1. The Trendiest Colleges in the United States
While these colleges may not be the best schools out there, you wouldn’t know that
by their increased admission applications. These schools are doing something right
by their students. Surveys show these colleges are the trendiest institutions of
learning in the United States.
• Macalester College students might be called quirky, intellectual nerds, but they
have fun every weekend. A recent 40 percent spike in applications shows that
word-of-mouth counts among college students. A discount in their admission fee is
credited with some of the extra interest, but Washington Monthly's College Guide
rated the school 22nd in the country. Newsweek called Macalester the hottest
liberal arts college in America. Students say there are weekly events on and off
campus that make Macalester a fun college to attend.
• Maine's secluded Colby College was called a “new ivy” by Newsweek. Kaplan
included it in its list of the "25 New Elite Ivies." Applications have increased
nearly 23 percent. The wilderness location is seen as a feature, not a fault.
Kiplinger said Colby is America’s ninth-best liberal arts college. Plus, it’s the
sixteenth most-affordable college in the U.S. There seems to be a surplus of
reasons for going to Colby.
• Just like Ladies’ Night draws the men, having hot female students attracts male
students. In fact, admission applications for Trinity College leaped 47 percent from
2010 to 2011 after College Prowler said the females at Trinity were the hottest in
the state. A small student population keeps competition to a minimum.
Administrators believe the increase in applications is due to their use of social
media. It’s hard to believe they can say that with a straight face.
• Ivy League schools never lose their appeal. Columbia’s applications have
increased 32 percent. Other ivies like Harvard, Penn and Dartmouth experienced
increases but not nearly as much as Columbia. Administrators attribute the increase
to outreach and communication within the community. Students love the excellent
academics and the sense of independence Columbia instills in its enrollees. The
New York City experience is also thought to be an attractive element as well.
• After Saint Louis-based Washington University was profiled as a new ivy by
Newsweek and Unigo.com, applications increased by nearly 15 percent from 2010
to 2011. Students love the housing, dining and social life. The school has hosted
high-level political debates and also has a great basketball team. The

2. overwhelming favorite features are the terrific research facilities and academics.
• The trendiest Christian school is Pepperdine University in California. It’s the
third most-scenic campus with locations in Orange County, Valencia, Ventura
County and Westlake Village. College Prowler says Pepperdine has the eleventh-
best course variety. Pepperdine’s students make the grade. In 2010, more
Pepperdine applicants received Fulbright Scholarships than any other college.
• If student opinions count, Yale has to be included in this list. Students voted that
Yale had the best course variety of any Ivy League school. Ninety-nine percent of
Yale’s student stick with Yale. U.S. News & World Report claims that Yale has
the seventh-happiest student body. It also received the highest scores for
academics, housing, diversity and the attractiveness of the male and female
students. The glowing results of the student surveys guarantee Yale will remain
one of the trendiest and most popular universities anywhere.