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<p>DadII, it will be cinch for you to understand the concept of a LAC. In a nutshell, it represents the undergraduate college of university. Unfortunately, the dividing lines are often blurried For instance, many large universities have created Honors Colleges to offer programs typically found at Liberal Arts Colleges. Also, all LACs are not similar. While many are “in the middle of nowhere” and are residential in nature, you’ll find LAC is large cities as well, or in close suburban areas. In addition, there are consortiums (loosely adapted from the UK Oxford) that offer access to other neighboring colleges, or even within the same campus.</p>
<p>Further, the lines between programs offered are also blurry. While some believe that LACs do not offer programs in engineering or “business” and are weak in sciences, the reality is quite different. While everyone (well most at least) has heard of the greatness of MIT or Stanford in engineering, the closest UNDERGRADUATE competitor to Caltech is none other than a LAC most people never heard much about. Indeed, Harvey Mudd does not ring many bells, but its accomplishments are nonetheless remarkable. Take a look at the recently released study. </p>
<p>[nsf.gov</a> - SRS Baccalaureate Origins of S&E Doctorate Recipients - US National Science Foundation (NSF)](<a href=“Archive Goodbye - NCSES | NSF - National Science Foundation”>Archive Goodbye - NCSES | NSF - National Science Foundation)</p>
<p>I would highly encourage you to learn a bit more about the LACs. All you really need is invest a few bucks and purchase the next online version of the US News (in exactly) 3 weeks and spend time clicking on the links. This said, for some reason, I believe you must own the 2008 version. </p>
<p>Since financial aid is extremely important to you, you should not discard LACs because many of them offer very generous financial aid packages and some cover 100% of need via grant. If HYPS is generous, so are many LACs. </p>
<p>Lastly, since you are a PhD yourself, you know that the pursuit of a PhD in many scientific avenues does not equate to a trip to the poor house. Many graduate students are able to survive quite well with a combination of assistanships and stipends. As fas as you daughter is concerned, you have done your part by making the sacrifices to move around the country and select a good school district. You have been able to let her choose a school where she can flourish and be happy. While such school does not come without expenses, you seem happy with the current outcome. All the next steps should be hers! </p>
<p>The same should apply to your son. In the same way, I wrote when you started your daughter’s quest, things WILL work out. Parental guidance and support are great (and needed) but micromanaging the process by creating a persona from bits and pieces is not a good idea. </p>
<p>Your job is to polish the person your son is today, but not developing new “hooks.” Your job is to expand his horizon of possible schools, not to restrict them through erroneously perceived values (or costs.)</p>
<p>Again, relax … it will work out! But DO read about LACs, even if they are in the middle of nowhere. :)</p>