<p>As some of you have suggested, liberal arts education is not just offered by LACs. Some of the large research universities’ undergraduate programs are liberal arts based offered through their undergraduate colleges. And I think even with the professional undergraduate programs, they have a set of core course requirement that’s meant to give the students a broad education. As for whether an LA education is <em>necessary</em> for one’s sucess in workplace, it’s hard to generalize, but I think in certain professions our kids are likely to be in, a critical mind and strong writing and analytical abilities etc., which is the explicit goal of a LA education, are definatley going to help. How you get those traits varies for different individuals. One can get all the LA education they can get but it may still not be enough for them to develop the abilities or know how to turn those abilities into tangible career success. On the other hand, some people who have limited formal school training are great thinkers. </p>
<p>Having said that, both of the cases I mentioned above are considered “exceptions”. I like to think in terms of “odds” or “chances” as that’s the best we can do when we make choices for the future. I would be more reluctant to send a kid who hasn’t gone through the great LA training in an excellent high school (be it BS, private day or maybe some public schools) or hasn’t done well in high school directly to a professional degree program in college. I believe kids who have done well in the best BS’s have more freedom in this regard. If they do have decided to go for a professional degree such as engineering or business etc., the training they have received in BS may make up some of the “deficiencies” in their collge progams compared with their peers from other background. A continuation of the LA education is great too. And as many of you agree, they may eventually go for a graduate degree. A few years before graudate school in a high-paying and experience enriching position is great, but I wouldn’t “force” the kids to choose a major they don’t like or are not ready to commit.</p>