Top Picks: Universities | Public Universities | Liberal Arts Colleges | Engineering | Business | Women's | Most Selective | Hidden Gems
Every week I spotlight a great school that might be off the radar of college applicants. Many of these colleges were recommended by readers via email or in the College Admission Forum. Others I chose based on my research or experiences. In the list below, you'll find links to each college's profile, blog spotlight, and discussion forum. Also be sure to check out the 2009 spotlights.
If you'd like to recommend a college for a future spotlight, you can do so here in the forum.
22. Ursinus College
PennaBoy / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Collegeville, Pennsylvania
- What Makes it Special?: Phi Beta Kappa membership; 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio; generous financial aid; excellent observatory and art museum; new performing arts building; ranked #2 for "up-and-coming" colleges by US News & World Report
- Blog Spotlight from October 10, 2008
- Ursinus College Profile
- Learn About and Discuss Ursinus in the College Admissions Forum
21. Harvey Mudd College
Imagine / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Claremont, California
- What Makes it Special?: highly ranked engineering with an undergraduate focus; unusual liberal arts emphasis for science and engineering; small classes and an 9 to 1 student / faculty ratio; benefits of being a member of the Claremont Colleges
- Blog Spotlight from October 3, 2008
- Harvey Mudd Profile
- Learn About and Discuss Harvey Mudd in the College Admissions Forum
20. Sewanee: The University of the South
wharman / Flickr
- Location: Sewanee, Tennessee
- What Makes it Special?: attractive and massive 13,000-acre campus; small classes and an 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; strong English program (home to The Sewanee Review and Sewanee Writers Conference)
- Blog Spotlight from September 26, 2008
- Sewanee Profile
- Discuss Sewanee in the College Admissions Forum
19. Arcadia University
jackskellington101 / Flickr
- Location: Glenside, Pennsylvania
- What Makes it Special?: small classes; one of the best study abroad programs in the country; the historic landmark, Gray Towers Castle
- Blog Spotlight from September 19, 2008
- Arcadia Universty Profile
- Discuss Arcadia University in the College Admissions Forum
18. Beloit College
firepile / Flickr
- Location: Beloit, Wisconsin
- What Makes it Special?: small classes; excellent financial aid; two museums on campus; high percentage of alums earn a PhD; curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, fieldwork, interdisciplinary study and independent study
- Blog Spotlight from September 12, 2008
- Beloit College Profile
- Discuss Beloit College in the College Admissions Forum
17. Pitzer College
Whoaboy / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Claremont, California
- What Makes it Special?: strong involvement with study abroad and community service; lots of student/faculty interaction; strong in the social sciences; member of the Claremont Colleges
- Blog Spotlight from September 5, 2008
- Pitzer College Profile
- Discuss Pitzer College in the College Admissions Forum
16. Burnett Honors College at UCF
bluemodern / Flickr
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- What Makes it Special?: small classes; advantages of a small liberal arts college at a large state university; great value
- Blog Spotlight from August 29, 2008
- University of Central Florida Profile
- Discuss Burnett Honors College in the College Admissions Forum
15. Hendrix College
WisperToMe / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Conway, Arkansas
- What Makes it Special?: historic, flower-filled campus; Phi Beta Kappa; progressive curriculum with emphasis on active and engaged learning; excellent value
- Blog Spotlight from August 22, 2008
- Hendrix College Profile
- Discuss Hendrix College in the College Admissions Forum
14. College of the Atlantic
post406 / Flickr
- Location: Bar Harbor, Maine
- What Makes it Special?: beautiful location on the Maine coast; carbon-neutral campus with impressive environmental initiatives; 9 to 1 student / faculty ratio; innovative interdisciplinary curriculum with Human Ecology focus
- Blog Spotlight from August 15, 2008
- College of the Atlantic Profile
- Discuss College of the Atlantic in the College Admissions Forum
13. St. Mary's College of Maryland
jbweir / Flickr
- Location: St. Mary's City, Maryland
- What Makes it Special?: historic and beautiful riverfront location; personal liberal arts college atmosphere with low public tuition; 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio; Phi Beta Kappa membership for strong liberal arts curriculum
- Blog Spotlight from August 8, 2008
- St. Mary's College Profile
- Discuss St. Mary's College in the College Admissions Forum
