You can use IPEDS to view colleges by their number of majors in a field. For example, Swarthmore graduated five "first majors" in history in a recent year:

https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Swarthmore&s=all&id=216287#programs

Anonymous wrote:How do you distinguish between the LACs when they're all similar, especially amongst WASP schools? They all have small class sizes, pretty campuses, and strong academics. DD is interested in a math/history double major, but the schools and offerings are so so similar that it seems like we are just splitting hairs deciding.

We visited WASB, they are just so different from each other! DC can immediately feel different vibes of these schools. It’s really important because the school is so small. If your DC doesn’t fit in, they won’t make friends there.

LACs have different social environments. Some are preppy, some are athletic, some are activist, some are hyper intellectual. Most are a mix, but they are definitely different. You need to visit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will note that Amherst is not a good choice for "literature" if you want to do creative writing. They have a visiting professor directing the program and have very few resources.

For creative writing, Hamilton would be my suggestion from the schools above.

Actually I’d go to Wesleyan for creative writing, film etc.

Why? It's not particularly renowned for creative writing and has very few faculty members in the subject.

Strong history programs in the Northeast can be found at LACs such as Williams, Bowdoin, Hamilton, Colgate, Haverford, Bates, Holy Cross and Trinity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will note that Amherst is not a good choice for "literature" if you want to do creative writing. They have a visiting professor directing the program and have very few resources.

For creative writing, Hamilton would be my suggestion from the schools above.

Actually I’d go to Wesleyan for creative writing, film etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP pronounces "an LAC" like "an L A C'?
Why??

It's just how acronyms work — the article is based on the pronunciation of the first letter. "I was on my way from my work at an NGO to get an MRI, when a stranger — possibly an FBI agent — offered me an M&M."

This isn't universal, however. For example, NOAA is commonly pronounced "NOH-uh."

Anonymous wrote:OP pronounces "an LAC" like "an L A C'?
Why??

It's just how acronyms work — the article is based on the pronunciation of the first letter. "I was on my way from my work at an NGO to get an MRI, when a stranger — possibly an FBI agent — offered me an M&M."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Visiting the schools in person and feeling the vibe is really the best way to distinguish between them. And if they are indistinguishable to your kid, great! No need to worry.

We visited 5 East coast lacs. Each felt distinct, and DC had a clear preference after visiting that did not align with his initial ranking.

Agree. My kid visited three and had a clear favorite (Wesleyan), which they attend now and love.

+1 DD had a definite favorite based on "vibe" between similarly ranked (not highly selective) LACs.

If they aren't feeling a difference, I'd dig deeper on specifics on the programs of interest, depth of classes, how large is the program, faculty research interests. DD looked at a bunch of LACs and her top choices were all schools where her planned major was one of the biggest programs at the school.

Anonymous wrote:OP pronounces "an LAC" like "an L A C'?
Why??

Yes…how else would one pronounce it? “Lack?”

Anonymous wrote:OP pronounces "an LAC" like "an L A C'?
Why??

Think of, say, the CIA.

OP pronounces "an LAC" like "an L A C'?
Why??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will note that Amherst is not a good choice for "literature" if you want to do creative writing. They have a visiting professor directing the program and have very few resources.

For creative writing, Hamilton would be my suggestion from the schools above.

For a "writer's college,' the faculty quality is poor.

That would be "writers' college."

And…the point stands.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will note that Amherst is not a good choice for "literature" if you want to do creative writing. They have a visiting professor directing the program and have very few resources.

For creative writing, Hamilton would be my suggestion from the schools above.

For a "writer's college,' the faculty quality is poor.

That would be "writers' college."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Visiting the schools in person and feeling the vibe is really the best way to distinguish between them. And if they are indistinguishable to your kid, great! No need to worry.

We visited 5 East coast lacs. Each felt distinct, and DC had a clear preference after visiting that did not align with his initial ranking.

Agree. My kid visited three and had a clear favorite (Wesleyan), which they attend now and love.

+2 DD visited 9 including one in the Midwest. All but maybe one or two would be characterized as very or most selective. That ended up not really being a factor with the most “prestigious” school falling off the list immediately post visit. All had their own distinct culture and vibe. While DD could have been happy at other places, she also fell in love with Wes and is headed there this fall.