Thats exactly what i said about the college, it does remind me alot of hogwarts

Personally I don't see it, other than they use magic but hey if it makes you like the College more fine with me.

I wish that they could have gotten Alan Rickman to do a professor's voice!

I think it's more a case of "classic characters necessary for a good story".

You have to have the innocent one(s)
You have to have the wise Patriarch
You have to have the strong female leader type
You have to have the loose cannon
You have to have the loyal friend(s)
You have to have the sneaky/shady/bad guy.........

Great literature and Joss Whedon used this formula well.