12. Truman State University
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- 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













