Why Pursue a Nontraditional College Experience?
It's no secret that the needs and preferences of students vary greatly, but finding the right college for you might require going off the beaten path. Students choose their schools based on a variety of factors, including location, campus culture, affordability, and academic programs.
While these are important variables to consider, students can also consider institutions that offer innovative approaches to customizing majors, scheduling classes, or graduating debt-free.
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Ready to Start Your Journey?
Whether you want to pursue an interdisciplinary degree that combines multiple interests, earn a four-year degree while only taking one class at a time, or work throughout college in lieu of paying tuition, you might be interested in learning more about the schools covered below.
Designing Your Own Major: Evergreen State College
Located in Olympia, Washington, Evergreen State College offers students an unparalleled degree of freedom to design their own field of study. The approach provides the flexibility to design an interdisciplinary area of emphasis that pulls from as many subjects as a student desires.
Choosing an Area of Emphasis or Path of Study
An area of emphasis at Evergreen presents students with a different way to think about the focus of their studies. Rather than having students declare their major soon after starting school, Evergreen invites students to choose their area of emphasis near the end of their studies, which helps them better describe what they've learned.
Learners can choose a traditional subject like geography or political science, or create their own descriptor like media and culture or international cinema. The title of your area of emphasis will not appear on your transcript, although you can use it in academic statements.
One benefit of this system is that if a student changes the focus of their studies, all the credits they've earned up to that point still count toward their degree. Students won't need to start over and complete new prerequisites, which helps them stay on track to graduate in four years.
For Evergreen students desiring a more guided and structured education, the school also features more than 60 disciplines, as well as several paths of study that combine multiple fields into a standard focus area. Students pursuing this option complete a planned sequence of programs over four years, such as integrated biology and chemistry, food and agriculture, or political economy, global studies, and environmental justice.
Other Schools Where You Can Design Your Own Major
Lesley University
University of Maryland
St. Olaf College
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Nontraditional Scheduling: Colorado College
Most college students are familiar with traditional semester and quarter systems and the requirement that a student must take four classes, or 12 credits per semester, to be considered a full-time student. However, some schools eschew these established formats and operate block schedules that require attendees to take a single class for several weeks at a time.
What Is Block Scheduling?
In 1970, Colorado College began operating an academic schedule known as the Block Plan, in which students take a single class for a three-and-a-half week period known as a block. This gives students time to fully engage with a single topic and not worry about juggling various projects, tests, and reading assignments for multiple classes.
The Block Plan is intended to be an immersive experience, and classes typically meet five days each week from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. One block is equivalent to a single class in a traditional semester system, and CC students take four blocks per semester, with an optional winter half block and summer session also available. Each block is followed by a four-day block break, which gives students time to prepare for their next course.
What Are the Benefits?
Aside from engaging with one topic at a time, the Block Plan's structure offers many advantages to students. The lack of conflicting class schedules allows professors more freedom to plan trips relevant to the course material, even to locations as far away as France and China. Additionally, classes with one teacher are capped at 25 students, which encourages bonding between students and greater familiarity and access to the instructor.
Tamara Bentley, a professor and director of Asian studies at CC, explains that professors teach just one class per block as well, which allows them to better familiarize themselves with students.
"Because of the intensity of the blocks, you become close to the students. When a student asks me to write a letter of recommendation, I remember exactly who they are. I remember what papers they wrote and I have a firm grasp on them as a person. So I'm better able to write a letter that is personal and specific to them," says Bentley.
Other Universities With Block Programs
Spalding University
Cornell College
Tuition-Free Colleges: College of the Ozarks
With student loan debt in the United States now topping $1.5 trillion, affordability has become increasingly important for many prospective students. While scholarships, grants, and loans can help reduce expenses, many prospective students are unaware that free-tuition colleges are another option available to them.
One of the eight schools that make up the Work Colleges Consortium, College of the Ozarks has dedicated itself to ensuring that students graduate from their institution debt-free. Located just outside Branson, Missouri, this school is commonly referred to as "Hard Work U," for its vocational education program that requires every student to work in an approved work area, in exchange for paying nothing in tuition costs.
Pursuing a Vocational Education
All full-time students at C of O work 15 hours each week at an assigned campus work station. Students may select a position from a pool of 80 work areas, which includes positions at the Computer Center, Child Development Center, and Ralph Foster Museum. As students establish themselves at the university, their work responsibilities may more closely align with their field of study.
A student's cost of education is covered by a combination of credits from participation in the work program, any federal and/or state aid for which students qualify, and the Cost of Education Scholarship. Students can also cover their room and board by working six weeks per term during their summer break. Since C of O discourages student borrowing, it does not participate in federal, state, or private loan programs.
Other Tuition-Free Schools
Alice Lloyd College
Berea College
United States Service Academies
FAQs
Alternative Colleges: Unique Schools for Unique Students: Acceptance Rate, Rankings & More – BestColleges.com? ›
Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1929 and is a proprietary institution. The school is located in an urban setting. Tuition and fees amount to approximately $29,190, and the academic year is based on a semester calendar.
Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1929 and is a proprietary institution. The school is located in an urban setting. Tuition and fees amount to approximately $29,190, and the academic year is based on a semester calendar.
- University of Maine--Fort Kent.
- University of Maine--Presque Isle.
- University of Pikeville.
- The University of Texas at El Paso.
- Utah Valley University.
- Wayne State College.
- Weber State University.
- Western Nevada College.
Niche, a ranking and review site, recently published its list of the “2023 Hardest Colleges to Get Into.” Using data from the U.S. Department of Education on various colleges' acceptance rates and SAT/ACT scores, they found, unsurprisingly, Harvard University to be the most difficult college to get into.
Which college has a 1 acceptance rate? ›Among the institutions with the lowest acceptance rate, colleges included, UCLA is the only public university with the lowest acceptance rate while the college with the lowest acceptance rate is Dartmouth College. The rest of the U.S. higher educational institutions with low acceptance rates are privately-owned.
What is the lowest ranked college in the US? ›University name | Economic score |
---|---|
1. Berklee College of Music | 20.9 |
2. Alabama State University | 14.4 |
3. Florida National University | 14.0 |
4. Clark Atlanta University | 13.2 |
As the most popular college major since 1980, business encompasses a variety of sub-disciplines, such as finance, accounting, and marketing. It's also considered to be one of the easiest college majors. With a business degree, you could also work in fields like healthcare, human resources, or public administration.
What is the least accepting college? ›- Tulane University (USA) ...
- Northwestern University (USA) ...
- Cornell University (USA) ...
- Johns Hopkins University (USA) ...
- Dartmouth College (USA) ...
- Duke University (USA) ...
- Vanderbilt University (USA) ...
- National University of Singapore (Singapore)
Business Major. Business isn't just one of the easiest college majors — it's also the most popular major. You'll study core topics like accounting, management, and organizational behavior. You can specialize your skills with upper-level courses in logistics, training and development, or entrepreneurship.
What is the rarest school to get into? ›1. Stanford University. Topping the list of the hardest school to get into in the world is Stanford.
What college does everyone get into? ›
School | City | Admission Rate |
---|---|---|
Wayne State College | Wayne | 100% |
Wilmington University | New Castle | 100% |
Adams State University | Alamosa | 99% |
Black Hills State University | Spearfish | 99% |
Unofficially, 2.0 is the lowest GPA accepted into a standard college, so while there's a chance that college admission is possible, it's not likely at more than a few institutions.
What school is #1 in the world? ›Harvard University
United States|Cambridge (U.S.)
- Chartered Accountancy.
- Astrophysics.
- Quantum Mechanics.
- Law.
- Aerospace/ Aeronautical Studies, Engineering.
- Biomedical Studies, Neurosciences, Biochemistry.
- Nursing.
- Dentistry, Medicine.
1) Architecture
In addition to becoming—you guessed it—architects, students who major in this discipline also go on to become interior designers, urban planners, and restoration managers. Given the dual focus on art and science, architecture projects are often incredibly demanding and require high attention to detail.
School | Location | Fall 2021 Acceptance Rate |
---|---|---|
Academy of Art University | San Francisco, CA | 100% |
Adams State University | Alamosa, CO | 100% |
Alliance University | New York, NY | 100% |
Baptist College of Florida | Graceville, FL | 100% |
#1 Harvard University
We're sure you won't be surprised to learn that Harvard is currently the hardest college to get into, with an acceptance rate of just 3.19%. Last year, 61,220 students applied to Harvard, but only 1,950 were accepted.
Unweighted GPAs are reported on a 4.0 scale and consider all classes equal. Weighted GPAs are reported on a 5.0 scale and consider class difficulty when awarding grades. Colleges consider both when reading your application for admission.
What is the #1 private college in America? ›Harvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.
What is the lowest GPA to stay in college? ›OVERALL GPA POLICY
The most common overall GPA requirement is a 2.0. This means that a student's cumulative GPA from all terms, excluding grades received from other institutions, must be at least 2.0 at the end of each semester or quarter.
What is the #1 hardest major? ›
#1 Chemistry
According to the average Grade Point Average of students in the program, Chemistry wins the prize title hardest major. A Chemistry major overlaps somewhat with biology, but chemistry extends beyond living things.
- Media and Communications. ...
- Photography. ...
- Creative Writing. ...
- Liberal Arts. ...
- Sports Studies. ...
- Health. ...
- Linguistics. ...
- Religious Studies. Religious studies might be a straightforward choice as a major if religious movements and philosophies are of deep interest to you.
- Business Administration. Business administration is one major that is usually considered “easy.” Some programs will also only take 3 years to finish! ...
- English. ...
- Human Resources. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Marketing. ...
- Supply Chain Management. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Communication.
- Useful Degrees That Might Interest You. Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below. ...
- Advertising. ...
- Anthropology And Archeology. ...
- Art history. ...
- Communications. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Creative Writing. ...
- Criminal Justice.
Good grades, a challenging high school curriculum, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, and a strong essay are a few key factors admissions officers assess. Each university may emphasize different elements of the application process.
Why do colleges not accept you? ›Failure to meet high GPA or test score standards. Insufficient academic rigor. Lack of demonstrated interest. Application essay errors.
What is the easiest degree to obtain online? ›- Anthropology. Anthropology not only offers you a less stressful academic pathway, but allows you to hone effective communication and research skills. ...
- Business Administration. ...
- Communications. ...
- Creative Writing. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Education. ...
- English. ...
- Health Sciences.
- Air Traffic Control.
- Software Development.
- Electrical Engineering.
- Construction Project Management.
- Computer Programming.
- Radiation Therapy.
- Nuclear Science Technology.
- Web Development.
- Fire Science.
- Forensics and CSI.
- Legal Studies.
- Liberal Arts and Humanities.
- Marketing.
- Nursing.
- Nutrition.
- Psychology.
Stanford University is one of the hardest colleges to get into in the US. Every year, thousands of hopeful students apply here, and a small handful gets in — as few as 4%. According to the university's website, it says their admissions team practises a holistic approach.
What is the lowest GPA to get into Harvard? ›
You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What is the lowest GPA student accepted to Harvard? ›We do not have a minimum GPA (grade point average). The admissions committee reviews each application holistically and each component of the application is carefully reviewed with the knowledge that successful HDS students possess strengths in different areas.
What major requires the lowest GPA? ›Science majors tend to have lower GPAs on average, with chemistry being the major with the lowest average GPA. Meanwhile, education majors earn the highest GPAs on average.
Where the top 1% send their kids to school? ›- Amherst College. 12.0.
- University of Rochester. 11.7.
- Harvard University. 11.7.
- University of Southern California. 11.6.
- Cooper Union. 11.4.
- Williams College. 11.2.
- Columbia University. 11.1.
- Macalester College.
Institut Le Rosey | |
---|---|
Headmaster | Kim Kovacevic |
Staff | ~200 |
Faculty | 90 |
Gender | Co-educational |
The U.S. News college rankings are viewed as the gold standard of college ranking lists. Its list is the most well-known and referenced.
What is the hardest degree in the medical field? ›Healthcare Science is considered one of the most challenging and toughest courses in India. It begins with higher secondary education, and then the challenge is to clear the entrance exam to get into a reputed MBBS college in India.
What is the hardest class at Harvard? ›Math 55 is just as infamous for its attrition rate as it is for its difficulty. Most sources like to cite the 1970 class, which began with 75 students and — between the advanced nature of the material and the time-constraints under which students had to work — ended with barely 20.
Is nursing one of the hardest degrees? ›Obtaining a nursing degree is difficult. There's no arguing it. Whether it's the “hardest” degree to obtain or not is irrelevant. It is a demanding curriculum and it requires more than a little sacrifice and dedication to secure certification.
Is there a college with a 99% acceptance rate? ›The University of Maine at Presque Isle: 99% acceptance rate. Alabama State University: 98.9% acceptance rate. University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne: 98.98% acceptance rate.
Is a 100 percent acceptance rate good? ›
If a school has a 100% acceptance rate it means that anyone who meets basic criteria and applies will get in. Schools with an acceptance rate of 50% will accept half of all college applicants. Often Ivy League schools have lower acceptance rates while schools such as community colleges may have higher acceptance rates.
What University sends out 100 acceptance letters by mistake? ›According to CNN, the university mistakenly sent out 205 acceptance letters to current applicants because of a "technical error." Another 3,930 people who applied over the last year also received the "erroneous email" that told them they had been accepted.
What college has 99 acceptance rate? ›School Name | State | Acceptance Rate |
---|---|---|
Northeastern State University | Oklahoma | 99% |
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | Indiana | 99% |
Middle Georgia State University | Georgia | 99% |
Dickinson State University | North Dakota | 99% |
The GPA requirements for Harvard University are between 3.9 to 4.1. You will need an incredibly high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top of their class in order to get into Harvard University.
What school requires the lowest GPA? ›- Albany State University. ...
- American InterContinental University. ...
- Arkansas State University. ...
- Arkansas Tech University. ...
- Capella University. ...
- Colorado Technical University. ...
- East Coast Polytechnic Institute University.
The Princeton Review recently released its 2022 ranking of the best college dorms, based on student ratings of their dorms and residence halls. Taking the top spot is Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Does acceptance rate really matter? ›The lower the acceptance rate, the more difficult it will be to get into that university. When short-listing colleges to apply to, think of these as your 'reach' colleges and make sure you only have a few of them on your list, along with safety and match schools.
What is an impressive acceptance rate? ›Although the hardest colleges to get into have less than a 10% acceptance rate, Pew Research Center found that over half of U.S. universities have an admissions rate of 67% or higher. You might hear a lot about competitive schools with acceptance rates of 5-20%.
Can a college reject you after acceptance? ›Yes, colleges can revoke an acceptance offer any time, including after admitted students put down their deposit. Most revoked admission offers occur between May 1 and the start of the fall semester.
Can I decline a university I got accepted to? ›Can you reject a college after accepting? Certainly! From the day you accept your acceptance offer to the day of your graduation, you can choose to no longer attend the university you're currently at. This is even true for those who accept an early decision acceptance offer, which are usually binding.
Do colleges send you a rejection letter? ›
1. Do Colleges Give Rejection Letters? Yes, colleges send rejection notices to students who weren't admitted.
What is the hardest school to get into acceptance rate? ›- Harvard. Cambridge, MA. 3.19%
- Columbia. New York, NY. 3.73%
- Caltech. Pasadena, CA. 3.92%*
- Stanford. Stanford, CA. 3.95%*
- MIT. Cambridge, MA. 3.96%
- Princeton. Princeton, NJ. 4.38%*
- Yale. New Haven, CT. 4.47%
- Brown. Providence, RI. 5.03%
City University of Seattle Bellevue, Washington | 100% |
---|---|
Utah Valley University Orem, Utah | 100% |
University of Maryland University College Adelphi, Maryland | 100% |
Wilmington University New Castle, Delaware | 99.9% |
Nyack College Nyack, New York | 99.8% |
In general, schools with low acceptance rates (lower than 10 percent) are more selective or have high standards, or have tens of thousands of students applying for relatively few spots. This can be good if you seek a more rigorous academic program or want to be part of a more competitive and prestigious student body.