What is the appeal of SLACs for non-1%ers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

Anyhoo.. If you want to study a 'hard' subject that gives you a job after an undergrad, go Public or top large private (non-LAC). If you want an undergrad education with plans for immediate grad school (law, medicine, etc.) go (S)LAC. Most are unreasonably expensive for what you get in return but tend to subsidize COA outside the top 10-20, maybe 30.

Simplistic advice reflective of ignorance.

My DC graduated from a LAC last year and is making six figures working on data analysis. DC plans to go to grad school for applied math eventually.

Awesome for your kid! Congratulations! However, unless you can tell me that this is the outcome every kid enjoys from that SLAC, I'm not sure it's relevant. Students out of GMU that study analytics have similar outcomes.

[Anonymous]

My DC goes to a WASP. We pay less than what we would have to pay to in-state schools and DC loves everything about the school. To us, it’s the best deal!

[Anonymous]

NP. OP is so obsessed with hating SLACs it’s kind of funny. I recognize her posts from a mile away. I’m not sure she does anything other than obsess on DCUM about other people sending their kids to SLACs. It is perhaps the only thing in her life.

I went to HYSP and don’t have any kids in SLACS before OP predictably lashes out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. OP is so obsessed with hating SLACs it’s kind of funny. I recognize her posts from a mile away. I’m not sure she does anything other than obsess on DCUM about other people sending their kids to SLACs. It is perhaps the only thing in her life.

I went to HYSP and don’t have any kids in SLACS before OP predictably lashes out.

+1. If you don’t think SLACs are worth it then don’t send your kid to one. Let others do what they want to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

Anyhoo.. If you want to study a 'hard' subject that gives you a job after an undergrad, go Public or top large private (non-LAC). If you want an undergrad education with plans for immediate grad school (law, medicine, etc.) go (S)LAC. Most are unreasonably expensive for what you get in return but tend to subsidize COA outside the top 10-20, maybe 30.

Simplistic advice reflective of ignorance.

My DC graduated from a LAC last year and is making six figures working on data analysis. DC plans to go to grad school for applied math eventually.

Awesome for your kid! Congratulations! However, unless you can tell me that this is the outcome every kid enjoys from that SLAC, I'm not sure it's relevant. Students out of GMU that study analytics have similar outcomes.

That's why a student's major - no matter where they go to school - along with graduate education drive the "ROI" (a silly way to look at education IMO).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

Anyhoo.. If you want to study a 'hard' subject that gives you a job after an undergrad, go Public or top large private (non-LAC). If you want an undergrad education with plans for immediate grad school (law, medicine, etc.) go (S)LAC. Most are unreasonably expensive for what you get in return but tend to subsidize COA outside the top 10-20, maybe 30.

Simplistic advice reflective of ignorance.

My DC graduated from a LAC last year and is making six figures working on data analysis. DC plans to go to grad school for applied math eventually.

Awesome for your kid! Congratulations! However, unless you can tell me that this is the outcome every kid enjoys from that SLAC, I'm not sure it's relevant. Students out of GMU that study analytics have similar outcomes.

That's why a student's major - no matter where they go to school - along with graduate education drive the "ROI" (a silly way to look at education IMO).

Do you have a trust fund? For most, ROI is the most important part of college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

You won't win this argument here. Most parents on here are lawyers or have grad degrees via a liberal arts undergrad route. A lot of them are SAHMs who vehemently support a SLAC education and have the time and energy to rip you apart on this anonymous forum, lest their choices and decisions be deemed inferior. Almost like how every car buyer thinks they bought the best car at the best price. Much like sports (where kids typically seem to play a sport one of the parent's played) they 'push' their kids down a path similar to theirs. Most have grad school expectations for their kids and save money accordingly (as is obvious from the various college ds per hour for SAT prep (even in this test optional era) and college counselor (who pretty much tells the kids where to apply, what to write about, and writes the essay while making the kid and parent believe they came up with the idea and wrote the essays ).

Anyhoo.. If you want to study a 'hard' subject that gives you a job after an undergrad, go Public or top large private (non-LAC). If you want an undergrad education with plans for immediate grad school (law, medicine, etc.) go (S)LAC. Most are unreasonably expensive for what you get in return but tend to subsidize COA outside the top 10-20, maybe 30.

OP here. Agree 100% with you. I see the threads on here calling Asians “strivers” and “grinding robots” and see the obvious hate for people wanting to better their lot. Paying $50k for Macalester or Haverford after merit aid seems like a total waste.

And yes, it’s obvious here that most of DCUM is useless humanities or social sciences majors who went to law school. But these days, you’ll get more ROI as a CS major from UMD than having a law degree from NYU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

Anyhoo.. If you want to study a 'hard' subject that gives you a job after an undergrad, go Public or top large private (non-LAC). If you want an undergrad education with plans for immediate grad school (law, medicine, etc.) go (S)LAC. Most are unreasonably expensive for what you get in return but tend to subsidize COA outside the top 10-20, maybe 30.

Simplistic advice reflective of ignorance.

My DC graduated from a LAC last year and is making six figures working on data analysis. DC plans to go to grad school for applied math eventually.

Awesome for your kid! Congratulations! However, unless you can tell me that this is the outcome every kid enjoys from that SLAC, I'm not sure it's relevant. Students out of GMU that study analytics have similar outcomes.

That's why a student's major - no matter where they go to school - along with graduate education drive the "ROI" (a silly way to look at education IMO).

Do you have a trust fund? For most, ROI is the most important part of college.

But there's no guaranteed ROI, there's human fallibility, lots of luck or lack thereof and individual experiences. Most people are not looking at college simply to judge the ROI because that's an intangible.

[Anonymous]

My DS is headed to a SLAC as a freshman this fall- will probably study business or economics or a science field bit isn’t sure- wants a well rounded education taught by professors that know him. He doesn’t care about sport’s culture and got significant merit aid. He is happy and we think its a good choice for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

For kids who have neither the interest nor aptitude for engineering (or business, etc.), no salary would be worth the misery of being an engineer/business professional/ etc. And there are other options besides a life of poverty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

You won't win this argument here. Most parents on here are lawyers or have grad degrees via a liberal arts undergrad route. A lot of them are SAHMs who vehemently support a SLAC education and have the time and energy to rip you apart on this anonymous forum, lest their choices and decisions be deemed inferior. Almost like how every car buyer thinks they bought the best car at the best price. Much like sports (where kids typically seem to play a sport one of the parent's played) they 'push' their kids down a path similar to theirs. Most have grad school expectations for their kids and save money accordingly (as is obvious from the various college ds per hour for SAT prep (even in this test optional era) and college counselor (who pretty much tells the kids where to apply, what to write about, and writes the essay while making the kid and parent believe they came up with the idea and wrote the essays ).

Anyhoo.. If you want to study a 'hard' subject that gives you a job after an undergrad, go Public or top large private (non-LAC). If you want an undergrad education with plans for immediate grad school (law, medicine, etc.) go (S)LAC. Most are unreasonably expensive for what you get in return but tend to subsidize COA outside the top 10-20, maybe 30.

OP here. Agree 100% with you. I see the threads on here calling Asians “strivers” and “grinding robots” and see the obvious hate for people wanting to better their lot. Paying $50k for Macalester or Haverford after merit aid seems like a total waste.

And yes, it’s obvious here that most of DCUM is useless humanities or social sciences majors who went to law school. But these days, you’ll get more ROI as a CS major from UMD than having a law degree from NYU.

Oookay. If you think humanities majors are useless you certainly should not go to a SLAC. While you can major in lots of non-humanities subjects at a SLAC it probably isn’t a good fit if you think the humanities are useless. If you think artists, writers, academics, and helping professions in general are useless 1) you are a hypocrite, because you depend on these people’s labor and 2) you don’t know enough people who make fine livings in these professions.

What a weird, weird ax to grind, OP. Does your kid want to go to a SLAC and you don’t want to pay for it? Is that the bee in your bonnet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

Anyhoo.. If you want to study a 'hard' subject that gives you a job after an undergrad, go Public or top large private (non-LAC). If you want an undergrad education with plans for immediate grad school (law, medicine, etc.) go (S)LAC. Most are unreasonably expensive for what you get in return but tend to subsidize COA outside the top 10-20, maybe 30.

Simplistic advice reflective of ignorance.

My DC graduated from a LAC last year and is making six figures working on data analysis. DC plans to go to grad school for applied math eventually.

Awesome for your kid! Congratulations! However, unless you can tell me that this is the outcome every kid enjoys from that SLAC, I'm not sure it's relevant. Students out of GMU that study analytics have similar outcomes.

That's why a student's major - no matter where they go to school - along with graduate education drive the "ROI" (a silly way to look at education IMO).

Do you have a trust fund? For most, ROI is the most important part of college.

I do not, and we sent both of our kids to LACs and they are both doing well (earning six figures each fwiw).

ROI was definitely not the most important part of college for our kids, at least not from our point of view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

You won't win this argument here. Most parents on here are lawyers or have grad degrees via a liberal arts undergrad route. A lot of them are SAHMs who vehemently support a SLAC education and have the time and energy to rip you apart on this anonymous forum, lest their choices and decisions be deemed inferior. Almost like how every car buyer thinks they bought the best car at the best price. Much like sports (where kids typically seem to play a sport one of the parent's played) they 'push' their kids down a path similar to theirs. Most have grad school expectations for their kids and save money accordingly (as is obvious from the various college ds per hour for SAT prep (even in this test optional era) and college counselor (who pretty much tells the kids where to apply, what to write about, and writes the essay while making the kid and parent believe they came up with the idea and wrote the essays ).

Anyhoo.. If you want to study a 'hard' subject that gives you a job after an undergrad, go Public or top large private (non-LAC). If you want an undergrad education with plans for immediate grad school (law, medicine, etc.) go (S)LAC. Most are unreasonably expensive for what you get in return but tend to subsidize COA outside the top 10-20, maybe 30.

OP here. Agree 100% with you. I see the threads on here calling Asians “strivers” and “grinding robots” and see the obvious hate for people wanting to better their lot. Paying $50k for Macalester or Haverford after merit aid seems like a total waste.

And yes, it’s obvious here that most of DCUM is useless humanities or social sciences majors who went to law school. But these days, you’ll get more ROI as a CS major from UMD than having a law degree from NYU.

OP, this is a very strange axe to grind. If you don't see the value of a liberal arts education, then don't encourage your kids to attend a LAC. It's that simple.

FYI, Haverford only provides need-based aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SLACs have very low ROI compared to state schools:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

They seem like a total scam except for the 1%. Much better for your future to go to UMD or Ohio State or Indians or Purdue or VA Tech to study engineering or business while enjoying college sports.

SLACs seem like a waste for all but the wealthy 1%era who don’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation. Many of them don’t have big college sports or Greek Life to generate alumni loyalty. What’s the point of them?

You won't win this argument here. Most parents on here are lawyers or have grad degrees via a liberal arts undergrad route. A lot of them are SAHMs who vehemently support a SLAC education and have the time and energy to rip you apart on this anonymous forum, lest their choices and decisions be deemed inferior. Almost like how every car buyer thinks they bought the best car at the best price. Much like sports (where kids typically seem to play a sport one of the parent's played) they 'push' their kids down a path similar to theirs. Most have grad school expectations for their kids and save money accordingly (as is obvious from the various college ds per hour for SAT prep (even in this test optional era) and college counselor (who pretty much tells the kids where to apply, what to write about, and writes the essay while making the kid and parent believe they came up with the idea and wrote the essays ).

Anyhoo.. If you want to study a 'hard' subject that gives you a job after an undergrad, go Public or top large private (non-LAC). If you want an undergrad education with plans for immediate grad school (law, medicine, etc.) go (S)LAC. Most are unreasonably expensive for what you get in return but tend to subsidize COA outside the top 10-20, maybe 30.

OP here. Agree 100% with you. I see the threads on here calling Asians “strivers” and “grinding robots” and see the obvious hate for people wanting to better their lot. Paying $50k for Macalester or Haverford after merit aid seems like a total waste.

And yes, it’s obvious here that most of DCUM is useless humanities or social sciences majors who went to law school. But these days, you’ll get more ROI as a CS major from UMD than having a law degree from NYU.

Engineering degree from HYSP here and I think OP is absolutely absurd.

I also think she is the anti-SLAC crazy that haunts DCUM. What she doesn’t realize is her monomania drives more people on DCUM towards SLACs than away.

[Anonymous]

USN&WR drives the "top colleges" narrative that is widely accepted whether you agree with it or not.

It has a separate ranking for SLACs.

Check it out!