If you've ever even slightly hinted that you're looking at colleges, you're probably still reeling from the spontaneous eruption of personal recommendations. Maybe your mom is nostalgic for her alma mater because it makes her weep or your dad recommends Big-Ten-U because he'd like to see you play in the big game and join his old fraternity. Perhaps your cousin's ex-boyfriend gave you a copy of the college rankings after you openly admitted to calling Madge the Psychic to get some sound advice. With all of these helpful hints, how do you really bring yourself to making a decision that just so happens to affect the rest of your life?
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"My parents made recommendations regarding their experiences, what they knew from friends and co-workers about various schools and took me on visits to see schools in which I expressed an interest."
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First, you have to realize that choosing a college is ultimately
your decision. It's not up to your dad, your high school guidance counselor or your girlfriend/boyfriend. They're not the ones who will be sitting in class, taking exams and occasionally wearing togas – you are. It's up to you to learn how to ask the right questions and familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of institutional matchmaking. Yes, my dear prospective student, you read correctly: matchmaking. If you rely on someone else to pick out a school for you, it's like agreeing to go out on a blind date that's supposed to last for four years. Would you really go out with someone because your great aunt's best friend's dog sitter thought you two would be cute together? No? Then you've got to ask questions and find out what attracts you to certain colleges and repels you from others. You've got to get beneath the surface and think about how much you like to read and discuss, to write, to explore and experiment. Once you have figured out what you want (and, more importantly, what's good for you) you then have to determine which college or university shares your interests. So keep in mind this age-old fortune cookie advice: Confucius says, "You make a sound and informed decision by asking the right questions."
| "I hadn't even thought about [my school], but my grandfather is a Presbyterian minister and he recommended that I take a look at it. And when my mom and I came down to visit I just fell in love with the school." |
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Second, since you've already read the college rankings guides you are well aware that you can judge a college's level of excellence by how hard it is to get in, right? Ummmm…wrong answer! Just because a school has a difficult admissions process does not mean that it's the best place for you. But never fear, we have some good advice for you -- if you're really concerned about growing intellectually then you should consider the options that will offer you a fulfilling academic experience. We call these options
"Good Practices" and we have hard evidence suggesting that the colleges and universities professing liberal arts education use these good practices more often than other institutions. What does this mean, exactly? It means that you should be looking for schools using practices that are at the heart of liberal arts education:
1. Students and faculty members interacting with one another, not only inside the classroom, but outside the classroom as well
2. Students working closely with other students
3. A heavy and intellectually challenging work load
4. Professors giving students prompt feedback on their assignments
5. Professors who hold high and fair expectations for their entire class
6. A high quality of teaching
7. Constant interaction with students different from one's self
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"I'm from the Cincinnati area where [my school] is well respected as a good liberal arts school and whenever you go to [my school] and you go to get a job around the tri-state area (Indianapolis, Louisville or Cincinnati) people know [my school], they know the reputation, and that helps you to get the job." |
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Is Smaller Better?
