While I know all four of the schools listed above are quite diverse, I was wondering which of the schools would be the best fit. I am seeking a Biochemistry or just Chemistry major as a possible pre-med and would love a school with both opportunities for research and with resources to proceed into a great medical school. I also am coming from a small, fairly right-leaning (even though I am far from it) community. I really would like a school that is a cultural shock, but is more granola than pretentious. Finally, the school having music opportunities for non-music majors is key for me. Does anyone have any insights?
I guess I’d say Bowdoin is the most “granola” of the four (but I wouldn’t realiy put any of them on a granola list if I were making it from scratch). Grade deflation is an issue for med schools admissions — I might be wary of Swat because of that.
Swarthmore & Amherst tend to be more liberal than the other two.
Who are you addressing ? Okay, I see that OP has multiple threads on this issue.
OP: Bates College may be suitable for you.
You literally just listed off some of the best parts about Amherst! We have a very strong BCBP (biochem and biophysics) major, and research is highly accessible. We send many students onto really good med schools, one of the best rates in the US. We also have plenty of music offerings here, from a capella to music lessons to orchestra to a jazz club.
Bowdoin is liberal, but not to the point where you might feel alienated if you are right-leaning. About 25% of our students are involved with music on campus and of that 25%, 95% are not music majors/minors. We have various ensembles you could join or you could even form a student band. Coming to Bowdoin definitely broadened my perspective of the world and so in a way it was “shocking.” But, the shock I felt was definitely a positive one!
@Publisher
Is Bates at the same academic caliber and prestige of the other schools?
It’s in the same league but a half step down in terms of admissions difficulty. These are all tough to get into schools so it’s a little like asking if Dartmouth is of the same academic caliber and prestige as Yale.
Thank you Sue22. That makes sense.
Have you been accepted to all 4 or are you trying to decide where to ED in the fall?
Trying to decide which to ED in the fall.
Music for a non-musical student with a strong BioChem and/or Chem major? Oberlin.