<p>Epistrophy:</p>
<p>You raise an interesting point and one that goes back generations. When I was looking at Harvard compared to small LACs back in the stone age, it was always in the back of my mind that, if I chose Harvard, would it be because of the “prestige”? </p>
<p>Many kids, such as your son, choose Harvard because they have considered their options in depth and decided that it offers the right blend of characteristics for them as an individual. However, there are also many students who choose it because it is “Harvard”. So, there is some sensitivity to that issue.</p>
<p>Because the top LACs offer an odd combination of superb undergrad education while not being widely known in the general population, you tend to get a self-selected pool of kids (and parents) who are comfortable with making the choice for internally-motivated reasons. There’s a degree of self-confidence inherent in that choice. I have to admit that there is even a little bit of reverse-snobbery in the LAC crowd. Kind off like knowing about that small, off-the-beaten-track restaurant with the terrific chef.</p>
<p>I would say that the major area of defensiveness among the liberal arts college crowd is when students or parents don’t even know what the colleges are: for example, when they sound like they think the entire curriculum consists of sitting around doing paintings of Hillary Clinton!</p>
<p>Anyway, best of luck to Epistrophy, Jr. The most important thing is that he is excited about his choice and looking forward to an exciting new experience. I think that goes a long way towards making freshman year fun.</p>