<p>I've always dreamed of going to a school that has mind-blowing professors. The kind of professors that are highly knowledgable in their field and bring life to the material. I want more than pedantic teaching and instead, a genuine interest in a subject area that goes beyond face-value. I want a professor that could change your life, maybe spark an interest in an area that you've never thought of before. Am I demanding a lot or is this a realistic criteria for selecting a school? </p>
<p>I know there will always be bad professors even in good schools but are there any schools that you know of that have a majority of professors that seem to match my description? I would really like to know.</p>
<p>I think that's a great criteria to think about when looking at colleges. After all, your profs play a huge roll in the experience that you have at college. </p>
<p>I can honestly say that I think Olin's profs really match this description. If you're looking at engineering, check out Olin College (Needham, Mass.).</p>
<p>by way of the most simplistic analysis, typically good school=good profs. Well at least in part since the quality of professors is a factor in ranking schools, the development of the school's reputation, etc.</p>
<p>A more critical consideration I suppose is whether you'll get to take classes actually taught by these profs. Does the school have less tenured or TAs/grad students teach many classses. Are the top quality profs limited to upper division and/or more limited courses. Also what are the typical class sizes/ student & teacher ratio, such that even if it's a top prof are you in a lecture hall of 500 students.</p>
<p>Check out the book and web site, "Colleges that change lives." The colleges listed are apparently known for having small classes and profs who are known for excellence of teaching and mentoring.</p>
<p>Yes, quality of the professors (when it comes to teaching )is a realistic way to choose a college. In fact, I think it's far wiser than choosing a college for simply prestige factors.</p>
<p>Make sure to check the # of courses taught by TAs. </p>
<p>In general the smaller Liberal Arts Colleges will have fewer TAs & smaller class sizes, though some of the best courses I took in college did have larger lecture format.</p>
<p>Finally, a school that has less red tape/more access to the top profs for freshmen is a good bet. At some schools the star profs aren't available till you are an upperclassman or grad student.</p>
<p>Even at a large University I was able to find awe inspiring professors. Some were in Freshman Honors seminars such as five kids and a full professor in Underwater Archeology, or 3 students and a full visiting professor in Comparative Germanic Languages. But I also had them in huge classes such as Professor Lehman in Invertebrate Embryology, Professor Mary Carol Smith in World Religions, or Professor Cropp in Organic Chemistry. As a physician now, I am so happy I went to Chapel Hill and was forced to take two years of general ed in addition to my major field of study (Zoology Pre med). I am so happy I did not do the six year program undergrad-MD. You really miss out on the fun stimulating blow your socks off conversations you have in the classes above or in Anthropology, Folklore, and History of Jazz.</p>
<p>( ihave heard these viewpoints shared by my D and her friends as well)
But I agree that all schools have them-many schools the profs will answer emails by prospective students that may give you some indication of their approachibilty. can't hurt to try.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info, guys. It's very reasssuring. Can anyone list examples of colleges in the Northeast (nothing south of Philadelphia and nothing west of Pittsburgh) that follow this criteria. I'm looking for selective schools with an educated and academically conscious student body but not overly selective like some of the Ivies.</p>
<p>Lehigh, Haverford, Boston College - there are amazing professors at any institution, but these are three I randomly picked (I can actually vouch for Lehigh)</p>
<p>St. John's College: Absolutely no lectures whatsoever or discussion. Instead, class sizes, even intro courses, are held in Socratic seminar style with 8-10 students. They have two campuses--one in Anapolis and another in Santa Fe.</p>
<p>I took time to look at all the colleges you listed. I like Lehigh and Haverford. Unfortunately. I'm not willing to go as far as Maryland for college, eiffelguy87. St. Johns sounds interesting, though. </p>
<p>I was looking at some other colleges lately such as Wellesley College, Brown University, Mount Holyoke College, and Swarthmore College. Does anyone with experience think they match my criteria?</p>
<p>Swarthmore, Brown, Wellesley, etc, are all going to have awe-inspiring profs...However, they're also among the most selective schools in the nation (something you seemed to want to avoid).</p>
<p>One anecdote: I was raving to my mom about a prof I absolutely loved-- turned out she had had the <em>same prof</em> back at UC Berkeley-- & she'd loved him too. However, he had not been granted tenure at UCB, despite student uproar, because he did not publish enough. Luckily Brown snapped him up; one of the best teachers in my educational career. Taught every section of his classes personally; 9-5 office hours each day except for when in class. A DEVOTED teacher. His lectures left students weeping. Thank you Sears Jayne!!</p>
<p>Haon, it's true that I'm looking for less selective universities. However, all of the aforementioned colleges have attracted me more than any other colleges I've visited/researched. It's merely coincidental that they happen to be among the most selective colleges in the nation. </p>
<p>I do realize that these colleges will be a part of my "reach" category when I apply for college so I was looking for more match-ish schools that attract me just as much. </p>
<p>SBmom, thanks for sharing that lovely anecdote. Not only did it make me smile, but it solidified my thoughts on Brown.</p>