<p>^ That, I believe, is the typical model at most state universities.
That’s not what I would want or expect from most courses (even many 1st and 2nd year courses) at an “Ivy”, public or private. </p>
<p>It’s not what I got at Chicago (years ago). First and second year Core courses typically had discussion classes with ~15 students led by a faculty member (sometimes a distinguished full professor.) Lectures (75 students, maybe) supplemented the discussion classes as background, not the other way around. For each quarter-long course, typically we’d get at least one 5-10 page paper, graded by the professor and returned with comments. </p>
<p>I do see from the link barrons provided that Wisconsin offers small honors sections in the kinds of courses I listed above. For example, Psych 202 (Introduction to Psychology) has 1426 students, but Psych 281 (Honors Intro to Psych) has 19. Chem 103 (General Chemistry) has has 2147 students, but Chem 115 (Chemical Principles 1), “for specially well qualified students”, has 28. </p>
<p>I’d prefer to see an “Ivy” (public or private) treat every admitted student as a first-class citizen, not have the majority sitting through massive lectures while a small minority sits in Potemkin Village classes of 25. I don’t know if that is feasible when undergraduate populations reach 25k or more. But if all the students who want (and can most benefit from) the smaller classes are getting them, then that’s pretty good (esp. when combined with all the other benefits of a place like Wisconsin at in-state rates.)</p>