In your search for your dream school, you’ve come across plenty of great reach schools, good target schools, and reliable safety schools. You’ve even bookmarked the Pre-Collegiette Guide on your computer. But what about those awesome schools that somehow fly under the radar? Don’t panic, pre-collegiettes™, we aren’t going to let you miss out on considering these hidden gems in your college search. So that’s why we’ve compiled a list of ten great yet lesser-known schools to add to your list, because you should always know all your options!
1. Centre College
Undergrad: About 1,200 students.
Location: Located in Danville, Kentucky, Centre has all the charm of the South while still maintaining its college campus feel. Time Magazine even named Centre as one of the nation’s outstanding small towns for its friendly locals and relaxed atmosphere. Student activities take place mostly on campus, but Lexington is less than an hour away for big concerts or shopping.
Why It’s Great: Greek life is huge at Centre, and freshmen get to wait until February to rush so they have more time to explore the college. One Centre student says, “Greek parties definitely dominate the night life. They provide a setting for your group of friends to hang out, dance, or hook-up. Every frat house is open to every student regardless of Greek affiliation or non-affiliation and is very welcoming.”
Awards: Ranked #20 for most “Service-minded” schools by Newsweek.
Fun Fact: Ninety-eight percent of faculty holds the most advanced degree in their field, and there are no teaching assistants.






