Along with the acronym LAC, you will sometimes see a reference to CTCLs, “colleges that change lives.” These are 40 LACs that Loren Pope wrote about that are said to offer an excellent social and extracurricular experience in addition to superb academics. Many of these don’t have the name recognition of Williams, Amherst or Swarthmore. Although admissions are not as competitive, they offer a very high quality education. And there are many excellent LACs aside from the CTCLs, as well.