College Advising: Small Schools for the Best Learning

College Advising:  Small Schools for the Best Learning

         In a recent blog, I advocated for the benefits of a large research institution.  There are many. This week, let’s look at the beauty and brilliance of the small liberal arts college. Here is where intimate learning can take place.

         Early this summer, I attended the reunion of students from a small, liberal arts college. The feelings there were warm and fuzzy. People came back to this school from as far away as Singapore and Switzerland because they wanted to see each other again.  People who couldn't attend wished they had.  I was in awe of this group of alums, because their connection to the school went on for a lifetime. They came back to see their campus and friends again because they were still connected even through the years. And among this group of alums, no one was left out.  Everyone knew someone.  That’s just the way it works at a small school.

         I’ve been all over the country looking at colleges. While I’m a big fan of “the campus feel,” the most important thing I do on campuses is talk to students. On a recent visit to a smaller college, I had lunch with Austin, a current student and Alan, a prospective student and his parents. Alan was considering a bigger school because of the big name. Austin pointed out that his sport was very active at this school and that he would probably be a star player. That comment made a difference to Alan.

         Another prospective student, Kristin, said her career goals were undecided, but she hoped to study business and that this small, liberal arts school didn’t offer a “business” major. Alan pointed out that while there is no business major at this college (universities have business schools, colleges don’t), he loved being an economics major. Through his connections with professors and the career center, he had worked in finance every summer since freshman year. He spoke intelligently about the game theory, financial analysis, financial decision-making and the Chinese economy. In addition, he had already spent a term abroad in China, was now fluent in the language, and was planning to start working for an investment firm in the fall after graduation. He didn’t think he would have had these opportunities on a university campus.

         Kinsha, another current student, is a politics major.  He talked about the strong writing program and chances for internships in Washington D.C. and New York. He talked of the small class sizes and that after being active in class discussions, he found it easy to research and write papers. He was well directed by his professors and found that what he wanted to write was a variation of something that he had already said or heard in class. This supports the small, liberal arts philosophy: If you can think, you can talk and if you can talk you can write.

         The decision to apply to college is a very personal one. The most important thing you can do is consider your learning style. Are you an aggressive student who would thrive on a large campus or an inspired student who would love a small school? Do you go after “all knowledge” or do you respond to the enthusiasm of others? While large universities offer a whole range of classes, there is a “do it yourself” aspect. At a small school, inspiration and opportunity are everywhere. Like finding low hanging fruit, your chances of being intellectually satisfied every day of your college life is at a small liberal arts college.

All the best from www.PerfectFitCollege.Net