Prestigious institutions that are NOT ivy leagues?

<p>I would like to know which are very well looked at and very respected institutions that are not Ivy Leagues. I know of Johns Hopkins, Duke, Vassar, Tufts, and a few more. I would like to get colleges and universities that are very prestigious but not ivy leagues? Help me out?</p>

<p>[CC</a> Top Universities - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cc-top-universities/]CC”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cc-top-universities/)</p>

<p>Prestige is relative. I think “50 Top Colleges” generally does a good job outlining the “top” (Private and Public) Universities and LACs.</p>

<p>[50</a> Top Colleges](<a href=“http://www.50topcolleges.com/]50”>http://www.50topcolleges.com/)</p>

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<p>Totally subjective. I think there are definitely some notables missing (Hamilton, Holy Cross, Rochester, Brandeis, Specialty Colleges [Cooper Union, Olin College, etc.], and other great state schools [Texas, Wisconsin, other UCs etc.]), but I suppose this will give you a general summary of prospective places to start looking.</p>

<p>If you’re into prestige rankings check out the US News and World Report rankings.
Personally, I think choosing a college involves looking at other factors as well, but that’s not what you asked!</p>

<p>Any of the top 50 universities, 30 LACs, and top 2 regional schools of each region on US News.</p>

<p>Depending on what you’re looking for in terms of prestigious. There are too many to name. Are you looking for West Coast schools or East Coast schools? Are you looking at private schools only? </p>

<p>As an example here in California, the private schools listed in the top 10 of the Western Region: Santa Clara, LMU, Mills, and Chapman. </p>

<p>The private schools listed in the top 10 for National/LAC: Caltech, Stanford, Pomona College, and Claremont McKenna College. </p>

<p>I suggest you to go online to the USNWR and look up the region or state that you are interested in.</p>

<p>“Very” Prestigious Undergraduate Institutions</p>

<p>Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Wellesley</p>

<p>Stanford, Chicago, Duke, MIT, CalTech</p>

<p>Thank you everyone! I guess like BeanTownGirl suggested I should add a few more things that I want in a college.</p>

<p>First thing you should know is I am an international student. I am looking for Liberal Arts and good study abroad programs. Schools that are obviously international friendly and committed to diversity. I would like prices that don’t go over $40k a year, because that’s just crazy. I’m not really giving my stats right now because I’m not looking for a list of schools that will for sure accept me, I just want schools to look at, research about and consider. As for locations I am pretty much open to anything, I’ve traveled around and know a few states but I would like advice on which the best states to go to are, if it helps I would like not too hot weather (Aka Florida haha) cause that’s what I’ve lived all through my eighteen years haha. My interests are Psychology, International Studies, Special Education, Communications and Political Science. So if any schools you know of stand out in these programs be sure to list them. I would like smaller schools, nothing like UCF which has huge numbers, classes of 20 people or so are good. I have no idea what else to add haha so advice? I’m here to gather as much info as possible.</p>

<p>Btw, if you’re looking for prestigious schools. Newsweek also gives a list of the “Most Beautiful Schools” which are also very prestigious and beautiful. [College</a> Rankings 2012: Most Beautiful Schools (Photos) - Newsweek and The Daily Beast](<a href=“http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/galleries/2012/08/05/college-rankings-2012-most-beautiful-schools-photos.html#slide26]College”>http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/galleries/2012/08/05/college-rankings-2012-most-beautiful-schools-photos.html#slide26)</p>

<p>OH! and I forgot to say, schools that are BIG on community service :)</p>

<p>Hi,
I am an incoming international engineering student from India.I have decided to attend Drexel University for a BSc in Mechanical Engineering.
I was also admitted to UCSD,but we decided that I attend Drexel since I was awarded a Dean’s scholarship ($ 16k per year).Although its too late to change the decision,I just wanted to get an outside opinion on this subject.
Please let me know what you think the pros and cons of this decision are?
Thanks so much!</p>

<p>Schools that are big on community service would probably be the more religious schools like BC and Notre Dame</p>

<p>Swarthmore is an excellent LAC with a HUGE commitment to community service and social justice in general. It’s great at pretty much any subject, but Political Science is one of its strengths in particular. The study abroad options are many, as they will be in all top schools (which extend to many more than the usual mentioned in CC), I personally know a recent graduate that spent six months in France.</p>

<p>Worldtraveler, liberal arts colleges generally charge international students over $50,000 per year. If that is too much, you will need to apply for FA - which is very, very limited for international students and is generally awarded to only the very best.</p>

<p>Oh, Swarthmore is also very well known for its excellent FA and the diversity of the student body.</p>

<p>PMCM18-- swathmore is known for the diversity of it’s student body? what kind of diversity? diversity of thought? tolerance of those with out a liberal belief system? really?</p>

<p>Hmmm, you were doing pretty good on getting advice until you got to the part about keeping the tuition under $40 K and needing financial aid as in international ;-)</p>

<p>Well, my sister applied to over 30 LAC last year and she got amazing aid from all of them. Her grades and scores weren’t weren’t stellar, in fact, mine are better. So I don’t really know just how true that statement is about aid for internationals being very very hard because I saw first hand my sister and a few of her friends get tons of aid. </p>

<p>I only mentioned the price because I have money saved up to pay up for a whole year, maybe even two. Hence the less than $40k comment, because that would make my money last even more. I’m not worried about getting no aid, I know I will.</p>

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<p>I find this very hard to believe.</p>

<p>Well, believe it or not she did. 36 to be exact. Most schools gave her $20k and about four of them gave her $30k. It was only a few that gave her $10k. She took one of the colleges that gave her over $30k. So I do not believe the whole argument many people have that international students don’t get aid, that it’s so hard, etc etc. My school has so many connections around the US and every year more than 20 students from their graduating class go abroad and with good aid. This year, it was a graduating class of 100 and about 55 students were going to the US. So I just don’t see where the whole argument comes from.</p>