I went to state school, kids going to LAC

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
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.


I graduated from a LAC and somehow came out as a full-fledged adult who grew a lot from HS. College is college. Going to a college in a big city or with thousands of other students does not necessarily prepare you better for the real world. Yes, i lived in a dorm for 4 years but by September after graduation I was living in a city, taking public transit, paying rent and utilities. The LAC bashers make it sound like you graduate from a LAC with no life skills. Sorry I didn't have to camp out in the middle of a Michigan winter to get the classes I needed.
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.


The delusion is strong in this one.
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.


The delusion is even stronger in this one.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
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.


The delusion is strong in this one.



Her state school education clearly did not imbue her with the skills to stay productive, or on topic.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
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.


The delusion is strong in this one.

Still mad about being excluded from the Jedi Council, which only allows younglings to attend SLACs.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
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.


You can't reason with MAGA....refer to them as they truly are. Idiots, clowns and fools full of beliefs based on their feelings not reality.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
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.


DP. It certainly rings true for me. I attended a LAC and after my boyfriend and I had a messy breakup, life was miserable. Everyone knew about it, and I had to see him ALL the time. It was awful and looking back, I wish I had seen that as an opportunity to transfer out of that fishbowl and into a bigger school.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.


The delusion is strong in this one.



Her state school education clearly did not imbue her with the skills to stay productive, or on topic.


UGH. I'm neither poster you're referring to, but your smug condescension is not a good look. At all.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.


You can't reason with MAGA....refer to them as they truly are. Idiots, clowns and fools full of beliefs based on their feelings not reality.


DP. WTAF does "MAGA" have to do with this discussion? Are you unable to discuss anything without dragging politics into it? I don't think one person mentioned their political beliefs. Which makes you look like an idiot, clown, and fool.
Anonymous
I really don’t understand people who need it to be either/or. My kids chose LACs, but they likely would have been happy at universities too.

It’s so weird that instead of appreciating the abundance of great schools, and the abundance of types of schools (how lucky are we?), grown-ass adults are sitting around insulting one another as they argue about which type of school is “better.”

It’s not a binary choice, nor is it a universal one. Education isn’t a static, simple, one-way consumer experience. Should we argue next about which church congregation is best? Which variety of tree? Which type of fruit? (Well, actually the answer to that is clear: the best fruit is mango).

Sometimes there’s no right answer. There are just different answers.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I really don’t understand people who need it to be either/or. My kids chose LACs, but they likely would have been happy at universities too.

It’s so weird that instead of appreciating the abundance of great schools, and the abundance of types of schools (how lucky are we?), grown-ass adults are sitting around insulting one another as they argue about which type of school is “better.”

It’s not a binary choice, nor is it a universal one. Education isn’t a static, simple, one-way consumer experience. Should we argue next about which church congregation is best? Which variety of tree? Which type of fruit? (Well, actually the answer to that is clear: the best fruit is mango).

Sometimes there’s no right answer. There are just different answers.

Your kids go to a trash clown college that’ll probably go bankrupt in the next 5 years.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I really don’t understand people who need it to be either/or. My kids chose LACs, but they likely would have been happy at universities too.

It’s so weird that instead of appreciating the abundance of great schools, and the abundance of types of schools (how lucky are we?), grown-ass adults are sitting around insulting one another as they argue about which type of school is “better.”

It’s not a binary choice, nor is it a universal one. Education isn’t a static, simple, one-way consumer experience. Should we argue next about which church congregation is best? Which variety of tree? Which type of fruit? (Well, actually the answer to that is clear: the best fruit is mango).

Sometimes there’s no right answer. There are just different answers.

Your kids go to a trash clown college that’ll probably go bankrupt in the next 5 years.


You seem nice. Have a great night.
Anonymous
Some people like a small environment, others don't. There are ways to make a large university seem smaller, but there aren't as many ways to make a small college seem larger. Some factors could be the size of the city that it's in or the study abroad opportunities.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I really don’t understand people who need it to be either/or. My kids chose LACs, but they likely would have been happy at universities too.

It’s so weird that instead of appreciating the abundance of great schools, and the abundance of types of schools (how lucky are we?), grown-ass adults are sitting around insulting one another as they argue about which type of school is “better.”

It’s not a binary choice, nor is it a universal one. Education isn’t a static, simple, one-way consumer experience. Should we argue next about which church congregation is best? Which variety of tree? Which type of fruit? (Well, actually the answer to that is clear: the best fruit is mango).

Sometimes there’s no right answer. There are just different answers.


Because, as you can see from the person who responded saying your kids go to a “trash clown college,” this is not a bunch of grown-ass adults.
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