Why a liberal arts school? Why not?

2009/08/30

ROBERT Frost's poem entitled The Road Not Taken perfectly describes my undergraduate experience at a liberal arts college in the United States.

The past three years have been a unique educational experience that has made an immense impact on my life. However, it has also been a route that not many Malaysian students have taken.



Many reasons account for this, such as a lack of information to a misperception of the different education system in the US.



Since 2006, I have studied at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota where I am pursuing a major in Economics and Mathematics. I have had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the liberal arts education system and observe how it develops a student's intellectual experience.



Liberal arts schools have not received as much exposure as traditional universities and I would like to share my observations regarding my experience as a Malaysian studying at Macalester.



The college offers a rigorous academic programme that is reflective of the success of liberal arts schools. These learning institutions have consistently rivalled other well-known universities in producing top-class undergraduates each year, such as Kofi Annan (Macalester College), Hillary Clinton (Wellesley College) and Goh Chok Tong (Williams College).



The success of these individuals, and other liberal arts graduates, reflects the quality and excellence of the students from these schools. The alumni network from these colleges has greatly impacted all sectors of life, from the government and academia to the business world.



A liberal arts education gives students the opportunity to have a diverse educational experience. While students major in a particular field, the liberal arts curriculum also encourages them to widen their knowledge in other areas.



I have had the opportunity to take classes in the Sciences, Humanities and Arts disciplines, in addition to classes from my chosen major. This has helped me to both broaden my knowledge in other fields and contextualise ideas in many different forms.



Consider, for instance, having the chance to learn about the problems of economic inequality and poverty in a morning class, and then analysing their role in the political problems of the Middle East in an afternoon lecture.



The diverse and multicultural student body at liberal arts colleges allows students from different backgrounds to share common experiences and build friendships that complement the academic experience.



Macalester has almost 90 countries represented and more than 80 languages spoken on campus. The diversity at these colleges helps shape the academic settings there.



Students are able to contribute their different experiences and opinions in the classroom, which results in a learning experience that is second to none. It is the opportunity to evaluate a variety of ideas and points of view that sets a liberal arts education apart from the rest.



The small size of liberal arts schools is a far cry from the student bodies in large universities. This key characteristic of liberal arts colleges allows students to experience many opportunities that would be harder to obtain in big tertiary institutions, where it is easy to get lost in the crowd.



With classes usually numbering 20 to 30 students, professors have the ability to engage and communicate with them personally; this approach stands in stark contrast to being taught by graduate students in many bigger universities.



Building relationships with professors eventually leads to strong recommendations for graduate schools and jobs, and the chance to interact with professors in the classroom and on research projects.



An overseas education is an expensive undertaking nowadays; it is understandable that the cost of attending one of these prestigious institutions is a key concern.



However, liberal arts colleges offer students the chance to apply for financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants and loans from them to cover tuition fees.



A need-based financial aid system is a strong component of most American universities, whereby one's monetary situation is not seen as a hindrance to obtaining an education.



Liberal arts schools are generally well endowed and are generous in their financial aid to students who may find it difficult to afford an education at these institutions.



The application process to liberal arts school is rigorous and challenging. Prospective students are required to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test exams and fill out application forms that include essay questions and recommendations by teachers.



Application materials can be found on the websites of the different universities and the admissions offices can be contacted by email for queries regarding the application process or financial aid.



It is helpful to start the application process a few months before the deadline (the end of December or early January), to ensure that all is in order and on time.



Although Malaysia's education system encourages students to consider universities in the United Kingdom and Australia, liberal arts colleges offer a contemporary education of academic excellence.



Liberal arts colleges are strong academic institutions that will offer four life-changing years by redefining the meaning of education. It may be daunting to take a step in a different direction, but it is a fulfilling choice. I know that on a personal level, it has been, as Frost said, the road "less travelled by" but one that has "made all the difference".



The writer is in his final year at Macalester College in the US. He can be contacted at liberalartscomments@gmail.com