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Mount Holyoke College

Founded in 1837, Mount Holyoke College is the oldest of the "seven sister" colleges, and it consistently ranks as one of the top women's colleges in the country. Mount Holyoke features a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and a beautiful campus where students can enjoy the college's botanic gardens, two lakes, waterfalls, and horseback-riding trails.

Location: South Hadley, Massachusetts

Test-Optional? Yes

Pitzer College

Don't be fooled by Pitzer's small size -- students can easily take courses at any of the Claremont Colleges. The college places a strong emphasis on study abroad and community service, and students can expect lots of student/faculty interaction. Pitzer is particularly strong in the social sciences.

Location: Claremont, California

SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 580 / 680

SAT Math (Middle 50%): 560 / 650

Test-Optional? Yes

Ripon College

Ripon has much to be proud of: Phi Beta Kappa membership; high retention and graduation rates; generous financial aid; excellent value; and a Collaborative Learning Center that provides valuable support for students who need a little extra help

Location: Ripon, Wisconsin

SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 440 / 610

SAT Math (Middle 50%): 480 / 650

Test-Optional? No

Sarah Lawrence College

Located in Bronxville, New York, Sarah Lawrence has an amazing 6 to 1 student / faculty ratio and students will find that teaching truly is valued more than faculty research. The application process does not consider standardized test scores at all; in fact, Sarah Lawrence was a leader in the test-optional movement. The college's quaint campus has the feel of a European village.

Sewanee, The University of the South

Sewanee can boast of a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, small classes, and an 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio. The university has a particularly strong English program that is home to The Sewanee Review and Sewanee Writers Conference.

Location: Sewanee, Tennessee

SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 570 / 680

SAT Math (Middle 50%): 580 / 670

Test-Optional? Yes

Smith College

Smith is one of the top women's colleges in the country, and it also features test-optional admissions. Smith is a member of the five college consortium along with Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire, and UMass Amherst. Students at any of these five colleges can easily take classes at the other member institutions. Smith has a beautiful and historic campus that includes the 12,000 square foot Lyman Conservatory and the Botanic Garden.

Location: Northampton, Massachusetts

SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 590 / 710

SAT Math (Middle 50%): 560 / 670

Test-Optional? Yes