<p>This is absolutely accurate mom2college, thanks for saying it:</p>
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<p>This is simply not true at all: </p>
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<p>I teach at a giant research school, I’m a full chaired professor and I teach all levels, including introductory freshman courses. I know my students by name, my door is always open. Husband is also a prof. We have students often over for dinner. And we are not remotely special- it’s true of most of my colleagues. </p>
<p>Recently I asked colleagues in different departments to come talk to my undergraduates in a seminar-- every single one said “sure” and took an hour to come sit with them and answer questions. </p>
<p>I watched a lecture last night by Carl Weiman, Nobel Laureate in Physics. At a giant school by choice. Now investing heavily in research and technique on how to teach physics more effectively (which turns out to be a giant challenge, in large or small classrooms…its equally dismal). </p>
<p>As but another example, my highschool student has been contacting professors at large schools. Every single one has emailed back and engaged her. </p>
<p>I could go on and on and on but I know academia, and I get quite tired of the mythologies out there. I understand everyone has to justify their choices but these generalizations are not particularly meaningful down in the trenches, nor helpful to students looking for the right path. </p>
<p>I will concede that it can depend upon one’s major and the faculty or department one is in, but that is why its so critical to ignore these global judgments about large and small, and investigate what will be YOUR experience. And while it may take more initiative on the part of the student in a larger school, such a student that could cope in a LAC seminar should certainly have enough wherewithall to seek out a professor. </p>
<p>If you or your child went to a large school and you didn’t interact with the professors and they didn’t get to know you, it could have been ENTIRELY different if you had simply gone to their office. And there is giant value in learning initiative and seeking out opportunities. There are tons and tons and tons of such opportunities in big schools.</p>