We’re well into January which means a ton of seniors have submitted a ton of applications to college (and gotten quite a few acceptance letters too). January 1st is a big date for colleges, as many of them set that date as their deadline date. It’s a good one too because it gives students the entire previous week while they are not in school to wrap up their apps. Who knows, holiday family time might be an outstanding way to brainstorm responses to the supplemental questions (“Hey grandpa, pass the mashed potatoes and while you are doing that, do you have any ideas on what collaboration means to me and how I incorporate it into my academic life?”)
However, just because we’ve blown past the new year doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of colleges whose deadlines are still approaching. The ones right around the corner are the ones due on January 15th. Below is my list of Top Ten Schools with January 15 Deadline Dates (sort of… two of them are due on 1/14):
10. Clark University
I could get in serious trouble with my cousins Spencer for putting Clark #10 as he is a proud alum, but at least it made the list. A quality school in Worcester, Massachusetts which is a sneaky-good college down (Clark, WPI, Assumption, Holy Cross…)
9. Colgate University
A tremendous liberal arts college in western New York, named after the guy who started the toothpaste company (despite this, no pre-dental program). Located only an hour away from Cooperstown for any of you baseball fans.
8. Trinity College (January 14th deadline)
Trinity is a phenomenal academic college located in Hartford, Connecticut. The academics are first rate, the campus is first rate, the area surrounding the campus is… not. And, did you know, they have one of the best all time men’s and women’s squash programs? If you play squash and you are any good, this is where you go.
7. Emerson College (January 14th deadline)
Another one of the January 14th deadline schools (what gives?), Emerson is a premier arts school in the country, especially for media, communication, and film. Their list of majors is fantastic. They also just opened a new Los Angeles campus where students can study for a semester or year while still attending Emerson.
6. Rensselaer Institute of Technology
How do you spell “Rensselaer” correctly? You just have to remember that it has “ela” in the name. Despite this, you cannot major in English at RIT. It is predominantly for STEM majors. Extremely strong school, but not quite at the MIT or CalTech level (and a bit easier to get into than those two).
5. Tulane University
N’orleans! Large, high-quality university located in a decidedly old-school, laid-back, culturally rich city. Tulane offers an experience few other schools can offer. And if you went to school here you can eat beignets every single day. Really tasty and super-fun to say.
4. University of Southern California
There are kids that want to go to college in a city, there are kids that want to go to college in a large city, and then there are kids that want to go to a college in LOS ANGELES. Combine sunshine and surfing with a fantastic school (including a very active alumni base all around the country… but primarily in California).
3. Villanova University
I’m surprised I ranked ‘Nova this high too on my list, but it is an incredible school. Small to medium-sized (closer to medium), liberal arts-based but strong in the sciences, with an incredible campus community.
2. Pepperdine University
Pepperdine has the most gorgeous campus in the world. No other campus is close. Seriously. The. Most. Gorgeous. Campus. Go ahead, go to their website. See for yourself.
1. McGill University
McGill is one of the greatest colleges in the country not in our country (I know that sentence does not make sense). Criminally underrated by American kids, this school is one of the best in the world and gives students a unique experience in Montreal. Speaking French is not necessary, but you’ll definitely learn some here!