Colleges Lose Pricing Power

[WCsweet<3]

I honestly think it depends on the school and the person. I went to two large public schools for my undergrad. The first was halfway across the country and the other was about two hours from home. I did not enjoy my education at either institution and felt like my time was being wasted a great deal of the time. I'm currently in my last semester of getting another bachelors at a small private school. The last two years have reminded me why I liked school and have pushed me harder than I ever was at either one of my previous universities. My writing and research skills have vastly improved because of my professors.

On the subject of the type of person: I was already my own advocate coming out of high school. I more or less coasted through my previous college years, hardly working for the grades and still doing really well. There were some good aspects because it made me find my niche socially, but that is about it. In the long run I feel that my private school education has taught me and honed more skills that will help me in the long run than. My professors have pushed me farther. Also, I felt that my state college professors were more interested in their own research than helping their students. Few were available for office hours and I distinctly remember quite a few saying "if you can't come into my hours, tough luck." At the private college, my professors are constantly researching (my thesis prof just published a book while leading 27 students through a year of thesis) and yet have time. They accept appointments. I see them all over campus eating in the commons or in hallways ready to talk about many things: courses (not just their own), what to do around town, job prospects, etc.

Kevin: Reed is weird. Your friend should have gone to any of the other schools in the area (Lewis and Clark, Willamette, University of Portland) and he would have had a normal GPA. Reed is fairly clear about how their atmosphere and education is different. I don't know how one attends Reed without knowing what they are getting themselves into.