When scholarship winner Sofia began her college search, she turned to College Raptor’s ranking lists for guidance. “It really helped me to look at College Raptor’s lists and see which colleges were better at different things in different categories,” said Sofia, now a first-year at the University of Washington.
Sofia found the University of Washington on College Raptor’s Top 25 Best Colleges in the Far West US list. “It was right in my area, which I wanted, and it caught my eye. I had already been considering it, but that helped solidify my choice,” she said.
Sofia also tapped into College Raptor’s Best Mid-Sized Colleges list. This was where she discovered a top contender on her college search journey, Babson College. Although she did not end up attending this school, Sofia was grateful College Raptor provided a variety of lists and resources, allowing her to explore all options and find schools that match her preferences, whether that’s campus size, renowned programs, or hidden gems.
When asked about the Hidden Gems list, she said: “It was good to see colleges I hadn’t really noticed before. It shed light on other options I should look into, and that was really helpful.” Sofia also recommends the list to other students, noting: “It highlights schools with strong programs that may not be household names but are really cost-effective options.”
Thanks to College Raptor’s comprehensive lists, students like Sofia can discover schools that match their individual preferences. The lists guided Sofia to her ideal school, and they can do the same for other students, helping them find the right fit based on what matters most to them.
College Raptor helped Sofia find her perfect match, and now she’s sparkling at the University of Washington. The Hidden Gems List can brighten your college search journey too! Check it out and uncover some unique finds.
Apply for the College Raptor Scholarship today, and you can receive a $2,500 scholarship to help boost your college journey. College Raptor awards scholarships quarterly, no purchase necessary*.
*No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. The $2,500 College Raptor Scholarship Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, D.C., and U.S. Territories, who are 16 years of age or older, and are students or prospective students who are enrolled or intending to enroll in an accredited undergraduate/graduate post-secondary institution no later than Fall 2027. The Contest begins at 12:00 AM ET on 7/1/25 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on 9/30/25. See Official Rules for details.
