Are liberal arts colleges perceived as second tier?

<p>Yes, but there’s also something to be said for learning in an environment where there’s something to do when you are done with your work other than drink and hook up.</p>

<p>My womens college was 40 mins from Boston, 15 from Providence. if we wanted to go off campus we just got in the car and WENT. Plus we had friends at about 12 of the neighboring LAC’s and unis…Road trip anyone? It was the best! After college there was all the time in the world for city life.</p>

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<p>A scene of human habitation with at least 25 Starbucks stores within a 5 mile radius of its geographic center.</p>

<p>^ oh, gee, not sure about Pittsburgh… Des Moines?</p>

<p>tk, that definition is not applicable to my neck of the woods - I definitely do not live in a city (horse pastures and tall trees), but there are close to 25 Starbucks within 5-mile radius of my house :eek:</p>

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<p>Yeah, like hike, bike, climb, swim, canoe, fish, camp, explore, ski, iceskate, sled…</p>

<p>My older daughter liked Pittsburgh- better than Philly.
I would say a city needs bookstores- radio station and a daily newspaper.Preferably at least two.</p>

<p>Arcadia–you are obviously some sort of country bumpkin who doesn’t deserve a *real *education…</p>

<p>OK. I live in a city of less than 30,000. It has a daily newspaper and several radio stations. It has a Borders AND a used book store. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a college, so it might not factor into this part of the discussion. But is it real? There are 2 Starbucks within 50 miles of my house.</p>

<p>Wouldn’t it make sense now to argue over what a “real city” is?
A scene of human habitation with at least 25 Starbucks stores within a 5 mile radius of its geographic center. </p>

<p>Three responses :</p>

<p>1) That sounds like a little slice of Hell. </p>

<p>2) It’s only a real city when it has a Starbucks so large it has a little Starbucks inside it. </p>

<p>3) A Thread without end. Amen. A-Amen. You may be seated. </p>

<p>;)</p>

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<p>Lol! I’ve lived in cities for most of my life (and all of my adult life). I was lucky enough, however, to spend four years studying among the hills and dales of west-central Vermont. I can’t tell you how many times since then that I’ve longed to return (at least for a vacation!).</p>

<p>Bunsen and Dad, your objections are easily addressed. A real city is:
A scene of human habitation* with at least 25 Starbucks stores** within a 5 mile radius of its geographic center, where the number of parking spaces comprise no more than 75% of the number of jobs within its jurisdiction.</p>

<ul>
<li> and industry
** or 3 rivers</li>
</ul>

<p>But which “real cities”, as a group, are perceived as second tier?</p>

<p>Just wondering.</p>

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Is this a thin-veiled attempt of “I went to school on the east bank of the Charles”?</p>

<p>“But which “real cities”, as a group, are perceived as second tier?”</p>

<p>I guess that depends on the number of Starbucks per square mile ;)</p>

<p>Which parents, as groupies, are perceived as second tear?</p>

<p>Just wandering.</p>

<p>Monydad,</p>

<p>Excellent question. Personally - and this is strictly anecdotal, mind you - I believe first tier cities are small, with lots of personal interaction. Cities where you might be invited to the home of the Chief of Police, say. A city such a this provides services like big cities, but you’re much more likely to talk to a department head rather than one of his assistants when you call with a complaint or question. </p>

<p>Now, the great unwash - er, I mean general population may not appreciate the quality of life in a city like this - they would prefer stressful and dangerous places like NYC, where there are more “options”, (certainly more famous people you might get to see, if not talk to) and less hooking up and drinking. They would say it’s a more prestigious place.</p>

<p>But I prefer the quaint, increasingly diverse, yet thoughtful life of the small city.</p>

<p>Thanks for asking.</p>

<p>Vossron, thank you <em>so</em> much…I’m now reflexively classifying posters as first-, second-, and third-tier. You’ve planted an idea that’s akin to an advertising jingle or “It’s a Small World…” running through your head.</p>

<p>There are three Starbucks within a mile of where I live. At my regular one, approx twice a week, they know me as “Henry IV, Part II.” I once showed them the book as I.D.</p>

<p>Re: cities: I characterized Albuquerque as Los Angeles without the charm. Phoenix is down the scale from Albuquerque.</p>

<p>Well, the early returns are in: Marite & 'Mudge are Tier I posters, even when I disagree with them.</p>

<p>I’m working on manipulating my numbers so I can move from Tier 2 to Tier 1 parent.</p>

<p>Very flattering to be classified together with Mudge, especially since we live at opposite ends of the country and in environments as different as could be.</p>

<p>Does Pete’s coffee count or must it only be Starbucks? Anyway, I’m cheap, I make my own coffee.:)</p>