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Examining a College's Academic Environment

© ML Arthur

Each college and university is unique, and in choosing where to apply and attend, there are many factors to consider. For each of these factors (pertaining to the academic qualities of the school), there is no right or wrong answer. Each individual has their own needs and wants in the college environment.

1. Student-Faculty Ratio. These can vary widely, from as low as one professor for every seven students to more than twenty students per professor. A low ration like 1/7 means that you will probably have small classes and your professors will know you by name. A larger ration means more anonymity.

2. Average Class Size. If this number is fifteen, you'll be spending your time in seminar discussion classes. If it is five hundred, you'll be in large lecture halls where you'll be lucky if a teaching assistant knows your name. What you prefer depends on how you learn best - if you need discussion, stick to smaller classes. But remember, this number can be deceiving: an average of fifty students could mean some classes with over one hundred and some with just a handful, or it could mean most classes have around fifty students in them.

3. Required Courses. Some schools, like Amherst College (http://www.amherst.edu) and Brown University (http://www.brown.edu), have no required courses. Others, like St. Johns College (see links page), have a curriculum that is entirely dictated. If you want to make sure you get a balanced, traditional liberal arts education, choose a school with many requirements. If you simply despise some subjects, opt out of required courses. Another popular option is distribution requirements, where you are required to take courses in certain broad areas, but you can choose the course (for more info, see the distribution requirements at Mount Holyoke College http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/reg/deg...

4. Majors. Check to see if the school offers what you are interested in, and see how easy it is to switch from one department to another if you change your mind. Be sure to find out how many professors teach in your department and how many courses are offered in the average year. Also find out about options for double or triple majors.

5. Minors. Minors are coherent courses of study, usually involving far fewer courses than a major. Some schools also offer certificate programs. Both minors and certificate programs are always in addition to a major. If you know you have a second interest, choose a school that requires a minor. Otherwise, opt for optional. Some schools don't allow them, which can prove difficult later (when it turns out you need a Spanish minor for your dream job in El Salvador).

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