Shimer College

Date: Jan 31 2009
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I left after a few semesters for another university in the city. While I would not out-right dissuade anyone from considering this school I will say that I left because I was unhappy with most aspects of the school.

The student body is limited both in size (<100) and diversity of any sort (racial, political, ideological). For the price of approx. $24,000 there is no campus and severely limited resources. Student services are next to non-existent although efforts are being made to change that.

Academically it is hit-or-miss. As with any school one must ultimately take charge of their own education. Some of my experiences here did a great deal to foster my growth as a critical thinker and I appreciated the lack of textbooks.

However, the academics of this school are a bit overrated by its supporters. A decent # of students in my classes only fit in at Shimer because they clearly lack the mental power for a school w/enforced standards. At such a small school w/small discussion based classes that makes a great impact. Professors teach all subjects regardless of their background. Someone who's academic life is in literature will be teaching your science classes.

The administration is inadequate to say the least.

A brief, unscientific survey of those who have graduated immediately before and during my time at Shimer finds a sizable number (>40%) unemployed, underemployed, or working for the school as labor. This speaks to those, like myself, who want a liberal arts education but plan on a career outside academia. Caveat emptor