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February 26, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK IN
RI
They are typically smaller, which can be an advantage. At
any
college you can hang back and be lost in a crowd, but in a
large
class it becomes harder to speak up and to get to know professors.
A
private college is also typically more expensive than one's
own state
university. But many offer need-based financial aid so that
the
immediate out-of-pocket cost is less than it seems, and you
should
look into the aid available from whatever schools you are
interested
in. Some aid may be free money, but some may be in the form
of loans
or term-time campus jobs, and you have to consider how much
debt you
are willing to take on and how much time you are willing to
work -
time that you can't spend studying or in extracurricular activities.
The right balance is not the same for everyone.
The selective private schools (and many are not at all selective,
admitting nearly anyone who applies) tend to have on average
smarter
students. Having smarter classmates means that your teachers
can
teach at a higher level, you'll have livelier discussions,
your
classmates are more likely to take their studies seriously
- all of
which means you might get a better education. Your classmates
and
previous alumni/ae are more likely, on average, to be going
into
careers of power and influence, where they can be useful contacts
for
you. But large public universities have within their large
classes
students who are just as capable - and you can seek those
classmates
out. Faculty everywhere are happy to talk with students who
are
genuinely interested.
A disproportionate number of scientists went to small liberal
arts
colleges, according to a survey some time ago. Larger research
institutions, public or private, pride themselves on offering
research opportunities to undergrads; but the personal attention
from
faculty in a smaller school can be more inspiring. Lab facilities
in
liberal arts colleges are often very good, too, and faculty
who do
research there _must_ involve undergraduates.
It's very common for students these days to attend more than
one
college. In 15 years of reviewing applications to graduate
school I
was struck by the number who started out at a community college,
transferred to a university, and were chosen as among the
top
applicants to Brown's graduate programs. Their route through
college
saved them a lot of tuition. But remembering my own college
years at
a single school, and thinking about how a good curriculum
is
structured, I think there are educational advantages to staying
at
one college - as long as the first college you choose is challenging
you and you are happy there.
********************
A: FROM MENTOR DIANA DIONISIO
IN CA
Public vs. Private: totally depends on your major and which
one best suits you. Where do you feel comfortable? Which colleges
are strong in your major? Public is cheaper and there are
many that have good repuations too. There are many factors
to think about and it depends on what you want. Obviously,
you're a good student since you're getting letters from colleges.
Have dream schools, reality schools, and back up schools so
you have options.
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