Is it worth it to pay for a small liberal arts college?

[Anonymous]

RE: the comment about going to a spa. I didn't go to one of those schools but I went to another top liberal arts college near those schools and it was academically intense. Nothing about it was spa-like. Discussions at parties senior year revolved around senior theses.

[Anonymous]

I went to Swarthmore. I have conflicted feelings about whether it was worth it. I did get a good education, and worked very hard at it. It was academically very intense. I got to play varsity sports, which I never would have been able to do at a larger school. And having the Swarthmore name on my diploma probably helped me get into medical school. OTOH, it was very expensive - we did not get any financial aid, my parents could and did pay for it all from savings. I did premed classes at a large state university after Swat. I was shocked at many things there - cheating, grad student TA's, massive lecture halls, less spirit of academic inquiry. I think I could have gotten more from my years at Swat if I had been more mature, but it being such a small school gave me a safe place to mature. This is probably no help to the OP. I know that I will encourage my children to look at state schools, and have a lot of discussion about costs if they want a private college.

[Anonymous]

DC is currently at a small liberal arts school and is having a wonderful experience. Thank God for gift aid. DC receives 40 K per year from the school, otherwise we couldn't do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going to Williams, Middlebury, Amherst is like going to a spa for four years.

Oh my the troll has come out from under the bridge! Get back under there.

[Anonymous]

Only attend a liberal arts school if you plan to get a MRS degree....that means marrying a rich guy.

Liberal arts degrees don't pay, unless you plan to pay more later for a MBA or JD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only attend a liberal arts school if you plan to get a MRS degree....that means marrying a rich guy.

Liberal arts degrees don't pay, unless you plan to pay more later for a MBA or JD.

I chose the latter route and am very happy. Loved my liberal arts education and my DC is applying to liberal arts colleges as well.

[Anonymous]

I chose the latter route as well, and it has paid handsomely - plus I have a better understanding of history, argument, and logic than many who did not go that route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Swarthmore. I have conflicted feelings about whether it was worth it. I did get a good education, and worked very hard at it. It was academically very intense. I got to play varsity sports, which I never would have been able to do at a larger school. And having the Swarthmore name on my diploma probably helped me get into medical school. OTOH, it was very expensive - we did not get any financial aid, my parents could and did pay for it all from savings. I did premed classes at a large state university after Swat. I was shocked at many things there - cheating, grad student TA's, massive lecture halls, less spirit of academic inquiry. I think I could have gotten more from my years at Swat if I had been more mature, but it being such a small school gave me a safe place to mature. This is probably no help to the OP. I know that I will encourage my children to look at state schools, and have a lot of discussion about costs if they want a private college.

This is my view as well. I went to Amherst, and it was a great place for me, but I'm not sure that it is worth the cost now. I will be open to my children looking at these schools, but won't bankrupt myself to pay for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I chose the latter route as well, and it has paid handsomely - plus I have a better understanding of history, argument, and logic than many who did not go that route.

PP here and I completely agree.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. Haverford Grad.

[Anonymous]

If you are shy or predisposed to depression then it would probably be worth it.

[Anonymous]

^ big/state university snark...why not try a constructive comment instead?

[Anonymous]

I think when you are looking at small liberal arts colleges, you really need to think of it as a lifelong connection. I went to Wellesley for four great years, but that connection has stayed with me and I continue to be a part of that community. Small liberal arts schools tend to have small, loyal alumni groups (even the co-ed ones).

These connections have helped me in many ways - meeting people when I move to a new town, getting job interviews or internships, finding a place to live. There are get-togethers, activities, trips. I'm not that active right now that I am busy with a young family, but its also a connection as you age - many senior alumnae are still quite active. I doubt people would be so willing to help a new grad out if they were one of 10,000 graduating each year from University of X and maybe even one of 50 applying for one position at a company. I'm sure big schools have ways of making the world smaller too - sorority networks for example. But I just wanted to point out that a small school isn't something that you pay lots for and get for four years. Its something that stays with you for a lifetime.

[Anonymous]

"The size of the school (2000 students) was prefect for me."

-----------------------------------------------
"My school was in a rural town where we never worried about safety, most people didn't even lock their doors."

I believe you.

[Anonymous]

I went to small liberal arts school for a couple years - I never really knew any of my professors and didn't care to, didn't care who taught my classes - professor, grad student, TA, whatever, was initially happy with the school size and location (rural) but after two years realized I hated small and rural. Went on to a large state school and was very happy.