<p>I’m trying to choose between Amherst and UChicago (maybe Berkeley and Rice, but Amherst and Chicago are really the two schools I’m wavering between), and any input would be appreciated. Student body is really important to me, and I want to be around people who are interested in learning in general. As for a major, I have no idea, but I’m interested in linguistics, writing, economics, physics, and art. I’d also like to be able to contribute to a paper and continue piano while I’m in college.</p>
<p>I actually haven’t received my aid packages from either school yet, so–how is Amherst with financial aid?</p>
<p>Wow, Advcomp. I'm in the same exact situation. Trying to decide between these two (because the chances of getting off Princeton's waitlist are slim, to say the least). If you hadn't made this thread, I would have, sooner or later.</p>
<p>I suggest you both visit the campuses and spend time there. They are very different in terms of size and location (urban versus rural). My daughter attends Amherst and it has been wonderful for her. The students are intellectually superior but yet not so nerdy (is that still a concept?) and removed that they aren't fun to be around. The students have many interests outside of the classroom which makes for a balanced experience. I know Chicago had a reputation of being all work and no play. But, that may no longer be the case. It's a great institution as well.</p>
<p>They are so different, I'm surprised that this is the choice. Other than the fact that they are both known as schools for smart kids, they have nothing else in common. Sports, for example, are important at Amherst, even if you don't play. They are a non-issue at Chicago from what I hear. I didn't apply to U of C despite big pressure from my parents (Grandfather was a big deal there) because it is known as the place where fun dies.</p>
<p>If you want to do sciences, I'd say UChicago because you need a large research university in order to truly learn science through research. Also UChicago's econ is pretty much unrivaled, the theoretical kind I mean, not the make money on Wall Street kind. Amherst is really good for preparing you for grad school, like med school esp. And if you want to do mostly humanities, then Amherst is the better choice. Also, does location matter?</p>
<p>you don't learn science in a lab. you learn laboratory technique in a lab. you learn science in classroom. you're 100% more likely to be able to do research in a lab at amherst, and 100% more likely to learn science well at amherst. amherst all the way. glad i could make this choice easy for you.</p>
<p>seriously, my dorm room window faces the science building. there are kids in there til 3 am most nights. there's plenty of lab space, plenty of opportunities to do research.</p>
<p>Have you and zzywizzy made up your minds? I am curious as my s has been accepted at UC and is waitlisted at AC. What were the deciding factors? What are the sid offers like?</p>
<p>D was accepted at both and she is a jr at Amherst. We went to Accepted Students' Weekend at UCh and talked to FA people because their FA was so low. The officer that had the meeting said that every year people protest their FA, but we would find it was correct. They strictly adhered to FAFSA, and there was very little merit aid. I met with an officer 1 on 1, and was told the other schools where she was accepted were wonderful, too, and she should go there. D and I decided that if that was the way they were then, then once she was in it would be worse. D was very disappointed. But Amherst made her feel welcome, wooed her and gave us the best FA of any of the schools. To this day, she can't see herself having gone anywhere else. UCh actually did us a favor. But that day, on the tour of the city, other parents were discussing the FA and they were all disgusted. The tour director said that their endowment wasn't as big as the eastern schools and that the Pres was starting a fund drive to get it higher, because they had lost a lot of good applicants due to the FA situation. It was going to take 5 years for this to change.</p>
<p>Thanks ejr1. We also went to the accepted students weekend this year. There were many disappointed parents there because of the financial aid situation. I did appeal their aid decision and they gave use 5K more in a grant but I believe that if my s is admitted to AC, we will do much better as was your experience. I am also concerned that after freshman year the aid will change negatively, I have heard that this also happens at Cornell. I love their "life of the mind" thing but it is not worth 10K k more a year X 4 years! I had my own "life of the mind" by being a philosophy major (small department) at a large state university and that trained my mind for a lifetime. I pray for that Amherst call.</p>
<p>yes. that's my calculation. Amherst would be about 10K less per year and no loans! Seems like the waitlist at Amherst won't be finally decided until late June or even July so I keep on hoping.</p>