Create a Better College List: Going Beyond the Predictable

When asked where they plan to apply to college, students frequently say something like this: Penn, Cornell, Tufts, Boston University, Berkeley, and USC. These universities have excellent qualities and opportunities; however, given their well-known names and geographic locations, they’re also incredibly popular. With so many applying, these universities have frustratingly low acceptance rates and many disappointed applicants. We’d love more students to dare to be different. Here are some considerations to help you develop a more creative and exciting list. 

Geography: exceptional institutions off the beaten path

The US East and West coasts are attractive to international students. The travel is more straightforward, and connecting with students from home countries and cities is easy. But if you limit yourself geographically, which amazing gems might you miss? If rankings matter to you, look at US News’ top 20 US universities; you’ll find non-coastal names like Rice, Northwestern, UChicago, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Duke, and Carnegie Mellon. For a strong student, applying to a university like Vanderbilt, which boasts impressive academics and a very happy student body, can be a savvy alternative to an Ivy League university. 

European universities are adding new degrees taught in English every year for students willing to look outside the USA. For example, Bocconi University in Italy offers outstanding economics and management degrees, and you can study many subjects at Dutch universities dating back to the 1600s! If you are partial to cooler climates, could the Stockholm School of Economics or the University of Helsinki be in your future? 

Happiness: excel and thrive on campus

According to the Princeton Review, selective universities like Tulane, Rice, Emory, Vanderbilt, Bowdoin, and Williams boast happy student bodies. Number one for happiness in the USA is Auburn, a public university in Alabama that offers excellent value, an extensive alumni network, impressive research facilities, and a beautiful campus. What makes a campus “happy”? Typically, it results from strong school spirit, fun-filled traditions, excellent student support, and access to unique programs and opportunities.

Many students in the United Kingdom are drawn to London; however, Britain’s happiest and most satisfied students can be found at Scotland’s St. Andrews, an exceptional university that offers academic flexibility, campus traditions, and a close-knit community.  

Focus: the benefits of specialist schools

Some universities, such as music and art institutions, have excellent reputations in specific subjects. However, there are also bright stars in business and engineering. In autumn 2024, the Wall Street Journal’s new rankings shook up the establishment. The number one university was Princeton; however, in the coveted number 2 position was Babson College, a specialist business school near Boston with a committed alumni network. More surprising still, Bentley University in Massachusetts ranked 11th; this innovative college offers eighteen skill-specific business majors, from general Management to unique options like Creative Industries, Professional Sales, and Artificial Intelligence for Innovation. 

For engineers, consider Harvey Mudd College, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech, which are among the Journal's Top 20. Based on Payscale's data, students eager to quickly recover their tuition investment might also consider the Stevens Institute of Technology or the Colorado School of Mines.

Outside the US, France and Spain offer strong business schools, while technology universities such as Eindhoven and Delft in the Netherlands and Imperial College London in the UK are ideal for engineers and scientists. There are so many more options!

Undergraduate Teaching: advantages of liberal arts colleges

If you’re seeking a well-rounded college education with flexibility, small class sizes, high student engagement, and close relationships with professors, then an American liberal arts college might be ideal. These smaller colleges usually range in size from 1,500 to 3,000 undergraduates. Additionally, liberal arts colleges are great feeders into graduate programs at larger universities given their rich learning environments, opportunities for close contact with faculty, and access to outstanding recommendation letters given these strong relationships. 

Outcomes: where will your degree take you?

It is essential to consider your post-graduation opportunities. Some institutions like the University of Chicago, Northeastern University, and Bentley University stand out for their strong career counseling departments. Other universities, such as Carnegie Mellon and the University of Waterloo in Canada, are known for their graduates’ attractiveness to specific industries, such as technology. If you hope to pursue a doctorate, liberal arts colleges like Swarthmore, Carleton, and Grinnell are excellent ‘feeder’ schools. Finally, if you look at Payscale, you will find names like Babson, Harvey Mudd, Santa Clara University, Colgate University, and Lehigh University in the top 12 for “Mid-Career Pay.” These universities are attractive to employers, so students and parents should take a closer look.

Pricetag: value for money matters

College is an enormous investment, so think about value for money. Students should research US universities that offer generous merit scholarships, particularly to international students. If required, check if your US universities provide financial aid to international students. Overall, European universities will be less expensive, especially in the Netherlands. Knowing your budget and estimating the full cost of your studies will help you determine if the price makes financial sense for your family.

So expand your university universe! If you are willing to broaden your college list beyond the usual suspects, you’re much more likely to discover phenomenal options and carve a path that is uniquely and happily your own. Contact your Ivy Options counselor or info@ivyoptions.com for more information.