<p>I am a junior in the midst of my college search. I'm hoping to study chemistry or neuroscience (could this be a double major?) in college, and Smith and Wellesley are my current top choices. I've been leaning towards Smith because of the location and the fact that it's a bit easier to get into than Wellesley, and I have a good friend who is an alumn, but I'm curious about the science departments. I know that Smith has a phenomenal engineering program, but I've also heard great things about Wellesley's science programs. Can anyone give me some more information- especially about the chemistry departments? Also, is there a college with a comparable science department that I may be overlooking (perhaps Mount Holyoke)?
Thanks so much! I plan to visit these schools soon.</p>
<p>I’ve also heard that Wellesley has a much more “competitive” atmosphere. Is this correct?</p>
<p>Take a look at Bryn Mawr College (another of the Seven Sisters). Sciences are particularly strong at BMC. Here’s a FAQ about majoring in chemistry. If you’re interested in Chemical Engineering–there’s a 3/2 program in conjunction with Cal Tech. A student takes 3 years at BMC and finishes 2 years at Cal Tech.
[Bryn</a> Mawr College: chemistry](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/chemistry/undergraduate/FAQ.html]Bryn”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/chemistry/undergraduate/FAQ.html)</p>
<p>Here’s some info about chemistry and science at Smith. The environment is collaborative and friendly; students study together in small groups during the term and for finals. In addition to chemistry there is a strong biochemistry program. My daughter is a biochemistry major but has taken many chemistry classes and labs, all of which she has enjoyed a lot, including organic chemistry. The labs have been great and are taught and supervised by professors rather than TAs. </p>
<p>Research is highly encouraged; if you get into the STRIDE program you get paid for research as a first-year and sophomore. If you aren’t in that program you can still start research as a first-year. If you choose to do an honors thesis, you typically do the research for it during your junior year, summer before senior year, and senior year. If you go abroad your junior year, they may ask you to start the research the summer before junior year. </p>
<p>Since it can more difficult for science students to study abroad, Smith is starting to set up programs for science students. The first starts next year and is a science in Paris program. </p>
<p>Smith has a lot of science resources and activities: largest science library at an undergraduate college, a student-run science journal, opportunities to teach science to high school students in January and summer, a year-end research conference, among others. There’s an active science fiction club (and also the many non-science activities you’d expect at a liberal arts college). You can also take courses at the other of the Five Colleges, but that’s less common for science students because the programs are so strong.</p>