I want some opinions about these two colleges and which might be better for me. Here are my stats.
Class Rank: 1/14
GPA: 4.05
AP classes: APUSH - 4, APCSA- currently taking, CALCAB- not taking class, will probably take exam.
Schools: Private international school (Japan) for freshman year. Private Christian school (KY) for 10th and up.
I have been interested in chemistry ever since I took it freshman year, and I think I want to do something with pharmaceutical research or just working in a lab. I have been all over the place trying to decide where I want to go to college. This includes seriously considering community college for a while. Right now, my decision seems to be between these two schools. I am also applying to Campbellsville University and Eastern Kentucky University (this is more of a safety school).
If anyone has any experience with Centre or Samford, I would love to hear about it. Even if you don’t know much about either school, I’d love to hear what you have to say.
So if anyone one has any advice or input, it would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Do you prefer urban (Samford) vs. small town (Centre)? Also, as I recall, Samford is about 2/3 female; if you are female, that might be a consideration – I know a young woman who is a junior at Samford now, and she thinks that after two or three years the male/female disparity is a little depressing.
Academically, both are good schools. If money is going to be an object, run the net price calculators for each school.
@gandalf78 Thanks for replying. I’m from Danville but I’ve also lived in a city before. I prefer small town to bigger cities but I’m open to both. I am a girl and I can see how the ratio at Samford could get depressing, but I don’t think it would bother me all that much.
As for money, I have my KEES money (it’s a program run by the Kentucky lottery that gives money to high schools students for college) and I already have a scholarship for Centre. I’m applying for Samford’s presidential scholarships as well. I’ll be sure to run the price calculators with my parents soon.
Both are good schools. But definitely take those things into consideration.
Centre is part of the Colleges That Change Lives group. See their page. They have a very interesting promise, the Centre Committment: all students who meet the College’s academic and social expectations are guaranteed an internship or a research experience, study abroad, and graduation in four years. If a student is unable to secure the components of the Centre Commitment within four consecutive years of enrollment, the College will provide up to an additional year of additional study tuition-free.
http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/centre
I am not familiar with Samford, but if it is the one in Birmingham, latest data reported shows 0 students awarded a degree in Chemistry, I know it may not be a popular degree but??
@newjerseygirl98 thanks for replying!
@BrownParent Thanks for replying. I know a few people who have traveled with Centre to France for a semester and they liked it, and the Centre Commitment is one of the reasons I’m considering Centre.
And yes, it’s the Samford in Birmingham. I was originally looking at Samford for pre-pharmacy and Pharmacy, but I realized that I don’t want to go into pharmacy. Anyway since they have a pre-pharmacy program I feel like the chem and biocem classes would be good. Also, where did you get the information for the degrees awarded? I did a quick google search but I didn’t find anything.
Samford is a decent school with a lovely campus and a good regional reputation. Its conservative leaning turns a lot of posters here off, and it’s definitely more popular for pre-professional majors, but its chemistry program looks adequately strong from what I can tell.
Centre is certainly a good college, and its chemistry program looks adequate as well. You may prefer to experience a different environment if you’re from the area.
Honestly, one could do better than either for chemistry in the South. Look into Furman and Rhodes. The former is test-optional.
@warblersrule Thanks for replying! I know that there are better options for chemistry and biochemistry, but I’ve wanted to stay in state (KY) ever since I started the whole college search. Samford is the only out of state school I’ve considered. Also, I’m a senior and I need to have all my application stuff done. If I had more time I might look more into Furman or Rhodes, or elsewhere but I don’t see that happening.
Rhodes wouldn’t require much extra work since they’re on the CommonApp. Hendrix has something akin to the Centre Promise and it’s commonapp too (and free to apply).
Western Kentucky U has a strong Honors College, it may make for a good safety.