Small liberal arts colleges: what makes them tick?
I've never worked or even applied for a job at one, and a position just opened up at a top-notch one college the East Coast, so I will try my luck. So I am contemplating the cover letter. I am wondering what sorts of values / sorts of experience this kind of institution is interested in. I have worked at a couple of different places, so I have a few different types of experience, it's just a matter of what to stress.
I know that both teaching and mentoring are important to this kind of place and I have some experience. What about research--should it be in there on par with pedagogy, or do they value teaching above all and I should downplay it? I would appreciate your input.
And another, related question: my area of *research* is not what they're looking for, but my *teaching experience* covers almost all the areas they'd want me to teach. And they say it's ultimately an open area of specialization. Should I downplay my research because of that, and begin the letter with all the matching teaching? I really am happy with my research and love what I'm doing, but oy, it seems like such an impediment in this situation :(
If there are any other key factors that you think are important, I would appreciate that info, too. Thank you very much!
ETA: the college in question is Swarthmore. Maybe some of you are familiar with it firsthand.
I know that both teaching and mentoring are important to this kind of place and I have some experience. What about research--should it be in there on par with pedagogy, or do they value teaching above all and I should downplay it? I would appreciate your input.
And another, related question: my area of *research* is not what they're looking for, but my *teaching experience* covers almost all the areas they'd want me to teach. And they say it's ultimately an open area of specialization. Should I downplay my research because of that, and begin the letter with all the matching teaching? I really am happy with my research and love what I'm doing, but oy, it seems like such an impediment in this situation :(
If there are any other key factors that you think are important, I would appreciate that info, too. Thank you very much!
ETA: the college in question is Swarthmore. Maybe some of you are familiar with it firsthand.