Pick one school you think everyone should know about and why.

[cbug]

We all know about the Ivy's and Top 20 schools. Instead I'd like to hear from those of you with a favorite hidden gem school. Tell us what school it is and why you think it is so spectacular. I'll start:

GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE, St. Peter, MN

* Liberal arts school with challenging academics and unique programs with heavy emphasis on the development of writing, speaking and critical thinking skills
* By far, the happiest students I have ever talked to personally and heard about (****myprofessor dot com gives it a 4.9 out of 5 on happiness scale)
* A tight nit community where students are friendly, very inclusive and accepting
* Very positive student-professor relationships
* A greek system that hits the sweet spot. Those involved love it but it does not dominate. Can't rush til sophomore year, no houses.
* Host of the annual Nobel Conference. Campus wide emphasis on social justice.
* Incredible study abroad opportunities (financial aid applies)
* Really nice financial aid opportunities for merit & need (#40 Kiplinger Best Value)
* Huge variety of on campus dorm/living options
* Students not required to live on campus all four years
* Very active and fit student body -- great intramural program
* Tons of campus activities and students stay on campus. Not a commuter school.
* A business program -- a rarity for liberal arts schools
* A unique fly-in program for out-of-state prospects
* Rated one of the top schools in the country for food/dining

[Erin's Dad]

Sadilly has a similar thread called Look Beyond the Rankings which highlights colleges with >50% admission and >50% graduation rates. Looking Beyond the Rankings

[cbug]

^ Yes I have seen Sadilly's thread. It is good but only focuses on certain programs. I'm looking for all the reasons one particular school is the favorite. i.e. a person would not typically choose a school just because of one program Sadilly cites. Instead they have a list of reasons. This is what I'm curious about.

I'd love to hear from others!

[giterdone]

eh. I'm not sure this thread has any traction - college choices are too subjective. Case in point; we toured Gustavus and our DD thought it atrocious, even after a good friend matriculated there and loved it.

It didn't move the needle on anything; degree cred, aesthetics, athletics, alum network, college rankings, atmosphere/environment.... it's just "there" These schools are a dime a dozen. Don't get me wrong, they're good schools, for the person they fit and who see themselves there. But they are indistinguishable from their peers in every state.

[Hunt]

Well, I'll play: St. Mary's College of Maryland. It's a public LAC, described as an all-honors college, not part of U. of Md. system, and an excellent value for somebody looking for the LAC experience.

[ucbalumnus]

There is no one school that is an appropriate academic fit (i.e. subjects, majors, and courses offered) for everyone.

[cbug]

OMG -- I'm not asking for one school that fits everyone. I'm asking you to tell about your favorite school and why you think it's great.

Giterdone -- the point was not to bash others choices. The point was to talk about one school you thought was outstanding and why.

It must be time for me to be done with CC.

[gratefuldad]

I'll play, too. A great LAC that many people don't know much about (even on CC) is Whitman, in Walla Walla, Washington, which is a beautiful town in eastern Washington's Wine Country. Here are its Princeton Review rankings this year:

#15 Everyone Plays Intramural Sports
#12 LGBT-Friendly
#18 Professors Get High Marks
#20 Most Accessible Professors
#17 Best-Run Colleges
#11 Best Health Services
#5 Best Classroom Experience
#13 Best Quality of Life
#12 Their Students Love These Colleges

[Marian]

University of Maryland at College Park

Combines the atmosphere of a big, sports-oriented flagship state university with easy access to an interesting major city (Washington, DC)

Lots of honors and special-interest programs for freshmen and sophomores that help make the huge campus community seem smaller

Substantial numbers of Banneker-Key and other merit scholarships for top in-state students

Easy transportation to other locations on the East Coast, including New York and New Jersey, which is where most of the out-of-staters come from.

[higgins2013]

Gustavus looked great in its Princeton Review's review, particularly its academic and quality of life ratings. But when we toured actual campus, we were certainly underwhelmed. Gustavus' campus was the "Plain Jane" of all the Midwest LACs we toured. Campus' appearance and facilities were reminscent more of "state regional college" than caliber of its fellow "rural" LACs like Olaf, Beloit, DePauw, Wabash, Grinnell, Olaf, Carleton, etc. Science building and library were below par, overcrowded and worn. Library smelled of mold.

[Pizzagirl]

We were favorably impressed with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.

[siliconvalleymom]

I find myself telling people about the University of Alabama, even though we do not have a family member there, because of what I have learned on CC. Alabama's guaranteed merit aid, even for OOS students, is an extraordinary opportunity.

[JHS]

University of Toronto
McGill University

The two top Canadian universities, both world-class (equivalent to top US publics, if not quite Berkeley or Michigan then UNC, Wisconsin, UCSD), in vibrant, exciting cities. Completely predictable, numbers-based admissions. No need-based aid for US students, limited merit aid, but "soak the rich" sticker price for foreigners equates to in-state costs at many US public universities. Lots of US students at each. Not for kids who need their hands held -- limited on-campus housing, lots of bureaucracy, students allowed to fail -- but tremendous opportunities for those who take them. Two family friends who graduated recently (one from each) are in tippy-top US PhD programs in their fields.

[mathmom]

I'll play.

American University

It doesn't get the love the Georgetown and GW get, but for kids with an interest in politics or international relations it's a great place.

Nice campus in a residential area of Washington DC
Classes are scheduled so it's easy to have a free day to intern in DC
DC internships are a lot easier to get during the school year - and they have lots of contacts
Honors program and attractive merit scholarships
A special three year Global Scholars program culminating in a BA - for high achievers, includes summer study abroad

[Agentninetynine]

Seconding GratefulDad's recommendation. We toured Whitman this summer and DD is enchanted! And Walla Walla, even though it's far from a metropolitan center, is a lovely vibrant college town. There are 3 colleges in Walla Walla and seemed to be filled with young people, and wine seekers. (me!me!)