<p>I'm applying to college now, and I've been focused on bigger schools. I think a liberal arts experience would be great, but I'm a non-traditional student: when I matriculate, I'll be turning 22. All these liberal arts schools are small (that I've found) and I worry that I wouldn't fit in, I wouldn't be able to get everything out of it because I'll be older than other students. What do you think?</p>
<p>If you’re female, some women’s colleges may welcome you.</p>
<p>Bryn Mawr has the McBride Scholars, who are 24 or older. Mount Holyoke has the Frances Perkins program, also for women at least 24. Even though you wouldn’t qualify for either program, you’d have classmates who were older (sometimes much older).</p>
<p>You probably don’t want the same experience that an 18-year-old wants. Look for a school that recruits adult degree completion students or programs for working adults. Some of the Catholic colleges may have what you want.</p>
<p>Unless the LAC specifically caters to a non-traditional student population, I think you might be happier at a school that had grad students as part of the student population, rather than a LAC. Your class-mates might be a few years younger, but you would at least have a student community that included many who were your age or even older.</p>
<p>As a non-traditional student, you might also want to find a school that would allow you to have either your own room or to room with someone other than an 18 year old freshman.</p>
<p>@KGB123: If you are, in fact, looking into liberal arts colleges, I suggest you visit Bard College. They have a program for returning adult students: Returning to College Program. The gentleman there who you would speak to is Greg Armbruster. Give him a call. You will not be disappointed.</p>
<p>Love LACs, but I’ll follow M’s Mom on this one.</p>
<p>Having the opportunity to mix with a much broader age range at a large uni is, I believe, a very big plus in their favor.</p>
<p>I believe Marlboro College in Vermont has older, non-traditional students. You may be better off at a public university though.</p>