Iain McClintonWhen asked to think of colleges, most students and their families will name schools in two groups: the "big name" schools that everyone has heard of and the schools that friends, relatives, or previous graduating classes have attended. Most people don’t really consider the fact that there are almost 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States alone, and many thousands more globally. We focus our attention on an incredibly small number of schools whose reputations go before them.
This means that there are many amazing schools out there that international students rarely pay attention to and are unlikely to have even heard about.
When it comes to researching colleges, it’s easy for students and families to gravitate toward the classic top-ranking lists. After all, who doesn’t want to go to a “top” or “best” school? But the truth is, sticking to these types of mainstream lists could cause you to miss out on some hidden gems.
As college counselors we understand the obvious attraction in going to the prestigious “big name” school that everyone recognizes and mythologizes over. However, some "lesser known" schools, can, in fact, provide a much more fulfilling experience for the student.
BIPH College Counseling strives to help students find the best college fit for each individual, and sometimes that means suggesting schools that a student or family hasn't heard of. But, just because you haven't heard of it does not mean it's not a great school! There are actually numerous strong programs in those schools. For students who are ambitious and determined, as well as those who have nailed down their intended major at college, they can also find their best college fit for themselves.
When asked to name colleges and universities in the USA, most junior-year students rarely manage to identify more than 10 institutes of close to 4,000 different colleges and universities. Students and parents who keep an open mind and explore unique colleges may just find a hidden gem that is perfect for them.
Here is a list of colleges in the US and beyond that you may not know but should:
- Clark University: Located in Worcester, about 2,200 undergrads, values small, seminar-style courses and requires a first-year seminar courses where the faculty member serves as the students’ advisor. Strong science and business programs at a liberal arts college. Consider if interested in: Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis, Rochester.
- Goucher College: Located in Baltimore, about 1,600 students, one of the few colleges that requires students to study or work abroad and every students gets a $1200 voucher to offset the cost, liberal arts with strong science programs. Consider if interested in: Skidmore, University of Vermont, Ithaca, Tufts
- Hampshire College: 1,500 students, located in Amherst, liberal & experimental, focused on individuality and unique experiences, strong art program, a lesser-known of the 5 college consortium (UMass, Smith, Mt. Holyoke & Amherst College) *Note about consortium, if a student attends a school that is part of a consortium, typically students can take courses on any of those college campuses for free. Typically transportation is provided between the colleges and social events are all-inclusive. Consider if interested in: Bard, Smith, Oberlin, Sarah Lawrence, Wesleyan, Vassar
- McDaniel College: 30 miles outside Baltimore, about 1,600 students, great liberal arts school that emphasizes both a rigorous program in a student’s chosen major as well as a wide range of special opportunities and a general education curriculum. Consider if interested in: Lehigh, Lafayette, Wheaton, Ithaca, Goucher
- Muhlenberg College: located in Allentown Penn, known for being warm, nurturing, friendly and compassionate; also focused on pre-professional programs (premed, prelaw) and has a great reputation for sending students on to graduate school. Great theater program. Consider if interested in: Lafayette, Lehigh, Skidmore, Ithaca
- Denison University: suburban location in Ohio, one of the most beautiful campuses, 2,200 students, classes are small and focused on individual attention, interesting, unique majors offered: PPE (philosophy, political science, economics), environmental studies, 99% of students live on campus. Consider if interested in: Kenyon, Oberlin, Bowdoin, Amherst
- College of Wooster: small city in OH, 1,900 students, focus on student independence, required first year seminar, required senior thesis, faculty support and collaborative environment. Consider if interested in: Oberlin, Kenyon, Amherst, Hamilton
- Beloit College: WI, small city, 1,300 students, freethinking, international, superb anthropology program, theater program, liberal-focused, collaborative social life on campus, Oberlin, Cornell, Sarah Lawrence, Vassar
- Ohio Wesleyan University: small city in OH, around 2,000 students Liberal arts with good business program, strong preparation for graduate schools, on-campus activities and sports are popular. Consider if interested in: Kenyon, Lehigh, Macalester,U Vermont, Wheaton, Ithaca
- Eckerd College: St. Petersburg, FL, 1,700 students, stretch of beach on shores of Tampa Bay, amazing marine science program, faculty are involved. Consider if interested in: U Tampa, U Miami, Tulane, UNC, Furman
- Elon University: Suburban North Carolina, great size: 5,400 students, good business and science programs, and communications program, fun campus and students are involved. Consider if interested in: Furman, UNC. James Madison, GW, Syracuse, Wake Forest
- Rhodes College: residential Memphis, 1,800 students, strong social and natural sciences, professors have high expectations and are very involved, friendly student body, traditionally southern. Consider if interested in: Vanderbilt, Emory, Furman, Davidson
- College of Charleston: SC, 9,600 students, great medium-large size, public school, on-campus fun, sciences are strong, students are laid-back but academics are strong. Consider if interested in: Clemson, UNC, Tulane, USC, William & Mary
- Coastal Carolina University: public so good value, 9,400 students, 8 miles west of Myrtle Beach, great academic programs and student life. Consider if interested in Tulane, USC, UNC, Miami, Tampa, Florida
- Reed College: OR, 1,400, located in Portland, much more selective than it used to be, “community of scholars” people who love to think and learn, great sciences for a liberal arts school, plenty of on-campus activities and local events. Consider if interested in: Oberlin, Grinnell, Wesleyan, Brown, Stanford
- University of Puget Sound: outside of Seattle, 2,700 students, emphasis on outdoor activities and international travel, quality education and focus on individuality. Consider if interested in Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Reed, Connecticut College
- The Evergreen State College: state school but very unique, 4,200 students, an interdisciplinary, team-taught curriculum that attracts unique, artistic, free-thinking students Consider if interested in Oberlin, Wesleyan, Hampshire
- Claremont Colleges (Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Scripps, Pitzer): located 35 miles east of LA, each school is very small but shares resources and courses, each school has its own personality, but students benefit from collaborative resources. Consider if interested in: Reed, USC, UCLA
- London Business School: According to the CEOWORLD magazine, London Business School (LBS) has been named the world’s best business school for 2022. The MIT Sloan School of Management is ranked second, with the Wharton School ranking third.
- Aalborg University: a young, international research university that is focused on problem-based learning, interdisciplinary practices and innovation. All the study programs are problem-based and project-organized. The Aalborg Model has become both nationally and internationally recognized as an advanced and efficient learning model, and is a trademark of the university. The university is a world leader in health technology, wireless communication, energy, computer science, innovation economics and comparative welfare studies.
- ETH Zurich: ETH Zurich has a world-class reputation in academia and industry, particularly in science and technology. Situated in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, ETH Zurich is pioneering solutions to the global challenges of today and tomorrow. It has more than 20,000 students from over 120 different countries.
- Delft University of Technology: ranked by QS World University Rankings among the top 10 engineering and technology universities in the world. In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, it was ranked 2nd in the world, after MIT
- Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University: RSM has grown into one of Europe’s most successful and internationally-recognized business schools.