Hi. I’m a current senior who’s really starting to think if liberal arts college matches me more or larger ivies. I want to study both science and economics related fields, that’s why I opted for a slower, more personalized school such as Pomona or Williams, etc. but truthfully, I am starting to think there must be something about ivies that make people go crazy for it yaknow… From what I’ve heard, people say people from smaller schools tend to be better prepared. I am worried that I might get stuck in a large horde of students at ivies and just get lost in the mix, and not be able to pursue my passions. What do you think???
What makes you think schools like Pomona or Williams are “slower”? That doesn’t at all match my experience at the latter…
Those schools are not “slower” but LACs do provide a different type of environment (there are tons of CC threads describing differences between a LAC and a larger university). One is not better or worse than the other – rather it should be about finding the right fit. If you feel you will thrive in a LAC then by all means go that route.
Some kids do get lost in the auditorium classes and absentee profs at many research universities, some love the resources afforded by a larger school. If you visit a few LACs you’ll get a feeling as to whether they are right for you.
My D is a freshman at Pomona. Her language class has 12 students, her critical inquiry seminar has 14, economics has 24 and chemistry has 26 (the lab is smaller). She’s met and chatted with the president of the college a couple of times since she arrived. (He joined her Orientation Adventure and also hosted the freshman class for a dinner in the garden next to his house.) Her adviser is a full professor. The professor of her critical inquiry seminar is hosting the class for dinner at his house next week. The atmosphere is definitely very personalized but I do not think it’s slower. She has a very large amount of reading to do this weekend, especially for the critical inquiry seminar. Her language class is fast paced. The chem textbook she ordered from Amazon hasn’t arrived yet so she’s borrowing one from someone in her sponsor group so she can get the chem assignment done. She didn’t mention what was going on in econ but so far seems to find the work challenging but manageable.
This is not to say you can’t have a great undergrad experience at a large research university. But the personalized touch and undergrad focus is definitely a main focus of LAC’s. I wouldn’t assume that means “slower” though. In fact, in small classes there’s no place to hide.
Nothing wrong with targeting both sorts. Your preferences can change btn now and May 1st.
Your list may be like this:
- LAC A
- Ivy A
- LAC B
- top Public A
- Ivy B
Come decisions time, what if you get offers from only 2 and 3?