<p>OK a colleague of mine has determined to be set in his way in convicing me that I should not attend a Liberal Arts college. The following are my college choices and are all realistic for me, for the most part. What is so bad about liberal arts colleges? Please fill me in.
Columbia
MIT
U of Chicago
U of Michigan
Boston University
American
Westpoint
Amherst-------Liberal Arts
Colgate--------Liberal Arts
Williams--------Liberal Arts</p>
<p>There is nothing "wrong" with LACS. Its just a matter of preference so pick the environment where you feel you'll be happy--the old "fit" question. You have a nice eclectic mix up there. Have you visited these schools? Where do you see yourself? LACs are great as are large universities. Each has pros and cons.</p>
<p><em>coughs</em> go to Amherst <em>coughs</em></p>
<p>I think your friend is off base. Top LACs get you amazing jobs and have terrific placement into graduate school, not to mention that they are awesome college experiences. At my top 5 MBA program, Williams was one of the best represented schools.</p>
<p>What I don't like is your list. If you like Amherst, Colgate, and Williams, Dartmouth is MUCH more like these schools than Columbia or Chicago. How did you come up with this list, it seems very unfocused? I have attended both Columbia and Dartmouth, (IMO D was a much better experience) but I just don't see the same person liking all the schools on this list.</p>
<p>Columbia
MIT
U of Chicago
U of Michigan
Boston University
American
Westpoint
Amherst-------Liberal Arts
Colgate--------Liberal Arts
Williams--------Liberal Arts</p>
<p>alright if my list is choppy, would you like to help me with it? Im still a junior so... I want to major or double major in 1st Economics 2nd Something like pre-law 3rd political science 4th business w/ an international specialty, now you know more of who I am. I plan on going for the PHD so many of my decisions are going to be made w/ grad school in mind. I also would really enjoy something in a big city (not that i wouldnt enjoy something rural)
reasons:
Columbia-chosen for the name and ranked very high for Economics, politics, business
MIT- good Economics program and post-grad career opurtunities
U of Chicago- prob. my 1st choice, high value of academia, top economics, pre-law, big city (appeals to me much)
U Mich- I live in-state we have a low income family (under 50k py) so this will help, top business, top poly sci., like the school
Boston U- mostly the appeal of a high value of academia and in Boston
American- Top political, DC area
Westpoint- have been serious about this for a long time, good name, character/leadership development, top academics, small classes, army=good career development experience, etc.
Amherst/Colgate/Williams- small and rural, good academics, High rankings, research based, good state locations. etc.
so help me out! thanks!</p>
<p>Ughh, why do you care if a LAC is research based or not? By definition LACs are not very heavy on research.</p>