<p>Well, I happen to know that some institutions with the “hyper-individualized, hand-holding attention” require slightly more work than UChicago (Swarthmore), and send more of their students to grad schools. I think there is something to be said to be required to do independent research in every class, and to have profs with enough time to grade papers carefully and to grade on communication skills (i.e. class participation and presentation). Because all those communication skills that are harder to improve at a big university are real-world skills.</p>