Liberal Arts College Ranking: Top 10 (U.S News)

These liberal arts college are schools which emphasize undergraduate education and award least half of their degrees in the liberal arts field of study.

1. Amherst College: Amherst, MA.  Tuition: 37,640.  2007 enrollment: 1,685

2. Williams College: Williamstown, MA.  Tuition: 37,640. 2007 enrollment: 2,046

3. Swarthmore College: Swarthmore, PA. Tuition: 36,490  2007 enrollment: 1,491

4. Wellesley College: Wellesley, MA.  Tuition: 36,640.  2007 enrollment: 2,380

5. Middlebury College: Middlebury, VT.  Tuition: 49,210  2007 enrollment: 2,500

6. Bowdoin College: Brunswick, ME.  Tuition: 38,190  2007 enrollment: 1,716

6. Pomona College: Claremont, CA.  Tuition: 35,625  2007 enrollment: 1,547

8. Carleton College: Northfield, MN.  Tuition: 38,046  2007 enrollment: 2,005

9. Davidson College: Davidson, NC.  Tuition: 33,479  2007 enrollment: 1,674

10 Haverford College: Haverford, PA  Tuition: 37,525  2007 enrollment: 1,169

Public vs Private School

Public or Private School is another continuing battle in the world of education and politics.  There is no winner or loser, right or wrong.

The arguments of private education is the quality of the education itself.  Supposedly a student who goes to private gets quality teachers, newer books, smaller classes, and individualized attention.  A student who goes to private are less likely to be picked on by bullies.  Private schools are ideal environment for your child’s education.

The arguments for public education comes down to the community and money.  The money that is allocated to the school is based on the attendance of the school.  If the attendance drops in the public school they get less money.  Less funding means children who go to public school will not get the best education they deserve.

How do you feel about private schools or public schools in your area?

Leadership and Communication Skills

There was a student who had perfect SAT scores, excellent GPA and was a really good pianist.  He applied to many top colleges in the country.  He did not receive admission to some of the schools.  There were two reasons for his less than desired result.

First, he did not show any leadership in his application.  He was living in his own world during high school.  No clubs, no student government offices.  He was  interested in leading his life, but not in leading others.  The second reason was that he did poorly during the interviews.  Not all schools require interviews, but many recommend having interviews.  Interviews are great opportunities to tell the admissions committee what kind of person you are.  GPA, SAT scores only give a limited picture of you.  Personal essays and interviews help complete the picture.

Grades and test scores are not everything.  There will be more posts in the near future about interviews.