<p>I am getting tired of always seeing the same schools listed over and over again on recommend lists, and lists where people applied. All that results is huge numbers of applicants, and stunned students who receive rejections simply because numbers are out of control. Do you know of a hidden gem that is NOT in the top 100, NOT a common name here on CC, the school doesn't even have a forum here but really should, and that offers a great educational college experience? Share the good news! Maybe some kids will branch out, find those safeties in the list, and do much better in the application process next year! </p>
<p>I'll start: Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH; 1 hour from Boston, BEAUTIFUL campus, an "up and coming" school, gave my 6800EFC D wonderful grant and scholarship aid, and as a small University (1500 or so) is able to offer a lot of opportunity with little "red tape" frustration. Honors program for students with 3.4 and higher. It was NOT my D's first choice, but she has been incredibly happy and surprised at all this year has offered her. They also offer graduate degrees, and grads do very impressive things, attend impressive schools for grad studies.</p>
<p>[Columbia</a> College](<a href=“http://www.ccis.edu/day/]Columbia”>Start your college journey here | Columbia College) in Columbia, Missouri is a small, little known LAC. It sounds a lot like the two schools already mentioned. Honors program and amazing study abroad experiences are offered. Excellent faculty, focused on undergraduate education. Beautiful campus in a great, safe Midwestern college town and it’s considered moderately selective.</p>
<p>I can also offer Springfield College in Springfield, MA, known for an excellent Physical Therapy program. Western New England College, also in Springfield, strong undergrad and noted Law School, and Elms College, in Chicopee, MA, a small LAC with a very strong Nursing program that is also a Catholic college. Bay Path College in Longmeadow, MA is a small LAC for women in a beautiful community.</p>
<p>I love Holy Cross (actually a couple of them in that area of MA- Worcester Polytechnic and Clark, too but think more people know about them). Don’t think I see its name very often, but if you are looking for a good education- it seems to be a good choice. I was very interested when my D was looking- but it was not a good fit for her.</p>
<p>If someone is looking for a traditional (albeit kind of “vanilla” school) Siena College is a Franciscan Bros. school just outside Albany. Has a good mix of majors, a good basketball team, and the administration is willing to work with you if your student needs a bit of support (e.g. attendance at classes or making friends). Wasn’t to my D’s taste, but it all seemed “nice”. Actually the latter is not a “gem” but a good choice for the right student.</p>
<p>If anyone could post a college like this that is good toward’s minorities, that would be great. I love small colleges but they tend to be very segregated.</p>
<p>How about Clarkson in rural, upstate NY? Common majors are Engineering, Business Administration and Management, Biology/Biological Sciences, and Psychology. It emphasizes a coop/intern program and study abroad. In a great place, near the Adirondack Park, albeit a little difficult to get to. Unlike many LACs, it is a bigger male to female ratio.</p>
<p>Springfield College in Springfield, MA is very diverse, as is American International College, also in Springfield. Springfield is a large city with some problems common to cities, but it also has some really great areas, and Springfield College is putting a lot of money and manpower into the surrounding community.</p>
<p>Clarkson, Sienna, Roanoke, and Goucher all show up my listing of colleges that admit at least 50% of students and have a 50% graduation rate. [50-50</a> College Listing](<a href=“http://diycollegerankings.com/50-50-college-listing-intro/]50-50”>50-50 College List) I would estimate that at least 2/3 of the 300 plus schools on the list most people haven’t heard of or wouldn’t consider which is unfortunate because some of them have some very interesting programs.</p>
<p>Trinity University in San Antonio - beautiful campus, smart students, very involved professors, great dorms, terrific record of getting their students into law and medical school. Arguably the second best school in Texas behind Rice (look at the SAT scores of admitted students).</p>
<p>Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. Great for education majors. Friend just graduated with a degree in chemistry and got accepted to grad school at Ohio State for dentistry. Up and coming school.</p>
<p>University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. LAC in a great city and 1/2 hour to Seattle. Music and Business School as well. Warm and energized students, engaging faculty, amazing study abroad programs, gorgeous campus and smart kids thanks to their generous merit and FA.
If you like Lewis and Clark, UCSC, Oberlin, Wesleyan, Colorado College, Whitman you will also like UPS… check it out.</p>
<p>Another vote for TU in SA. D loved it there, and in August she starts a great PhD program a lot closer to home. And yes, after Rice it has the highest SAT scores of TX schools.</p>