<p>We need help! Without posting all my D's stats, just please assume that they are very good. What do you think of the question? Amherst vs. Williams and Smith vs. Wellesley for someone who wants to major in biology/biochemistry or neuroscience (still unsure) and wants to also take ballet classes or possibly minor in dance as well. Your opinions mean alot to us, and we look forward to hearing from many of you. Thanks.</p>
<p>There isn't a best - they are just different. We kicked the tires on all of them, and you'll have to visit to really see the differences. You won't go wrong with any of them. (The dance departments probably differ more than anything else, subjectwise, but the feel on each of the campuses, the quality of advising, and the research opportunities, especially in the first two years, differ radically.)</p>
<p>What is the difference in the research opportunities? We did visit all of them, and we seem to be giving an edge to Amherst and Smith so far. What do you think?</p>
<p>Personally speaking, that's what I would do as well. Smith's STRIDE program provides paid research assistantships in the first two years, many of them in their Center for Molecular Biosciences. It is a national center for genomics research -</p>
<p>and has a substantial neuroscience program as well, with research opportunities also through STRIDE. It is also the center for the five-college dance scene (I think, but am not sure, that Amherst ballet students take their courses there.) </p>
<p>The new Williams center for theatre and dance looks wonderful (you probably saw it), and I imagine they will be beefing up programs to go with. Does Williams have a neuroscience major? </p>
<p>You won't go wrong with any of them. What did your d. feel about the campuses, student bodies, etc.? Compatibility might be as important as department specifics for some students.</p>
<p>Amherst was her favorite, by far. Smith is second right now. We love the area, and the five college consortium. We figure Amherst for the sciences, and Smith for the ballet. (Best of both worlds, we think). For some reason, Williams didn't strike us positively, which is why the visits are critical. There is a just a gut feeling about Amherst that we can't explain, but it just feels right!</p>
<p>Williams has a concentration in neuroscience.</p>