About buzzard Expertise Experienced college admissions professional who has assisted hundreds of students and their families in finding the right college. Choosing a college is not a game that only a few people can win; there is no universal handfull of "best" colleges. It is possible for everyone to find a college that is the right fit for them.
Experience 10 years as a college admissions counselor; 12 years working for a national association of college admissions counselors; two children of my own in college Frequently teach "How to Choose Your College" programs.
Question Hi,
Just wondering.. what are 'liberal arts colleges?'... how are they different to regular colleges? thanks :)
Answer Sorry for the delay in response... I was talking my daughter back to college...
The notion of a liberal arts college stems from the idea that there are certain areas, that when studied, will be liberating to the person who has studied them. These have become known as the liberal arts and have nothing to do with being liberal or conservative!
The liberal arts include language, history, humanities, math, science, art, drama. Many people refer to courses like this as "core" classes that are generally required for graduation from a college. Colleges vary in what they included in their "core".
The reality is that while many colleges use the lable of "liberal arts college" there are precious few true liberal arts colleges left in the US. St. John's College would be one that springs to mind, but I am hard pressed to com eup with a second one!
Most colleges also include career focused and porofessional degrees and programs in their curriculium - business, pre-med, education etc. which are focused not on liberting the mind, but helping you be prepared for gainful employment. And that is what most people wnat out of their eudcation these days.
Generally, colleges are grouped as liberal arts colleges or as universities, which include many colleges as well as research programs, but this designation really doesn't make a lot of sense in light of what liberal arts really means.
Does any of this help or have I more throughly muddied the waters?
