<p>kwu describes something my d has experienced at Amherst. Two courses of her four courses were unexpectedly canceled between semesters. This happens. What surprised me (a faculty member at another liberal arts college) was the lack of any response to this by Amherst – no comparable “replacement” courses were added, no help in finding additional courses, no new courses (even generic courses within the discipline) were added. </p>
<p>Still she is clearly grateful to be at Amherst, compares notes with friends at larger institutions, and after a full year there would make the same decision. </p>
<p>There are many perspectives on this. And of course different students thrive in different environments. I’ve met students who conducted impressive research at Stanford as undergraduates. Our own advice to four children has been – push the writing, critical thinking, and communication skills that are more typical of small liberal arts colleges at the undergraduate level. Take advantage of learning from professors and peers in and out of the classroom. THEN check out the major universities for graduate and professional school. Michigan, Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Harvard.</p>