Beware of Small Liberal Arts Colleges if you're not on a sport

[Anonymous]

I wonder if women have an easier time not being on a team at these schools versus men. The responses appear to be "my daughter had no problems with this." Socially, men tend to need more structure. I would also suggest the men's sports teams involve more intense bonding. SLACs with frats seems to be a good solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
LACs are not real life--they are like living in a bubble.

Virtually all residential colleges are not real life and like living in bubbles - public, private, large, small, urban, rural - at least as long as you live in university-owned and run housing and eat in the university dining halls. But that's really the only reason to make them residential. They are supposed to provide a bridge or transition from living at home to living on your own. Many schools have apartment-style junior/senior housing with kitchen facilities and reduced dining plan requirements to push students along in this transition to independence.

Suggesting that non-LACs are somehow not organized around this same principle ignores reality and indicates bias. Having a larger number of people in the bubble does not make it less bubble-like. Maybe a remote, rural, campus is less real in the sense of security issues or contact with people outside the campus, but there are plenty of remote, rural, non-LACs and even the urban campuses are literally set-up to minimize security issues, including having campus transportation services and campus police patrolling off campus, in a way that is not real life. And that's OK. That's part of the educational process you are signing your kid up for when you send them to a residential college.

Sorry, but to blunt, you have no idea about the differences between small rural, isolated LACs and large universities. I have degrees from both & have been involved in college & university issues for several decades and my experience is quite different from your imaginary world.

Sounds like we have similar experiences (I've been in this world for over 25 years), but we have drawn very different conclusions from those experiences. I hope you're not one of those high-priced consultants universities are always wasting their money on. Feel free to point out exactly which cities provide the services and sheltering of a university. The biggest differences between large and small educational institutions is the size of the bureaucracy within the institutions, but the pain of the bureaucracy is not much different and neither are comparable to the bureaucracy of real life.

[Anonymous]

I went to Amherst may years ago and didn’t find this to be true. People segregated based on your freshman year dorm and, to some extent, race as people joined affinity groups for Balc, Latino or Asian students. I had friends that played rugby and squash but they didn’t really hang out with teammates. Certain sports like football did tend to be cliquey but most were not. The bigger clique issue was the NYC prep schools. But there were enough of us that didn’t go to those schools that it wasn’t really a big issue.

Curious whether this has changed. Next time we get an Amherst applicant I will have to grill them a little!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://williamsrecord.com/161/opinions/bridging-the-athlete-and-non-athlete-divide-calling-for-more-conversation/
There seem to be a few articles on this topic if you do a Google search. But this divide is not created by the students but is there because of how athletics works at these schools.

You will have to forgive me for not putting enormous stock in student newspapers.

[Anonymous]

I see a lot of folks here don't really get the benefit of SLACs. Here's some food for thought: (1) Unlike the competitive club culture at Ivys, UCLA, Georgetown, etc. my DC is able to participate in almost any club he wants. In fact, he's welcomed with open arms. (2) Want to conduct research with a Professor? At Ivys, UCLA, Georgetown, etc., undergrads compete with graduate students for positions. My DC gets to do cutting edge research with amazing professors without having to worry about some grad student pushing him out. (3) Want to live with a D1 athlete even though you aren't one? Not gonna happen at the majority of large schools. At my DC's school, there are no frat/sorority houses. Nor are there dorms or halls for athletes. Everyone lives together. Period. (4) Enjoy fighting to get into Freshman classes with 100+ students? NO? Well, the average student:teacher ratio at DC's school is 9:1. That's pretty standard at top SLACs. And because DC knows his teachers, they are able to write recommendations for him. Cues up my last point... (5) Looking for real world work experience? DC was able to secure an amazing internship for summer 2024with an alum based on a rec from one of his teachers. He's a Freshman.
I went to a much larger school and had a very different undergrad experience. Do I think big/small/medium schools are for everyone? Absolutely not. But, I do know that SLACs can be life changing and that this purported NARP/athlete divide is not present for most kids. I visited for family weekend in October and was blown away by the happiness on campus. The kids love being there, mine included.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might just be people trying to get others to not accept offers at the SLACS because of the small number of spaces offered. So, don't always believe what you read on the net.

It’s definitely something that is discussed online. I think SLACs offer tons of good opportunities. But BIPOC, non-wealthy, and/or non-athletes have described not fitting in some of these schools. So it’s definitely a consideration for those of us researching them.

Oh for Pete’s sake. You people need to get lives and stop living weirdly through your kids. It’s creepy and ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see a lot of folks here don't really get the benefit of SLACs. Here's some food for thought: (1) Unlike the competitive club culture at Ivys, UCLA, Georgetown, etc. my DC is able to participate in almost any club he wants. In fact, he's welcomed with open arms. (2) Want to conduct research with a Professor? At Ivys, UCLA, Georgetown, etc., undergrads compete with graduate students for positions. My DC gets to do cutting edge research with amazing professors without having to worry about some grad student pushing him out. (3) Want to live with a D1 athlete even though you aren't one? Not gonna happen at the majority of large schools. At my DC's school, there are no frat/sorority houses. Nor are there dorms or halls for athletes. Everyone lives together. Period. (4) Enjoy fighting to get into Freshman classes with 100+ students? NO? Well, the average student:teacher ratio at DC's school is 9:1. That's pretty standard at top SLACs. And because DC knows his teachers, they are able to write recommendations for him. Cues up my last point... (5) Looking for real world work experience? DC was able to secure an amazing internship for summer 2024with an alum based on a rec from one of his teachers. He's a Freshman.
I went to a much larger school and had a very different undergrad experience. Do I think big/small/medium schools are for everyone? Absolutely not. But, I do know that SLACs can be life changing and that this purported NARP/athlete divide is not present for most kids. I visited for family weekend in October and was blown away by the happiness on campus. The kids love being there, mine included.

I wish people would just say which schoo you’re talking about. We don’t know you!!

And I’d like to know which schools don’t have football players live together after freshman year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please, people, name the colleges you are talking about. Particularly you, OP. So bizarre to come here to "give advice" to other parents but not to mention the school in question. Are you worried that you'll somehow be outed?

They aren’t really parents. They are trolls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see a lot of folks here don't really get the benefit of SLACs. Here's some food for thought: (1) Unlike the competitive club culture at Ivys, UCLA, Georgetown, etc. my DC is able to participate in almost any club he wants. In fact, he's welcomed with open arms. (2) Want to conduct research with a Professor? At Ivys, UCLA, Georgetown, etc., undergrads compete with graduate students for positions. My DC gets to do cutting edge research with amazing professors without having to worry about some grad student pushing him out. (3) Want to live with a D1 athlete even though you aren't one? Not gonna happen at the majority of large schools. At my DC's school, there are no frat/sorority houses. Nor are there dorms or halls for athletes. Everyone lives together. Period. (4) Enjoy fighting to get into Freshman classes with 100+ students? NO? Well, the average student:teacher ratio at DC's school is 9:1. That's pretty standard at top SLACs. And because DC knows his teachers, they are able to write recommendations for him. Cues up my last point... (5) Looking for real world work experience? DC was able to secure an amazing internship for summer 2024with an alum based on a rec from one of his teachers. He's a Freshman.
I went to a much larger school and had a very different undergrad experience. Do I think big/small/medium schools are for everyone? Absolutely not. But, I do know that SLACs can be life changing and that this purported NARP/athlete divide is not present for most kids. I visited for family weekend in October and was blown away by the happiness on campus. The kids love being there, mine included.

This is exactly what my DS is looking for. Do you mind sharing what college this is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please, people, name the colleges you are talking about. Particularly you, OP. So bizarre to come here to "give advice" to other parents but not to mention the school in question. Are you worried that you'll somehow be outed?

They aren’t really parents. They are trolls.

Why is anyone whose opinion is counter to yours a troll?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see a lot of folks here don't really get the benefit of SLACs. Here's some food for thought: (1) Unlike the competitive club culture at Ivys, UCLA, Georgetown, etc. my DC is able to participate in almost any club he wants. In fact, he's welcomed with open arms. (2) Want to conduct research with a Professor? At Ivys, UCLA, Georgetown, etc., undergrads compete with graduate students for positions. My DC gets to do cutting edge research with amazing professors without having to worry about some grad student pushing him out. (3) Want to live with a D1 athlete even though you aren't one? Not gonna happen at the majority of large schools. At my DC's school, there are no frat/sorority houses. Nor are there dorms or halls for athletes. Everyone lives together. Period. (4) Enjoy fighting to get into Freshman classes with 100+ students? NO? Well, the average student:teacher ratio at DC's school is 9:1. That's pretty standard at top SLACs. And because DC knows his teachers, they are able to write recommendations for him. Cues up my last point... (5) Looking for real world work experience? DC was able to secure an amazing internship for summer 2024with an alum based on a rec from one of his teachers. He's a Freshman.
I went to a much larger school and had a very different undergrad experience. Do I think big/small/medium schools are for everyone? Absolutely not. But, I do know that SLACs can be life changing and that this purported NARP/athlete divide is not present for most kids. I visited for family weekend in October and was blown away by the happiness on campus. The kids love being there, mine included.

This is exactly what my DS is looking for. Do you mind sharing what college this is?

This is Davidson. DS has friends at Middlebury and Carleton having very similar experiences.
DS' roommate is a basketball player. They are planning to live together next year. I guess some people do not enjoy spending every waking moment with their teammates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't high school have a lot of athletes, people in plays, etc.? Don't know why college would be any different.

Time to grow up.

(New Poster)

Time to grow up ? Please reread your post; you are making the point that LACs are just like redoing high school. I agree.

It's not re-doing high school. High school has groups doing the same things most colleges do regardless of size. If a kid cannot adapt socially, that's not the college's fault.

Someone 18-22 needs to learn how to interact with a college community. The social environment will not be tailor made for you.

I appreciate your perspective, but I still disagree.

LACs are more cliquish than high schools and this is a problem because students spend 24 hours of each day on campus. There is no break from the segregation. At least during high school one ate breakfast & dinner elsewhere & slept at home.

Larger schools require more maturity due to diversity on all levels--social, academic, athletic, as well as economically. If a student wants to segregate at a large school, then it is easy to join a fraternity or sorority or live in a group theme house; but large universities also have lots of independent students as well as the opportunity for occasional anonymity. In short, LACs are like living in a small town where everyone knows everyone's business and each person has a place while large universities are more like living in a city amid diversity in all of its forms. LACs delay real life--which is fine if that is what one prefers.

You people are so crazy. I can’t imagine being a full-grown adult and writing anything like the above. It is bizarre. Fascinating in a way because I find the anti-SLAC people interesting — I can’t imagine making SLACs my obsession in life — but bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might just be people trying to get others to not accept offers at the SLACS because of the small number of spaces offered. So, don't always believe what you read on the net.

It’s definitely something that is discussed online. I think SLACs offer tons of good opportunities. But BIPOC, non-wealthy, and/or non-athletes have described not fitting in some of these schools. So it’s definitely a consideration for those of us researching them.

Oh for Pete’s sake. You people need to get lives and stop living weirdly through your kids. It’s creepy and ridiculous.

Umm. I’m not living through my kid? So in the college search, you and your kid have not looked at all for fit? You realize people might be looking for different things or concerned about different things? Again-I think SLACs are wonderful—the size, the focus on teaching/undergrad studies, etc. But these issues are legitimate even if they do not matter to you/impact you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please, people, name the colleges you are talking about. Particularly you, OP. So bizarre to come here to "give advice" to other parents but not to mention the school in question. Are you worried that you'll somehow be outed?

They aren’t really parents. They are trolls.

Why is anyone whose opinion is counter to yours a troll?

Jeff has unmasked the anti-SLAC trolls before. It’s a known issue. And they don’t have kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might just be people trying to get others to not accept offers at the SLACS because of the small number of spaces offered. So, don't always believe what you read on the net.

It’s definitely something that is discussed online. I think SLACs offer tons of good opportunities. But BIPOC, non-wealthy, and/or non-athletes have described not fitting in some of these schools. So it’s definitely a consideration for those of us researching them.

Oh for Pete’s sake. You people need to get lives and stop living weirdly through your kids. It’s creepy and ridiculous.

Umm. I’m not living through my kid? So in the college search, you and your kid have not looked at all for fit? You realize people might be looking for different things or concerned about different things? Again-I think SLACs are wonderful—the size, the focus on teaching/undergrad studies, etc. But these issues are legitimate even if they do not matter to you/impact you.

Anyone who writes creepily about how “we” are at a NESCAC while talking about their own child is absolutely living creepily through their kids, and that is something you see a lot from the anti-SLAC posters including OP. It’s really weird. Be like those people if you want but don’t be surprised when the normal folks find you strange.

It does not surprise me that the child of someone who talks about how “we” are in a particular college has severe social problems, but that’s not the fault of the school.