<p>Okay, now this may sound like a stupid question, and yeah perhaps it is. Im sorry, but with all of the buzz about these Ivy League Schools, their prestige, social value, and worthwhile intvestment status....I just don't know what is true anymore.</p>
<p>I am applying to Dartmouth, Cornell, and UPenn, but all of these schools are very competitive. I wanted to throw some LAC's in there, because I know that if i went to these schools, I could deff diversify my education, and get a multifacted (many aspect'd) cirriculum.</p>
<p>My SAT is a 1540/1600, so I'd say its around the range of the LAC's I plan on app'in for. I want to apply for Amherst, Swarthemore, and Williams College. The top 3 LAC's in our nation, but since i want to major in Economics/Business, CAN I go to a great GRAD school (Business) with a undergrad degree from these schools? A more important queston is, can I easily find a job in the business career, hopefully as a financial analyst/banker or some sort, after graduating from these schools?</p>
<p>Hope I didn't sound pretentious, materialistic, or vain. I'm just a hard working student guided by a pragmatic mind. Thanks</p>
<p>The short answer is "yes". However, please note that it is just as difficult to get into Amherst, Swarthmore and Williams as it is to get into Dartmouth, Cornell and Penn.</p>
<p>LAC's like Williams, Amherst, Bowdoin, Holy Cross, and Colgate have very loyal alumni that assist greatly in the job market. HC and Colgate are easier to get into but Colgate is strong in NY and Holy Cross in Boston and NY business community.</p>
<p>To get into and through the LACs you cite and the better arts and science programs at the Ivies, you need to write well.</p>
<p>What you should be looking to get out of these schools is the ability to think clearly, speak and write persuasively (elegantly is a bonus), the capacity to evaluate critically your own ideas and the ideas of others' and, finally, the capability to acquire new knowledge. All the rest is just technique and detail.</p>
<p>Focus on the big things and the jobs and graduate programs will find you.</p>
<p>johnlee, yes,yes and yes. Thousands of graduates from LACs go on to happy lives and productive careers. </p>
<p>My son is a recent Williams grad. He and ALL of his friends are doing exactly what they wanted to be doing 6 months after graduation. Some are interning, some are volunteering, some are enrolled in top graduate and professional schools, some have entry level jobs in their fields of interest, some have very well paid jobs on Wall Street, some are in the Peace Corp, Teach for America, Americorps. </p>
<p>There's no one path, but frankly I don't know of any who would say their LAC education was an impediment to their career. On the contrary the connections and network are extraordinary. Door open.</p>
<p>Wall Street and the financial community recognize the top LACs. Graduate school admissions know them very well indeed. Go the college that fits your personality and learning style. Do well academically, challenge yourself intellectually, participate in activities outside of class, impress your professors, make friends and you will end up healthy, wealthy and wise.</p>