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.
12. Truman State University
DavidOaks / Wikipedia
- Location: Kirksville, Missouri
- What Makes it Special?: amazing value for both in-state and out-of-state students; public university with feel of a small private liberal arts college; average class size of 24; Phi Beta Kappa membership for strong liberal arts curriculum
- Blog Spotlight from July 31, 2008
- Truman State University Profile
- Discuss Truman State University in the College Admissions Forum
11. Elon University
photo courtesy of Elon University / Office of University Relations
- Location: Elon, North Carolina
- What Makes it Special?: top-rated student engagement through study abroad, internships, and volunteer work; lower cost than most private universities; balances the feel of a small liberal arts college with the breadth of a comprehensive university and the excitement of Division I athletics
- Blog Spotlight from July 25, 2008
- Elon University Profile
- Discuss Elon University in the College Admissions Forum
10. Scripps College
Mllerustad / Flickr
- Location: Claremont, California
- What Makes it Special?: highly-ranked women's college and liberal arts college; excellent residence halls and dining; member of Phi Beta Kappa; great balance of supportive small-school environment with all the resources of the Claremont College Consortium
- Blog Spotlight from July 18, 2008
- Scripps College College Profile
- Discuss Scripps College in the College Admissions Forum
9. St. Olaf College
Daniel Edwins / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Northfield, Minnesota
- What Makes it Special?: impressive number of Peace Corps members, Rhodes Scholars and Fulbright Scholars; strengths in music, math and the sciences; good financial aid; member of Phi Beta Kappa
- Blog Spotlight from July 11, 2008
- St. Olaf College College Profile
- Discuss St. Olaf College in the College Admissions Forum
8. Sarah Lawrence College
Mr.Scholastic / Flickr
- Location: Bronxville, New York
- What Makes it Special?: amazing 6 to 1 student / faculty ratio; application process does not consider standardized test scores; quaint campus with feel of a European village; for faculty, teaching is valued much more than research
- Blog Spotlight from July 4, 2008
- Sarah Lawrence College Profile
- Discuss Sarah Lawrence College in the College Admissions Forum
7. University of Georgia Honors Program
hyku / Flickr
- Location: Athens, Georgia
- What Makes it Special?: great balance of large university and small college experience; small classes with high-achieving students; many travel opportunities
- Blog Spotlight from June 27, 2008
- University of Georgia Profile
- Discuss the University of Georgia Honors Program in the College Admissions Forum
6. University of Montevallo
Courtesy of Matt Orton
- Location: Montevallo, Alabama
- What Makes it Special?: small liberal arts college feeling with inexpensive state tuition; beautiful historic campus; strong student-faculty interaction
- Blog Spotlight from June 20, 2008
- University of Montevallo Profile
- Discuss the University of Montevallo in the College Admissions Forum
5. Centre College
Arwcheek / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Danville, Kentucky
- What Makes it Special?: "Centre Commitment" guarantees students an internship, study abroad, and 4-year graduation; good financial aid; 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; member of Phi Beta Kappa
- Blog Spotlight from June 13, 2008
- Centre College Profile
- Discuss Centre College in the College Admissions Forum
4. New College of Florida
marcus941 / Flickr
- Location: Sarasota, Florida
- What Makes it Special?: students get written evaluations rather than grades; emphasis on independent study; beach front property; small college with low state tuition
- Blog Spotlight from June 6, 2008
- New College of Florida Profile
- Discuss New College of Florida in the College Admissions Forum
3. The Cooper Union
moacirpdsp / Flickr
- Location: New York, New York
- What Makes it Special?: excellent programs in engineering, architecture and art; free tuition; historic location in Manhattan
- Blog Spotlight from May 30, 2008
- Cooper Union Profile
- Discuss The Cooper Union in the College Admissions Forum
2. Cornell College (not University)
Nickbigd / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Mount Vernon, Iowa
- What Makes it Special?: creative one-class-at-a-time curriculum; attractive and historic campus; Phi Beta Kappa membership
- Blog Spotlight from May 23, 2008
- Cornell College Profile
- Discuss Cornell College in the College Admissions Forum
1. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
Paul Keleher / Flickr
- Location: Needham, Massachusetts
- What Makes it Special?: hands-on engineering with an entirely undergraduate focus; free tuition
- Blog Spotlight from May 16, 2008
- Olin College Profile
- Discuss Olin College in the College Admissions Forum
