Less popular Hidden Gems

[Anonymous]

Ohio State is a great school and Columbus is much better than you might expect. The mid west land grant schools offer fantastic education. Purdue or UIUC for example.

[Anonymous]

I was really surprised to learn about the great LACs in Ohio and the Midwest. We based a summer college tour around visiting Oberlin, Kenyon, Wooster, and Denison. And, we flew out to visit Grinnell, too. Thought they all had a lot to offer in different ways. I'd gone to a big university and was pretty unfamiliar with the concept of LACs before helping my child research schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ohio State is a great school and Columbus is much better than you might expect. The mid west land grant schools offer fantastic education. Purdue or UIUC for example.

OSU is a meathead school in a redneck town. (And I guarantee I know both better than you do.)

[Anonymous]

The Midwest in general is chock full of some very impressive schools with solid academics. Many research powerhouses as well. For example, many people here may be surprised to learn that UIUC, Illinois's state flagship, has better name recognition around the globe than UVA, especially in engineering where it commands a lot of respect. Even the crown jewels of the Midwest university landscape, UChicago and Northwestern, get relatively less attention than their peers on the coasts and can be excellent options for students building out their lists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guilford

+1

Aren't they closing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ohio State is a great school and Columbus is much better than you might expect. The mid west land grant schools offer fantastic education. Purdue or UIUC for example.

OSU is a meathead school in a redneck town. (And I guarantee I know both better than you do.)

Ha ha! You from Cleveland? I am and am baffled by the OSU excitement on this board. I’m old, so I guess my views are outdated but OSU took everyone. That and Cleveland State where where you went if you could not get in anywhere. I realize it is gotten more competitive but I would not call it a hidden gem.

[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!

Wow. This is impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's College of Maryland

Great campus, right on the water. It's gorgeous. Plus, it's an honors college and attracts studious types. If your kid is into sailing or rowing, it must be on their list. Cheap in-state tuition, plus a high acceptance rate (70s).

The only downside is that it's remote. It's near nothing. Like, not even a pharmacy or grocery store. The nearest pharmacy is 7-8 miles away. There is no town around the school, nor restaurants or even a bar.

I think the location is what dissuades so many from applying.

What puzzles me about this “honors college” is the student profile does not reflect a really strong cohort. It seems like more of a CTCL school than a William & Mary, for example.

[Anonymous]

Drew University
Furman
Duquesne
St. Joe’s
LaSalle
Fairleigh Dickinson

[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.

University of Minnesota is also an under-rated flagship.

University of Washington is an incredible flagship research university located in Seattle. Still has an acceptance rate in the high 50s. It's popular on the west coast, but I don't hear of East Coasters considering it. The internship opportunities while located in Seattle must be incredible. Great way to get in the backdoor at Google, Facebook, Amazon, MS, etc.

[Anonymous]

What about Clark University in Worcester, MA? I have heard good things about it but don't know anybody who has attended.

[Anonymous]

I'm a big fan of Santa Clara University. The campus is beautiful. It has good academics and a strong community atmosphere. There are good scholarships for students, the school has a ton of money. Also, it has a strong alumni network and great job placement because of its location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's College of Maryland

Great campus, right on the water. It's gorgeous. Plus, it's an honors college and attracts studious types. If your kid is into sailing or rowing, it must be on their list. Cheap in-state tuition, plus a high acceptance rate (70s).

The only downside is that it's remote. It's near nothing. Like, not even a pharmacy or grocery store. The nearest pharmacy is 7-8 miles away. There is no town around the school, nor restaurants or even a bar.

I think the location is what dissuades so many from applying.

What puzzles me about this “honors college” is the student profile does not reflect a really strong cohort. It seems like more of a CTCL school than a William & Mary, for example.

+1. What are internships like? What about research opportunities? What about their financials?

I really want to like this school and will definitely have DD visit but the student profile also puzzles me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's College of Maryland

Great campus, right on the water. It's gorgeous. Plus, it's an honors college and attracts studious types. If your kid is into sailing or rowing, it must be on their list. Cheap in-state tuition, plus a high acceptance rate (70s).

The only downside is that it's remote. It's near nothing. Like, not even a pharmacy or grocery store. The nearest pharmacy is 7-8 miles away. There is no town around the school, nor restaurants or even a bar.

I think the location is what dissuades so many from applying.

What puzzles me about this “honors college” is the student profile does not reflect a really strong cohort. It seems like more of a CTCL school than a William & Mary, for example.

+1. What are internships like? What about research opportunities? What about their financials?

I really want to like this school and will definitely have DD visit but the student profile also puzzles me.

Some of the CTCL schools are stronger. SMCM is losing students.

[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.

Omg, totally agree! I begged my kid to apply to KU and Indiana! But DC was all about the SEC schools. He did get close to full ride and has great job now but I 100% saw KU as under the radar gem. The town is safe and thriving.