Junior looking for LACs

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi</p>

<p>I'm a junior looking for LACs to add to my college list. I am a full-paying, international student from an overrepresented country. I am also female. </p>

<p>A LAC fair was recently held at my school and it really got me thinking that maybe going to a LAC would be a great idea, especially since I'm interested in pursuing a Ph.D and prefer being in small classes.</p>

<p>I'm looking for ~10,000 students and undergraduate focus. Preferable region is northeast/mid-atlantic/midwest. Strong programs in social sciences/sciences and high matriculation to graduate/professional schools would be good. Diverse. Intellectual. </p>

<p>Prospective major: Economics / Computer Science / Pre-engineering (Chemistry or Physics)</p>

<p>Currently on my list (non-LACs): Johns Hopkins, UChicago, Notre Dame</p>

<p>Stats:
GPA: 3.89 weighted (highest GPA in class is 4.0 weighted; average is 3.0 weighted; heavily grade-deflating school)</p>

<p>SAT 1: 2340 total, 1540 CR+M</p>

<p>SAT 2: Chemistry 780, World History 790, Math IIC 800, Biology E 800</p>

<p>AP: Chemistry (5), Biology (5), Macro Econ (?), Micro Econ (?), Calc BC (?), Lit (?)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Math Honor Society (4 years), Debate Team (3 years), Volunteering Orchestra (2 years), Geriatric Hospital Cafeteria Volunteer (2 years)</p>

<p>Summer/Winter Break: Internship at law firm (Junior winter), Internship at national economics center (Junior summer)</p>

<p>Any suggestions? I'm looking for mainly match~safety schools. :)</p>

2

<p>It’s really a matter of nomenclature: the term, “LAC” usually refers to a small college of <3,000 undergraduates without a lot of different “schools” affiliated with it. In the United States, an undergraduate college with ~10,000 students would most likely be part of a medium sized university and have several different component parts in addition to pure liberal arts like, nursing, business, or engineering. Not sayng, you couldn’t find what you are looking for at such a place, but they aren’t usually considered LACs</p>

3

<p>Only a few of what are generally considered LACs have engineering degree programs (e.g. Harvey Mudd, Swarthmore, Bucknell).</p>

<p>Lower cost options include Truman State and University of Minnesota - Morris.</p>

<p>A lower cost non-LAC option is University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.</p>

<p>You may want to check the catalogs and schedules of each school to see how frequently they offer desired courses in your prospective major. If a course is offered only once every two years, that may be less convenient.</p>

4

<p>For other lower cost options, you may want to see this thread (obviously, you need to check each school for suitability in other aspects):</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1294383-less-expensive-list-price-less-obvious-schools-attract-good-students.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1294383-less-expensive-list-price-less-obvious-schools-attract-good-students.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>Rice, Case Western, Rose Hulman</p>

6

<p>You usually only find engineering at LACs as part of a 3/2 program with a university. There are some very small engineering schools that may work for you. You would need to decide how important that aspect is to you. </p>

<p>You might find the following links useful although somewhat dated.
[nsf.gov</a> - NCSES Baccalaureate Origins of S&E Doctorate Recipients - US National Science Foundation (NSF)](<a href=“http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf08311/]nsf.gov”>http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf08311/)
[Baccalaureate</a> Origins Study](<a href=“http://legacy.earlham.edu/ir/bac_origins_report/bac_origins.html]Baccalaureate”>http://legacy.earlham.edu/ir/bac_origins_report/bac_origins.html)</p>

<p>When we were looking at LACs, Hendrix had the highest number attending grad school (Reed wasn’t in our search which is probably the highest).</p>

7

<p>A number of LACs do have engineering such as Bucknell, Lafayette (in PA), Union (NY), Trinity (CT), Harvey Mudd (CA). Some universities with engineering include Lehigh ¶, URochester(NY). Not huge universities with engineering I can think of offhand include Lehigh ¶, Wash U St. Louis (MO).</p>

8

<p>Tufts would be right up your alley, I think.</p>

9

<p>Bucknell
Lehigh
Union
Carnegie Mellon
Swarthmore
Harvey Mudd
Rice
Washu
Wesleyan
Kenyon</p>

10

<p>Where do ou rank in your class? What country are you from?</p>

<p>The OP isn’t necessarily looking for undergrad engineering according to the post. But she might want to consider one of the many LACs that offer a 3-2 program with Columbia where you spend 3 years at the LAC and 2 at Columbia or another engineering school.</p>

<p>And if you’re looking for a larger LAC like school with engineering, look at Dartmouth (if your rank is good). Lehigh and Union are also worth a look.</p>

11

<p>Smith has engineering, strong social sciences, is in the Northeast and has high matriculation to grad schools. Would you consider a woman’s college?</p>

12

<p>The OP said she is considering “pre-engineering (chemistry or physics),” which indicates that she is aware most LACs don’t offer engineering and is open to the possibility of getting her engineering degree after undergrad. Just letting y’all know…</p>

13

<p>Carleton in Minnesota has a lot of applicant crossover with UChicago. Chemistry is listed among the most popular majors there; that’s rare for any college, especially a LAC.</p>

<p>You may have already seen this list of PhD production based on undergraduate institution, but here it is just in case: [REED</a> COLLEGE PHD PRODUCTIVITY](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/ir/phd.html]REED”>Doctoral Degree Productivity - Institutional Research - Reed College)</p>

14

<p>Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Williams would probably be my top 5 “fits” among LACs</p>

<p>You might also want to consider adding Carnegie Mellon, Princeton and Rice to your university list. </p>

<p>If you’re willing to consider single sex schools, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Smith and Wellesley would all be great options (and significantly less competitive than their high quality warrants).</p>