<p>If I want to be close with my profs, is it better to go to an LAC or would a respected research uni work as well?</p>
<p>Either. It depends on YOU. At either place, you need to make the effort. People will say it’s easier at small LACs, but I really think it depends on the person.</p>
<p>I go to a VERY large research U (40000+ students) and I am very close to some of my profs.</p>
<p>A I honesty thought this question was going in a different direction! Anyway, I go to a small LAC with very accessible professors, so I would recommend that. If you are looking into a research-oriented field where mentorship is frequent than I would look at smallish elite research LACs. For social sciences (my area), I know William & Mary, Wake Forrest, Brandeis, etc are good for that sort of thing.</p>
<p>I’m interested in anthropology.</p>
<p>Then I would suggest looking into some LACs that emphasize research.</p>
<p>I’m an anthropology major. I love the large faculty here at my large research U because they have very diverse interests and specializations so I was able to explore many different areas. You may not get that at some small LACs simply because of the smaller faculty size. </p>
<p>Once you get into your major classes at your research U, you’re going to be among a MUCH smaller group of people and you will get many of the same professors more than once- same as you would as a small LAC.</p>
<p>Romani’s point is valid. It may be helpful to look at the comments of students left at Ratemyprofessors.com of anthropology profs at the schools you’re considering.</p>
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As others have said, it depends on how much effort you’re willing to put forth. I have only attended research universities but have gotten to know several of my professors very well. One professor, to whom I never talked much outside of class, stopped me in the hallway two years after I had her class to tell me that she’d heard of a new book out that I would find interesting. Another talked me up to another professor at a conference and helped get me into grad school. At a research university, it also very much depends on the department; I’ve run into many departments that are pretty open about their disdain for undergraduates.</p>
<p>That said, LACs foster and force intimacy in a way that universities don’t. 9 times out of 10, it’s a friend attending a LAC who tells me that his professor had him over for dinner or that her professor asked her to babysit her kids.</p>
<p>right now, I adore my hs teachers. I would be thrilled to babysit my Spanish teacher’s kids, but that would be kinda creepy, at least others would think so. I would love to go to my teacher’s house even. I just really look up to them, like siblings, mentors, etc. I’m really sad to leave them…they play a huge part in my life, and I hope to be Facebook friends when I graduate. They’re just really awesome people, and I hope I love my future profs the same way.</p>