@Corinthian - Thanks for sharing. Sounds like your D knows what she wants. My wife was also Math and Econ in undergrad, and I agree (or my wife agrees) with lookingforward about preparation for grad school. BTW, we need smart people in public policy pushing for sound policy around science, given the epidemic of science denial going around Washington D.C. lately.
@intparent - Mudd is an awesome school! We were very impressed. But the kids there told my D that it was better for engineering students, and that anyone who wasn’t interested in engineering (and more interested in exploring non-science areas as well) might have an EASIER time elsewhere because Mudd is so hard! 
But the kids are super-sharp AND extremely friendly. And they have the other 4Cs at their disposal.
@ClaremontMom - Wonderful to hear! I’m happy your D got such support and encouragement! Best of luck to her! Sounds like another of the 5Cs?
@lookingforward - Good insight, as always, thanks. I’m looking forward to a less stressful year in 2017! No election. No college apps. Bliss. Until it’s time to pay the first tuition bill in the fall.
@merc81 - That’s heartening news. Which LAC, if you don’t mind my asking? You can PM me too, if you prefer to keep it private. I would like to learn more about the school.
@ucbalumnus - Yes, true. There are a few schools with Astrophysics as a major, but even in those cases, I am thinking my D should major in regular Physics as an undergrad and take some classes in astronomy for interest. There will be plenty of opportunity to specialize in grad school. The fundamentals are important. What do you think?
@halcyonheather - Thanks for sharing your experience. What I’m hearing you say is, once you get up to the upper level courses, in some LACs, at least, you hit a ceiling because grad school classes are not available for further advancement. I guess that depends on the depth of offerings at a given school, but you’re right, the existence of a grad school broadens the offerings.
On a second point you make, I think LACs are working harder to dispel that myth about LA = humanities. Anyone who knows LACs understands the truth and respects the colleges, but there’s a huge population out there that doesn’t know and doesn’t bother to find out. So they stick with what they know, i.e., the RUs with name recognition. It was like that with me, when I was young. We had no clue. Now I know better, so I can steer my D in different directions, depending on her personality and interests.
@circuitrider - I think so too. The placement stats, small classes, and the attractiveness of publishable research without competing with grad students for spots helps attract good STEM students to LACs. They also throw out the NSF numbers at events. (e.g., Carleton)
Well, I think I got what I needed out of this conversation. Thanks, everyone! This is only my second CC thread. With each thread, I am learning more about CC etiquette and how to effectively use the forums. I’ll get less annoying over time.
And yes, STEM is and always has been for the betterment of humanity. Moderator, feel free to close the discussion.