<p>I had the opportunity to visit Amherst, Williams, and Bowdoin this summer. I was not impressed with Williams but I equally loved Amherst and Bowdoin. I have a strong interest in poly sci/gov. I was wondering if anyone knows how these two schools compare in this area (poly sci), with respect to reputation, faculty, getting into a top grad/law school, etc? </p>
<p>Recently, I have been limiting my college search to schools back home in the midwest. I just received my ACT results and found that I scored a 35… so, I may have a shot (slim or ortherwise) at either Bowdoin or Amherst. Thank You.</p>
<p>bowdoin and claremont are the two tops in government among LACs, but the reputation of Amherst overall is sufficient to make up any difference in department reputation that may exist. i say if you like both equally apply to both RD. if in the next month you find yourself drawn more to one rather than another apply to that one ED. why not contact the faculty members who specialize in what you like? maybe that will help you make your decision?</p>
<p>Thanks for the congrats, rentof2. I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I really do feel a special bond with both Amherst and Bowdoin. Each school has something unique to offer. Coming from the midwest I know there will be some sort of adjustment that I will have to make but I get along well with people and am athletic and a pretty good student. Hopefully, these traits will help me socially and academically at either college.</p>
<p>I can't speak for Bowdoin, but I do know that Amherst's poli sci department is very strong, with a lot of very good professors and more intellectual diversity than most other colleges this size. We have one professor is a very prominent conservative academic (Hadley Arkes, who wrote the Born Alive Infants Protection Act) and another who teaches a class called "Taking Marx Seriously" to go along with the usual assortment of liberals (who tend to predominate at most northeastern private colleges). It's also worth noting that Amherst is unique in having a department of Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought, which has significant cross-appeal with political science.</p>
<p>Catfish, thanks for the update on gov/poly sci. Amherst does appear to have a good curriculum and faculty in this department. I guess I anticipated a left-leaning faculty, but it is nice to know that the conservative view is not only tolerated but has a place on campus.</p>