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.
32. Moravian College
notadelvelluto / Flickr
- Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- What Makes it Special?: attractive campus in historic Bethlehem; full-tuition Comenius Medallion scholarships; strong music program
- Blog Spotlight from December 25, 2008
- Moravian College profile
- Share your impressions of Moravian College
31. Furman University
JeffersonDavis / Flickr
- Location: Greenville, South Carolina
- What Makes it Special?: chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; high marks for the school's level of student engagement through internships, cooperative education, independent study, or research programs; membership in the NCAA Division I Southern Conference
- Blog Spotlight from December 17, 2008
- Furman College profile
- Share your impressions of Furman College
30. Millsaps College
lordsutch / Flickr
- Location: Jackson, Mississippi
- What Makes it Special?: Featured in Loren Pope's Colleges That Change Lives; strong focus on undergraduate writing; interesting study abroad opportunities in the Yucatan Peninsula; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa
- Blog Spotlight from December 10, 2008
- Millsaps College profile
- Share your impressions of Millsaps College
29. The College of Wooster
JesseLegg / Flickr
- Location: Wooster, Ohio
- What Makes it Special?: Member of the Five Colleges of Ohio Consortium; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; seniors work one-on-one with faculty in the IS (Independent Study) Program; generous financial aid
- Blog Spotlight from December 3, 2008
- The College of Wooster profile
- Share your impressions of The College of Wooster
28. The College of New Jersey
Iggynelix / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Ewing, New Jersey
- What Makes it Special?: High retention and graduation rate; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; easy access to Philadelphia and New York City; strong liberal arts curriculum; excellent value
- Blog Spotlight from November 25, 2008
- The College of New Jersey profile
- Share your impressions of The College of New Jersey
27. St. Lawrence University
Photo Credit: SLU Photographer Tara Freeman
- Location: Canton, New York
- What Makes it Special?: Undergraduate focus with an 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; located near the St. Lawrence River; progressive curriculum with emphases on sustainability, study abroad, and student engagement; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa
- Blog Spotlight from November 17, 2008
- St. Lawrence University profile
- Learn About and Discuss St. Lawrence University in the College Admissions Forum
26. Spelman College
waynetaylor / Flickr
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- What Makes it Special?: Top ratings for fostering social mobility; highly ranked women's college; member of the Atlanta University Center, a consortium of historically Black colleges; 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; strong liberal arts curriculum
- Blog Spotlight from November 7, 2008
- Spelman College profile
- Learn About and Discuss Spelman College in the College Admissions Forum
25. Ripon College
Madmaxmarchhare / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Ripon, Wisconsin
- What Makes it Special?: Phi Beta Kappa membership; high retention and graduation rates; generous financial aid; excellent value; Collaborative Learning Center provides valuable support for students who need a little extra help
- Blog Spotlight from October 31, 2008
- Ripon College profile
- Learn About and Discuss Ripon College in the College Admissions Forum
24. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Colin Shipley / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Terre Haute, Indiana
- What Makes it Special?: Top engineerings school with undergraduate focus; #1 ranking by US News & World Report for engineering schools that offer the highest degree of a bachelor's or master's; 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio; nearly all students receive financial aid
- Blog Spotlight from October 26, 2008
- Rose-Hulman profile
- Learn About and Discuss Rose-Hulman in the College Admissions Forum
23. University of Mary Washington
Jte288 / Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
- What Makes it Special?: Average class size of 21 students; liberal arts college educational environment with low state tuition; high rate of retention and student satisfaction; attractive campus; impressive number of Peace Corps alumni
- Blog Spotlight from October 17, 2008
- University of Mary Washington Profile
- Learn About and Discuss the University of Mary Washington in the College Admissions Forum
