Anonymous wrote:I don’t know about all of DCUM, but I’m hoping my kids will choose an SLAC for the small class sizes, to be taught by the actual professors with Ph.Ds rather than the graduate assistants, for great alumni networks and a real sense of community. Also many of them are beautiful campuses without the unwanted distractions of city life.

All of this.

?? I thought it was the opposite, most DCUM are not interested in SLAC

Why are people who prefer large schools so judgmental about SLACs?

I don’t know about all of DCUM, but I’m hoping my kids will choose an SLAC for the small class sizes, to be taught by the actual professors with Ph.Ds rather than the graduate assistants, for great alumni networks and a real sense of community. Also many of them are beautiful campuses without the unwanted distractions of city life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check this out (data is a little old but still it's interesting)

https://thecollegesolution.com/50-schools-that-produce-the-most-science-and-engineering-phds/

I'm not surprised at all by this. I had friends at Swarthmore get science and eng doctoral degrees from CalTech, Harvard, Penn, UVA, Yale, and Stanford. I know a number of Swatties at big tech companies too (I work at one in a non-SWE role). People are wrong about the generalization that you can't get into fields with a SLAC degree and often discount the fact that students at small colleges have the chance to help with research (though usually at a smaller scale) that would usually be reserved for grad students at R1 institutions.

Yes! My DD is A STEM major at a LAC. She is now published and has done 2 summers of research at school. Last summer, the school sent her to a national institute, where she got to work with someone that is a big name in her field. She was the only undergrad doing that work there, surrounded by grad students. She is fairly Introverted. I’m not sure she would have known how to go about getting those opportunities in a less personal school and more competitive environment. She plans to go to grad school and is setting herself up a good foundation. I know kids at bigger schools get those opportunities, but i perceive that they are harder to get. This environment has been a perfect place for her. She will, of course, go to a big university for grad school and she feels very prepared.

Anonymous wrote:SLAC is for bums

Hush child and get back to your Pokémon game.

Choice is good. Variety is the spice of life.

Anonymous wrote:My spouse and I both went to large prestigious research universities. One of us has a great college experience and one of us didn't, but we both wanted our kids to go to SLACs because SLACs are usually more friendly, less pressured, and more likely to provide close interactions with professors. They also do well with grad and professional school placement.

+1 I attended Harvard, and it was fine, but I think I would have received a superior education and had better quality of life at a SLAC. I've been very impressed with the SLAC alumni I met in grad school and professionally.

For the purpose of comparing SLACs with National Universities, one should break down National Universities into 3 categories:

Private National Universities

Public flagship National Universities

Honors Colleges / Honors Programs at public flagship National Universities.

For the same reason people love micro-brands...they seem cool at first glance than realize it's over priced and not quality even with the "discount" then they defend it like it's gold. A 380Z looks a lot like a 911 but c'mon it is no Porsche.

SLAC is for bums

I went to a big state school and felt lost. My children went to a big DMV HS and are getting lost. I hope a SLAC would allow for more focused instruction.

Anonymous wrote:Check this out (data is a little old but still it's interesting)

https://thecollegesolution.com/50-schools-that-produce-the-most-science-and-engineering-phds/

I'm not surprised at all by this. I had friends at Swarthmore get science and eng doctoral degrees from CalTech, Harvard, Penn, UVA, Yale, and Stanford. I know a number of Swatties at big tech companies too (I work at one in a non-SWE role). People are wrong about the generalization that you can't get into fields with a SLAC degree and often discount the fact that students at small colleges have the chance to help with research (though usually at a smaller scale) that would usually be reserved for grad students at R1 institutions.

Education doesn't equate to a degree for everyone. Affluent want kids to learn, grow, network and have good 4 years of youth.

Anonymous wrote:Most graduates of SLACs have pretty dismal earnings compared to their Ivy/Public University peers. So why are SLACs throw around here so often? I see a lot of people recommend random schools like Grinnell but why would you send your kid there for a pretty hefty sum when they could go to a state flagship and be in either a better or similar position?

Source:

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html

Odds of getting in are better without perfect academics.