<p>Just a few (and quickly written) reflections from an academic (in history; Oxford grad and former faculty member). My pre-med d. has been accepted at 5 terrific schools. Her preference is to attend a small, supportive LAC with serious academics, but also with some balance. Though she did not consider ASU (principally due to size), Barrett has offered generous funding. So we had a look this week. </p>
<p>We attended a stimulating freshmen class w/ considerable discussion: the students were bright, engaging and v. friendly. The other visiting students we met had all been accepted at Ivys/public Ivys/first-rank LACs, but were drawn to look at B. by the generous funding and by the combination of a small college set within a large university. Remarkably, given the solid intellectual climate, there was not a hint of snobbery or elitism among the B. students or faculty. (Not so elsewhere!) The dress and atmosphere were casual, relaxed and rather laid-back, yet serious. The instruction was excellent; class had 12 students + visitors, and the B. ‘Fellow’ (as B.'s academics seem to be called) handled the discussion with considerable skill, insight and balance. The new facilities (opening in July) were impressive (perhaps the best dorm rooms at any public university in America). B. students are given remarkable (almost unheard of outside a small number of wealthy elite institutions) support by the wider University and by the B. staff itself; they also have equally remarkable and diverse opportunities (research, internships, etc.) in the wider Phoenix community + attractive summer programs overseas (limited to B. students). Though we found little evidence of typical ‘grade inflation,’ the acceptance rate of B. graduates into grad/law/med/business schools must rank up there with the best in America. </p>
<p>Phoenix is a new city and has all the advantages and disadvantages of that. Culture (with an uppercase ‘C’), though perhaps not as obvious as in Boston, NY, etc., is readily available. There is no lack of both professional and college sports teams, if that is what one is looking for. Lots of sunshine; if you like four well-defined seasons, look elsewhere. The summers can be brutally hot (though dry), but most B. students are gone then and, in any case, every building/room in town is air conditioned. (Think of NE/midwestern winters and then reverse the time of year.) Most B. students seem to live on/near the campus, and Tempe has some of the charms of a traditional college town. Arizona itself is stunningly beautiful and really geographically diverse: deserts, mountains, grasslands, all w/i driving range. Hiking, cycling, mountain climbing and anything outdoors (including rowing on nearby Tempe Lake) are all easily available and can be experienced throughout the year. The people are friendly and helpful; many seem to have moved to Phoenix from the midwest and have retained all the advantages of their upbringing. </p>
<p>During our visit, there was much discussion of state/university budget restrictions/cutbacks, but we came away convinced that B. will weather the current storm reasonably well, w/o serious disruption/change. ASU’s President (and many others) want B. to succeed. </p>
<p>For my daughter (still undecided, with more college visits to make before 1 May), B. offers a surprisingly strong alternative, at much lower cost. If one is looking for an academically strong college set in a small, quiet rural environment, this is not the place. Likewise, if a school’s elite reputation is of primary concern, look elsewhere. Equally, if one is committed to the pursuit of a v. specific major (e.g., film studies) then the advantages of attending, say, a USC, cannot be denied. Finally, if money is not a consideration, then (as they say) the world’s your osyter. But, in all other ways, B. is impressive and should be considered seriously by able and motivated students, and parents alike. Clearly, it is not necessary to spend $50,000+/year to obtain a seriously good education in America with lots of individual attention, small classes, grad school opportunities, etc., and B. is proof of that. Hope this is helpful.</p>