<p>Well, I went to an intense high school. And my best friends were comparable students to me. They for the most part went to the University of Illinois, whereas I went to a LAC a little lower-ranked than Grinnell. They have found the U of I extremely easy, where they can make 3.8+GPA with 2-3 hours of homework per class per week, whereas I felt I had to work 4+ hours a week per class for a 3.6. You may say this is too rough a comparison, but I don't think graduate schools, professional schools, and collegeboard test-makers are completely stupid when it comes to determining standardized ways to compare the level of work students can handle. I think the success of Grinnell graduates is somewhat indicative of the level of education they received.</p>
<p>Oh, and as I went to an experimental math and science high school, TRUST ME there are different ways to teach calculus.</p>
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Oh, and as I went to an experimental math and science high school, TRUST ME there are different ways to teach calculus.
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<p>Yep, which is why it is really hard to get an honest comparison since no two professors will likely teach it the same way. Personally, I think a class is tougher if there is less teacher/student interraction. Regardless of rigor of a particular class, if the teacher just lectures, then gives homework, and provides little support on a subject that is difficult to grasp...then the class, IMO, is REALLY tough no matter where it's taught. On the contrary, if the class has a comparatively difficult syllabus, and expects a lot, but the teacher provides massive support, I find the class easier. So it depends on the student as well.</p>
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which is why I decided I need to be at a LAC as opposed to a university.
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<p>Not all universities suffer from "big lecture classes." Rice University, for instance, boasts one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios in the top tier, with the entire school population being comparable to that of an LAC.</p>
<p>I think ecape meant a large university with 100+ student lecture auditoriums.</p>
<p>I go to a small school as well (1,800 undergrad students). No classes exceed 30 students, and most are only 20 students. It suits me well, because I think I've learned a lot more than I would at a large University.</p>
<p>Additionally about Rice University, I would venture to guess that because they have a lot less students, they have a lot less majors in comparison to an Ohio State, or Arizona State. So, because of this, I wouldn't put Rice in the large university category.</p>
<p>Additionally, many top tier schools boast small class sizes at the upper level; for example, three of my upper level philosophy courses have less than ten students.</p>
<p>Some universities have small classes, but because the professors are busier with research, grad schools, etc. they don't put as much time into their class and they cater way less to undergrads than they would at a LAC. The University of Chicago, for instance, has the average class size of many LACs, but professors just aren't as accessible as they are at a LAC.</p>
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but because the professors are busier with research, grad schools, etc. they don't put as much time into their class and they cater way less to undergrads than they would at a LAC.
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<p>Once again, that only applies to some schools - as you said. Dartmouth, Brown, Princeton, and Rice do not suffer from this problem.</p>
<p>And by the way, professors have to do research at LACs and universities, that is how they keep their jobs.</p>
<p>I know, but in my experience research at Universities is a more serious affair -probably because professors at universities are more likely to be national experts and to be working with an entire team of researchers. Professors at LACs have varying dedication to their research, because they don't have to turn out celebrated research to maintain their job.</p>
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I know, but in my experience research at Universities is a more serious affair -probably because professors at universities are more likely to be national experts and to be working with an entire team of researchers. Professors at LACs have varying dedication to their research, because they don't have to turn out celebrated research to maintain their job.
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<p>I never knew LACs had less expectations of their professors...</p>
<p>At LACs, tenure is based mostly on teaching. And I'm just saying, as someone who's been at a LAC and visited LACs and universities -the student-professor relationship at universities is typically much more formal. LACs are more like high school, where students can hang out in their profs offices after class if they have some questions or something, and profs talk to students more like they're equals than is the case at universities.</p>
<p>Economics. I actually have most of my credits in math, but I hate it, and only took it because it was challenging.</p>
<p>As for LAC professors, I'd have to agree that they are not as pressured to produce amazing research. I've browsed through the CVs of various professors, and many of them have not published research in quite some time. I think clout is accorded to professors popular with students.</p>
<p>I think most of the schools you want to transfer to do not gurentee to meet need as Grinnell does. Is it the rural location that you do not like, or the lack of water nearby? Most of my friend from Hawaii that went to Grinnell had a rough adjustment, but ended up loving it.</p>
<p>A question: have you been involved in extracurricular activities while at Grinnell? It often makes a difference. And, have you thought about moving from North campus to South campus, or go in on an apartment with friends in the town? For some of my friends, that also helped.</p>
<p>Anyhow, best of luck.</p>
<p>Aloha.
IB</p>
<p>PS--heard that some of the dorm parties are funny like Mary B. James, and the two Waltzes.</p>
<p>I ended up only applying to UNC--Chapel Hill because it has a program where poor people graduate debt free. I hope I get in. I'm also going to apply to UH--Manoa soon, too. I think either option will be considerably more affordable than Grinnell as of right now.</p>
<p>I actually didn't have a rough time adjusting (besides learning to wear warm clothes). Grinnell has been a largely pleasant experience, with the exception of a few professors. I have fun, I'm not lonely, and I'm generally happy here. My main point of contention with the school is financial aid. I'm angry at the principle of the matter--that Grinnell thinks it can jack up my costs, not even offer me federal work-study, etc.</p>
<p>Every college and university, except for a handful, increase the expected contribution and self-help portion for each year you attend. Grinnell is not very different than those schools, so be careful and just compare offers. You might want to talk about your situation with the dean of financial aid as they have some discretion. I know that Grinnell was more generous than many of the liberal arts colleges I applied to, even some of the Ivies. BTW, the federal government does mandate what the minimums are with respect to loans, and it does get larger depending on class standing. </p>
<p>On a different note, UNC--Chapel Hill is an amazing school. I went to a summer program there, and it was definately a better experience than at Manoa (sophomore SPEBE program). I did have friends at UH so it was a blast, although not challenging by any means. Used to just go to class once-in-a-while, and spent most of my time body surfing.</p>
<p>Wearing warm clothes was an adjustment for me as well. Luckily, my parents moved to WA a few years ago, so I had practice. Again, with Grinnell...if your experience other than the aid issue is good, I'd suggest staying put. But, if you must transfer just keep your eyes open and aware.</p>
<p>My best friend went there and though he said it was "like an everlasting vacation" he said the academic quality is negligible and it's very difficult to focus on schoolwork. </p>
<p>Not a lot of high-quality departments and I hear the facilities themselves are junk.</p>