Hidden Gems

[Anonymous]

For this region: Indiana/Bloomington, Colorado/Boulder, Arizona, Iowa, Oregon, New Hampshire. All are good state flagships, with solid programs, attractive campuses, nice towns, and a mix of in-state and OOS students. And each has an acceptance rate above 79% (... because some students don't have a serious shot at Harvard or UCLA or maybe even College Park). As a native Californian, it's surprised me how quickly people in this region (who aren't resource-constrained) are prepared to write off those fine state flagships based on either their stereotyped image of the state (despite university towns usually being political anomalies, wherever they're located), or the duration of the plane ride, or the assumption that a high acceptance rate must automatically mean sub-par education quality. And they instead start adjusting their sights to lesser state schools (esp in the mid-Atlantic or South), or to second-tier/regional campuses, or to financially weak SLACs -- all located within a state or two of DC. Californians think nothing of traveling a time zone or more away for college - why is that here in the DMV people seem to think that's something you'd only ever do for a "T20" school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's College of Maryland, lovely little school. Gorgeous location on the water.

It’s my kid’s top choice after a visit this fall. Beautiful place, LAC offerings, and in-state tuition. And I keep running into people I admire who either went there or whose kids went there, so it feels like it is doing something right!

[Anonymous]

Beloit (WI)
Willamette (OR)
Whitman (WA)
Chatham (PA)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's College of Maryland, lovely little school. Gorgeous location on the water.

It’s my kid’s top choice after a visit this fall. Beautiful place, LAC offerings, and in-state tuition. And I keep running into people I admire who either went there or whose kids went there, so it feels like it is doing something right!

It’s really a great school!

[Anonymous]

Did we miss Gettysburg?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did we miss Gettysburg?

I know two families with kids there currently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can confirm, Scranton, St. Joe's, Dayton, all Jesuit (or maybe Catholic) schools that have happy kids and very solid academics. My kids go to Catholic school and these are popular picks. So is Fairfield, but that is a little more selective.

Dayton is Marianist, not Jesuit.
But I can confirm it's a gem.

Just a +1 for Dayton. I grew up in Dayton in the University is a treasured part of the city. The business community backs the teams and games are well-attended and fun. Great school, plenty of fun “college scene” but not too much!

And Dayton’s nickname (the city) is the Gem City.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's College of Maryland, lovely little school. Gorgeous location on the water.

It’s my kid’s top choice after a visit this fall. Beautiful place, LAC offerings, and in-state tuition. And I keep running into people I admire who either went there or whose kids went there, so it feels like it is doing something right!

Are the students smart and motivated there? My DS liked it too, but is a studious kid and wants to be around other students who love to learn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison, Grinnell and Vassar

Odd response. These are not hidden gems at all. They're well-known schools with competitive admissions.

Well, I know a kid that was rejected by TU, F&M and St Olaf, TU was dream univ for him. However he was selected by Vassar, and Grinnell.. he had a real tough time on which one to accept.. finally went with Grinnell

TU as in Trinity U in San Antonio?

That is so odd

Yes.. I checked with his parents, he was also accepted for Union and Denison, but rejected from Skidmore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not hidden, but JMU undergrad business school is a gem. It was my son's safety, but he chose it over other higher ranked schools, and it has exceeded expectations. Definitely will be harder to get into in 10 years.

What’s JMU

James Madison University

Should not have to be explained on dcum!

[Anonymous]

As someone that graduated from ODU way back in the olden times of 2000, I am happy to finally see someone say positive things about here! Granted, I ended up there because of my sport, but I loved it and it's 100000 times better now.

PS - My "outcome" has been just fine despite what people might think, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone that graduated from ODU way back in the olden times of 2000, I am happy to finally see someone say positive things about here! Granted, I ended up there because of my sport, but I loved it and it's 100000 times better now.

PS - My "outcome" has been just fine despite what people might think, lol.

Glad to hear. I think I was the one to bring it up. My former boss sent one of his twin sons there - I think he got a marching band scholarship.

Again, we really enjoyed their open house last fall, despite it being a little rainy that day. Everyone was so happy and helpful - I mean, yes, I know it's their job, but you can usually sense if it is fake. And my daughter really did enjoy the dance staff there - we actually rented an RV from the guy in charge the second year!

I think they have made some great strides/improvements and definitely should be in the conversation for most state students

[Anonymous]

My kids didn't want to go there so I don't have personal experience, but one of my relatives sent two kids to Wofford, both are in Med School now and they weren't rocket scientists by any means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids didn't want to go there so I don't have personal experience, but one of my relatives sent two kids to Wofford, both are in Med School now and they weren't rocket scientists by any means.

I had a friend from ES that went there from a small town in MD. Not sure what led her there, but she seemed to enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For this region: Indiana/Bloomington, Colorado/Boulder, Arizona, Iowa, Oregon, New Hampshire. All are good state flagships, with solid programs, attractive campuses, nice towns, and a mix of in-state and OOS students. And each has an acceptance rate above 79% (... because some students don't have a serious shot at Harvard or UCLA or maybe even College Park). As a native Californian, it's surprised me how quickly people in this region (who aren't resource-constrained) are prepared to write off those fine state flagships based on either their stereotyped image of the state (despite university towns usually being political anomalies, wherever they're located), or the duration of the plane ride, or the assumption that a high acceptance rate must automatically mean sub-par education quality. And they instead start adjusting their sights to lesser state schools (esp in the mid-Atlantic or South), or to second-tier/regional campuses, or to financially weak SLACs -- all located within a state or two of DC. Californians think nothing of traveling a time zone or more away for college - why is that here in the DMV people seem to think that's something you'd only ever do for a "T20" school?

I think after covid some people don't like the idea of their kid being stranded 2,000 miles away. I pretty much agree with you though. We are looking at most of the schools you listed.