Less popular Hidden Gems

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Lewis & Clark, Macalester, Grinnell, Reed - all great SLACs. They have different vibes for sure. But overall, these are terrific schools that - generally speaking - attract fewer DMV applicants than some similar schools in the Northeast.

We were very impressed by Grinnell.

DC concerned about rural location, though the little village next to it seems pretty good - I've seen a lot more rural. What did you like?

Nice campus, open curriculum but with emphasis on advising, career services, intellectual, wants all students to be comfortable, small and interesting classes, emphasis on community.

The town is adjacent to campus so very accessible to students. There are a few restaurants, a market, etc.

First PP here - all of the above plus the significant international population of the school and the massive endowment (which means good professors and lots of enrichment opportunities.) It's on par with top SLACs but far less demand from the DMV so the odds are better than the more predictable New England schools.

thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lewis & Clark, Macalester, Grinnell, Reed - all great SLACs. They have different vibes for sure. But overall, these are terrific schools that - generally speaking - attract fewer DMV applicants than some similar schools in the Northeast.

We were very impressed by Grinnell.

DC concerned about rural location, though the little village next to it seems pretty good - I've seen a lot more rural. What did you like?

Nice campus, open curriculum but with emphasis on advising, career services, intellectual, wants all students to be comfortable, small and interesting classes, emphasis on community.

The town is adjacent to campus so very accessible to students. There are a few restaurants, a market, etc.

My DS is starting in the fall and we will be paying 25k less/year than if he had gone to the NESCAC that I attended.

First PP here - all of the above plus the significant international population of the school and the massive endowment (which means good professors and lots of enrichment opportunities.) It's on par with top SLACs but far less demand from the DMV so the odds are better than the more predictable New England schools.

It's also the highest ranked SLAC that gives significant merit aid.

That's great - congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lewis & Clark, Macalester, Grinnell, Reed - all great SLACs. They have different vibes for sure. But overall, these are terrific schools that - generally speaking - attract fewer DMV applicants than some similar schools in the Northeast.

We were very impressed by Grinnell.

DC concerned about rural location, though the little village next to it seems pretty good - I've seen a lot more rural. What did you like?

Nice campus, open curriculum but with emphasis on advising, career services, intellectual, wants all students to be comfortable, small and interesting classes, emphasis on community.

The town is adjacent to campus so very accessible to students. There are a few restaurants, a market, etc.

My DS is starting in the fall and we will be paying 25k less/year than if he had gone to the NESCAC that I attended.

First PP here - all of the above plus the significant international population of the school and the massive endowment (which means good professors and lots of enrichment opportunities.) It's on par with top SLACs but far less demand from the DMV so the odds are better than the more predictable New England schools.

It's also the highest ranked SLAC that gives significant merit aid.

Grinnell is a lot better than Kenyon, that’s for sure.

Better in what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard Case Western is a hidden gem and after touring with my senior I have to agree.
Beyond great academics, he was immediately taken with the location.
CWRU is in a corner of Cleveland so direct access to the city but also has a defined campus.
The Cleveland Orchestra and Botanical Gardens and quite a few more museums and venues are right there on the campus. Little Italy is walking distance and Lake Erie is a few miles so good for water sports.
Cleveland has very cold winters so kids may not consider it, but overall Case has a ton to offer. My son loved it.

Case is a great school, and my dc was sad to be rejected from there, but I don't know if it is a hidden gem. Perhaps it's because I am from the NYC area. I think it is a more popular school in the northeast than in the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Denison

[Anonymous]

Montclair State. New Jersey public university. They grant in-state tuition to qualifying out-of-state students, so it's worth a look for local DMV students who might be happy at a mid-tier regional public. Definitely not a "top" school by any means -- but a very good value for certain majors, e.g. education & nursing.

I'd especially consider it for students who are eager to break into NYC's theater or entertainment industries. Those aren't degrees I would pay a lot for: I'd put more stock in industry experience, so proximity to NYC is great. (It's a 30-minute train ride.) Faculty are well connected bc Montclair is basically a tony NYC suburb and many Broadway and tv execs live there (Stephen Colbert is the famous example) -- and have connected with the school. Anyway the College of the Arts is decent enough that a go-getter will have no trouble finding great NYC internships.

Also good for comms: Sony built their brand-new communications building, which is better than anything we have in the DMV.

def a "budget" option (full freight OOS is like 20k)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Denison

Tried to get DC interested but wary about Greek and sports scene. Do know the admin is trying to create a more diverse student body (ethnicity, interests, race, etc), but DC didn't want to be at the front end of that curve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montclair State. New Jersey public university. They grant in-state tuition to qualifying out-of-state students, so it's worth a look for local DMV students who might be happy at a mid-tier regional public. Definitely not a "top" school by any means -- but a very good value for certain majors, e.g. education & nursing.

I'd especially consider it for students who are eager to break into NYC's theater or entertainment industries. Those aren't degrees I would pay a lot for: I'd put more stock in industry experience, so proximity to NYC is great. (It's a 30-minute train ride.) Faculty are well connected bc Montclair is basically a tony NYC suburb and many Broadway and tv execs live there (Stephen Colbert is the famous example) -- and have connected with the school. Anyway the College of the Arts is decent enough that a go-getter will have no trouble finding great NYC internships.

Also good for comms: Sony built their brand-new communications building, which is better than anything we have in the DMV.

def a "budget" option (full freight OOS is like 20k)

Great suggestion - good launching point if wanting to go to NYC after graduation (or maybe the proximity will get it out of the system).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Claremont McKenna. Super underrated here, but top notch academics, great quality of life, internships/opportunities abound, alumni network + top outcomes.

Top 10 US News liberal arts school. Secret is out, foolz!

[Anonymous]

Furman U in Greenville SC punches above its weight, and Greenville is a really fun city for young adults

Loyola Marymount in LA.

[Anonymous]

Aracadia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD liked Muhlenberg so much that she dropped Brandeis and BC. Nice when your kid likes a safety better than targets. Very welcoming campus. Seems like great faculty, personal attention and actively tries to help students upon graduation w/ alumni networks and school affiliations. Some nice historic buildings on campus. Gorgeous dining hall. New green science building being built. Also, voted best food in PA!

I agree. Muhlenberg is awesome and does have he best food and a beautiful dining room. It is warm, welcoming and easy to become a big fish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:KU must be the most underrated flagship. Any decent student can get in, get at least a solid education, and have a fantastic experience in a first-rate college town--all without paying through the nose for it.

It's in Kansas. Ugh

[Anonymous]

University of Rhode Island. Great engineering and science programs and right by the beach!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:KU must be the most underrated flagship. Any decent student can get in, get at least a solid education, and have a fantastic experience in a first-rate college town--all without paying through the nose for it.

It's in Kansas. Ugh

Wherever you go, there you are.