<p>While LACs are similar in many ways to BS, for my D the differences are still substantial and positive. She attended an urban NE BS and is now attending a Midwest LAC. Her father and I really pushed LACs for reasons already mentioned here…small class sizes, professors dedicated to teaching (as opposed to research) and no commitment to major before Junior year. The LAC experience has been very different from BS in several ways:</p>
<p>1) BSs are very structured and strict. Student time is very managed and controlled. College, probably anywhere, is the opposite. My D is loving the freedom, but it was a big adjustment. BS gave her excellent time management skills, in addition to academic prep, so the transition seems to be easier for her than many LAC classmates.<br>
2) The SES range, at her school anyway, is much larger. There are still wealthy full pays, but there are many more on FA and it makes the environment less, well, materialistic.<br>
3) Same increase in range goes for academics (private/public).
3) Class discussions, which include a broader age and ability range, are more interesting.
4) Social life, which also is more inclusive of age range, offers new challenges.
5) The shift in geographic and population density location is a welcome change.</p>
<p>We weren’t worried about BS and LAC being too similar, and it’s a moot point now. I can see where the concern about BS being too similar to the LAC experience lies, and with kid2 this may be more of an issue. So like most things it depends on the kid. Still, transitioning from BS to LAC has been a big deal - albeit a positive one so far.</p>