Reply to Pros and Cons of Top 10 SLAC vs State Flagship Honors Program

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous] I think people on this thread who are dismissing slacs never really went to a slac or has a kid in a slac. You have to really know how slacs differ in order to compare. Otherwise, whatever traits slacs might have, the state supporter will always find some element in a state school that could potentially satisfied that element to some degree.  Top slacs cost approximately $75,000 per year. There are reasons for their existence.[/quote]

And I think people who went (or send their kids) to SLACs often fervently believe that their educational experiences are unique to SLACs.  But seminars, accessible faculty, mentorship, liberal arts curricula, undergrad lab opportunities, attention to writing skills, etc. are all available at major research universities.  One difference may be that students generally have to opt in to/seek out these things at universities whereas they are more of a default at LACs.

Personally, I agree with the PP who suggested looking at major universities with colleges in the 4-6K student range.  They can be a best of both worlds scenario (lots of courses, many of them small; motivated student body with real diversity; faculty who are lifelong learners as well as teachers and who aren’t stuck teaching the same intro courses year after year).[/quote]

Their might be similar courses at state schools and SLACs but that’s where the similarities end.  The small class sizes and relationships built with professors (not some TA) at SLACs simply are unique.  You’re also never goin to get real diversity at a state school given that 50%+ come from one geography and most states are pretty homogenous.  LACs aren’t for every child but in my field I e had far greater success with their grads than state school grads.[/quote]

And in my (non-STEM) field, some of the worst-educated students came from top 10 LACs.  Those “unique” relationships with profs, coupled with a general atmosphere of grade inflation, means it’s pretty easy to BS your way through.  Meanwhile, kids who aren’t inclined to do that are often placed in a situation where they aren’t exposed to a variety of different approaches, standards, points of view on their own field.  They deal with one or two profs who, in turn, are teaching students who only know what they’ve learned in their own small department.  One big plus of having grad students in the mix is there’s a continual influx of new blood and different perspectives into the department. [/quote]

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