<p>I want to do a Physics major ( I am persistent on my decision), and I am confused about whether to choose between a liberal arts college or a research university. I do know that both of the curricula have their own sets of merits and demerits, but what I think is that by choosing a liberal arts college over a research university, I might miss the golden opportunity to get involved in extensive research and project activities in stead of diverting my minds on several things at once( which is the essence of a liberal arts curriculum). Your invaluable opinions based on your experiences are welcomed with sincerity. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>Liberal Arts Colleges have amazing research opportunities. Because there are usually no graduate students, 100% of resources are donate to undergraduate students. At research universities, you may at time find yourself struggling to compete with the graduate students who absorb a lot of funding. Though you are in a liberal arts college, you don’t have to be a liberal arts major. First, there are STEM based liberal arts colleges (i.e Harvey Mudd College) and, you can also choose your major and focus on that while still being able to take a class in a completely different subject if you choose to do so.</p>
<p>@gonzo1 We have the same dilemma - thank you for putting the question out there.
@AnnieBeats Do you have any other examples of STEM based liberal arts colleges? Thanks.</p>
<p>There are lots of strong STEM programs at LACs, from the top of the alphabet: Amherst, Bowdoin, Bucknell, Colgate, to the bottom: Pomona, Richmond, Swarthmore, Wesleyan. You have to find the schools with the reputations for STEM, see how they fit, and then ask the admissions officers and directors of undergraduate studies or the chairs of your department of interest about research opps on- and off-campus. </p>
<p><a href=“Best Physics Department in the Country? - Wesleyan University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/wesleyan-university/1616786-best-physics-department-in-the-country.html</a></p>
<p>At LACs undergrads don’t have to compete with grad students to get research opportunities with professors. Some other LACs with strong STEM programs are Lafayette, Bucknell, Union, Trinity which all engineering schools and strong science programs at the schools. </p>
<p>I’d go to the type of school that has the overall experience you are looking for and seek out research opportunities there.</p>
<p>Be aware that physics is not that popular a major, so if you are looking at LACs, other small schools, or less selective larger schools (including research universities), check the departmental course offerings and the schedules to make sure that the usually expected junior/senior level physics courses are offered at reasonable frequency (preferably at least once per year – some physics departments offer courses only once every two years or even less frequently).</p>
<p>In addition to Harvey Mudd, Oberlin and Reed appear to have better physics offerings than most LACs.</p>
<p>Do not rely on “STEM” reputations, since “STEM” is a hodgepodge of majors that may vary significantly in a college’s departmental strength (note that the most popular “STEM” major by far is biology).</p>
<p><a href=“The Colleges Where PhD's Get Their Start”>http://www.thecollegesolution.com/the-colleges-where-phds-get-their-start/</a></p>
<p>For physics you have to take special care in selecting liberal arts colleges. Many LACs have middling to subpar physics programs.</p>
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Why are you under the misapprehension you have to decide now?</p>
<p>Think about what you’d like in a college – Caltech, Reed, Cornell, and UT Austin may all have great physics programs, but they are tremendously different in other ways. Apply to a mix of LACs and universities. Compare financial and merit aid packages in the spring and decide then. </p>
<p>Focus especially on finding an affordable safety. </p>
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That has nothing whatsoever to do with the type of college one chooses. There are LACs and universities with core curricula (e.g. Columbia), distribution requirements (e.g. Swarthmore and Johns Hopkins), and no requirements whatsoever (e.g. Amherst and Brown). </p>
<p>Size differs, yes. Undergraduate focus differs, yes. Curriculum, not so much. I have no idea where students get the impression that LAC students study all sorts of things while university students are super specialized. </p>
<p>Physics at Williams is superb. William Wootters, ftw: <a href=“ScienceWatch.com - Clarivate”>ScienceWatch.com - Clarivate; .</p>