You’ll find pictures of tried-and-true favorites right alongside some brand new creations and locations you’ll be dying to try. And when you do, be sure to submit your best shots to the account—hoo knows, your food might be featured next!

Continue reading →

Seven Top Rated Cedar Falls Landlords: University of Northern Iowa Off-Campus Housing
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university of northern iowa

The Union at the University of Northern Iowa. (Flickr)

Summer has reached its end [insert sad face here] and the school year is here. That means it’s time to put down that ice-cold beer and pick up your laptop, because the search for apartments near Cedar Falls begins again!

Finding a home that isn’t the stereotypical college house (damaged, dirty, and in an area infested by party-crazed college animals) is harder than it may seem. Worry not, because we have the tools necessary for you to get through these stressful times with ease. We have done our research, so you don’t have to. We searched long and hard for the best landlords in the Cedar Falls area near the University of Northern Iowa.

Thankfully for us, quite a few residents left some very helpful feedback. So we’ve sifted through luxurious apartments to residences unfit for well…anyone and have come up with the best of the best! Continue reading →

9 Reasons You Know You Went To UVA
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Lock and cheese from Bodo's. Yum. (Flickr)

Lock and cheese from Bodo’s. Yum. (Flickr)

1. You know your Bodo’s order by heart. Bodo’s is near and dear to every UVA student’s heart. This legendary bagel spot is the place many students miss the most when they go home for break. Their bagels are perfect for an on-the-go snack, and their food is some of the cheapest on the Corner. It’s no wonder that everyone craves a delicious Bodo’s bagel. Sometimes, if you wake up early enough, you will see a line of students outside the door participating in a classic UVA tradition–they are waiting to get the #1 ticket in line. Getting the #1 ticket gives you unlimited bragging rights! Continue reading →