Hey, I'm a current high school junior planning for college. One thing that's really important to me is a supportive faculty that provides good guidance. What colleges are known for doing a great job at this?
Certain colleges and universities shine especially when it comes to faculty guidance and student-faculty interaction. For instance, in liberal arts colleges, class sizes are typically smaller, which often allows for better student-faculty interaction. A few liberal arts colleges known for strong faculty guidance include:
- Williams College: With a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Williams College is known for its tutorial-style classes that pair a professor with 2 students, enabling in-depth discussion and personalized feedback.
- Swarthmore College: Boasting an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's known for its faculty's commitment to mentoring students, including helping to facilitate in-depth research projects.
- Amherst College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, which means students have many opportunities to engage in direct interaction and build relationships with their professors.
Among universities, these stand out:
- Princeton University: It has undergraduate-focused learning, with many opportunities for independent research and faculty mentorship. Princeton requires all undergrads to write a senior thesis, which offers a one-on-one mentorship opportunity with a faculty member.
- Brown University: Known for its open curriculum, where students have flexibility in their choice of studies, professors at Brown are known for their availability and approachability, with the university’s 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio fostering strong relationships between students and faculty.
Always remember, it’s a good idea to reach out to current students or alumni of your target schools to get a first-hand account of their experiences with faculty engagement!
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