What are the common college mascots?

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior currently digging into my college search, and I'm finding myself curious about something - what are some of the most common mascots found at colleges? I know it seems like a minor detail, but I think school spirit, including a fun or interesting mascot, can add to the college community vibe. Does anyone have a list or know where I can find one?

Mascots are a fun part of college culture they can add to the school spirit and community atmosphere, as you pointed out. The most common mascots usually fall into categories like animals, abstract symbols, and historical figures.

Here's a brief sample of some common categories and example schools:

1. Predatory Birds: Many schools select predatory birds as mascots due to their strength and majesty. Common choices include Eagles (Boston College) and Hawks (University of Iowa).

2. Wild Cats: Wild cats like Tigers, Lions, and Cougars are also prominent mascots. Some examples are the Princeton Tigers and Penn State Nittany Lions.

3. Dogs: Bulldogs are particularly common for many colleges. A few examples include Yale University Bulldogs and University of Georgia Bulldogs.

4. Other Animals: Bears (Brown University), Beavers (CalTech), and Buffalos (University of Colorado Boulder) are also common mascots.

5. Historical Figures: This category might include Trojans, as in the USC Trojans, or Spartans, like the Michigan State Spartans.

6. Abstract Concepts or Symbols: Some schools choose more abstract mascots, for example, the Stanford Tree or Syracuse Orange.

7. Humans/Legendary Figures: Some schools opt for human figures or legendary creatures such as Fighting Irish (Notre Dame), Blue Devils (Duke University), or Sun Devils (Arizona State University).

Do keep in mind there is no comprehensive list that would be easily manageable as there are so many universities, each with its unique mascot. But these categories should give you a good sense of what's common. The choice of a mascot can add some color and character to a college and could be one more factor to consider as you look at each school's culture and spirit.