University vs. Liberal Arts College - Which is Right for you?

Before we dig deeper into this fascinating question, let’s first clarify and define the options:

A university is an educational institution that is typically larger than a college, and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Some universities also have professional schools in law, medicine and business. Universities are typically divided into smaller academic units, often called ‘colleges’ or ‘schools’. Examples include a College of Arts and Sciences and a College of Engineering. The title of the college clearly defines the range of majors found within those units. Others offer a School of Business or a School of Nursing. A university may also have a strong focus on research with opportunities for undergraduates to participate in faculty-led research.

LAC is the abbreviation for a Liberal Arts College. Because a college is usually smaller than a university, smaller class sizes are the norm and a strong focus on student/faculty mentoring and academic relationships is typical. Undergraduate education is at the forefront with less emphasis on research, but this does NOT mean that research has no place in an LAC; many have very strong and robust research programs. They may not, however, offer professional track undergraduate degrees such as engineering, business or nursing.

Some colleges offer graduate and professional degrees but have not changed their name because of tradition. These include The College of William and Mary, Dartmouth College, and St. Joseph’s College in New York. Others maintain the college name simply because a university already exists with that same name.

For students seeking a tightly knit academic community, one where you are probably going to walk to class and see someone you already know, enjoy small group seminar classes and discussions and are unsure about a final choice of major, a liberal arts college might offer you a better experience. But, if you are someone who loves to meet new people on the way to class, are happy to be part of larger classes, have a strong sense of independence and resilience, and already have a good idea of your academic goals, you may find the size of a university more to your liking.

You will note, I’m sure, that I have just made some sweeping generalizations. It is just as possible to be seated in a senior class of 8-10 students in a university as it is in a college. You’ll make friends in so many ways, on any type of campus, through clubs, organizations, academic groups, and residence hall activities. The overall size of the student body won’t impact you, if you don’t want it to, so keep an open mind to both options. You must always start with knowing who you are and what you want. Then, when visiting a campus, seek out answers to those questions of fit, ethos, opportunity, and academic choice. Analyze the latter very carefully. Are there sufficient choices of major in your areas of interest? Review the numbers when it comes to both average class sizes overall and average classes with fewer than 50 students – how do you learn best? What about academic support? How important is the student/faculty relationship to you?

Students thrive when they are surrounded by engaged students and faculty who nurture and encourage students in all aspects of their undergraduate experience. You may find that this relationship will be key to your success and you may feel more connected in a smaller LAC, but more actively engaged in research in a larger university. Both colleges and universities offer career guidance. This will be of far greater import as you move further and deeper into your major. Some universities offer internships to students in their likely field of employment, on a broader scale and with more choice than a small college. Colleges, however, thrive on the very close relationships they build with their alumni, and these connections can often lead to internships and/or first jobs.

The social scene also matters when it comes to your final selection. Knowing that your small college has limited options may be comforting, but the huge array of opportunities at a larger university could be just what you need to propel yourself forward, learn more about yourself and grow in so many ways. Don’t be swayed by rankings, your parents’ hopes and dreams, or your fears – know what you want for yourself. Costs may well be lower at your state university, but colleges may offer more financial aid; having the option of studying abroad may be high on your list but a diverse campus community may be just what you need from a larger institution.

Know what you need to meet your academic and personal needs and review answers to your questions after visiting both a small college and a large university, and remain open to both options.

Receiving Accommodations on SAT and ACT

A majority of colleges still require standardized test results as part of the application process. For students with documented learning differences, the College Board and the ACT offer specific accommodations with similar requirements. Colleges are not told that an applicant has received testing accommodations, so there is no downside to submitting a request.

Students must provide detailed evidence of their disability. This includes a disability diagnosis by a credentialed professional, and evidence of the impact the disability has had on the applicant’s school performance. Ideally, students and parents should meet with their school coordinator in the spring of their sophomore year to review the entire process, but no later than fall of junior year. Here are the basic steps to follow:

COLLEGE BOARD – SAT, SAT SUBJECT TESTS, & AP EXAMS: Applicants complete the Student Eligibility Form. This detailed and complex form may negate the requirements for the lengthy evaluation or school-based accommodations plan. Approval may take from 1-5 weeks, or longer.

Apply in early fall and you should receive a decision by December. The decision letter indicates which accommodations have been approved, and students must enter the SSD code, provided with the decision letter, when registering for all official test dates. This approval covers all College Board testing for all future testing dates. Accommodations requested can include Braille, large-print exams, use of a computer, extra breaks or a quiet room. Students should bring their SSD Eligibility Letters with them on test days.

ACT:

Students must first register for an ACT test date online. During the registration process, students indicate which type of accommodations they are applying for and after submitting their registration, the ACT will send an email with detailed instructions on next steps.

The student’s school coordinator, together with the applicant, will submit the detailed online request through the Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA). The form is far less detailed than the College Board’s form, and students should assume that they will need to submit all their documentation – the evaluation and school-based education plan – for the complete ACT review process.

The ACT accommodations review process typically takes about 6 weeks. Approval for National Extended Time is indicated on the registration ticket. This approval covers all subsequent test dates and must be supplied during the registration process. The coordinator also receives the Special Testing decision, and will work with the student to make the appropriate arrangements. There are appeal processes in place if a request has been denied for either test.

Cutting the Cost of College

As financial aid packages begin to arrive, families are faced with just how much college will cost. At many schools, self-funding is up and gift aid is down. That means that colleges are offering less in the way of tuition discounts or grants, and expect families to assume a greater part of the college financial burden. Parents may pay expenses from savings and salaries, students through part-time employment, and both parents and students may meet some expenses through loans. No wonder families are eager to find ways to cut college costs. Here are some ideas:

• Graduate from college on time or early. In order to earn a bachelor’s degree in four years, students need to choose appropriate classes and stick with them. Dropping a class may leave you with too few credits and lengthen the time required to earn your bachelor’s degree. Changing majors or double-majoring may also add to the length of your stay at the school. The net effect: increased cost and lost income.

• Get a jump on credits through AP classes or CLEP exams. Passing scores on AP exams taken in high school may lead to college credit, while high scores on the College Level Examination Program can shorten the time you need to earn your degree. Check out www.collegeboard.com for a list of schools that award credit through CLEP exams.

• Consider taking some of your credits at a nearby community college during high school or summer breaks. Community college classes are generally inexpensive. Make sure that they’ll be accepted by your college before registering for outside courses. And, some colleges will not accept community college courses taken after graduation from high school, and may even nullify students entering as a freshman if they have community college credits.

• Get a job. Part-time employment (aim for a maximum of 10-12 hours/week) provides extra structure to the college student’s day and extra money to meet expenses. Students who qualify for work-study programs may find on-campus employment that fits well within the student’s class and study schedule.

• After freshman year, consider applying to be an RA (Resident Assistant). Resident Assistants help to develop community among dorm residents and counsel students regarding problems or concerns. In return, the RA generally receives free room and board.

• Buy used books whenever possible or explore digital options for study materials.

Start your Applications this Summer

Journey Ahead students begin their college applications in the summer before their senior year, because this takes the pressure off of busy students in the fall.

Students can start the Common Application, UC Application, and CSU Applications during the summer, filling in demographic information, reviewing essay/personal insight question prompts, consider essay topics, and generally get a start on this time-consuming process.

Students’ Common Application accounts roll-over on August 1. The UC Application is available on August 1. The CSU Application opens Oct. 1, and requires much less work than the UC Application and the Common Application, as there are no essays or activities to report.

Recent College Admission Scam

As a college admissions consultant who helps families find best fit colleges for their student, and helps students present their best self in their application, I join nearly everyone who is appalled by the recent scandal in which wealthy parents cheated all kids (theirs included) out of fair college admissions.

All of the college admissions consultants I know do this job to help kids find colleges that will fit their educational and career goals, social needs, and the financial ramifications of an escalating college education. Working with students individually is a time consuming labor of love. It is not a high paying field. My peers and I typically add low-income and first-generation families to our rosters every year for free, in an effort to level the playing field for these students.

We do this job because we love our students and want to help them have a great experience in college — get the education they need to prepare for their chosen career, have a social experience they want, and do it affordably.

I got into this business because I noticed that too many families look upon their student’s transition from high school to college as all stress and no joy. In fact, this time in a family’s life cycle should be joyous, as they launch their student out of the nest and into their next step in life. I want to help create this experience for families, rather than the anxiety-filled one most families are expecting.

The vast majority of college admissions consultants are good people who have obtained certification, belong to one or more of three trade associations, and abide by the associations’ ethics and standards. Needless to say, the persons involved in the recent college admissions fraud are bad actors. They are not reflective of your typical college admissions advisor.

If you plan to hire someone to guide this process for your family, please make sure they have the credentials, experience, and ethics, as noted above. And know that we are here to support your family by extending to your child our love, hopes and dreams for their future.

SAT or ACT?

Easy answer: Both, or neither!

Students often ask if they should take the SAT or the ACT. The answer is, they should take both tests one time, then take the test they are most comfortable with a second time.

The tests are slightly different, and one test will stand out for every student. I counsel students to take each test one time. Then prep for the test they prefer — either private one-on-one tutoring, private group tutoring, or free online prep. Free SAT tutoring online is hands down better than free ACT tutoring. SAT’s free online Kahn Academy is excellent for students who are self-starters, and learn well on their own.

Students who have conducted effective prep should expect a 5 - 10% increase in their score on their second attempt. Generally, students who test a third time do no better than the second time, and so I do not recommend a third sitting.

All colleges accept both SAT and ACT, and an increasing number of colleges do not require standardized test scores at all. If a strong student tests poorly, a “test optional” college can be a good option.