<p>Great idea. I'll follow world changer's lead and rank schools that I think are well on their way to becoming much more well known and consequently, more prestigious. I'll break it down by two categories: liberal arts colleges and state schools...</p>
<p>Liberal Arts Schools...
1.) Hendrix College (Conway, Arkansas)
I pimp this school all the time on CC. It's a hidden gem in the Little Rock metro area and my high school sends at least one or two kids here every year. I'm yet to hear from anyone who dislikes the place. The academics, in many respects, are second to none among liberal arts colleges. </p>
<p>One of its major draws is it's a very policially liberal school in the south. Lots of students who want to stay in the south but don't want the more traditional, large southern state school flock to Hendrix where students are very liberal, both culturally and policitally and where there is no Greek life.
Furthermore, it's rather cheap for a liberal arts school and it gave my friend (who could probably get into some really prestigious universities) enough merit aide to convince her to go.</p>
<p>2.) Knox, College (Galesburg, Illinois)
I can't really articulate why I'm so high on Knox. I briefly looked into it and it seemed like a great rural liberal arts college that attracted a diverse array of students (lots of hippies, lots of drinkers, lots of stoners, lots of abstinent christians, etc.)</p>
<p>3.) Rhodes College (Memphis, Tennessee)
This school definitely has more name ID and perceived prestige than Hendrix and Knox but I think it will someday become an elite southern private school in the mold of a school like Davidson. Although I didn't have a very good visit (Rhodes just simply isn't a fit for me AT ALL), I saw a ton of potential for Rhodes. First of all, the campus is drop dead gorgeous and is located in a very pretty neighborhood in Memphis. Secondly, it's very well endowed for a school of its size and gives great merit money. Memphis is a lively city that is exciting enough to attract adventurous northerners but southern enough to keep the locals around. Rhodes is already widely respected in certain areas and the place has a ton of upside.</p>
<p>State Schools... (I would include UT-Austin, but it's already considered "elite." With that said, I think it will become even more "elite" because of the reasons world changer stated above).
1.) University of Georgia
My reasons here are almost strictly anecdotal. For some reason, it's this year's hot school at my small high school in Oklahoma. A lot of people are applying here and I bet a good number of them matriculate. Furthermore, they seem to be getting more and more selective each year. I don't know that they'll attain the "elite" status of a UVA or a UT-Austin, but they'll be close.
2.) University of Florida
Like UGA, they're becoming more and more selective every year. They're well on their way to becoming just as selective as a UVA or a UNC (give them 10 years). The success of their football and basketball teams has certainly helped.
3.) University of Maryland
It's a big draw for polici people who want to experience Washington, yet at the same time, don't want to be surrounded by Washington 24/7. Most importantlly, It offers a more trasitional college experience that the hoity toity private schools in D.C. can't offer.</p>