<p>I've been accepted to both Clark in Worcester and the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. I like in MA myself. However I cannot decide which college to choose. Both gave me similar merit scholarships, and each of parents prefers one. I have visited both. I'm concerned that Clark is in a dangerous area and that the students aren't really my type. When I visited everyone seemed really nerdy for lack of a better word. I am also concerned about the socially progressive aspect of the school. I don't really have any aspirations towards that sort of thing and don't want to be forced into it in my classes. We saw one dorm which appeared very run down and had ashtrays on the steps. On the other hand it is a good school close to home and has a strong biology program, which I am interested in.</p>
<p>Puget Sound was beautiful and definitely was in a much safer area. I saw lots of families with small children playing on the campus. Students were very friendly and appeared "normal," I've also heard that professors will go out of their way to help you and administration will help you get into your classes. Overall it seems much friendlier than Clark. However it is very far away and I am concerned the Biology program may be weaker since it shares a building with so many other sciences as compared to Clark which has its own building. </p>
<p>Can anyone weigh in about safety and the strength of the Biology departments?</p>
<p>I personally think that Worcester is no more dangerous than any city; most people are only worried because they hear about it’s “reputation” although they never actually take the time to go out and experience it themselves. As with any city, as long as you are smart about walking at night, not by yourself, you should be fine. Worcester also has a lot to offer, as long as you are willing to go out and find it.</p>
<p>As for the student body, I agree that Clark is extremely accepting of all kinds of people, including “nerds,” but by no means does this mean that everyone at Clark fits that description. We have so many different kinds of students here that it would be truly difficult to put them into a few categories, and I’ve found that every student eventually finds somewhere they fit in.</p>
<p>For your last concern, about biology and professors, I would like to stress very much that I couldn’t imagine a school with more helpful professors, specifically in the sciences. Being a Biochemistry major, I deal with every area of science, and all of my professors have been extremely helpful, both in and outside of class. As a first year student, I am already working in one of my professor’s labs doing a research project, which almost no other school can say is possible, even as an undergraduate of any year.</p>
<p>There are so many aspects of Clark, that it is impossible to take it all in with one or even several visits, and so it is hard to put a perspective on it all. Everything I’ve said is 100% honest, but the decision is up to you, and I hope you are happy wherever you go.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know.</p>
<p>Hi ClarkU,</p>
<p>I have a question, how long did Clark take until they gave you an admission decision? I applied as a transfer for Fall 2013 (Im a rising sophomore) and about a week and a half ago the website said my app was under review. Clark is my top choice and I really hope I get in. Thanks!</p>
<p>Worcester isn’t a legendary ‘crime-town’ like Gary, Indiana or Camden, NJ. But, like those burn-over post industrial decaying third tier northern cities, it has little to offer in the way of positive Urban amenities. And that’s its real problem, all gloom and no zoom. Which is somewhat shocking because it isn’t a very large city and it is chock full of colleges: Holy Cross, Assumption, Clark, WPI, etc–but none of those make a dent in the cosmopolitan culture of this town. </p>
<p>That being said, Clark is hardly the only school with that problem (Worcester is on par with New Haven after all).</p>