<p>I'm being serious here. I know the "definition" of one, but truly, what is the difference between that a liberal arts college and others? Which is generally thought of as better (liberal arts or "regular")?</p>
<p>Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>EDIT: Also, are liberal arts colleges generally easier to get accepted to? </p>
<p>And lastly, is a degree from a LA college treated the same as one from a regular university (i.e. can you go to medical school after you graduate from a LA?).</p>
<p>LAC vs. University is like Pepsi vs. Coke. Both are different-- neither is better, but rather one is probably more suited to your needs than others.</p>
<p>LAC-- "liberal arts college" is a bit of a misnomer to begin with.</p>
<p>A "college" is a small school of higher education where emphasis is on teaching rather than research. Colleges that do have graduate students have relatively small populations. Think of it this way: Princeton, which likes to think of itself as a liberal arts college, doesn't have the same kinds of law/business/med programs that a lot of other universities (Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Michigan) have. I know that Dartmouth has Tuck, etc. and even though it calls itself a "college" it and Princeton are considered universities by US News.</p>
<p>"Liberal arts," on the other hand, is the opposite of "pre-professional" education. Most schools (especially non-elite schools) offer programs in education, nursing, business, etc.-- any study that is intended to place you directly into the professional field is not considered liberal arts. That is, I think, the essential difference between an economics program and a business program-- one is designed to get you working immediately, the other is more theoretical and keeps your future job prospects open-ended.</p>
<p>Are liberal arts college easier to get accepted to? No. They generally have fewer spots and fewer applicants. Amherst and Williams are about as difficult to get into as any Ivy.</p>
<p>Is a degree from a liberal arts college treated as the same as one from a regular university? In the case of med school, absolutely. In the case of talking to random people on the street, they're going to have no idea what a Pomona is, although your future employers, if they care about the prestige of colleges and universities, will be very impressed.</p>