Struggling with this as I think my child would do best at a SLAC. DC somewhat recognizes this but has spent her whole life dreaming of going to my spouse's alma mater which is somewhat larger and very rah rah, great sports, etc. And we think that to benefit from legacy status she has to apply ED there (we aren't big donors but we are fairly involved). So does she apply ED to the legacy school that might not be as good of a fit or target a SLAC that is likely a better fit but unclear whether she will get in? TBD.

My DS's list was all 7k students plus, said he hated SLACs upon visiting multiple. I thought he might change his mind as kids grow and change a lot over those months. Forced him to apply to several SLACs, said I'm paying, I get a say. DS ended up with 3 T20 large options and he freely chose one of WASP. Kids are still young, parents should weigh in.

Yes. Both of them.

The older one graduates this year and is headed for a graduate program at a much larger university, but her SLAC education has served her well in the process.

I’m not sure I fully thought about it, though her list ultimately wound up being mostly SLACs so during touring it was clearly what she was drawn to. Definitely built the list of where to look organically over time, starting with greater Boston area junior spring break (because those were the schools actually in session during that time) and using her reactions to those schools to build the list of places to tour over the summer.

I thought my kid would do well with small places with small class sizes and closer connections between students and professors. In my mind, that meant LAC.

My kid definitely preferred smaller schools, but wanted an allied health major that is offered mostly at regional universities (note: I have no idea why they call them this, regional universities are schools that offer masters, usually in professional fields, but no or very limited doctorate programs.). He's going to a school with under 3K undergrads, but not an LAC.

So, I was sort of right?

Yes, in our case. I thought my ds would do best at a LAC, and that is where he ended up. But we toured all different types and sizes of colleges and universities. He decided on his own.

Yes, I thought my kid would do best at a SLAC and as she went through the research and application process she ended up agreeing. Only applied to one non-SLAC along with 7 SLACs and will be attending a SLAC in the fall.

Kids need to make their own choices on schools within the family budget. If it’s wrong for them it’s not a huge disaster and can apply for transfer. Making a poor decision can be a learning moment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just starting the college search, and my list has almost all SLACs for DD. I think she would do best in a smaller environment, and I think the liberal arts curriculum would best suit her.

Obviously, she will weigh in on this, but I’m curious if your DC indeed chose a SLAC if you thought that’s where they would end up.

College selection should start with your kid. Not you. You really need to let them take the lead.

Thanks for the lecture and not answering the question. And for missing the “obviously she will weigh in” part of the post. You’re so helpful.

You gotta let DCUM roll off your shoulders or you’re going to need meds for high blood pressure in the near future.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just starting the college search, and my list has almost all SLACs for DD. I think she would do best in a smaller environment, and I think the liberal arts curriculum would best suit her.

Obviously, she will weigh in on this, but I’m curious if your DC indeed chose a SLAC if you thought that’s where they would end up.

College selection should start with your kid. Not you. You really need to let them take the lead.

Thanks for the lecture and not answering the question. And for missing the “obviously she will weigh in” part of the post. You’re so helpful.

Was sure kid would LOVE LACs. Toured most of the NESCAC plus Davidson etc. The core of his list is now NYU, BU, USC. Kids are funny.

I thought my younger son would do best at a LAC and he was not interested at all. He did apply to a couple at our urging but is headed to Georgia Tech this fall. With my older son, I had no preference and he ended up at a smaller university, but not a LAC.

My early mental list had W&M as a top choice, even an ED prospect for DC. DC didn’t like it after their first visit. 😂 Try to set your own lists aside in this process.

Anonymous wrote:Just starting the college search, and my list has almost all SLACs for DD. I think she would do best in a smaller environment, and I think the liberal arts curriculum would best suit her.

Obviously, she will weigh in on this, but I’m curious if your DC indeed chose a SLAC if you thought that’s where they would end up.

College selection should start with your kid. Not you. You really need to let them take the lead.

Just starting the college search, and my list has almost all SLACs for DD. I think she would do best in a smaller environment, and I think the liberal arts curriculum would best suit her.

Obviously, she will weigh in on this, but I’m curious if your DC indeed chose a SLAC if you thought that’s where they would end up.