Hidden Gems in the West
Hidden Gems in the West
Stanford. Berkeley. UCLA. You’ve probably heard a lot about these institutions of higher learning, and rightfully so. These, along with places like USC and Cal Tech are among the highest ranked and most prestigious universities in the country. If you’re planning on applying to college on the West Coast, chances are these schools are high on your list.
But there are many fantastic colleges and universities with perhaps a slightly lesser-known profile that may also be great fits for you. Don’t limit your exploration of West Coast schools to the most common. Below are some of our highest recommended hidden gems.
Occidental College (Los Angeles, CA)
Located mere miles outside of the heart of downtown LA, Occidental is the rare liberal arts college with an urban setting. Are you interested in attending a small school but not keen on being away from a major metropolitan area? Take a close look at Oxy!
With just over 2,000 students, Occidental features a wide range of programs to study – from biology to international relations (not available at every liberal arts college). And with a 37% acceptance rate, Oxy is in the “more selective” category of schools. Students across the academic spectrum may find high quality programs suited to their needs here.
Colorado College (Colorado Springs, CO)
Located in an outdoorsy paradise, Colorado College attracts some of the world’s best and brightest and offers them one of the most unique educational experiences available. Buoyed by its unique Block Plan, Colorado College allows students to focus intensely on one subject for a short period of time before moving onto something different. This opens up opportunities for study abroad, collaborations, and personalization of your curriculum to a level you likely can’t at another, even much larger school.
Are you interested in a nontraditional experience with access to nature as well as a large, increasingly diverse city? Add Colorado College to your list of potential schools.
Soka University of America (Aliso Viejo, CA)
About halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego is this beautiful campus founded in 2001. Though Buddhist in founding, Soka University maintains a secular curriculum that’s rooted in pacifism, human rights, and peaceful coexistence. (Schools like USC have similar religious origins but nonreligious curriculum). Are these values that resonate with you? Do you want an education that reflects your sense of social responsibility? Consider adding Soka to your list.
Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA)
Founded in the same tradition as Georgetown University, Boston College, and some of the country’s most prestigious Catholic universities, Loyola Marymount University is another hidden gem in Los Angeles. Nestled in the community of Westchester, not far from the Pacific Ocean, LMU is an ideal option for students in search of a medium-sized research university with a picturesque campus.
In addition to all the programs you might expect in the sciences and humanities, LMU has one of the strongest film and television schools within it that you’ll find.
Colorado School of Mines (Golden, CO)
For students with interests in the STEM fields, Colorado School of Mines is a great institution to consider. Though you can minor in the humanities, they only offer degrees in STEM and have a particular focus on energy and the environment. Whether you want to focus on innovating solutions to climate change or design the next technological breakthrough using complex computer science, Mines has a program for you.
Your Turn
Take some time to learn about the hidden gems on this list. Remember, the key to finding happiness in the college process is putting together a list of schools that match your interests and needs. Those aren’t always the places you know the most about initially. If you’re struggling to round out your college list, you may want to consult an admission expert to help you plan wisely.
The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.
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