Every school is unique in its own way and you should find out everything there is to know about the distinctive culture and traditions of the colleges you're considering. The students we interviewed really appreciate the open discussion and the constant immersion into different ideas and perspectives that takes place within a liberal arts classroom.
| A lot of people bring things to [the discussion] table and I think I've learned a lot from learning other peoples' perspective and not just the professor's. We have focused a lot on race and ethnicity and having heard other peoples' stories and experiences I've learned a whole new way of thinking about different things. |
 |
 |
Intellectual tradition can reveal a lot about a college or university. Places that value student research and faculty/student interaction, and that consistently expect great things of their students tend to offer a better education. Although all campuses have their own unique traditions, dining with a professor is a common occurrence on all of the campuses we visited. In addition to merely filling the vast pizza void, some of the students feel as if spending some quality casual time with their professors has contributed to very meaningful aspects of their college experiences. The students learned that their professors actually care about them as individuals and they want their students to succeed. The students felt willing to discuss things more openly with their professors after seeing how they acted outside of the classroom. Several students were more at ease about the professor/student relationship and no longer felt like they belonged at the bottom of some self-inflicted academic cesspool.
 |
|
When you speak with other people about their views it challenges you to reflect upon your own.
If you go through this place and don't change your view on something significantly, I don't know what you were doing. You must have missed something! |
In addition to the wacky traditions a school might have formed over the years, it's very important that the school you choose makes classroom discussion, faculty/student interaction, and the sharing of diverse perspectives a tradition as well. Many small liberal arts colleges require you to live on campus and it turns out there's a really good reason for this: if you go to class with your friends and you live with your friends then you're bound to have numerous meaningful interactions with your friends both inside and outside the classroom. Got it? Let's go over it again: if you go to class with your friends and you live with your friends then you're bound to have numerous meaningful interactions with your friends both inside and outside the classroom. You'll feel more open to working with other students and you'll have the desire to really understand who they are, where they come from and why it is they believe the way that they do. After being immersed in such an intense and supportive environment for awhile you'll find both your independence and your voice with ease. Not to mention the fact that you and your friends will, no doubt, come up with a few traditions of your own to leave behind for generations of college students to come.
| You can learn to be more open minded on a campus like this. You are forced to interact with different groups and individuals and this forces you to go through a process of understanding and tolerance. |
|
 |
So be sure to find out what unique experiences your college of choice has to offer and ask current students if they believe the college is living up to its own culture and traditions.
 |
|
I have actually been invited to take part in discussions about the academic vision plan and I really appreciate being involved with the professors as they discuss how the courses fit into the overall plan. I think this is a unique experience. |
Food For Thought
