How do these schools compare in terms of:
-campus life
-what student body is like
-psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, or anthropology programs
-chamber/orchestral opportunities
-how much success undergrads find in gaining admission to top grad programs
-i guess how “transformative” the schools are, in terms of critical thinking abilities and character building
Thanks!
Congratulations on having been admitted to such great schools! All will give you a wonderful education.
If there is a big financial difference, that might settle it. There are no ‘bad’ schools on this list. All four are well regarded.
I cannot comment on the subjects-- check out their online catalogs.
I will comment on the other items.
Boston University is huge, urban, and does not have much of a campus distinct from the city. It would be a very, very different experience from the other three. At the other three, you will have a real sense of “community,” as well as small classes right from the first year, where you will get to know your professors and classmates. You can toss a frisbee on a lawn, so to speak, on their grassy lawns. But they are not in a city (although Brandeis and Wellesley are still close to Boston). At BU, you can get to an internship quickly and all the resources of Boston are steps away. Which of these environments do you prefer?
The little three also have a great track record on grad school admissions. Check out their websites for specifics.
I personally think small liberal arts colleges are more “transformative” because they are more personal. But that is my bias. I also think your interests are more intellectual than preprofessional, and the three small colleges are filled with people who love learning and the world of ideas, just like you do.
Wellesley: very empowering environment for women on this beautiful campus, with the most magnificent old buildings of all your choices. But do you want only women at your school? I loved Wellesley, but decided against it because, as a heterosexual woman, I did not want to meet guys only at frat parties at MIT, which is where students were telling me they go to meet guys. I wanted to meet guys under more casual, natural circumstances. Granted, that was many years ago, so ask students now, if that matters to you. If it does not, Wellesley is a wonderful choice.
Brandeis: great environment with bright and some delightfully nerdy/quirky students (although all types attend). A good balance of a Tier 1 research institution and a small liberal arts college; as the admissions materials say, “At Brandeis, you don’t have to choose.” The only fully secular prestigious undergraduate college in the United States not to have a large Christian majority (48% Jewish with the other 52% having a variety of religions), which contributes to a very tolerant and multicultural environment. Buildings are modern and grassy areas are smaller than at W and A.
Amherst: seemingly unlimited resources are available to students at this highly endowed school, with beautiful mountain views and classic red brick college buildings. The open curriculum means you can take courses that interest you, without worrying about core or distribution requirements. Add to that the ability to take classes and participate in extracurricular activities at Mount Holyoke, Smith, Hampshire and U Mass at Amherst, and your choices are almost limitless. This is not an urban environment, but the area buzzes with cultural events and speakers and performers brought in by each of the colleges. The most classic of your choices. The small liberal arts college exemplar.
I did not know BU as well, as I prefer smaller schools with campuses, but all four are nice choices.
Good luck!
Full disclosure, related to my last post: I was accepted at both Amherst and Wellesley back in the day. They were in my final four, with Swarthmore and Williams, so I had three visits on each campus. Son is high school junior and we recently visited Amherst and Brandeis and he liked both. Never spent much time at Boston U. Have known recent graduates of all four.
@TheGreyKing thank you for your input! I appreciate it