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[heywhynots]

Having been on two search committees this year for tt positions in STEM disciplines at a school that would fall under lyndonparker's "next 35" SLACs after the top 10 or 15, I can say the following for getting an interview and then an offer:

For an interview:
1) Well written application packet that lets the SC know why you are excited about teaching at a SLAC and why you would be perfect for the job.

2) Post-doc expected in the biomolecular sciences, min. of two years.  Research is part of the job.  You need to demonstrate you have the experience base to start from scratch without colleagues on-campus in a closely related field.

3) Desire to teach undergraduates at all levels including first-year seminars that are interdisciplinary (natural & social sciences, and the humanities & art).

4) A research plan that demonstrates you get what it means to work with just undergraduates in the lab. 

5) Some teaching experience beyond being a TA.

6) Service/outreach experience

7) Multiple publications (including 3+ first author articles) in decent journals

8) Participated in courses/workshops on teaching

1 eliminated half the candidates right off the bat.  3 and 4 eliminated the next quarter.  The rest is how the short list and then the interview list were compiled.

For an offer:
1) Well organized and delivered seminar.  It should engage both faculty and students.

2) Think about how you are going to teach classes, and how to deal with problems as they arise.

3) Do your homework about our school & department.  Ask questions that give you a deeper understanding of the department/school beyond what is on the website. 

4) Be friendly & professional with everyone (students, administrative assistants, facilities, administrators and faculty).

5) Think about how you are going organize and build your research program.  Know what sort of grant opportunities are reasonable to apply for.

2-4 all the candidates we brought on campus were strong on.  1 and 5 were what separated those who got offers from those who did not. 

[ruralguy]

And, in fact, even 8 years ago at my SLAC that is more like 100-ish ranking (and thats with no cheating!) , most of this applied, save for the specific numbers regarding research.

At my 100-ish ranked SLAC some are big on post-doc experience, and some don't care (even in STEM) or even think its bad. I am of the group that thinks it can be a big help, as it helps you think semi-independently, and gives you time to concentrate on research. Others think "If he really likes teaching, he should just teach. Why muck it up with these papers nobody reads?"  Suprisingly, this isn't that strongly correlated with age. Just some people have that opinion, and others do not.

As for numbers of pubs, that can vary too, but since you need 'something' for tenure, its probably best that you also come with 'something'.

Any experience with teaching or studying pedagogy is a plus. Being familiar with newer methods in teaching in STEM (such, as, say,
peer-instruction with clickers and all that) is a plus. Grants are a plus.

Certainly, all of the "for an offer" stuff applies.

I'd also add "think of how to explain your research in simple, but non-condescending terms". And when you don't know an answer, just politely say, "I'm sorry, thats an excellent question, but I just can't answer that now". Of course, if you say that too much, it may show that you don't know much!

And remember, the Dean that hires you might be just the same guy who saves your tenure case...be nice!

[data5112]

Having been on two search committees this year for tt positions in STEM disciplines at a school that would fall under lyndonparker's "next 35" SLACs after the top 10 or 15, I can say the following for getting an interview and then an offer:

For an interview:
1) Well written application packet that lets the SC know why you are excited about teaching at a SLAC and why you would be perfect for the job.

2) Post-doc expected in the biomolecular sciences, min. of two years.  Research is part of the job.  You need to demonstrate you have the experience base to start from scratch without colleagues on-campus in a closely related field.

3) Desire to teach undergraduates at all levels including first-year seminars that are interdisciplinary (natural & social sciences, and the humanities & art).

4) A research plan that demonstrates you get what it means to work with just undergraduates in the lab.  

5) Some teaching experience beyond being a TA.

6) Service/outreach experience

7) Multiple publications (including 3+ first author articles) in decent journals

8) Participated in courses/workshops on teaching

1 eliminated half the candidates right off the bat.  3 and 4 eliminated the next quarter.  The rest is how the short list and then the interview list were compiled.

I truly believe that I do this and have these qualifications; yet I have not yet been acknowledged by a SLAC SC to date, except in the form of a rejection letter.

I know that I can perfect and polish what I have in my cover letter, but I do have a couple questions.

1) I went to a Big Box University for undergrad, although I was enrolled in the honors and scholars program, which had a SLAC feel (as far as I know). I went to my professors' houses, had small classes, there were higher expectations for student projects, etc. Should I mention this experience in my cover letter? If so, that leads me to my next question:

2) How is it possible to be concise when I need to explain how my undergraduate degree, although stamped by Big Box U, exemplifies my only SLAC (-like) experience? Some of my friends are submitting 2-3 page cover letters to SLAC SCs, yet they also have SLAC undergraduate degrees; their success in gaining attention from SLAC SCs could be due to either factor, or both. Should I expand my cover letter to elaborate on each of the ways I am a great fit to work at a SLAC? Do I mention that I would actually like to live in a small, Midwestern town? (And thanks for clarifying that Missouri and the Dakotas are equally (albeit peripherally) Midwestern.) My typical cover letter, although tailored to each job/school, is approximately one and two-thirds pages long.

3) Would you begin your cover letter by talking about teaching or research, especially if your undergrad degree was from Big Box U?  (*Lightbulb moment*) Or, neither, and mention how your research on X is interwoven with your teaching, and that your mentoring of students in the lab reinforces the strength of this teaching-research connection?

Thanks.

[data5112]

Sorry; darned double post.

[msparticularity]

I am not in a STEM field, but I am inclined to think that an explanation of how your own undergrad experience has helped you to think about the SLAC mission would be absolutely vital information. I also think that the teaching-research connection, and your fit for the kinds of research that could be done at this kind of institution, is essential. If you are sending fairly standard application letters to SLACs and hoping the SC will be able to put the pieces together and make these connections, you may be unlikely to make any progress.

Has anyone who is familiar with SLACs looked at your application materials?

[pink_]

1) I went to a Big Box University for undergrad, although I was enrolled in the honors and scholars program, which had a SLAC feel (as far as I know). I went to my professors' houses, had small classes, there were higher expectations for student projects, etc. Should I mention this experience in my cover letter? If so, that leads me to my next question:

2) How is it possible to be concise when I need to explain how my undergraduate degree, although stamped by Big Box U, exemplifies my only SLAC (-like) experience? Some of my friends are submitting 2-3 page cover letters to SLAC SCs, yet they also have SLAC undergraduate degrees; their success in gaining attention from SLAC SCs could be due to either factor, or both. Should I expand my cover letter to elaborate on each of the ways I am a great fit to work at a SLAC? Do I mention that I would actually like to live in a small, Midwestern town? (And thanks for clarifying that Missouri and the Dakotas are equally (albeit peripherally) Midwestern.) My typical cover letter, although tailored to each job/school, is approximately one and two-thirds pages long.

3) Would you begin your cover letter by talking about teaching or research, especially if your undergrad degree was from Big Box U?  (*Lightbulb moment*) Or, neither, and mention how your research on X is interwoven with your teaching, and that your mentoring of students in the lab reinforces the strength of this teaching-research connection?

Thanks.

If you are already onto a 2nd page, go ahead and use the rest of it. I am TT at an SLAC, and I went to a ginormous public school for undergrad too, and while there, I was also in the honors program, which sounds similar to your experience.  Explaining why you are a good fit for the small campus environment is essential.  You don't have to go on and on for pages, but a couple of sentences talking about the importance of undergrad student interaction, and the ways that your own research can foster such connections would be great.

I'm less impressed by discussions of place, though a sentence or two couldn't hurt. What we are looking for is a sense that candidates know what it's like to work at a small campus where there is lots of student interaction, lots of service, and teaching is very important. Research is important too, but it is secondary to pedagogy (and again, if you can talk about ways that the two are related, particularly wrt undergrads, so much the better).

[heywhynots]

Remember to not just talk about the small sizes & amount of student/faculty interactions. Yes that is part of a small liberal arts college experience.  Being part of a liberal arts education is also key.  You need to demonstrate that you understand that and relish at the chance to be part of such a community.

Teaching undergraduates is your primary role.  Your cover letter should let us know you understand that and are well qualified for that role.  Research yes advances your scholarship but should also be a way for you to help teach students.  In the sciences at my college this is very important.  It is why you need to tailor your research plan. 

Most of the candidates who we interviewed had cover letter a page and a half long. Not all of them went to SLACs. A couple earned their undergraduate degrees in countries where SLACs do not exist.  The cover letter highlighted what their CV, teaching statement, and research plan went more in depth on.  Good cover letters were well written, concise narratives addressing out job ad and the desire of the candidates to work at a small liberal arts college. 

For the cover letter what we looked for was: can the person write well, are they qualified for the job, and do they want to teach undergraduates at a small liberal arts college.  Teaching statement was used once again for a writing sample and to see if the applicant understands what it means to teach at a SLAC.  CV and research plan are what we used to narrow our candidate list.  A poor plan or one that did not address working with undergraduates was a kiss of death.   From there as I said, it was looking at who had the best combo of teacher training & research experience (i.e., looking for those most likely to be great for the job).

[data5112]

Thanks for the responses; these help.

I think I need to add a couple key sentences and make a few tweaks, but I'm on the right track. I have a good SLAC letter on file, although I can polish it based on this advice.

[al_wallace]

I've been on about a dozen search committees at SLACS (yes, I'm that old and brow-beaten). I agree with most of the comments here. I would add that you should start your cover letter with all the stuff you love about a SLACs (small classrooms, more individual mentoring of undergraduates etc.) and how your research is done (or could be done with undergraduate students).

Here is what you need to make the really short list in the sciences at my SLAC

1. Two or more years of post-doctoral training. Obviously a finished PhD is needed. If you aren't done, you'll be put in the "circular" file.
2. About 3-6 solid publications in good journals preferably with at least one of them co-authored with an undergraduate. If the papers are in low end third-tier journals, you better have about 15 or 20 of them to compensate.
3. At least one course, but preferably two or more, that you have full grade book experience plus a slew of T.A. lab experiences in multiple courses--the broader the better.
4. Some sort of teaching workshop or graduate course that specifically trains you in post-secondary pedagogical techniques.
5. A teaching award...or two.
6. A research award (e.g. best poster, best paper, outstanding PhD student etc.)
7. Evidence that you have done your homework and that you aren't cutting and pasting a cover letter from your research intensive institution application. We can smell the R1 stink on the application.
8. Experience mentoring undergraduates at research
9. A research statement that makes it clear how you will make your research accessible to undergraduates since you will be doing a lot of that.
10. Indicate that you are a team player since you'll get dumped on with committee work (I mean "shared governance") like sitting in on a different search committee every year.
11. Evidence of grant-writing skills and/or the ability to do dirt cheap research.

[polly_mer]

10. Indicate that you are a team player since you'll get dumped on with committee work (I mean "shared governance") like sitting in on a different search committee every year.

I haven't landed a job yet, but I've been getting interviews at SLAC's where people have asked me specifically about the service things I've included in my cover letter.

I've been "lucky" enough to be serving on assessment and ABET committees in my current non-TT job and that's a plus for many places since someone has to do it and now I've got experience.

[mainelyfailing]

Well two years in a row I've been a finalist for a SLAC job and didn't get it. I'm teetering on the edge here. Thinking about giving up. I just don't know how many more body blows I can take...staring at another year of adjuncting with my wife and I slipping further towards financial catastrophie in nowheresville Maine.

The thing that always seems to get me to the campus interview stage are my teaching awards, teaching evaluations, and faculty letters. My research is not that impressive as high caliber candidates go (a couple articles in minor pubs). But, obviously, teaching is important at these places. I just haven't been able to get over the hump....

[msparticularity]

Hi, Mainelyfailing, and welcome! I'm so sorry that you've had your heart broken again this year! I know how demoralizing the job search can be, and in some fields it really is nearly impossible to get hired.

Have you been able to find out anything about the candidates who did get hired for these positions? Basically, I'm wondering if it's the pubs (as you seem to suspect), or if there's something happening on your campus interviews. Did these places have you do research presentations, for example? Also, do you have anything you'll be submitting for publication soon? A single good pub could make all the difference for you!

[mainelyfailing]

I always have a good vibe from the interview, but who knows. The person who beat me out for the last job was from an elite PhD program with impressive scholarship...someone I just couldn't compete with unless I blew them away with my teaching (and he's probably a good teacher himself). A classic case of what can you do.

I won't know who beat me out this year until the Fall when they post her on the faculty site.

What I really need is to get to the finalist stage at a more mediocre school!

Hi, Mainelyfailing, and welcome! I'm so sorry that you've had your heart broken again this year! I know how demoralizing the job search can be, and in some fields it really is nearly impossible to get hired.

Have you been able to find out anything about the candidates who did get hired for these positions? Basically, I'm wondering if it's the pubs (as you seem to suspect), or if there's something happening on your campus interviews. Did these places have you do research presentations, for example? Also, do you have anything you'll be submitting for publication soon? A single good pub could make all the difference for you!

[seniorscholar]

Have you been able to find out anything about the candidates who did get hired for these positions? Basically, I'm wondering if it's the pubs (as you seem to suspect), or if there's something happening on your campus interviews. Did these places have you do research presentations, for example? Also, do you have anything you'll be submitting for publication soon? A single good pub could make all the difference for you!

Just read your post on another thread indicating that you're ABD. Well of course you didn't get hired -- in many fields, hiring an ABD if there's an equally good PhD would be automatic. Finish the dissertation and have a defense date to list in your application letters for the next season!

[msparticularity]

Have you been able to find out anything about the candidates who did get hired for these positions? Basically, I'm wondering if it's the pubs (as you seem to suspect), or if there's something happening on your campus interviews. Did these places have you do research presentations, for example? Also, do you have anything you'll be submitting for publication soon? A single good pub could make all the difference for you!

Just read your post on another thread indicating that you're ABD. Well of course you didn't get hired -- in many fields, hiring an ABD if there's an equally good PhD would be automatic. Finish the dissertation and have a defense date to list in your application letters for the next season!

Oh, heavens--yes, finish your diss!