<p>Sorry if this question sounds too... stupid, but I can't find the difference between a liberal arts college and a "normal" one... Could someone tell me a little about it?</p>
<p>I know they want to give students a "non-vocational", broad-based education, but... does it mean that I'll be in disadvantage when I search for a job?</p>
<p>Not at all. An LAC offers you more opportunities because it generally trains you for a wide range of jobs and you future employers may assume that you are able to do more than just the post you are hired for. Besides, you may continue to graduate school or a professional school if you want a deeper preparation.</p>
<p>As long as your intended field of study does not directly prepare you for a job, it doesn't matter whether you study it at a LAC or a university. </p>
<p>For majors that do have some practical applications (chemistry, math, foreign languages...) you might be at a disadvantage because LACs don't offer vocational courses (e.g. interpreting or financial mathematics or chemical engineering) and the same kind of lab equipment that larger universities have.</p>
<p>Finally, if you already knew that you wanted to get into a field like business or engineering, specialized undergraduate programs might serve you better than a liberal arts education which would force you to go to grad school afterwards.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks everyone.</p>
<p>And b@r!um ... "For majors that do have some practical applications (chemistry, math, foreign languages...) you might be at a disadvantage" <-- <gulp> =( I'd like to major at math...</gulp></p>
<p>Keep in mind that this is coming from a math major at a LAC :)</p>
<p>I like LAC~~</p>
<p>Okay, so would you recommend going to a Liberal Arts College or a traditional university if I want to major in something arty - like creative writing, or journalism or even psychology?</p>
<p>^I'd say LAC, but I'm not so sure, since I'm not in one...</p>
<p>If you are unsure what you want to major in, LACs usually give you more time to explore your options before you have to settle for a major (e.g. a major may require 12 courses and 6 courses may be core requirements, leaving you with 14 courses which you can use to explore a range of subjects before declaring a major). Note that there are exceptions; top universities in particular give their students about as much "wiggle space" as LACs. </p>
<p>On the other hand, not all majors (e.g. journalism) are offered at LACs. And even if a major is offered at a LAC, there will be fewer classes offered each semester than at a university. If you don't mind taking all the classes in your major with the same group of 30 students and the same four faculty members, a LAC may be right for you.</p>
<p>Hmm...ohkay. I'm not really sure of what I want to major in. I'm kind of conflicted between a lot of things so I think it would be better if I tried for a LAC than a Uni right? </p>
<p>So you're at Bryn Mawr. That's a liberal arts college right? What are you majoring in?</p>
<p>Barium just mentioned that a few posts above^ if you had cared to read......</p>
<p>lol, thanks shreya :)</p>
<p>^ welcome :)
one thing I wanted to ask you barium is that what are the advantages of a all girls college and why you opted for one?</p>
<p>Sorry. Didnt really see that. You don't have to be snappy about it. </p>
<p>by the way, b@r!um, what year are you in? You wouldn't happen to know a sophomore Nepali named Anne would you? She's a friend of mine.</p>
<p>I think I might have met her. Does her last name start with an S? Wow, the world is sooo small!</p>
<p>The advantages of a women's college... Let me start the other way round: I did not see any disadvantages in attending a women's college and BMC just happened to be the best fit academically (a 4 year BA/MA program in math) as well as financially. Being among women made me a little bit more confident and risk-taking. For example, I would have never dared to take a single com sci class at a co-ed elite LAC (say Haverford, for instance) and now I will probably minor (possibly major) in it.</p>
<p>I am usually not aware of being surrounded only by females - that is, until a man shows up. Right now I am really annoyed by boys of my age. They are too tall, shallow, insensitive, premature... OK maybe not men in general but most of the Haverford guys who regularly have dinner in our dining halls.</p>
<p>Yup, her name starts with an S..actually, Shrestha. Heh...yeah, really small world. </p>
<p>Do you take any classes at Swarthmore? Or Haverford?</p>
<p>I didn't want to spell out her last name in a public forum but yep, that's her :)</p>
<p>I haven't taken any classes at Swat or Haverford yet, but I a going to take 2 or 3 classes at Haverford next semester. I wanted to take a math class at Swat but I was advised against it (Swat is said to be really tough on grades, and I need a 3.7 GPA in my math classes by the end of the year in order to apply to the BA/MA program)</p>
<p>^ thanks for your reply.
My major is economics and the 2 lac's i am aplying to are amherst(depends upon dec. sat) and carleton.
Can you guys suggest some LAC's which are economically diverse.</p>
<p>Oberlin? I'm biased, of course, but we ARE economically diverse, and I, and all the international students I know were given very generous financial aid. And we're a very good school.</p>