<p>We all know that Amherst and Williams are at the top of USNWR Rankings, but are they necessarily the most famous? </p>
<p>When you hear "Liberal Arts College", what is the first school that comes to mind? What LAC's are really the most well-known, if any?</p>
<p>I'm curious to hear what everyone thinks... personally, I feel like none of them are particularly popular, and cannot even choose one that everyone would know.</p>
<p>They don't have layman prestige, but they are still highly regarded among people that matter.</p>
<p>I'd say that Williams. followed by Amherst, comes to mind when I think of LAC.</p>
<p>Amherst.</p>
<p>I've only learned of other ones since looking at colleges. My parents - only knew Amherst. Williams would be logically, however the name is less unique, so Amherst is more memorable.</p>
<p>yep I would go with Amherst</p>
<p>Agree with DSC</p>
<p>I would only say Williams because I heard of that before Amherst by reading the whole sisterhood of the traveling pants series. =P</p>
<p>i would have to say Amherst</p>
<p>Davidson down here</p>
<p>I have never even heard of Williams or Amherst before coming on this site. But most known around here are Colgate and Hamilton.</p>
<p>Isn't Colgate a U?</p>
<p>It's listed under the LAC category on here...</p>
<p>Prior to my college search/freshman-sophomore year, I didn't even know what an LAC was, however Amherst first comes to mind. The lack of grad students and Big D1 football and basketball teams can account for that lack of name recognotion of LACs to the average joe.</p>
<p>Most people know Reed.</p>
<p>Faber College?</p>
<p>I doubt the average person (outside of CC) has ever heard of Reed. Or Amherst for that matter. I've actually encountered otherwise well educated people who believe that Faber College exists.</p>
<p>On a more serious note, I'll cast a vote for Vassar. Many people probably still think of it as a women's college but it does have name recognition.</p>
<p>I've known about Williams since I was five because my babysitter went there and brought me lots of t-shirts with purple cows.</p>
<p>However, I think Amherst seems like the most recognizable name.. it just sounds like an elite college.</p>
<p>I agree with Amherst. It was the only LAC I had heard of in California before going to college.</p>
<p>Amherst or Wellesley/Bryn Mawr/Smith/Vassar/Mount Holyoke.</p>
<p>wellesley, definitely.</p>
<p>Amherst or Pomona, for me.</p>