Would I be better off at an LAC? Extremely double-minded. Please help

College Search & Selection
1

long post incoming

I have already applied to nearly 13 universities and am starting to see acceptances from those. However, these are all big universities and I was just starting to think of the liberal arts colleges, regretting overlooking them.

I know there are pros and cons for both types of the college experience and it depends on the individual’s personality and interests etc. but that is where I am extremely divided between these two.

So the point of this thread is that I’m starting to gain some interest in liberal arts colleges and since it’s too late now, I’m wondering whether it would make sense to transfer next here if I want to, and how easy it would be to do so. But I really don’t know whether it’s right for me.

My career aspirations: I’m not very set on a certain field but right now I’m thinking computer science or something in the technology sector. I’d like to explore more fields before seeing what interests me. Computer Science doesn’t necessarily interest me that much, I just want to be in a field with job security and financial stability, preferably a >80,000 salary. But then again I also want to be happy doing what I do, so I don’t know what field is 100% right for me.

My personality: I’m a very introverted, shy, quiet, not-so-social person but that doesn’t mean I don’t like friends. I certainly do want to make close friendships and I also really like the idea of having closer connections to my peers and professors, and being taught face-to-face with smaller class sizes and a closer community.

Right now it would seem obvious for you to suggest that LAC is the way to go, but there are trade offs, such as the fact that bigger schools offer much more courses and flexibility.

The reason I initially chose big universities is because, as they say, “you can make a bigger school feel smaller, but you can’t make a smaller school feel bigger”. Basically, I love meeting new people and there would be an endless stream at a university. On the contrary, at an LAC, you would be seeing the same faces everyday and run out of new people to meet? I don’t know.

Another reason that I chose big universities is to go out of my comfort zone. I know liberal arts schools would suit my personality but my parents push me to try pushing myself beyond my comfort zone and be more extroverted and changing my personality. I’m 50/50 on that notion though, I don’t know if it’s practical.

I really don’t know what to do. Any advice?

2

I think you are just getting nervous that one day soon you will have to make a choice. Presumably you chose to apply to 13 large schools for a reason. Don’t think about transfering until you have been at your chosen big school for a while.

3

What about something like Case Western Reserve U? Not too big, but with the tech too.

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@CheddarcheeseMN: Nah, I think I have potential to succeed at the big universities too, but I’m just worried whether I made a mistake, or whether I would be happier at an LAC. Like I’m wondering whether it’d be a significantly better choice in the long run, because you only get 4 years for that undergraduate experience, and I want to make the most of mine

5

It sounds like nerves to me. It is hard to tell the right fit by your description of yourself because it is a personal choice. At this point I’d head to college next year with no intention of transferring (or else you won’t fully engage in the life at your school), but rather see how things go and how you like it. Transferring is not always easy and the grass is not always greener on the other side. If you find a good group of friends at college, find activities that interest you, and have good classes there is no reason to transfer. I hope that happens for you.

And you can’t always tell what school suits a person in advance. My S who is quiet felt that the LACs were too small for him (We thought he’d end up at a LAC, but I think he felt it was so small that he couldn’t just get the quite/down time if he chose to) – he ended up at a mid-sized university which had small classes and it turned out to be a fantastic fit. We though my D who is quite outgoing might end up at a bigger school, but she totally fell in love with LACs. She is also having a great experience – she is a junior and she keeps meeting new people, is in a ton of activities, and is never ever tired of being there.

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Thanks for the replies everyone. happy1, thanks for the advice! I’ll try sticking to it.

Another fact is that I always find myself wishing my high school was smaller, I am very overwhelmed by the huge total size of 5000 (1000 in my graduating Senior class), and an average of 30 kids per course. But then again, thinking of a college with fewer kids than my high school seems weird and in a way a turn-off, I don’t know lol.

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Although it sounds to me like this is likely a case of nerves, it isn’t too late to still apply to a few smaller schools to “hedge your bets” and then visit and decide later in the spring when acceptances come in. What about some smaller research universities like Case Western Reserve University (as another poster suggested above CWRU has Jan 15 deadline). I would have suggested U of Rochester but that deadline was today at 12:00 a.m. There are also a number of LACs (some a bit less selective) with Jan 15 and Feb 1 deadlines.

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How bout sewanee?

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  1. There are good LACs wtth engineering and strong STEM programs that have January 15 deadlines if you want to give them a try (ex. Lafayette College and Union College are two I can think of quickly) but without knowing your stats/geographic area/finances etc. it is hard to give specific schools. Note that LACs often do like demonstrated interest so if you decide to apply you should ask about alumni interviews and maybe even visit the school if you can.

  2. I do agree with happy1 that wherever you go you should go with the attitude that you will be there four years so you get active/involved and are not starting college with one foot out the door.

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I reside in Illinois and prefer a college within a proximity of 6 hours or less. My GPA is 3.6 UW 3.8 W and my ACT is 30. No EC’s whatsoever except some minor community service. Financially I need a lot of aid, have a tough situation with low family income.

I ended up applying to Kenyon and Grinnell so far but don’t have the luxury of visiting either until perhaps if/after I get accepted. My dad doesn’t want to visit any college until after decisions are released by late March, would that be plausible to be visiting a lot within a few weeks?

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Also, case western was one of my initial ones that I applied to

12

It’s done. You’ve got some LACs and some non-LACs on the list. Wait to see where you get accepted and what kind of financial aid comes with it. Visit those you are still interested in once you are accepted. Your thinking will evolve over the next few months. Come back to the forum if you want input at that point.

13

You don’t need to visit the LACs but you may want to call admissions and see if they have alumni interviews available in your area. It sounds like you applied to a wide list of schools so when you hear back and see which you are accepted into and are financially viable you can made a decision.

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Take a look at Rose-Hulman in Indiana (2100 undergrads). Its RD deadline is Feb 1, so you have some time.

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Haverford College RD deadline is on the 15th, for another option.

You will eventually have to make a decision between having a cozy job & salary or doing what you love. Few people get to have both right out of college. With a mindset like yours, focus on the type of job you want to do–and see what college coursework will help you get there.

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Demonstrated interest is often a factor at LACs. If you can’t visit, try to take some sort of action to show that you are truly interested. Kenyon is getting pretty tough to get into. I would think you might increase your chances by visiting, if you are serious about it.

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Do you have an affordable safety that you know you will be admitted to and can afford? If not, make finding that your top priority.

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@ucbalumnus: Yes, I already have a list of 4-5 safeties that I have been accepted to, and as of now I know I can for sure afford at least 3 of those. Still waiting on the financial package of the rest