Less popular Hidden Gems

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Loyola Chicago

My DC was accepted there but we don't know a lot about it and have never been to Chicago. What do you like about it?

We drove by it this Fall on the way to NorthWestern. Absolutely gorgeous campus. Slightly closer to Downtown Chicago than Northwestern is, close to the Water. We had a blast getting familiar with Chicago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out the UK schools! Durham, university of York, any of the Russell Group universities.

Definitely not.

Care to say why not? In our experience an excellent education!

Also interested as to why not-- also not our family's experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Loyola Chicago

My DC was accepted there but we don't know a lot about it and have never been to Chicago. What do you like about it?

We drove by it this Fall on the way to NorthWestern. Absolutely gorgeous campus. Slightly closer to Downtown Chicago than Northwestern is, close to the Water. We had a blast getting familiar with Chicago.

Friend's DC going next fall. Had no idea how gorgeous the campus was until I saw pics. If one wants to be in/near a city, seems like a good choice.

[Anonymous]

public ivy, College of William and Mary

[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.

I went there. That's actually part of the draw for a lot of people I think.

If I was the next Governor of MD, I'd focus on trying to make St Mary's College tuition-free in order to lure the state's top students. It's already an honors college, but I think the location does a big disservice to its desirability. Not a lot of 18 year-olds want to go to school at a state university in the middle of rural farmland on the Chesapeake. If the school was free, I think the school would get a lot of looks from students and families.

That school should be similar in caliber and prestige to William & Mary. It's has the capability to get there.

It sounds like you would make a great Governor! I’m not crazy about the other potential candidates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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!

The food is so bad. We visited this summer and the visit included lunch. Made me concerned about the other PA schools if it was rated best. I know people love the school but we were not impressed (apart from food I mean).

Are you kidding?! Their food is AMAZING! You must have strange taste, cuz that dining hall food is incredible.

The food over the summer was mainly inedible. Perhaps it’s better during the year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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!

The food is so bad. We visited this summer and the visit included lunch. Made me concerned about the other PA schools if it was rated best. I know people love the school but we were not impressed (apart from food I mean).

Are you kidding?! Their food is AMAZING! You must have strange taste, cuz that dining hall food is incredible.

The food over the summer was mainly inedible. Perhaps it’s better during the year?

OMG, not this person again. Did you eat the food every day over the summer?

[Anonymous]

Gettysburg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:public ivy, College of William and Mary

I don't think of W&M as "hidden" (maybe because I'm in-state VA) but I do think it's a gem. Without exception, every W&M grad I have ever worked with--from recent hires to long-term colleagues-- is really smart, competent, and easy to get along with. And they all speak highly of the school.

[Anonymous]

Kalamazoo College, Kettering University (engineering college, formerly GMI)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Juniata College

+1 We were impressed by their open house this Fall and it's definitely on DD's list for next year. Ticks all her boxes re a small school with strong environmental science programs. And she liked the food and they were very allergy friendly which is important for her.

Does the massive prison right near the campus raise any concerns for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In PA, Washington & Jefferson College (est. 1787, with phenomenal placement for its pre-med and pre-law programs) and Allegheny College. Both SLACs, but with strong alumni networks of leaders in law, medicine, and in the corporate world.

My dad went to W&J in the 60s. I think I have met one person who has heard of it. Pretty sure it almost closed a few years back.
You must be from Pittsburgh.

[Anonymous]

NP-My kid is finishing up 4 years there.

The prison has ZERO impact on students. Most activities are on campus. In fact, when you go into town, you don't see or pass it at all (downtown is in the opposite direction). Same when I drive there from this area.

I think I have seen it twice in her four years, when we had to go to Walmart (you drive by it).

Baltimore has 20 jails and prisons. You pass one (where executions take place) every time you take the shuttle from the Homewood Campus to the Medical Campus. It does not prevent too many people from considering Johns Hopkins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In PA, Washington & Jefferson College (est. 1787, with phenomenal placement for its pre-med and pre-law programs) and Allegheny College. Both SLACs, but with strong alumni networks of leaders in law, medicine, and in the corporate world.

My dad went to W&J in the 60s. I think I have met one person who has heard of it. Pretty sure it almost closed a few years back.
You must be from Pittsburgh.

Np. I live in a Pittsburgh suburb. One of our administrators is an alum of our school district and he always talks about how well prepared he felt as a freshman in college bc of the great education he received (blah blah blah). His point being that he was more prepared than other students who didn’t go to as wonderful a district as ours (he really drinks the kook-aid). In any event, I eventually found out he went to W&J. I’m sure it’s a fine school but I wouldn’t put it in the category of a hidden gem. It is basically in a suburb and the buildings don’t look that impressive. Unless it was the most affordable option (with a lot of merit), I would look elsewhere. In the Pittsburgh area, I think Pitt or Duquesne are better options (neither a hidden gem).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Juniata College

+1 We were impressed by their open house this Fall and it's definitely on DD's list for next year. Ticks all her boxes re a small school with strong environmental science programs. And she liked the food and they were very allergy friendly which is important for her.

Does the massive prison right near the campus raise any concerns for you?

Not at all. I went to Cal Poly SLO that also has a big prison just down the road. Never have it any thought, never an issue.