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.

Anonymous wrote:We also toured Muhlenberg this summer on the special Student’s day that included lunch. Food was quite horrible, tour guide was not impressive. Also didn’t like Allentown . It came off the list.

I wonder if we were there the same day?

We also toured Muhlenberg this summer on the special Student’s day that included lunch. Food was quite horrible, tour guide was not impressive. Also didn’t like Allentown . It came off the list.

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.

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's College of Maryland

+1 We have never met an alum (just out and about in the world) who did not describe their experience there with great fondness.

St. Mary's College of Maryland

Anonymous wrote:Maybe posters might be allowed to suggest THEIR nominees for hidden gems (which is a subjective label), without other people jumping in to say they are wrong.

This was meant to be a positive thread I believe.

Op here. I am already researching U of W. Like the info I always get here.

Hidden gems is regional to a extent. I am from the South and Rice is simply amazing but in NE forums, it does not AS much traction.

Bowdoin better not get more popular. As it is, they only accept 9% of applicants!

Bowdoin

Anonymous wrote:Union College in Schenectady, NY and WPI (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) in MA

For the engineering & STEM kids

Union College in Schenectady, NY and WPI (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) in MA

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.

Thank you. I think #2 might be looking at these in a year or so.

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!

First, that is awesome about Muhlenberg, thanks for the tip.

Second, I have never heard of someone seriously considering Brandeis and BC, so that is really interesting to me. Many kids considered/attended both colleges from my HS but not the same kids. (Brandeis and BU, yes. Brandeis and Tufts, yes. Maybe BC and BU, but more likely BC and other colleges not in Boston area.)

She liked Boston area, and we had already planned on looking at Harvard and Brandeis. Thought about BU, but the program there didn't fit her interests. Maybe same with Tufts. BC did, and the architecture looked gorgeous, and maybe something with some rah rah team spirit was worth a try. Also, we're Christian, so kind of liked the Jesuit foundation. But, once there, students and prospective students seemed more interested in appearance than academics, and the core curriculum was poorly presented, so she crossed it off. Good to try different types to see if maybe something different is a good fit.

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.

+1 I love the U -- big state school that has a real campus but the heart of a city so great access to internships and things to do. Unfortunately, DS decided he wanted to be in driving distance of home.

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.