There is a misconception that Liberal Arts colleges do not offer a good curriculum or experience for STEM students. Including a degree in computer science. STEM stands for science, technology, and mathematics, and people do not expect a school of the liberal arts to offer a competitive education for students interested in the science field. This opinion is not only false, but students who have studied sciences at small colleges have continued to enroll for grad school and even do their doctorates. Therefore, the education is not only good but it produces brilliant students.

Students who study science at small colleges have found that it’s more beneficial as a place to study. This is because of the different dynamic campus has taken. To start with the classes are smaller. When a class has typically 20 to 30 students, it is bound to be more interactive. Students can participate in class and professors can identify the students. Note their strengths and weaknesses and push the students to achieve their full potential. While there are active professors and student participation at research universities, spotting one or two out of two or four hundred students can be much harder.

Students also have the chance to experiment and get into research much earlier. Students at liberal arts colleges gain summer internships after only their first year. During this time they get exposed to research work. While in class professors spot the students who may need help or are not aware of summer internships and get them involved. This leads to hard work that goes into research work. It is not just a simple question-answer situation, but it often requires grueling work of trial and error. This prepares students to work on their own projects in their final year. During their graduate education, they will be able to come up with an even more refined research work.

Participating out of the classroom shows students their strengths and weaknesses through practice. Those who may perform well in class may do poorly at research work and vice versa. Leaving room for improvement, which produces a better-rounded student. Professors at Liberal Arts universities also tend to care more about the subject and students’ performance as they are evaluated based on their teaching ability. As compared to faculty at a research university that may be upheld based on their research results, but has less teaching experience.

As the learning is taking place in a liberal arts college, humanities do rub off on the students. Which is good. This is because scientists have a reputation of being socially awkward with poor communication skills, it rubs them the right way. It is essential that everyone learns the soft skills. Despite smarts, having workplace etiquette and the ability to think deeply about people and situations, (not just math) is of great benefit. It is easier to get involved on campus because of the smaller numbers. This translates to more time in the lab to do your research due to the fewer number of grad or postdoc students using the facilities.

Students in liberal arts colleges also get the chance to collaborate with teachers on design and construction experiments from the very beginning. This allows you to focus and know what you are really good at and how to proceed with your education henceforth. The opportunities at liberal arts colleges are numerous and diverse. With a low enrollment of 1500-2500 students, the opportunities can be equally distributed if the students actively seek ways to improve and better learn. The liberal arts colleges are a good place to thrive in your science education and more so, to propel you.