phatxtiger

I think that, in a way, a liberal arts college is an extension of high school (preparing students for grad. schools with general education).

Because LAC's education is general (not specified), I think that, unless they go to a grad school, the LAC students will have a less chance for career as compared to ones with specified majors.

I was planning on going to a LAC but now i have a feeling that I will be better off at a university with specified majors unless I am going to a grad. school after my undergrad LAC.

Please help
Thanks,

bettina

I can't agree with this at all. I think an LAC will prepare one to be capable in wide ranging areas, with the emphasis on critical, analytical thinking. Many LAC's do have specified majors, like Economics or Biology, for example, so I'm not sure what you mean. I'm not sure about the alternative to LAC's you propose since many universitys have undergrad programs very like LAC's (Dartmouth, Univ of Chicago. especially.)

But if you say you don't plan to go to grad school and are instead thinking of going to a business program and don't plan to go on--I guess that works too. I'd pick an LAC if I could do it again though. You are just so vague it's hard to answer.

joev

My personal opinion of LACs is that they are for introverted kids who are scared of big crowds at state universities.

lelalellen

Joev, you sound so very naive and narrow minded.

My son who is looking into colleges now is quite the opposite of what you've described as people going to LACs! He LOVES going into NYC and is extremely friendly with ALL types of people. He is interested in going to a small school so he can have more contact with his professors and more intimate classes that smaller schools afford. He loves being INVOLVED in a class as opposed to observing a class!

I'm sure what you've said is true of some people... but certainly not most, or all.

blaineko

Actually Joe...

If you look at extra curricular activities of applicants to LACs, you'll see that they are very rarely introverts. Perhaps because the LACs tend to be small, you cannot hide in a class like you can in a large lecture hall at a state university. So, I'd have to disagree.

shennie

Many students at LACs do not go on to graduate school later. You major in a specific subject at an LAC just as you do at a university. If you are interested in majoring in business, agriculture or engineering, you would be more likely to find these programs at a larger university but they can also be found at smaller schools.

Many students who attend smaller schools are also very outgoing. The small school appeals to them because of the small class size, the opportunity to really interact with professors, and the opportunity to participate in many facets of college life without having to compete with all the superstars. I would not worry so much about getting a job but focus, instead, on those things that you want most in a college and choose your school based on that.

wcoast_man

phaxtiger writes "Because LAC's education is general (not specified), I think that, unless they go to a grad school, the LAC students will have a less chance for career as compared to ones with specified majors.

Wow, you really have no understanding of how college education works! You really need to read thru some books about college admissions and talk to some people pronto.

How in the world did you decide LACs don't offer specific majors? 30 seconds browsing on the internet ("internets" for you Bush fans) should demonstrate to you that any LAC you can find offers majors.

If you are a senior in HS, you should be seriously worried that you understand so little of the college system. You are making important choices right now and basically haven't a clue.

garland

The OP's post reflects some major lack of understanding of LACs. A major in an LAC is no different from a major in the same subject in a university. There may be some majors not offered in an LaC which are offered in some U's, but these tend to be pre-professional ones, as Shennie says. OTOH, my son goes to a top level U which does not have majors like business, while I work in a tiny liberal arts college that does.

chocoman

some LACs have extremly high rates of students that go on to grad school.

phatxtiger

Thank you for your replys. yes, I guess what I meant to say was less majors, not less "specified" majors.

I am a senior novice who just started planning for colleges (haven't visited any, am trying to choose colleges now) an am glad that as many people as you all stood to correct me.


So let me get back to my original question of this post: Will students be well off graduated from a LAC and not continuing at a grad school?

blaineko

A BA or BS, whether from a college or university makes you better off than beingg a high school graduate, while an advanced degree makes you better off than just having a four-year degree. This in general terms, there are a few exceptions.

reidm

phattxtiger - what are your academic and career interests?

topcat0214

phatxtiger - It depends on your college major and your professional interests. The most popular majors on most campuses (LACs and universities) are English, Economics, Psychology and Biology. With these majors, I can't see that you would be more or less disadvantaged coming out of an LAC. Many LAC grads go on to grad school, law school, medical school, and business school. If you're an engineering major - uncommon at LACs - then you may be able to get a job without grad school. Same with nursing, business, graphic design, education, turfgrass management, criminal justice, etc. If you know you want a career in nursing, then don't go to an LAC. If you want to be a doctor, however, then you're pretty much going to have to continue your education. Many nurses, however, eventually go on for more education - when they want to specialize or get into management. It sounds like you don't want to go to grad school - in which case, maybe a large University is better for you because there's a greater chance that you'll be able to find a major that will result in an immediate career on graduation. If you want a guaranteed job - become a nurse.

teal

Also, i believe lac students have better chances at getting better recommendations to go to graduate school, since LAC's usually have fewer students

phatxtiger

I am having a problem choosing between big U's and small LAC's; I am posting a new topic