<p>Hello! I am an international student from Romania and I have to make this decision between Amherst and Wellesley without ever setting foot in America… So can you please help me out with anything you know? What significant differences are there?
I’m also not decided on my future major- either Neuroscience/Cognitive Science or Political Science/International Relations! What are the career options in those majors? Thank you for making my life a little easier!</p>
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<p>Both are top schools. The major factor is attending a women’s college vs. a co-ed college: at any top LAC you will have adequate preparation for future graduate education or entering the work force (unless one wants a technical degree, e.g. engineering).</p>
<p>Thank you, Dad2!</p>
<p>Advise you try to get in touch with current students or alumni of both schools who are from Romania. They may be able to provide insight into college life there compared to high school in your country. Both admissions offices should be able to provide that information for you. </p>
<p>In response to the previous poster, Amherst started one of the first LAC neuroscience programs in the country and it continues to be strong. Students in the program are admitted to top medical schools and graduate programs, and have had distinguished careers in the field. List of graduates in academia: <a href=“https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments/neuroscience/alumni_in_neuroscience[/url]”>Graduates in Neuroscience | Neuroscience | Amherst College; There is not a major in international relations at Amherst but I believe there is a 5 college program. The political science department does have a reasonable range of courses in international diplomacy, foreign policy, politics. <a href=“https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments/political_science/courses[/url]”>Courses | Political Science | Amherst College;
<p>Attending a women’s college is very different than a co-educational college. Wellesley and Amherst both are outstanding LACs so you can’t go wrong with either academically. Women’s colleges (especially the Seven Sisters’ Colleges that still remain women’s colleges) tend to focus on gender issues as well as provide excellent support and advising. Alumnae go way out of their way to help students and recent graduates. Socially one tends to meet men at social events rather than casually in class or at lunch. On the other hand, students often form close friendships and networking with other female schoolmates. I also believe that there is something very special about some of the traditions and friendships that occur in women’s colleges. My daughter attended Smith, a sister school of Wellesley, and had a wonderful experience. She has stayed with schoolmates around the world, received advice from alumnae regarding job and graduate school, and maintained close relationships with a number of her professors. Certainly this can happen at Amherst or any co-ed LAC; however, I must say that I have been impressed by the “sisterhood” among students and alumnae at schools like Wellesley, Smith, and Mount Holyoke. I was surprised that she wanted to attend a women’s college, but then again, she has three brothers :).</p>
<p>pmyen is correct about the political science department at Amherst. The course offerings are very strong and through the Five College Consortium, it is rather easy to earn a certificate in international relations. Furthermore, political science majors designate their own concentration. International Relations is a highly popular concentration.</p>
<p>A current Amherst student, I chose between Wellesley and Amherst. I very much enjoy attending a co-ed school, and the Five College consortium provides instant access to tens of thousands of other college students within the Pioneer Valley. I’m taking a course at Smith this semester (and actually studied abroad through a women’s college), so I’ve been able to get the single-sex experience as well.</p>
<p>pmyen: Thank you for providing the link:
<a href=“https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife...n_neuroscience[/url]”>https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife...n_neuroscience</a>. Do you have similar link for Wellesley? We will be at Amherst this weekend. Most likely my daughter will attend Amherst since we don’t have boys at home.</p>
<p>Visiting both schools will be helpful in your decision. Great choices. For full disclosure, I am an Amherst grad :).</p>
<p>^
You might want to read this thread.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1102153-current-harvard-students-what-do-you-guys-think-about-wellesley-girls.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1102153-current-harvard-students-what-do-you-guys-think-about-wellesley-girls.html</a></p>
<p>In all fairness, there are the same issues at Amherst as described in the above thread. You can’t go wrong at either college, but of course Amherst is the obvious choice! :)</p>
<p>Oh my goodness! One does not go to college to snag a Harvard or MIT grad! The guys at my co-ed Ivy rarely dated the females coming over from the all girls schools. They “spent time” with them, but it was very rarely more than a passing physical thing. A Wellesley admit must be a capable and intelligent young woman. Please don’t diminish her abilities by suggesting Wellesley is the route to marrying “well.”</p>
<p>^ So, you’re suggesting that the women of Wellesley serve mainly as “slampieces” for Harvard and MIT boys, and that they shouldn’t get their hopes up? A fair and realistic assessment, I suppose.</p>
<p>Wellesley benefits from significant international prestige, and, as a Wellesley undergraduate, you would be able to cross-register at Harvard and MIT, become a real part of the academic and social lives at those institutions. Single-sex education offers a superior learning and social experience, overall, and the proximity of a substantial number of males at highly respectable institutions should eliminate whatever reservations you may have about the absence of the male sex on campus. At Wellesley, you would feel comfortable as a woman, and you would be respected as a woman.</p>
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<p>The way the economy’s been going and considering recent trends, I would not be surprised to see more and more male students going to college simply to find that right companion to help them pay off their student loans. ;)</p>