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I have attended both a private liberal arts college and large public universities, and there are two factors, in my opinion, that dictate success: the individual student and the individual teacher. Private institutions, of course, survive on exclusivity, and public institutions are havens of inclusivity. There is room for both.

I think that the overall quality of my classmates at the private school was a bit higher because we all were pre-screened not only through our SAT scores but also through our ability to communicate and engage in higher order analysis in a personal essay. As a result, the school didn't feel it was necessary to waste our time by offering basic English composition classes. For those of us with an intellectual bent, this was a great place to exchange ideas. And most of my friends went on to become judges, CEOs of international corporations and entrepreneurs.

For some, it's the opportunity to network with the children of the rich and powerful that is attractive to the student. Some seek lifelong friendships that usher them into partnerships at top law firms, executive positions at major corporations or federal government appointments. Of course, the same can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. I have an uncle who graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, and though I think I had the same ability to attend, I don't think his connections - or resume - are any better than my own.

When I attended public university, I often sat side-by-side with people who probably never should have been given a high school diploma. I sat in an anthropology class where the teacher talked about something found in London, and one of my classmates asked whether that was in Ohio.

Private schools often have the benefit of endowments, which allow them to be more selective in their choice of students and instructors. Public schools scramble for money, often allowing shoddy work from capable students out of fear of losing them or giving entry to ill-prepared students. My boyfriend and I took our German classes together, including "German Culture." Each week, we were to write one-page papers on one of two themes provided by the professor. On the week in which we studied the 18th century German philosophers, the assignment was to write either about an aspect of philosophy. I tackled something about Emmanuel Kant, while my boyfriend wrote about Benjamin Franklin. We received the same grade, an A-. Let me remind you that the class was "German Culture." In some masters-level classes, we had a classmate who was given a baccalaureate by an urban "university" but had the analytical skills of a middle schooler. In joint projects, we often covered for her, giving her only the simplest, most error-proof tasks. Sadly, she received that degree, which will do neither her nor her employers any service because she really hasn't the skills to live up to the expectation set by the acquisition of a master's degree.

That said, I must say that some of my best - and most connected - instructors have been at public universities. One not only taught me the requirements of my courses but used her connections to get me internships. Her husband, who taught some of the classes, went beyond the call of duty and taught me how to drive.

In the end, it's all about choice and initiative on the parts of the students and the teachers. We all get out of education what we put into it.

Learn more about this author, Rebecca Bibbs.
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