<p>I was looking at the profiles of vals from Boston schools a couple of days ago. Boston schools are full of low SES kids, some from immigrant families, some from low SES native born Americans. I was struck by the number of kids who planned on careers that did not require a liberal arts education: hotel management, health services, etc… Obviously, these kids did well academically. They also seemed highly motivated, clear-eyed, and likely to be successful. But going to a liberal arts school whether top or third tier was not part of their plans.</p>