<p>Looking at comparison data from collegeresults.org, it looks like Muhlenberg's faculty is only 58% full time professors. This is lower than many other similar schools (Dickinson: 77% Denison: 80%). Does this mean that Muhlenberg uses a lot of adjunct teachers, often with little experience and teaching for little money, or is there another explanation? </p>
<p>Muhlenberg also has a worse undergrad to faculty ratio (14:1) than these other schools (11:1).</p>
<p>Can anyone comment on this?</p>
<p>did somebody get rejected and feeling bad?</p>
<p>Our class of '14 student has always had easy access to supportive, experienced and knowledgeable professors throughout her four years at Muhlenberg. We have another child at so-called ‘elite’ liberal arts school (with better ratios in every category), yet we don’t observe Muhlenberg’s services or opportunities to be inferior. In fact, in some ways, there is more support at Muhlenberg. One example, is that our Muhlenberg student found easy access to a summer internship after freshman year, while our other child found it more challenging to find a similar opportunity.</p>
<p>zobroward: haven’t heard yet.</p>
<p>worldspirit: thanks for your feedback. We’ve heard very nice things about Muhlenberg from others as well.</p>
<p>I think JohninPA asks a fair and important question. My DD is a first year at Muhlenberg and wonders whether the large theater and dance programs may have something to do with the skew in stats. Many of those faculty are adjunct – in a good way as they are quite involved professionally still. She did have one adjunct who did not yet have PhD and that one was her least favorite professor, but she liked him well enough-- just really loved the others. That said, she has been SO happy with accessibility of other faculty and warmth of community there.</p>
<p>I have 2 others in small LACs – a junior at Denison and another first year at Ursinus. All my kids have benefited richly from ready access to faculty, and their genuine interest and concern for their students and each child has found a school that is a good fit for them. I would say, though, that Muhlenberg is definitely the school where I have felt the most warmth and biggest emphasis on community. </p>
<p>Best to you and your student in the upcoming adventure, John.</p>
<p>NEMom, you have THREE in college at once? Oh, my! My D will be applying to Denison and Muhlenberg (Dickinson, Oberlin and Haverford also, among others). She’s an artsy, drama-type who will probably major in English and/or History. If you don’t mind, can you share your thoughts on Denison/Muhlenberg? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Thanks, NEMom. It seems so hard to choose among schools like Muhlenberg, Denison, and other comparable LACs (Wooster, Clark, Dickinson, Gettysburg), based upon snazzy websites, a pretty campus and a fun visit. Is data a useful window? The data I quoted sounds like a real difference between the schools, and yet it contrasts with the glowing pictures we’ve heard about Muhlenberg, and perhaps is explained by your daughter’s idea.</p>
<p>I don’t think that the data alone can give you a true picture of the different LAC’s. I strongly suggest you take the time to visit each school and spend a day. Visit with admissions and get the official talk and tour. Sit in on a class if you know what your major might be. Eat in the dining hall and hang out on campus. Talk to anyone who will talk with you, students, staff, campus workers, etc. Sit and have a cup of coffee and watch the scenes around you. I suggest that by doing it at each of the two or three schools you might be considering, you will come away with a strong gut feeling as to which school would be the best fit for you. It is an important decision and worth the two or three days to make the the right choice. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>I suspect NEmom’s daughter is right about the theater faculty. Many of these folks are active professionals who may teach a course or two at Muhlenberg and bring their working knowledge to their students. While adjuncts can be a negative thing, I suspect that isn’t the case here.</p>
<p>My D ('15) is a theater major, with two minors in liberal arts subjects. She has very strong relationships with her teachers and feels very supported. I can’t compare to other schools but I know they really are available to her and excited to help her take advantage of every opportunity.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>For Chickens – my Muhlenberger is a theater major, hard working student, very involved in activities and leadership in high school. She has a warm group of gal pals, but is missing male friendships which were very important to her in high school. Her class ended up almost 70/30 women to men. The theater department is very large, but auditions are open and some of her friends outside the major have been able to get involved. There is LOTS of theater activity of every stripe. She will be a tour guide come the spring and at that point I am sure will be able to answer SO many questions about Muhlenberg. She has been delighted with her faculty and found them very accessible – many of them she calls by their first names.</p>
<p>My Denisonian is an introvert, physics major who immediately found a lovely niche of offbeat pals, and raves about the ease of communication with faculty. She has spent lots of time in the English department and loves the faculty there – will end with a minor as lab classes (and the prospect of two sets of comprehensive examinations senior year) made it hard to complete the double major. At one point when she was struggling to schedule a needed prereq in English, the department chair in Physics (who was on sabbatical that semester) stopped her in the hall to say he had heard about the issue and was trying to find a work around. So this whole LAC schtick about the advantages of being known and not just a face in a big sea seems to be real and not a myth! She studied in Bath England one summer with a faculty member from the English Department in a program that made me green with envy-- Jane Austen was one class, and the other British sci fi and fantasy literature. </p>
<p>Best to your student in the search.</p>
<p>NEMom, that is extremely helpful - thanks so much!</p>
<p>My thanks too NEmom. Denison is on DD#2’s radar (she doesn’t want to follow in her sister’s footsteps but there are a lot of sibling pairs at Muhl!)</p>
<p>NEMom - My son has applied to Muhlenberg, but also applied to Ursinus Early Action and was accepted before Thanksgiving. Ursinus is a top contender because he will major in bio (pre-med), and he got a generous scholarship. Since you mentioned that one of your children is a Freshman there this year, I would just be interested in your impressions so far. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Biobri - our daughter also received a scholarship through early action from Ursinus but received even better financial aid from Muhlenberg. Of course, results will vary.</p>
<p>Uranus is a fine school, however, we didn’t feel the same level of personal attention during the process there. In the end, our daughter chose to not complete her Ursinus application, but still received the scholarship and an admission notice.</p>
<p>Both are good for pre-med. Berg stronger in neuroscience.</p>
<p>I second worldspirits post substituting son for daughter, almost the same exact situation and feelings. I would wait until you see the financial packages from all your acceptances before deciding. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Announcement today from Muhlenberg on investments in the neuroscience program.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg College Receives $1 Million Commitment for Endowed Professorship in Neuroscience
<a href=“http://www.muhlenberg.edu/latestnews/featuredstory/name,7286,en.html”>http://www.muhlenberg.edu/latestnews/featuredstory/name,7286,en.html</a></p>
<p>According to collegeboard.org, Muhlenberg’s ratio is 11:1.
According to collegedata.com, Muhlenberg’s PT faculty = 96, FT faculty =166 & 90% have Ph.D./Terminal Degree.</p>