13 of the most unique colleges in America

Deep Springs College is unique for a number of reasons. First, it doesn't have more than 30 undergraduate students at any given time, and all students are given a full scholarship. Its campus is not exactly the quintessential college campus with a quad, high-rise dorm buildings, and dining halls, either.

The school is set on a 155-acre campus in the eastern California desert, about 40 miles from the nearest town, which is Bishop, California. The curriculum focuses on academics, self-governance, and labor — students have classes in the morning and, after lunch, they take part in work ranging from cooking to farming and ranching.

Colby College's Jan Plan term is described as an exploratory term in January that gives students the freedom to choose from a variety of academic experiences, such as internships, conducting research, or studying abroad.

Students are required to take three Jan Plan terms, but according to the school's site, 90% of students do four Jan Plans.

With its hilly landscape and mix of century-old stone and contemporary glass buildings, Kenyon College's campus is historic and unique. Its academics and campus offerings are also one-of-a-kind.

For example, students have access to a 5oo-acre nature preserve, and the school also has its own 10-acre farm that's completely run by students. Animals and crops include turkeys, goats, chickens, tomatoes, and squash.

Franklin and Marshall College was originally called Franklin College, founded in 1787 by Benjamin Franklin, who donated 200 English pounds to the school.

The school's rich history isn't the only thing that makes it stand out from other universities. At Franklin and Marshall, first-year students are assigned one of five Harry Potter-esque "houses," where they live, have meals, and connect with fellow students and faculty advisers, according to US News.

According to the school's website, "members of each house decide their own government structure, craft a constitution, elect leaders, discuss and plan house-sponsored events, determine how the house's substantial annual budget will be spent, and generally take charge of all the other who, what, when, why and hows of their particular collective on campus."

Not only does Bryn Mawr College have an owl as its mascot and gothic-style buildings throughout campus, but the college leans into its Hogwarts-like aesthetic. Each year, Bryn Mawr holds its own Yule Ball, a "Harry Potter"-inspired winter dance with food and dancing. Students are even encouraged to dress in formal attire or come dressed as "Harry Potter" characters.

The school has yet to announce how the coronavirus pandemic may affect the dance, but academics and other parts of student life are going ahead with added precautions.

In addition to its unique "one course at a time" curriculum, Cornell College (not to be confused with Cornell University) also equips first-year students with a "success team" of faculty and upperclassmen who closely mentor students during their first semester.

Students at Reed College experience a unique academic system. They're only informed of grades that are below a C, and students aren't placed on the dean's list or honor roll because the school evaluates students on a pass- or no-pass scale, according to US News.

The no-letter-grade system seems to work in Reed College's favor, as it's ranked No. 1 on the Princeton Review's Best Classroom Experience list.

As part of Berea College's unique Tuition Promise Scholarship, students participate in a work-study program that covers the cost of their tuition.

The Kentucky school is also one of eight federally recognized Work Colleges in the US, according to Berea College.

Antioch College calls itself a "laboratory college" where students learn by doing. With its co-op requirement, Antioch College students spend up to a third of their undergraduate experience doing community service and internships, according to the website.

Named no. 4 on US News' Most Innovative Schools list, Bard College in upstate New York is known for its intellectual environment and a senior project that all students complete.

Some houses and residence halls on Bard College's campus are themed around being "alcohol-free," "quiet," and "wellness" hubs, US News reports. Additionally, a popular volunteer opportunity at Bard is a program that sends students to jails throughout New York to tutor inmates, according to US News. Though students no longer physically visit prisons due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Bard Prison Initiative has continued coursework virtually.

Bennington College is unique because undergraduate students work with graduate-style advisers to create a specialized academic plan. Also, according to US News, Bennington College students work with an organization or institution of their choice for two months every winter as part of the college's mandatory annual internship program — its website claims that it's "the only college in the country to require an annual internship since its founding."

Famous alumni of Bennington include "Game of Thrones" actor Peter Dinklage, as well as director and actor Alan Arkin.

Earlham College offers what it calls the EPIC Advantage, a program that funds experiences like internships, research opportunities, and community service projects for students, according to the Princeton Review.

Harvey Mudd College, part of the Claremont University Consortium, a group of California colleges, is known for its focus on science, math, and engineering undergraduate studies.

A one-of-a-kind feature that Harvey Mudd students have access to is its Clinic Program, where students work on projects sponsored by entrepreneurs, companies, and national laboratories, according to US News.

Though Harvey Mudd has transitioned to remote learning for the fall 2020 semester, students can expect to take part in the school's unique programs in person if the spring semester resumes in the classroom.

• Read more:
• The top 20 US universities with the wealthiest alumni, ranked
• Two-thirds of colleges in the US now offer vegan meals — here are 10 of the most vegan-friendly campuses
• The 20 best college towns in America to start your career
• 30 colleges with the best on-campus food in the US, according to students