<p>The QuestBridge liberal art colleges are the most underrated partner colleges in QuestBridge. Understandably, few students rank them because they either don't know about the school, or they worry that others don't know about the school.</p>
<p>While liberal art colleges are relatively unknown by the general public, they are highly regarded by top employers, graduate schools, and competitive fellowships- at a level close to that of the Ivy League. Especially the top ones like the ones in QuestBridge. In terms of PhD production, Carleton and Oberlin produce more per capita than Yale or Stanford. According to Payscale ratings, Williams and Swarthmore are a better investment than Brown or Yale. According to a list of competitive fellowship winners by schools, Williams, Pomona, and Swarthmore are represented in the top 10 among any school in the country. And you'll see that by and large students from these schools get accepted to the best graduate programs in the country. Even in more direct factors, the QB liberal art colleges usually have more undergraduate research available per capita, greater endowments per capita, better financial aid, and more racial and socioeconomic diversity than the QB universities.</p>
<p>The great thing about liberal art colleges, especially the QuestBridge ones, are that they're an extremely diverse group, scattered all around the nation with completely different personalities. Some are more deeply focused in academics, while others are more pre-professional. Some attract a particular kind of student, while others emphasize diversity. Some are small (700 students), some are big (2700 students), some have the small feel with big resources (consortium of 8000-30000 students). There will most likely be a liberal arts college among the 18 or so that fit your needs.</p>
<p>Of course, this brings up a point- what even is a liberal arts college? And what is the value of a liberal arts college that you can't get with a university?</p>
<p>A liberal arts college is not liberal or artsy. The term liberal arts originates from liberal arts education, which is an education that focuses on depth of knowledge. If you are interested in the Ivy League, keep in mind that they have the same education, so if this factor turns you off, you should not be considering most of the QuestBridge universities either. The difference between a liberal arts COLLEGE and a liberal arts UNIVERSITY is that a liberal art college overwhelmingly produces undergraduate degrees, whereas universities can have multiple schools, like med school, law school, engineering school, etc.</p>
<p>There is a beauty in going to a place that emphasizes undergraduate experience. And not just mostly (like Rice and Princeton), but fully. Here are some benefits:
- You will not have to compete with any graduate students for opportunities on campus like research or work.
- Every single penny (or mostly every single penny) of the school will go towards making the experience as great for the undergraduates as possible. LACs have some of the most supportive administration in the country.
- You will be taught by distinguished professors, all of whom have significant research background (as they completed PhDs from the nations' best programs), and only by professors. You will never be taught by a TA. You will never have to break up into separate problem sections by TAs. And the amount of individual attention you'll receive is unparalleled.
- Have I mentioned professor accessibility? This is huge. As first generation students (most of you), you need the guidance of those who have experience. The professors at an LAC are so supportive and nurturing. This is not exclusive to LACs, but it is more noticeable.
- Your classes will be smaller and be more impactful in your overall growth. You will be pushed, challenged, and given much individual feedback.
- You will have a much more flexible curriculum which emphasizes that you find your exact passion and contribution, as well as cultivate new ones.
- You will be taken care of, given much advice and perspective if you fall back, loved and appreciated by all of the students for your successes, and in general be a part of a more intermingled community. Again- not exclusive to LACs, but more noticeable.
- You will enjoy a richer residential life. This is especially significant if you're an out-of-state student, as just about everyone lives on campus.
- You will interact with your peers more, many of whom are distinguished in one way or another. You will make friendships that truly last a lifetime, and transcend racial and class lines. University experiences are more independent.
- You will usually enjoy a more active alumni network. LACs have really strong alumni participation, better than universities on a per-capita basis.
- You will enjoy a career development office and graduate fellowship office that is more personalized and available, as they are more staffed and have less students to have appointments with.
- Your classes will not be grade deflated, and your peers will be collaborative, never cutthroat</p>
<p>There's probably a lot more, but in my opinion, a liberal arts college provides the best college experience, especially for those who are low income and first generation. The college transition is tough, and many of you do need the nurturing aura to make the best possible experience.</p>
<p>I urge you all to deeply explore the wonderful QuestBridge liberal art colleges and maybe find new options that you may thrive in even more.</p>