Why is DCUM so obsessed with small liberal arts colleges?

[Anonymous]

You know what, OP? I went to a SLAC, then law school, and make great money. But I am so proud and full of respect for my college classmates who work as high school principals, music teachers, orchestra members, artists, reporters, museum directors, etc. They do far more than I do to serve our young people, continue our cultural traditions, and keep our society vibrant and strong. I would never think of criticizing them because they make less money that I do.

[Anonymous]

What makes DCUM "obsessed" with SLACs? What is wrong with a set of people liking SLACs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t read the whole thread, sorry, but my guess is that a fair amount of people in this area went to a SLAC, had a great time, and make a reasonable salary. And they want other parents to realize the benefits of a liberal arts education.

I went to Wesleyan in CT and my spouse went to a huge UC school, so we’ve seen both sides. Both of us were STEM majors and we got STEM PhDs from the same grad school. My spouse is constantly startled at how much I learned and retained in my really amazing non-science classes - I’ll happily expound for hours on American art from 1865-1945, social psychology, government (political action committees, gerrymandering), John Stuart Mill, etc. I actually think I enjoy life more because of this liberal arts education. We do fine financially as well - I made 3x what my spouse makes; however, his job is a labor of love and “good for the world”- which is made possible by my salary.

+1

I went to a NESCAC school and DH went to UDM-CP. He has the same reaction to my broad-based general knowledge of history, the world, government, philosophy, foreign languages. I make 3x what he does and like PP, make his lower-paid work possible.

Our kids both attended/attend LACs.

I went to an LAC and met my husband there. My husband loved his experience, but I wish I had gone to a bigger school. We're both successful. I went to Washington University for law school. DH went to grad school for psychology. Larger schools offer more variety and a stronger sense of community, but less personal attention. DH liked the community. I would have preferred more choices and diversity. We have one kid in a large engineering program at our state flagship. We have one kid at a LAC. They choose for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know what, OP? I went to a SLAC, then law school, and make great money. But I am so proud and full of respect for my college classmates who work as high school principals, music teachers, orchestra members, artists, reporters, museum directors, etc. They do far more than I do to serve our young people, continue our cultural traditions, and keep our society vibrant and strong. I would never think of criticizing them because they make less money that I do.

Thanks for expressing this, PP. I wish more people here had this attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t read the whole thread, sorry, but my guess is that a fair amount of people in this area went to a SLAC, had a great time, and make a reasonable salary. And they want other parents to realize the benefits of a liberal arts education.

I went to Wesleyan in CT and my spouse went to a huge UC school, so we’ve seen both sides. Both of us were STEM majors and we got STEM PhDs from the same grad school. My spouse is constantly startled at how much I learned and retained in my really amazing non-science classes - I’ll happily expound for hours on American art from 1865-1945, social psychology, government (political action committees, gerrymandering), John Stuart Mill, etc. I actually think I enjoy life more because of this liberal arts education. We do fine financially as well - I made 3x what my spouse makes; however, his job is a labor of love and “good for the world”- which is made possible by my salary.

+1

I went to a NESCAC school and DH went to UDM-CP. He has the same reaction to my broad-based general knowledge of history, the world, government, philosophy, foreign languages. I make 3x what he does and like PP, make his lower-paid work possible.

Our kids both attended/attend LACs.

I went to an LAC and met my husband there. My husband loved his experience, but I wish I had gone to a bigger school. We're both successful. I went to Washington University for law school. DH went to grad school for psychology. Larger schools offer more variety and a stronger sense of community, but less personal attention. DH liked the community. I would have preferred more choices and diversity. We have one kid in a large engineering program at our state flagship. We have one kid at a LAC. They choose for themselves.

I have found it to be exactly the opposite regarding sense of community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t read the whole thread, sorry, but my guess is that a fair amount of people in this area went to a SLAC, had a great time, and make a reasonable salary. And they want other parents to realize the benefits of a liberal arts education.

I went to Wesleyan in CT and my spouse went to a huge UC school, so we’ve seen both sides. Both of us were STEM majors and we got STEM PhDs from the same grad school. My spouse is constantly startled at how much I learned and retained in my really amazing non-science classes - I’ll happily expound for hours on American art from 1865-1945, social psychology, government (political action committees, gerrymandering), John Stuart Mill, etc. I actually think I enjoy life more because of this liberal arts education. We do fine financially as well - I made 3x what my spouse makes; however, his job is a labor of love and “good for the world”- which is made possible by my salary.

+1

I went to a NESCAC school and DH went to UDM-CP. He has the same reaction to my broad-based general knowledge of history, the world, government, philosophy, foreign languages. I make 3x what he does and like PP, make his lower-paid work possible.

Our kids both attended/attend LACs.

I went to an LAC and met my husband there. My husband loved his experience, but I wish I had gone to a bigger school. We're both successful. I went to Washington University for law school. DH went to grad school for psychology. Larger schools offer more variety and a stronger sense of community, but less personal attention. DH liked the community. I would have preferred more choices and diversity. We have one kid in a large engineering program at our state flagship. We have one kid at a LAC. They choose for themselves.

I have found it to be exactly the opposite regarding sense of community.

Yeah, that meant to say "weaker sense of community." I got interrupted by a kid. Sorry. LACs are definitely more like a small town and have a strong community feel. I hated it. I hated having everyone in my business. DH loved knowing everyone. He's a total extravert and it was great for him.

[Anonymous]

SLAC grad here. I am extremely grateful for my undergraduate experience. Why? To start, I was not a “number”. Professors knew students by name and efforts were made to build relationships (mentor/advisor). Our classes were smaller in size and students had to be engaged in class, which for me was a confidence builder…. (no 200 person lectures w a PA) We learned how to write well and public speaking was emphasized. These skills been very useful in my career. My friends went on to work in many different industries, now at high level jobs across many sectors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why? Because old fart parents remember the early 1980s, when SLACs were popular "colleges." Now, it's a hedge against a UVA rejection and the sting that comes from that in nova. That is, the wealthy white parent peer group will still vaguely respect a sweatshirt or decal from one of the "top ranked" SLACs.

WHAT? If you are a middle aged person that actually cares what other parents or family members think about where your child goes to college you have huge issues. Therapy!!

+1 This is a very strange explanation. I wish my kid would consider going to a SLAC because I had a great experience at one and I think he could benefit from a close community and small classes (alas, he has no interest in small schools). I am in my 50s and would not be caught dead wearing a sweatshirt with a college name on it or sticking a college decal on my car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most graduates of SLACs have pretty dismal earnings compared to their Ivy/Public University peers. So why are SLACs throw around here so often? I see a lot of people recommend random schools like Grinnell but why would you send your kid there for a pretty hefty sum when they could go to a state flagship and be in either a better or similar position?

Source:

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

The DC area and DCUM in particular is chock full of lawyers/consultants. Many of them turn into SAHPs and want to toot their alma mater's horn in these forums. Have you noticed the prickly response whenever SLACs are criticized and how the comments look down on large publics as "trade schools"?

SLACs are likely great places if your intended career requires grad school (medicine, law, teaching, etc.). For engineering/CS, avoid them at all cost and head to a large public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SLAC grad here. I am extremely grateful for my undergraduate experience. Why? To start, I was not a “number”. Professors knew students by name and efforts were made to build relationships (mentor/advisor). Our classes were smaller in size and students had to be engaged in class, which for me was a confidence builder…. (no 200 person lectures w a PA) We learned how to write well and public speaking was emphasized. These skills been very useful in my career. My friends went on to work in many different industries, now at high level jobs across many sectors.

Agree with this, but coming from the opposite experience. I went to one of the big state flagships that everyone raves about on this board. I was absolutely just a “number”, my professors didn’t know me at all, and didn’t seem to care about any of us. They were more focused on their next book or speaking engagement. Classes in the first two years were huge and impersonal. If I had a do over I would absolutely seek out a SLAC for undergrad. Our DD did and her experience was wonderful. She’s now in a highly ranked grad school program and doing well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most graduates of SLACs have pretty dismal earnings compared to their Ivy/Public University peers. So why are SLACs throw around here so often? I see a lot of people recommend random schools like Grinnell but why would you send your kid there for a pretty hefty sum when they could go to a state flagship and be in either a better or similar position?

Source:

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

The DC area and DCUM in particular is chock full of lawyers/consultants. Many of them turn into SAHPs and want to toot their alma mater's horn in these forums. Have you noticed the prickly response whenever SLACs are criticized and how the comments look down on large publics as "trade schools"?

SLACs are likely great places if your intended career requires grad school (medicine, law, teaching, etc.). For engineering/CS, avoid them at all cost and head to a large public.

You get one trip through life and it does not only have to be focused non stop on a career. God gave you a brain and you are allowed to develop it and go through life as an educated person whatever your career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SLAC grad here. I am extremely grateful for my undergraduate experience. Why? To start, I was not a “number”. Professors knew students by name and efforts were made to build relationships (mentor/advisor). Our classes were smaller in size and students had to be engaged in class, which for me was a confidence builder…. (no 200 person lectures w a PA) We learned how to write well and public speaking was emphasized. These skills been very useful in my career. My friends went on to work in many different industries, now at high level jobs across many sectors.

I agree. It has served me very well. My husband went to a different SLAC and also had a positive experience. Our first child is headed to a SLAC this fall.

I will add that my parents were professors at a state flagship. I grew up hearing professors complain/look down on undergrads. They cared much more about their grad students and even more about their own research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most graduates of SLACs have pretty dismal earnings compared to their Ivy/Public University peers. So why are SLACs throw around here so often? I see a lot of people recommend random schools like Grinnell but why would you send your kid there for a pretty hefty sum when they could go to a state flagship and be in either a better or similar position?

Source:

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

The DC area and DCUM in particular is chock full of lawyers/consultants. Many of them turn into SAHPs and want to toot their alma mater's horn in these forums. Have you noticed the prickly response whenever SLACs are criticized and how the comments look down on large publics as "trade schools"?

SLACs are likely great places if your intended career requires grad school (medicine, law, teaching, etc.). For engineering/CS, avoid them at all cost and head to a large public.

You get one trip through life and it does not only have to be focused non stop on a career. God gave you a brain and you are allowed to develop it and go through life as an educated person whatever your career.

+1 to the bold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most graduates of SLACs have pretty dismal earnings compared to their Ivy/Public University peers. So why are SLACs throw around here so often? I see a lot of people recommend random schools like Grinnell but why would you send your kid there for a pretty hefty sum when they could go to a state flagship and be in either a better or similar position?

Source:

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

The DC area and DCUM in particular is chock full of lawyers/consultants. Many of them turn into SAHPs and want to toot their alma mater's horn in these forums. Have you noticed the prickly response whenever SLACs are criticized and how the comments look down on large publics as "trade schools"?

SLACs are likely great places if your intended career requires grad school (medicine, law, teaching, etc.). For engineering/CS, avoid them at all cost and head to a large public.

You get one trip through life and it does not only have to be focused non stop on a career. God gave you a brain and you are allowed to develop it and go through life as an educated person whatever your career.

The prickly response I was talking about Do you realize that you can get an education at many, many places starting with your computer all the way through an ivy league school? Do you think people pursing a career are not "educated people"? Career is a choice. For you it may be Starbucks, for others it could be engineer at Google.

And while I have you, can you make that a Venti, please?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most graduates of SLACs have pretty dismal earnings compared to their Ivy/Public University peers. So why are SLACs throw around here so often? I see a lot of people recommend random schools like Grinnell but why would you send your kid there for a pretty hefty sum when they could go to a state flagship and be in either a better or similar position?

Source:

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

The DC area and DCUM in particular is chock full of lawyers/consultants. Many of them turn into SAHPs and want to toot their alma mater's horn in these forums. Have you noticed the prickly response whenever SLACs are criticized and how the comments look down on large publics as "trade schools"?

SLACs are likely great places if your intended career requires grad school (medicine, law, teaching, etc.). For engineering/CS, avoid them at all cost and head to a large public.

You get one trip through life and it does not only have to be focused non stop on a career. God gave you a brain and you are allowed to develop it and go through life as an educated person whatever your career.

The prickly response I was talking about Do you realize that you can get an education at many, many places starting with your computer all the way through an ivy league school? Do you think people pursing a career are not "educated people"? Career is a choice. For you it may be Starbucks, for others it could be engineer at Google.

And while I have you, can you make that a Venti, please?

Of course. You can get an education at a computer all the way through an ivy league school. Slacs are a great option for those fortunate enough to be able to make that choice.