<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Right. In conclusion, the take home point from that “research” is that people who are interested in the liberal arts can rest assured that going to a top college instead of a top research university does not make an impact on the chance of getting a PhD, with PhD production being a proxy for adequate undergrad preparation for a PhD. Doesn’t have the numbers and details as you’ve noted to say anything more.</p>
<p>Seeing this simple idea warped on CC into a college #2 vs #8 argument reminds me of 2 sayings I learned from researchers at RAND.</p>
<p>1) Numbers don’t lie but they can mislead.
2) If you torture the data enough, it will eventually confess.</p>
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<p>Research opportunities and course offerings are important to investigate. I’d also consider and ask about the number and quality of visiting speakers. Especially at a LAC where the # of faculty is already small (some schools smaller than others because of size and lack of real consortium arrangements), having visiting speakers is really important because it introduces LAC students to perspectives beyond the available faculty and also shows how ideas/theories learned in the classroom are being applied to cutting edge innovation. In this regard, college location is an asset worth noting.</p>