Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums College Liberal Schools or Conservative Ones

I am happy to see that this forum has been provided. It isn't too often you hear or read about exceptionally talented youth in college. Rarer still the opportunity given to discuss among peers the challenges that we often face in college as opposed to those we faced in middle school and/or high school.

On that note, as each individual has their own specific needs, I have come to the conclusion that the general census in regards to schooling methodology leans more towards the Socratic method of teaching and learning amongst talented students. Of the above named choices, is it too far off to say that liberal schools - i.e. Brown University, is better for intellectual development than more conservative schools?

I suspect both the issues of whether Socratic method or not and liberal or conservative have a lot more to do with individual personality than with anything more general, like GTness.

Just my gut reaction, FWIW...

I think it's impossible for one school to meet the needs of every gifted student. There isn't a single curriculum or program at any level that will be appropriate for every learner.

Brown certainly is a good fit for many, but generally better for liberal arts students than math/science types. I actually have heard of kids choosing Brown specifically because it does not have required courses. Thus a writing fanatic who is relatively weak in math/science can choose not to take any courses in those areas. Is that good, or bad?

Well, I do not know whether liberal vs.conservative (what college would that be?)is better for GT, depends on the personality IMO.
But looking at my S I have been thinking what kind of college would best suit him. People tend to look at DS as a math/science type but he is GT across the board. I think that college like University of Chicago, with its core curriculum would make him grow tons. But it is just my opinion, the choice will ultimately be his four years down the road.

I agree with the others that it's more about personality than gt-ness.

For example, while the socratic method may have its moments, I can't say that I loved it in law school, but then, I'm introverted. Often it was more of an opportunity for certain students who like to hear themselves talk. And like anyplace else, it didn't change the fact that certain professors were entertaining and certain ones were dry and boring.

My advice would be to choose a school that is strong in the areas of your interest and also with a strong core curriculum as Ania mentions (many good schools should have that). Good luck!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. Many of you have touched on the topic of personalities, and others, the extent to which ones abilities reach. Both are factors, and what complicates the issue of choosing the best place to gain your bachelors can be related for moment to what Ania said - multiple strengths. My interest in Brown University is highly correlated to its lack of rigid structure. Graduate students are mixed with the undergraduates, there are no required courses, and in the words of a philosophy professor at the college I currently attend, "It seems as though the graduate students learn as much from the undergrads as they do from the instructors," the professor is BU alum. Another reason I want to Brown, it provides dual-degrees at much higher frequencies than does other colleges and universities.

My VCI and POI are very high, therefore the pursuit of career or major is very intimidating; this is why I chose to attend a junior college for my AA and then transfer elsewhere. Should I go with sciences? Should I go with humanities? Brown is the type of school that would allow me to incorporate both at the same time without it seeming like a trade-off; and as Mark Twain once said, I never let school interfere with my education.

It sounds like you've thought it through and have good reasons for your choice.

One suggestion, from my own experience: make sure that the social scene suits you. I chose a small, liberal arts school in a small town. From Sunday morning until Thursday afternoon, all everyone did was study. No one took a break to see a movie or to hear some live music. It was utterly obsessive, and given the school's setting, frankly, there wasn't much else to do! And then from Thursday afternoon until early Sunday morning, all they did was drink. A lot. Non-stop. I am not a teetotaler, but that just wasn't my social scene.

People at the school seemed very nice on my tour and overnight campus visit, but I wish I had dug a bit deeper and compared what I like to do for fun and how much time I would want to spend studying to the norm for the school. I never felt like I really fit in there.

Just a bit of hindsight from an middle-aged mom...

I had a dual major for my undergrad and enjoyed it. I took a lot of very hard classes on both sides of campus.

Unless you have a full ride, I would look at your finances as well. State and smaller schools will leave you nearly debt free which will allow you greater freedom to pick and choose jobs when you graduate.

If you have the freedom to work for startup or as an intern rather than take whatever comes along, your long term career will benefit more from this initial experience rather than where you went. And you will have more fun.

For this reason, I passed on the Ivy League offers as well as another private school and went to a state school with a lower cost of living.

Yes! The smaller cost of a state school is definitely smart to consider. You often have access to resources there that you wouldn't get at a smaller school, too. (Though I'm sure Brown is well-appointed.)

Especially if you're thinking about grad school, saving a bit of money on college is very, VERY smart!

If you have a perfect GPA and get on working for some profs at the smaller school, you will get into Grad School.

At every state school there are some departments that are pure gems with some very good profs and small class size in the upper div classes. These departments are often there to teach the larger departments' students core classes so they are not the focus of the school. These profs sometimes are working on some cool things that you can easily volunteer to work on and get gobs of experience and maybe get published.

Here is one example of something neat:

http://smallcomets.physics.uiowa.edu/

Many small schools have neat things going on like this so you just have to poke around on profs' pages.