| Due apologies for the sarcasm.
Since you're considering applying to LACs, I should help you.
Despite figures that place liberal arts selectivity at anywhere from 12 to 25 percent of applicants admitted, the pool of students that applies to such schools is a self-selecting one. Students who apply to a mix of LACs are just as academically strong and personally talented and motivated as those students who apply to the Ivy League schools. However, they do tend to be more intellectual, considering they are willing to make a commitment toward being a part of a particularly intimate and rigorous learning environment.
The selectivity of schools such as Harvard and Columbia is deceptive, because any average Joe or Jane will throw an application at those schools, even if he or she isn't competitive. However, the pools for the best liberal arts colleges are higher in overall quality. Those who apply to top LACs usually apply to schools such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, and Brown as well.
If you're concerned about job placement, know that schools such as Williams, Amherst, Pomona, Wellesley, and Swarthmore are all heavily favored.
In regard to your question about exceptionally strong majors, two schools come to my mind. Haverford excels in the natural sciences, and Middlebury College excels in language study. But, if you're just looking for an all around excellent education, a quality academic experience, than any LAC is a good choice to turn to. |