Public versus Private

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No, I’m not talking about displays of affection. I’m talking about college options!




As you conduct your search, you realize you have a lot to figure out. Small vs. big, liberal arts vs. technical, suburban vs. urban vs. rural, your list of options looks like the March Madness NCAA bracket. Where is the ESPN commentary of college admissions?

Mary Buckheit, a 2002 Siena grad and writer for ESPN Page 2, breaks down public versus private in her comparison of Ohio State and Siena before their first round match-up in March of 2009. Choosing a college could be simple if you only had two choices; double overtime or your point guard shooting to win at the buzzer.

We know there are more choices when searching for the college that best fits you. While compiling your list, look at both public and private institutions. Read the mission statement of the college and underline the words that are important to you. Then ask the college officials how those words in the mission are put into action for the undergraduate student.

If reading mission statements for all of the colleges you plan on applying to seems daunting, then try this route:

Since private and public colleges offer many similar experiences, asking these basic questions will help you discover their differences:

What is your student/faculty ratio and average class size for my major and for core classes? How many of your faculty members teach full-time?

Why? Smaller faculty/student ratios and smaller classes lead to an engaged undergraduate experience. Faculty members know your name and recognize your potential. Full-time teachers at institutions are ready for your questions and are eager to push you; their student. There are endless stories of undergraduates publishing work, taking classes abroad and presenting at conferences with faculty mentors. These relationships and experiences add depth to your resume and increase networking opportunities.

Siena’s answers:
Student/Faculty ratio: 14:1
Average class size for all: 21
Full-time faculty: 178 with 93% holding the highest degree in their field

What is your freshmen retention rate? What is your four-year graduation rate? What is your job/professional school placement after graduation?

Why? Freshmen retention essentially means the percentage of first-year students who enjoyed their experience and are psyched to come back for year two. Graduation rates offer a way to measure students’ success. The students enjoyed their four years and the classes offered and they graduated on time. You don’t want to be a super senior. Lastly, what they are doing after graduation tell us they were prepared for success.

Siena’s answers:
Freshmen retention rate: 87%
Four-year graduation rate: 73%
Job/Graduate school placement: 98%

What is the most active club on campus? What is the second most active? Do you find the students living on campus for their four years?

Why? College is about developing the whole person – academically, socially, spiritually and professionally. You are in the classroom about 15 hours a week. If college is a 40-hour work week, you have 25 hours of unfilled time, not to mention the nights and weekends. That’s a lot of time that needs to be filled with studying, writing papers, listening to speakers, volunteering, joining clubs, planning and attending school events and just hanging out. It’s also a lot of time to learn life lessons outside of the classroom, to figure out what is important to you, and to push yourself to exceed your potential. If you’re at a place that does not challenge you academically or socially, or a place you just don’t like, it’s a lot of wasted time and money.

Siena’s answers:
Most active: Dog Pound – our student cheering section for the basketball games
Second most active: Habitat for Humanity
On-campus residents: 78%

The point is, you don’t have to just rely on the NCAA brackets for your college search. Remember, whether public or private, the only right college is the college that best fits your ability and personality. These questions allow you to navigate the college search and find out if the character of the college best matches your own.