Episode 33 | Why Liberal Arts Colleges Deserve a Closer Look (And the Myths Keeping Them Off Your List)

Fresh off the IECA conference and a campus tour day at Dickinson and Gettysburg, Lindsay walks through the four myths that keep most moms from putting liberal arts colleges on the list. The "my kid wants STEM" myth, the cost myth, the "no grad school = no opportunities" myth, and the "small school = limited social life" myth. Plus what to look for on a visit, ten questions to ask the tour guide, and a regional roundup of underrated LACs across the country.Key talking points:Why Lindsay came home from IECA convinced this category is underratedLiberal arts ≠ humanities only (and what to know about STEM, business, pre-med at LACs)The Burgess Institute, Bloomberg Lab, and Wall Street site visits at DickinsonGettysburg's X-SIG cross-disciplinary STEM researchDickinson's 96% law school admit rate and 92% health professions admit rateThe 3+3 JD program (and other accelerated paths)The cost myth and why net price matters more than stickerThe "no grad school" reframe — your undergrad kid is the workhorse65% Dickinson research participation, 94% internship completionThe small-school social fabric (5 activities average at Gettysburg)The first-year seminar = academic advisor modelTown integration and what's not on the brochureTen questions to ask on a visitRegional roundup of underrated LACsLinks and resources:Free: College Visitor's Guides — printable visit prep, Dickinson and Gettysburg pages coming soonJoin the Parent Collective group for ongoing support and guidance.If you’re a parent navigating high school, college admissions, or the many transitions that come with raising teens, you’re in the right place.I’m Lindsay, a college counselor and parent who believes thoughtful guidance matters—especially for the awesomely average kid. The student who isn’t chasing prestige, but still deserves smart planning, clear strategy, and a path that truly fits.You can explore ways to work with me, learn about upcoming programs, or find additional resources at www.thecollegecounselingmom.com and sign up for my weekly newsletter here. If this episode was helpful, I’d be so grateful if you’d follow the show, leave a review, or share it with another parent who could use steady, grounded support.Thanks for being here. I’m honored to walk this season with you.Lindsay | The College Counseling Mom