I went to state school, kids going to LAC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LACs/SLACs place one in a small community. Might work for some, but, as another posted, be careful what you say & do as it will become social gossip.

The nastiness/snarkiness of LAC/SLAC supporters gets tiresome.

I think what you are trying to say is “the honest responses of LAC/SLAC supporters to nonsensical comments from university bigots” is difficult for me because it upsets my carefully crafted but unsupported opinions and hurts my feelings.

I see that the usual LAC hucksters are at it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't read the bickering.

One thing that can be helpful for a parent to understand the difference in institutions, is looking at the expected credit load. Look at credit required to graduate and divide by number of terms, e.g. 8 semesters if that's the setup. At my state school this was something like 15 units per term, so 5 classes give or take was the norm. Often lacs are 4 classes per term. This isn't just about counting, it means the courses are set up differently. The professors and students know the constraints everyone is working under and budget accordingly.

Fewer courses per term means higher work load per course, and broader reach in the topics (including personalized research). As a parent coming from a state school, my approach had been to max out on credits, more is better, get something for free. That worked because none of my courses were particularly demanding or at least had very regimented predictable demands. In a smaller setting, the way you get extra is the prep put in to the individual course. Complete the reading/problem sets and push the discussion beyond the bounds of the course.

The transcripts look different but the outcome is the same. It was helpful as a parent to understand this early in the process and lay off bad advice. The students understand, of course, because they do what everyone at their school does, but they can't necessarily explain the distinction to a parent.

Excellent point. I was a little surprised to see my SLAC-bound kid only has to take four courses each semester. A different model, yes.

It tends to be 4 classes and 1class->4 credits

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LACs/SLACs place one in a small community. Might work for some, but, as another posted, be careful what you say & do as it will become social gossip.

The nastiness/snarkiness of LAC/SLAC supporters gets tiresome.

I think what you are trying to say is “the honest responses of LAC/SLAC supporters to nonsensical comments from university bigots” is difficult for me because it upsets my carefully crafted but unsupported opinions and hurts my feelings.

I see that the usual LAC hucksters are at it again.

Sure Karen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From parents who attended SLAC’s whose kids are going to state schools (opposite perspective but hope this helps):

1. More people, more students
2. More name recognition (not having to explain your kid’s college)
3. Cheaper tuition
4. Greek life
5. Not getting into certain classes as easily
6. Your kid has to move into an apartment after the first year
7. Easier to find rides home for vacations if you’re in-state
8. Easier to find others in your immediate circle whose kids have attended or are attending the same college

I would add:

9. Far more majors and depth of courses to choose from.

I would also add:
10. More likely to have large lectures rather than small seminars.

I went to a SLAC where it was typical to have 5 person classes. Kid is now at a large public and the difference is astonishing.

I also went to a SLAC with tiny classes and found it completely suffocating. Zero diversity of opinion, the same faces every single day... the experience my kids are having at large publics is indeed astonishing. I never had access to the wealth of opportunities that they do. And the large lectures have only been encountered in one or two 101 classes. The rest have been around 30 people/per class.

You are doing some serious rationalizing. Have another cup of copium.

OTC, it's clearly you who can't stand to hear a truthful accounting of how claustrophobic SLACs can actually be - and how eye-opening and freeing it is to attend a large university. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From parents who attended SLAC’s whose kids are going to state schools (opposite perspective but hope this helps):

1. More people, more students
2. More name recognition (not having to explain your kid’s college)
3. Cheaper tuition
4. Greek life
5. Not getting into certain classes as easily
6. Your kid has to move into an apartment after the first year
7. Easier to find rides home for vacations if you’re in-state
8. Easier to find others in your immediate circle whose kids have attended or are attending the same college

I would add:

9. Far more majors and depth of courses to choose from.

I would also add:
10. More likely to have large lectures rather than small seminars.

I went to a SLAC where it was typical to have 5 person classes. Kid is now at a large public and the difference is astonishing.

I also went to a SLAC with tiny classes and found it completely suffocating. Zero diversity of opinion, the same faces every single day... the experience my kids are having at large publics is indeed astonishing. I never had access to the wealth of opportunities that they do. And the large lectures have only been encountered in one or two 101 classes. The rest have been around 30 people/per class.

You are doing some serious rationalizing. Have another cup of copium.

OTC, it's clearly you who can't stand to hear a truthful accounting of how claustrophobic SLACs can actually be - and how eye-opening and freeing it is to attend a large university. Best of luck.

Keep pulling on that pipe. And after a deep breath ask yourself "just how foolisn am I" for calling an environment similar in size or larger than the one that they are leaving yet spread out over greater space and consisting of a large quantity of separate buildings is now suddenly "claustrophobic"?

[Anonymous]

Your kid will have many resources they should use, and they should get close to faculty who can mentor them (including writing personalized recommendations)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't read the bickering.

One thing that can be helpful for a parent to understand the difference in institutions, is looking at the expected credit load. Look at credit required to graduate and divide by number of terms, e.g. 8 semesters if that's the setup. At my state school this was something like 15 units per term, so 5 classes give or take was the norm. Often lacs are 4 classes per term. This isn't just about counting, it means the courses are set up differently. The professors and students know the constraints everyone is working under and budget accordingly.

Fewer courses per term means higher work load per course, and broader reach in the topics (including personalized research). As a parent coming from a state school, my approach had been to max out on credits, more is better, get something for free. That worked because none of my courses were particularly demanding or at least had very regimented predictable demands. In a smaller setting, the way you get extra is the prep put in to the individual course. Complete the reading/problem sets and push the discussion beyond the bounds of the course.

The transcripts look different but the outcome is the same. It was helpful as a parent to understand this early in the process and lay off bad advice. The students understand, of course, because they do what everyone at their school does, but they can't necessarily explain the distinction to a parent.

Excellent point. I was a little surprised to see my SLAC-bound kid only has to take four courses each semester. A different model, yes.

It tends to be 4 classes and 1class->4 credits

Sorry, I don't follow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the title suggests, I went to my state flagship school and my kid will be starting at an LAC in the fall. I have been giving advice based on my college experience, but I recognize that their experience will be very different. What should I keep in mind in terms of differences? What will they experience that I did not?

It’s more the time gap. You went to college a long time ago, things have changed a lot. He probably knows what he needs more than you do.

But safety and the number one most important way to do well in classes is to go to every class. Those don’t change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From parents who attended SLAC’s whose kids are going to state schools (opposite perspective but hope this helps):

1. More people, more students
2. More name recognition (not having to explain your kid’s college)
3. Cheaper tuition
4. Greek life
5. Not getting into certain classes as easily
6. Your kid has to move into an apartment after the first year
7. Easier to find rides home for vacations if you’re in-state
8. Easier to find others in your immediate circle whose kids have attended or are attending the same college

I would add:

9. Far more majors and depth of courses to choose from.

I would also add:
10. More likely to have large lectures rather than small seminars.

I went to a SLAC where it was typical to have 5 person classes. Kid is now at a large public and the difference is astonishing.

I also went to a SLAC with tiny classes and found it completely suffocating. Zero diversity of opinion, the same faces every single day... the experience my kids are having at large publics is indeed astonishing. I never had access to the wealth of opportunities that they do. And the large lectures have only been encountered in one or two 101 classes. The rest have been around 30 people/per class.

You are doing some serious rationalizing. Have another cup of copium.

OTC, it's clearly you who can't stand to hear a truthful accounting of how claustrophobic SLACs can actually be - and how eye-opening and freeing it is to attend a large university. Best of luck.

Keep pulling on that pipe. And after a deep breath ask yourself "just how foolisn am I" for calling an environment similar in size or larger than the one that they are leaving yet spread out over greater space and consisting of a large quantity of separate buildings is now suddenly "claustrophobic"?

Get back to us when you learn to write coherently and not in word salad form.

[Anonymous]

I’ve taught at both a SLAC and a major private as a professor. There are pros and cons to each. I’m encouraging my own kid to go to a SLAC but that’s related to her specific personality and interests.

The biggest pro of the SLAC model is the expectation that professors really form relationships with the students. I’d encourage any student to take full advantage of that. Go to office hours!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From parents who attended SLAC’s whose kids are going to state schools (opposite perspective but hope this helps):

1. More people, more students
2. More name recognition (not having to explain your kid’s college)
3. Cheaper tuition
4. Greek life
5. Not getting into certain classes as easily
6. Your kid has to move into an apartment after the first year
7. Easier to find rides home for vacations if you’re in-state
8. Easier to find others in your immediate circle whose kids have attended or are attending the same college

I would add:

9. Far more majors and depth of courses to choose from.

I would also add:
10. More likely to have large lectures rather than small seminars.

I went to a SLAC where it was typical to have 5 person classes. Kid is now at a large public and the difference is astonishing.

I also went to a SLAC with tiny classes and found it completely suffocating. Zero diversity of opinion, the same faces every single day... the experience my kids are having at large publics is indeed astonishing. I never had access to the wealth of opportunities that they do. And the large lectures have only been encountered in one or two 101 classes. The rest have been around 30 people/per class.

You are doing some serious rationalizing. Have another cup of copium.

OTC, it's clearly you who can't stand to hear a truthful accounting of how claustrophobic SLACs can actually be - and how eye-opening and freeing it is to attend a large university. Best of luck.

Agree, although I prefer to describe the typical LAC experience as "suffocating" in addition to "claustrophobic". However, this the main reason why junior year abroad programs thrive at LACs--a chance to get away & be able to breathe again.

Private National Universities offer the best of both LACs & National Universities while public National Universities offer honors colleges to get to a similar place.

Life is too short to waste 4 precious years at a typical LAC unless a multi-sport D-III athlete. College is a time for growth, not for burying oneself in a tiny, cliquish environment.

But, the first year at an LAC can be great due to the ease of adjusting from high school to college.

[Anonymous]

OP: Although you attended a state school for college, much has changed over the last 30 years at large public universities. Even at Harvard, a medium sized private National University which had many large classes.

The animosity toward LACs arises from several factors including direct experience(s) and including oft repeated lies repeated by LAC hucksters that there are more & better research opportunities for undergrads at LACs than at national research universities (LOL !!!) , while also asserting that LACs offer better teaching & better personal relationships between students & profs because LAC profs focus on teaching, not research.

There is a serious lack of privacy at small colleges--especially at those in rural locations where almost every facet on one's life is focused on the small LAC community.

Large universities offer students a chance to grow socially as well as academically, but do also allow one to make a large school small (honors colleges, clubs, Greek system, theme housing, etc.) if one so desires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Although you attended a state school for college, much has changed over the last 30 years at large public universities. Even at Harvard, a medium sized private National University which had many large classes.

The animosity toward LACs arises from several factors including direct experience(s) and including oft repeated lies repeated by LAC hucksters that there are more & better research opportunities for undergrads at LACs than at national research universities (LOL !!!) , while also asserting that LACs offer better teaching & better personal relationships between students & profs because LAC profs focus on teaching, not research.

There is a serious lack of privacy at small colleges--especially at those in rural locations where almost every facet on one's life is focused on the small LAC community.

Large universities offer students a chance to grow socially as well as academically, but do also allow one to make a large school small (honors colleges, clubs, Greek system, theme housing, etc.) if one so desires.

Maybe if you’re an extraordinarily messy individual or…into gossip and drama. This doesn’t align with my experience at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Although you attended a state school for college, much has changed over the last 30 years at large public universities. Even at Harvard, a medium sized private National University which had many large classes.

The animosity toward LACs arises from several factors including direct experience(s) and including oft repeated lies repeated by LAC hucksters that there are more & better research opportunities for undergrads at LACs than at national research universities (LOL !!!) , while also asserting that LACs offer better teaching & better personal relationships between students & profs because LAC profs focus on teaching, not research.

There is a serious lack of privacy at small colleges--especially at those in rural locations where almost every facet on one's life is focused on the small LAC community.

Large universities offer students a chance to grow socially as well as academically, but do also allow one to make a large school small (honors colleges, clubs, Greek system, theme housing, etc.) if one so desires.

Why are you on this thread? It has nothing to do with you. Run along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From parents who attended SLAC’s whose kids are going to state schools (opposite perspective but hope this helps):

1. More people, more students
2. More name recognition (not having to explain your kid’s college)
3. Cheaper tuition
4. Greek life
5. Not getting into certain classes as easily
6. Your kid has to move into an apartment after the first year
7. Easier to find rides home for vacations if you’re in-state
8. Easier to find others in your immediate circle whose kids have attended or are attending the same college

I would add:

9. Far more majors and depth of courses to choose from.

I would also add:
10. More likely to have large lectures rather than small seminars.

I went to a SLAC where it was typical to have 5 person classes. Kid is now at a large public and the difference is astonishing.

I also went to a SLAC with tiny classes and found it completely suffocating. Zero diversity of opinion, the same faces every single day... the experience my kids are having at large publics is indeed astonishing. I never had access to the wealth of opportunities that they do. And the large lectures have only been encountered in one or two 101 classes. The rest have been around 30 people/per class.

You are doing some serious rationalizing. Have another cup of copium.

OTC, it's clearly you who can't stand to hear a truthful accounting of how claustrophobic SLACs can actually be - and how eye-opening and freeing it is to attend a large university. Best of luck.

Agree, although I prefer to describe the typical LAC experience as "suffocating" in addition to "claustrophobic". However, this the main reason why junior year abroad programs thrive at LACs--a chance to get away & be able to breathe again.

Private National Universities offer the best of both LACs & National Universities while public National Universities offer honors colleges to get to a similar place.

Life is too short to waste 4 precious years at a typical LAC unless a multi-sport D-III athlete. College is a time for growth, not for burying oneself in a tiny, cliquish environment.

But, the first year at an LAC can be great due to the ease of adjusting from high school to college.

Intellectual and emotional growth is still growth and everyone is growing and learning, maybe just at different places and with different preferences. The kid chose a LAC, so let's stick to encouraging them about their future experience. Also, many graduates had 4 great years, not just 1.