<p>Students at non-coop schools have nearly as many opptys (3 summers as opposed to 4 quarters an N’eastern) via internships. Also, many of the on-campus jobs provide excellent experience. For 3 years, D had campus job related to her major and last year she worked in development (experience that has come in handy now that she has begun to apply for jobs). Many of D’s classmates already have jobs; D does not, but she hasn’t begun her search in earnest (she never even went to CDO . . . ).</p>
<p>I think the real diff is that unis offer professional degrees and LACs do not. A Smith student majoring in arch really graduates w/ a BA in Art - - not the first professional degree in arch (BArch). OTOH, pre-professional study is so specific/targeted, that if you change you mind about your major, it will take at least an addit year to graduate. Also, even among LAC grads, those w/ STEM majors/prep fare better than those who majored in soc-sci or humanities.</p>