Thought it might be fun for parents to pick a college that pleasantly exceeded your expectations–even if it won’t be on your dd/ds list. (Also, more uplifting than listing those that disappointed you!). For us, it was Syracuse University. We really stopped by as an afterthought in the evening and just loved the campus. We met a couple of students relaxing on the main lawn who told us that in three different classes their professors noticed how engaged they were and gave them a “golden ticket” (can’t remember what it meant, exactly, but I believe gave them preference in applying for higher level classes). As a bonus, we also thought the city of Syracuse was lovely (ate at Dinosaur BBQ). At the very end, DS didn’t end up applying, but way exceeded our expectations. Yours?
So, I take it you didn’t visit SU this week right? :)) There’s a reason for SU’s school spirit and it isn’t all about the basketball-although Go Orange (Thursday at 8).
(Oh also, about Dinosaur BBQ, hope you left your mark on a wall)
Lehigh for me. I fell in love with the campus, everyone we came in contact with, the town, and was very impressed from start to finish. DD liked it too but not enough to unseat her #1. I was sad that she turned down her acceptance!.
For my DH, it was RPI. He was dreading going to visit and had a horrible image in his head of the town. We had a lovely visit and he came away with a very positive impression. He also was totally blown away at Northwestern. Said he would have gone there if had college to do over again. He was devastated that DD didn’t even apply.
For DD, whose vote was obviously the only one that really mattered, it was Purdue. So far in a away exceeded every expectation from facilities, to opportunities, to the campus vibes. She’s there and loving every minute.
EMORY.
Imo no other college Ive seen is close.
Christopher Newport University – last spring break we did a driving tour of colleges for DD and CNU was one of our stops. DH & I thought it would easily come out as our least favorite of our tour – nope it took second place of the 4 schools we toured. It was an awful day, snowing and cold. We were the only family who made it for the tour and admissions session. We had a wonderful conversation with the AO and Student ambassador. The facilities were beautiful, and the students were all friendly – even though it was completely miserable. We noticed that almost all the bikes were unlocked and when we asked about it, our ambassador explained that the students all sign an honor code when they arrive on campus and it is taken very seriously. It was a really great visit, but DD decided she wanted something further south.
H fell in love with youngest’s college, Eckerd, in FL. It might have had a wee bit to do with being right on the water complete with sailboats + sailing team and him being addicted to sailing. 
He was quite pleased to find out parents could take boats out too (for free). We made sure to visit every winter.
For pure academics, research, and fun loving intellectual students we’d both have enjoyed as peers we loved middle son’s school, U Rochester.
Scripps. It was gorgeous, and we were very impressed with the admissions staff.
Gettysburg.
Didn’t end up on S’s list, but we were both pleasantly surprised. Food was great, dorms were nice, campus was beautiful. The town is a bit kitsch, but there were some seriously good places to eat! S was impressed when they said that if there’s a class you want to take but it’s not offered, make a proposal to an agreeable Prof & they’ll essentially make the class for you.
Wofford College in Spartenburg, SC. We toured because we in the area and wanted to make most of our time. We had a great info session and tour guide who hit the right mix of academic interests and school spirit.
Also Washington College in Chestertown, MD. It was also a small school, but they embraced it. S had one on one tour with guide majoring in my S’s area of interest. Introduced S to his favorite professor. There was personal follow up by leader of a club. It was really nice.
Neither school was a good fit for S, but we remember them fondly.
I’ve visited a lot, so there were a few surprises. One is Quinnipiac. I spent many post-college years in and around Hamden, CT, but never heard much about it nor managed to drive by it. I wasn’t expecting much. But I was pretty impressed with what we heard and saw and the students we met while we were there. And the campus is beautiful.
I was surprised to like UMass Amherst, UNH, and Binghamton. I rarely like any big state unis, but I did like all of these for various reasons.
I’d heard good things about Allegheny, so I thought I’d probably like it enough, but I really, really love this school! My d and I loved the professors we met, and the administration was great. Everyone seemed so happy to be there doing what they were doing. It was infectious.
@lostaccount No, no games going on 
. But my son liked that everything (in the whole city) was orange! He was very impressed with the school spirit.
William & Mary and Lehigh. Was expecting to like both but was really blown away. Beauty of the place, quality of the programs and kids we saw / spoke to, etc. S liked them both too, was accepted, but chose another gem.
“He also was totally blown away at Northwestern. Said he would have gone there if had college to do over again. He was devastated that DD didn’t even apply.”
At least she agreed to take the tour. We flew from SW Florida to visit DS’ first choice - UChicago. He loved it even more after the visit than before. Afterwards we still had a couple of days to spend in Chicago and as we walked the lakefront past Northwestern the next day I suggested since we were there maybe we should just take a look. You know - pop by. He was completely uninterested, not even in tour. Said he knew where he wanted to go and didn’t need to bother with places he wasn’t interested in. Stubborn booger. So maybe if we’d toured I would have loved it like your H? We’ll never know…
For me, the surprise love was Rice. OMG, that one made me want to do college all over again. Incredibly smart, kind, interesting kids all with zero snark or attitude. All types, races, styles… hanging out, eating together, studying in groups looking integrated and happy. Wow. Even the random stranger kids we met on campus were kind, caring and helpful. It really appeared to be an atmosphere that was like interesting summer camp for gifted kids. Not only that but of all the info sessions we went to, Rice had the most targeted session that was full of data that we were interested in not just the standard pablum that is so often interchangeable from one college to another. I was in love. My son was not.
St. Mary’s Colllege of Maryland. Summer-campy LAC feel to it.
S hasn’t even started UG and has already put a place holder on W & M, Rice, and U Chicago for grad school! :))
Knox College in Illinois and St Lawrence in up (up up) state New York.
Knox charmed us with the warmth and engagement of students, faculty and administration. After some lean years in the 90’s, Knox is building and renovating, including the lovely Main Hall, the site of one of the Lincoln Douglas debates (I believe). Lore is that Lincoln climbed out one of the ground floor windows (I’m not sure why, maybe to get away from the crowd?) Anyway, a warm community with some great things happening. After visiting class at 15+ LACs over 2 years, my kid said his favorite class out of all the schools was a Poli Sci class at Knox.
St Lawrence in upstate New York. Our first visit was a dismal April spring break, with gloppy snow and cancelled meetings. On return in the summer, we could see the charm, with a cozy campus feel, a charming village, and gorgeous athletic facilities. What’s not to like about a school where Kirk Douglas and Viggo Mortenson went? At the end of the process, I didn’t mind that the 12 hour trek to St L was off the list, but I was intrigued by the school nonetheless.
I loved Lafayette. It was beautiful and walkable and all the students we met were so friendly. University of Richmond was also beautiful and the food! I know you shouldn’t pick a school based on cake selection, but I would be tempted! My S19 was highly impressed with both.
Saint Olaf College. Took an atheist music kid there and expected us to visit quickly and never return. Now on the top of his list. Beautiful campus, friendly admissions and student body, fantastic music and arts scene, fantastic academics, amazing placement and networking. The fact that they have merit money available doesn’t hurt either.
Clarkson, speaking of up up up state NY. Go north from Albany and stop just before you get to Canada.
It seemed like a close supportive community. The offices of professors and even the president were along the same hallways as classrooms, intentionally allowing for casual interactions. I also liked that any student admitted to the school could pursue any major. It was important to me that D not have to compete with classmates for a spot in her major. Students could spend a semester working on projects in the national park, a plus for my outdoors loving D. Alas, D chose a school with extensive non-major theater opportunities to go along with her engineering major.
Ohio University
for DS, though he choose to not attend.
University of Lynchburg for DD.
This school went from applying on a whim with free application to top choice. It was a combination of the administration staff we meet, friendliness of campus, depth of classes and strong LD support. She hasn’t committed yet, but already our interactions with multiple departments has our family agreeing with Princeton Review, “runs like butter”