Based on Pitzer’s inclination toward xeriscaping, and the philosophy inherent to this, I agree.
@diaz42. I would not have offered up Haverford as "like Middlebury " but reading some of your other posts, I think you should at least take a look. It seems like it checks many social and academic boxes.
I actually participated in RSI last summer. Thanks for the support!
I really like the remoteness of Middlebury as it is similar to my rural hometown of PA.
Pitzer is a school I may add to my list, but I prefer Pomona.
Hi everyone, I have really thought about what I want in a college experience and have ranked my top 5.
Here they are:
- Caltech
- MIT
- Rice
- Pomona
- Williams
After that is Middlebury, Carleton, Duke, Stanford and some other schools.
I was wondering if anyone could help me decide where I should apply early. Here is my pros and cons list.
Caltech Pros:
-Very rigorous academics (I want the most challenging academics I can get)
-It is a small university (I like the size of it)
-The honor code
-Offers geophysics (yay!), and minor in environmental engineering
Cons:
-Doesn’t have all of my academic interests (for example no linguistics, and only a minor in history), may not give as much room to explore my interests
MIT Pros:
-Engineering powerhouse
-A collaborative environment opposed to competitive
-Location in Cambridge (offers more opportunities)
-I visited it in RSI and liked it
-More overall well rounded and offers more options (toxicology, spanish etc)
Cons:
-Doesn’t offer geophysics
-I heard it has terrible food (lol)
Rice Pros:
-Collaborative atmosphere
-I love the location of Rice (my grandparents live there so I can stay at their house need be)
-Close knit residential college
-STEM focused but overall strong
Cons:
-I couldn’t really think of anything besides a lack of geophysics
Pomona Pros:
-I think overall may be the best fit for me
-The consortium is awesome (small community with large resources)
-The ability to double major at two colleges
-May be easier to get in contact with teachers
-Very diverse
Cons:
-Doesn’t offer direct engineering
-Research may not be as strong comparing it to CIT and MIT
-Small alumni network
Williams:
-Awesome location (I’m an outdoorsy person)
-Strong in areas of interest (history, physics and geoscience)
-Tutorials (amazing)
-Jan term
Cons:
-No engineering path except for with other colleges
-Not as diverse
-Doesn’t offer geophysics or environmental engineering
So here are the few proposals:
- Early action to both Caltech and MIT. Since they are my top two on the list, it may be better to apply early to these two, and if I get accepted then I don't have to worry. If not, then I may apply ED 2 somewhere else. I prefer this option but it may not give me the boost I may need in admissions.
- ED1 to Williams or Rice and if rejected/deferred apply ED2 to Pomona. This may be more advantageous for admissions because colleges know I am going to go here based on ED contract, but I feel bad not applying to MIT and Caltech just because of admissions.
any suggestions?
Just wondering, how did you do RSI after your sophomore year?
A majority of RSI kids get into multiple HYPSMs. You should take your shot with CalTech and MIT if that is your top choice. Anecdotally, CalTech seems to care about demonstrated interest, even though they claim not to, but it’s a small sample size.
But definitely have matches and safeties in case those two don’t work out.
Since you like Caltech, MIT and Rice, also consider RPI.
"but I feel bad not applying to MIT and Caltech just because of admissions. "
If something makes you feel bad, definitely don’t do it. So I wouldn’t ED anywhere, EA to Cal Tech and MIT and then RD to the rest, including your public flagship for a safety.
Looking at your list of “top colleges”, I would remove Caltech, since you seem to have strong interest in humanities. Caltech is really tech and engineering oriented, and you seem to prefer having a wider range of courses. Stanford or Duke would be better choices as reaches, IMO. I also actually think that Northwestern is a better choice for you than Rice among the reaches.
@Diaz42, In the 5-6 months before you need to finalize your early decision/action choice, I think you need to research and evaluate the type of undergraduate education you want to pursue. Right now you have 2 tech schools, 1 midsize research university and 2 liberal arts colleges on your list. You would get an excellent education at any of your Top 5, but the experiences would be quite different; not better, just different, and it’s hard to choose matches and safeties until you have a clearer focus.
Engineering is in a decision class by itself. Either you go for an undergraduate engineering degree or your don’t. That decision will either open up a wide range of options, or narrow it entirely.
Deciding between “full service” universities and colleges versus tech schools is another way to narrow the scope. Schools like MIT and Caltech and some of the other elites with technology in their names, do offer courses (and some majors) in humanities and social sciences. The difference isn’t so much the availability of classes in non-STEM disciplines, but the overall culture of the institutions. Do you want most of your classmates to be STEM intensive majors like you or do you want classmates who are studying a wide range of disciplines? The breadth of academic areas doesn’t necessarily impact the quality of your formal education, but it does influence the informal, learning from each other, late night discussion aspect of the college experience. Again, neither is better, just different.
Aside from the engineering option, to me, the differences between mid-size universities and small LACs is less apparent and more nuanced. Your #3 group seems coherent, even though the size and culture of the schools varies.
Specifically, on the choice between Williams and Pomona: As I’ve written, my son had a wonderful 4 years at Williams. The access to nature and outdoorsy activities was a huge plus for him which he took full advantage of. Several close friends attended Pomona., and they also had wonderful experiences. Though Williams and Pomona students share a high degree of personality overlap, how they spend their time outside of class reflects the markedly different physical environments.
Although the program is targeted for rising seniors, strong applicants can apply and may be accepted before their junior year.
@Diaz42 You should only apply ED if you are sure you want to go to that school. Even though ED does give a boost, only apply early to where you truly want to go. The way to narrow down your list is figure out what your goals are: do you want to become an engineer or no? If yes, I don’t encourage going down the LAC route because they won’t give you the robust engineering you will need. If no, what do you want to become? You mentioned you are interested in geophysics … then you should pursue a bachelors in geology/geophysics. After that, go for a masters in geophysics. Also, figure out if you want to fully dedicate yourself to STEM or pursue interests that are non stem related.
Thanks everyone for all your help! I have really thought about what I want to become and a major in geoscience/earth science/geology seems to check off the boxes.
@merc81 Yeah I will do so.
@theloniusmonk Okay, I then will keep those at the top of my list.
@MWolf What I really want is to have the option to take a few humanities classes here and there. I have looked at the CIT curriculum and it has enough of what I want. Also, Northwestern seems cool.
@momrath I have thought about my decision and have realized that although I enjoy engineering, it is not my favorite path. Although I would like to be surrounded by STEM interested peers, I understand that having humanities bring more diversity to the table. Is Williams more outdoorsy in comparison to Pomona?
@baeria I like geophysics and really like the field but have heard the job prospects for geophysicists are low. Is this true?
“Do you want most of your classmates to be STEM intensive majors like you or do you want classmates who are studying a wide range of disciplines?”
Pomona and Williams don’t really study a wide range of disciplines, the top major in both is Economics, 20% at Williams, 13% for Pomona and STEM majors are 50% at Williams and around 70% at Pomona. There are more humanities and social science majors at Williams, if that’s important. MIT has a undergrad b-school so it’s econ majors are less, the total of econ and bus is 10%. A lot will depend on how you view Econ and business.
Beyond their essential inquires into natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, geophysicists understand induced seismic activity (as in commercial geophysical exploration), and therefore those with knowledge of this field may choose to work in oil and gas exploration, should this align with individual interest. In any case, you need not make a decision on your direction any time soon. A geosciences major with significant coursework in physics would be prepared to become a geologist or a geophysicist.
Though it might represent an uncommon approach, consider that you could receive a dream education in geosciences by choosing either Colgate or Hamilton, and then pursuing up to three electives at the other school: https://www.colgate.edu/about/campus-services-and-resources/new-york-six-cross-registration. Amherst in combination with MHC and Smith would offer similar opportunities.
What’s most interesting to me is that you seem to have found a college that you loved (per your first post), and asked for similar colleges. Now the college that you originally loved isn’t really on your top 5 list now. What changed your mind? Research into other schools?
The more I read about it, the clearer it becomes that "geophysics " covers a broad range of earth science directed studies. Availability of related courses and access to knowledgeable advisors are the key here. For MIT see https://eapsweb.mit.edu/prospective-students/choosing-eaps-your-major Also see their history at https://eapsweb.mit.edu/about/history