<p>People who view this trade-off as significant probably choose not to go to an LAC in the first place…or if they do, they transfer out, as I did. Then there are others who by happy coincidence have the same interests as the best professors in their field. That would explain why the thesis-writing LAC seniors aren’t complaining to you. But on this board, we’re talking to high schoolers who are making decisions from scratch. They don’t know yet which option they should take. So it’s best if they make that call with eyes wide open and an understanding of the importance of knowing their target LAC inside and out. If you’re going to a restaurant with a shorter menu, you need to be certain that they make the dishes you want.</p>
<p>Fair enough. (I like your analogy, though it should be “an intimate restaurant tucked in a hidden nook” or somesuch.)</p>