<p>Does anyone have any opinions on whether it is better to go to a LAC or University as an undergrad? I have visited both types of schools and know I like them both (I do want a school where students prefer to study rather than drink though). I also know I want to major in English but at some point (as undergrad or for masters) I want to take Marketing/business classes. If I decided to do an internship at a business (hotel, publishers etc.) would they be more likely to take a student who went to a uni to do business rather than a LAC student just doing English?</p>
<p>You'll find thousands of posts on this issue. It comes down to what matters most to you. To simplify it as much as possible, larger universities offer more courses, majors, clubs, etc. LACs offer smaller classes, more interaction with faculty, more opportunities to be the president of a club, etc. As far as internships, it depends on the internship. Morgan Stanley is likely to prefer a business/economics type to an English major other things being equal. Then again, they're likely to prefer a smart, enterprising English major to a business major with a 2.0 GPA who can't write a sentence in correct English.</p>
<p>Thanks collegeprof! I don't feel I need a school with a ton of majors if I know what I want to major in although it's always nice to have a large number of classes to choose from. And if a school has the 2-3 clubs I want to join that would be good. As far as college goes, learning as much as I can and becoming friends/good acquaintances with my professors is important to me. I sometimes get the impression that LAC students take their studies more seriously, as they take classes to open and expand their mind rather than focus on 'useful' courses, such as pre-law, business etc. But of course that's just speculation. As for internships, I wish to intern at a big hotel (Four Seasons, Plaza etc.) or a publishing firm in NYC.</p>
<p>If you are considering English as a major, do check out Kenyon College. It has one of the best undergraduate programs in the country! Yeah, and with the lovely campus, what more can you ask? :) However, most selective LACs do not have business/ marketing. I think Bucknell got it, so you might want to check that out! All the best!</p>
<p>lovecollege, you will do best at a college that fits your own personality and learning style. I went to a large university and my son is at a small LAC so I'm aware of the advantages and disadvantages of both. </p>
<p>Internship opportunities certainly exist at both, but I would say that unless you are an aggressive person it's easier to connect with internship positions through the placement service of a smaller school. Connections are everything and at my son's school and at many LACs the career placement service really helps students find summer jobs and internships with their alumni/ae.</p>
<p>Also, because classes are small and usually are taught by a professor when the time comes to ask for recommendations you can draw on instructors who really know you and your academic work personally.</p>
<p>The hospitality industry is somewhat specialized. If you feel this is the right field for you, you might consider a program like Cornell's School of Hotel Management. </p>
<p>If you're undecided (as most kids are at your age) strong writing and analytical skills which you can gain from just about any major will do to get you started in business. Few LACs offer business/marketing per se, but economics, political science or math courses will stand you in good stead with recruiters, especially for undergraduate summer jobs and internships.</p>
<p>Again, personal preference plays a big part in deciding between a research U and an LAC. Graduates from both go on to be healthy wealthy and wise. There is no wrong choice.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help. There is so much to think about. Having never been to college I guess I can't say for sure, but I have a feeling a LAC would better suit my personality in terms of professors, students and atmosphere. Now I have to choose some that I can actually get into!</p>
<p>as has been pointed out, you need to choose the best fit for you.</p>
<p>However what hasn't been emphasized as much is college for its own sake, rather than for building job skills. College is the last time in your life (for most people) when you can study things for the love of learning them, assisted by a trained expert in the field (your prof) and surrounded by other intelligent people happy to discuss what you're learning. Maybe this is a bit idealized, but reading Thoreau on your own as a working adult just isn't the same as taking a literature class from someone who is a Thoreau expert and with buddies in the class who are happy to debate the finer points of what he said or didn't say.</p>
<p>So what I'm getting at is don't let career choices determine everything when you're looking for colleges. They're a factor, to be sure, but don't lose sight that this may be your best chance to explore the life of the mind and expand your horizons with learning that will last a lifetime.</p>
<p>mikemac, that is so true and it's the reason I want to take English even though I doubt I'll ever use it (directly) for a career. While I'm set on that however, I spoke to a marketing professor at one of the schools I was looking into. He said that if I was to take Marketing for my masters students would be less likely to want to work with me because i wouldn't understand the 'lingo' and other such technicalities of marketing. So that's why I kinda wanted to be at a school that offers Marketing classes so I at least have some experience when I go for my masters or internships. And this is where a lot of my anxiety and confusion is coming from. Do I want to go to a good LAC and love English or a university that I will like that will offer me both English and Marketing, but I may not get as much out of it educationally.</p>
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He said that if I was to take Marketing for my masters students would be less likely to want to work with me because i wouldn't understand the 'lingo' and other such technicalities of marketing.
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I guess this is a bit unfair at your age to expect you to understand what's going on here, but you need a bit of insight to make a good decision.</p>
<p>This business prof is spendng his life teaching business. What are the odds that he thinks its one of the most important things to learn and valuable for anyone? About the same as a history prof or english prof talking about their life work, I'd imagine. The point is this is hardly an unbiased source!</p>
<p>By masters I assume you mean an MBA. When you go to MBA school they'll teach you everything you need to know about marketing and everything else. Its just silly to say that other students will avoid you if you haven't taken a marketing class.</p>
<p>I second poster above to look at schools, like Bucknell, that offer a LAC environment but also have marketing/biz programs. Then you will get both elements... Some small universities are very similar to LACs too.</p>
<p>I agree that you do not need undergrad biz to get an MBA, but it might be nice to dip your toe into that dept just to test your assumption that you enjoy the field prior to grad school....</p>
<p>Haha yes, I guess he isn't exactly unbiased! But like SBmom said, I do want to "dip my toe in." I did actually look at Bucknell and have requested info from there. I like that they emphasise the LAC-aspect of the uni. The unis I'm looking at (for marketing/english) include BU, Georgetown, Fordham, Lehigh, American and Bucknell. I want to be on the East coast and more north than south so these are the only schools I could find so far.</p>
<p>Business at the ug level is a fine and challenging major that will lead to a good first job if you do well at a decent school. That means $50k to start on the east coast plus bonus. You might just pass on the MBA later because in four years you could easily be making $100k.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input barrons! The thing is, I don't actually want to take business per se. If I was to go to a university with a business school, I would want to take Marketing as my major (or minor). I would then want to go into publishing (hence the English major as well) or event planning.</p>