The words "private liberal arts university" are often some of the most terrifying words to parents and to people who are against the word “liberal." Often times liberal arts universities are undervalued because of the fact that they contain the word "liberal" in the name. For the people who did not attend liberal arts universities and are not acquainted with the actual curriculum, they assume the university aims to create anti-government and non-conforming citizens. Liberal arts universities, however, aim to give students a broad understanding of all academic subjects. The word 'private' may seem daunting because of the price tag that comes along with any private institution.
People assume that students who attend private liberal arts universities are often stuck in a bubble where they forget to realize how fortunate they are for that particular quality of education. As a first-year student, I have already seen the many benefits that separate a private liberal arts education from any other college education.
1. Small class sizes
When you go on college tours, universities often boast about their small class sizes and how unique that is. It is often easy to brush off the value of small class sizes until you enter a class of three hundred students. Many of my friends who attend large public universities were shocked when they walked into stadium-sized auditoriums on their first day of class. They were surprised to hear that my largest class as a freshman had thirty-four students. People often think they would rather just be a number in a room than have a professor who actually knows them by name. However, if you are just a number you will be tempted to not participate or do your homework. When you have small classrooms you can actually have class discussions and hear other people’s opinions.
2. Undergraduate research
Private institutions generally have more money than public universities to spend on investing in their student’s research. It is easier to find the resources you need to fund your research if you go to a school that has more funds and gives you access to work with your professors. If you do publish research during your undergraduate years you have more experience in your field before you go into the workforce or to graduate school.
3. One-on-one time with professor
At public universities, office hours are mainly run by teacher assistants (TA) who are students. At many liberal arts universities, especially mine, the professor runs the office hours so you can directly ask your questions and get to know your professor so you can ask for a recommendation in the future. Most of the time office hours are empty because professors have so many different timings and because they teach fewer students. Also when professors have fewer students to be concerned about, they have more time to dedicate to each student.
4. Good alumni pool
Private liberal arts universities tend to be smaller which allows the alumni to stay connected with the school. My school has a list of where alumni currently work and where people in the past have interned, this is beneficial so current students so they can network with established people in their fields.
5. Access to career training, graduate school help, and internships
Private universities will often have a larger some of resources dedicated to career training, graduate school help, and internships. The school will have offices set up to help look for internships, prepare for interviews, review resumes and can link you with past alumni. Since private institutions have more personal working for a smaller group of people, they are able to meet with students often.
6. Classes taught by professors
When student to faculty ratio is small, professors have the ability to actually teach the classes. Big schools are packed with classes taught by teaching assistants with the aim to just regurgitate information rather than actually aim to help the students understand the material. Professors at top liberal art universities are often experienced in their field so it is better to get the knowledge from people who have a background in a particular field rather than a graduate student who has just taken the class before. Another factor is that when a professor has fewer students they can read student papers and grade tests which give students direct feedback from the source of knowledge.
7. Well-rounded curriculum
The most valuable part of a liberal arts education is the fact that most liberal art schools require students to take courses in various disciplines. If college students are required to take classes outside of their majors, they will have a foundation in multiple fields and they have the opportunity to truly discover the field they want to pursue. Liberal art schools provide students with a foundation in humanities, arts, science, social students, and math.
8. Ability to make your own major
Large universities will have a set list of majors that students can pick from but liberal art colleges will allow students to create their own majors. Liberal arts colleges give students the freedom to pursue their passions and be architects of new majors.
9. Quality food
In life, you often get what you pay for and when you are paying to attend a private liberal arts university, you have better food options. Elon tends to cater to all different food allergies, dietary restrictions and customizes meals for students. We have staff that really cares if we like the food and works to cater to the needs of each student.
10. Beautiful campus
When touring a campus, the first thing visitors notice is the aesthetically pleasing look of a campus. Private campuses tend to spend lots of money on flowers, fountains, landscaping and building unique architecture. At first, it may seem frivolous to spend money on the aesthetics of a campus, but when you attend a campus that is beautiful, you enjoy your time more. When you are having a rough day you get inspired to do better when you have a beautiful campus to be proud of.
A liberal arts education is centered around giving students the greatest benefits and investing in creating involved citizens.
