<p>As a practical matter, it may be hard to take 31 CS courses at Amherst, since it may not offer that many (without running off the UMass for a lot of them), and prerequisite sequencing would prevent taking 4 in some of the early semesters.</p>
<p>I realize this is not the thread to debate the merits or otherwise of a particular school but I just have to reply about Bard.</p>
<p>Please note that @Amtc’s child did not attend Bard. Those perceptions of what it’s like there are from someone whose child applied but did not attend. From a couple of visits in senior year of high school.</p>
<p>Cutthroat is the wrong word to use about Bard. Yes, the academics are rigorous. And, yes, if a student arrives in the summer and just wants to slack off and party, and not actually be a serious student - yes, they can be encouraged to leave for that year and try again later when they’re more ready. Does this actually happen? Only to a very very tiny minority. On the other hand, when the rest of the students arrive three weeks later, those freshmen are strong confident and excited about the life ahead of them and ready to plunge into their classes.</p>
<p>And, yes, one must defend one’s choice to moderate into a major in front of a panel of experts with an aural and written defense. Is it at the same level as getting a PhD? Of course not. But it does require the student to clarify for him/herself why they’d chosen to pursue that academic path, and prove that they are up to the task. It’s a very meaningful activity for that student, and not taken lightly. Yes, there are a few students who are not accepted into the major, the first time out, and maybe not even the second. Are they cut from the school? No. They are guided towards a different major. Is this such a bad thing? If you want to be a theoretical mathematician but you can’t understand complex formulas - might you not be better off using your mathematical passions in another direction? There are certain majors which are very popular, and which are taught by some of the most expert and lauded professors in the field. And, yes, many of them are in the arts. Do they have standards their prospective students must meet? Yes. Is that so different than applying to a conservatory for music, a BFA program for theater, an acclaimed art school for photography, or an engineering program? No, it’s not, The standards are the same. Perhaps some colleges do not take the arts as seriously as they do the STEM fields. Bard does. One doesn’t expect a student who receives D’s in prerequisite STEM courses to be able to advance, no? Why should there not be standards of excellence expected in the arts?</p>
<p>And, yes, there is a year long Senior Project which again one must defend in front of a panel of experts. This is not that unusual - many schools do this. And the sense of accomplishment and the experience of exploring a subject at such depth is immeasurably valuable.</p>
<p>Tusculum College in Tennessee is also on the block plan, much like Colorado College. Maybe a good choice for a student looking for the block plan in a less selective school. </p>
<p>Eugene Lang College: <a href=“Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts | The New School”>http://www.newschool.edu/lang/</a>
Where it is: Greenwich Village, NYC.
What it is, and why it’s alternative: Eugene Lang college is a progressive school located in one of the world hot-spots of progressive activity - Greenwich Village, New York City. At this dynamic, student-centered school, all classes are discussion-based seminars, and students aren’t required to take burdensome general education requirements. Many of the seminars offered are at the cutting edge of education - “Masculinity in Asia”, “Queer Studies”,and “NYC: Graphic Gotham” are just a few. Students also have the opportunity to take courses in the New School of social research and design. </p>
<p>Tusculum College: <a href=“http://www.tusculum.edu/”>http://www.tusculum.edu/</a>
Where it is: Greensville, Tennesee
What it is, and why it’s alternative: Like Colorado College and Quest University, Tusculum College’s schedule is arranged in ‘blocks’. Blocks are three and a half week periods where students take one class, completing in 18 days what students normally would in an entire semester. This allows for a student to focus intensively on one area of study without distractions. </p>
<p>University of Montana Western: <a href=“http://umwestern.edu/”>University of Montana Western;
Where it is: Dillon, Montana.
What it is, and why it’s alternative: University of Montana Western is the only public college that utilizes the ‘block’ system. Blocks are three and a half week periods where students take one class, completing in 18 days what students normally would in an entire semester. This allows for a student to focus intensively on one area of study without distractions. </p>
<p>I definitely like Bard’s moderation process, though I’m sure that plenty of stress accompanies it. It is a pretty big decision that could effect a person’s future prospects. That being said, I don’t think that the rigor of the program makes the school any less alternative - many alternative schools are just as, if not more rigorous than their mainstream peers. </p>
<p>Haha, I don’t think Bennington has anything even mildly related to business. Perhaps an economics class, but ‘business classes’ would be almost antithetical to Bennington’s anti-vocational nature. </p>
<p>I don’t think Bennington should be written off for those with an interest in business. “Each academic year, students participate in a seven-week, off-campus winter term called Field Work Term (FWT). During each of their four FWTs*, students pursue jobs and internships in areas that complement their studies—in fields ranging from publishing to politics, from museums to teaching, from medical research to social work.” <a href=“http://www.bennington.edu/benningtonandtheworld/field-work-term”>http://www.bennington.edu/benningtonandtheworld/field-work-term</a> One could end up after four years at Bennington with a lot more practical business experience than at many more traditional business schools, depending on where one chose to do one’s field work.</p>
<p>If you’re not going to accept the negative comments, there shouldn’t be any positive ones either. Calling a school “dynamic” or describing its courses as “cutting edge” are just as subjective as saying someplace else is “stressful” and “highly competitive.” If you’re going for a neutral, journalistic tone, you can achieve it, but it’s not fair to limit the negative opinions while encouraging “positive” ones.</p>
<p>@SpiritManager Right, but it’s much harder working around the ideas of finance or professional marketing without having taken courses. If only Bennington would introduce just one business teacher, I would consider it. The school structure itself leaves the student a lot of room to do whatever, but courses are still needed to guide and introduce students to certain topics. </p>
<p>If it were so easy to use FWT to attain a great business experience, why go to undergraduate at all? </p>
<p>I attended Antioch College in the 70’s. We studied one quarter, worked one quarter, throughout our entire time. There was a tremendous attrition rate because so many students found themselves already immersed in their field of choice, which made it harder to go back to school and finish the degree. At the time - the 70’s, it wasn’t as crucial to have that college degree in order to be successful. But it was wonderful having all those varied experiences while still an undergrad. And, yes, I did end up in business, surprisingly enough. First publishing, now manufacturing. And, no I never took one business course. I guess I’m of the old school that feels that studying business is best at the post-grad level after one has some experience, rather than as an undergrad degree.</p>
<p>Soka University - All students get a bachelors in liberal studies with a particular concentration in one field. All are required to study abroad. Though it’s a highly controversial institution, it boasts the largest per person endowment of any school in the country (the source of the endowment invites skepticism regarding the institution’s long term goals) and the campus is stunning. Plus half of the students come from abroad. Pretty impressive for a university which opened in 2001.</p>
<p>Alverno College, an all women Catholic institution operates on a skills based model. </p>
<p>That’s actually a very fair criticism. Unfortanutely, I can’t go back to edit them right now because of the weird posting system that college confidential has. If I could, I would though - and when I revise this list to make a new, more complete (And prettier one), I’ll be sure to keep your criticism in mind. Some of my enthusiasm for alternatives is probably causing some bias, anyways :). </p>
<p>@whenhen </p>
<p>Didn’t know about either of those schools. I’ll do some research on them, and include it in the next revised list! Soka University seems particularly interesting. </p>
<p>Soka University is also very interesting. Sadly there are no CS programs. Anyone looking for a law career should seriously consider the school, though. </p>
<p>If we’re going by unique academic programs, Oxford College of Emory University, St. Louis University’s Madrid option, and Florida State’s First Year Abroad program all deserve mention. </p>