Hey guys,
First, I know the title will seem a bit redundant because there is a bit of a difference in prestige between the NESCAC schools; Amherst/Williams/Bowdoin are top tier, for sure. I guess the main question I’m asking is between all of the schools in the conference besides Conn and Trinity because they are bottom tier on most lists (no offense meant here) if I’m looking to major in ,say, Political Science with a concentration to East Asia, is there really a big difference between these schools? I’m just looking for more opinions on this topic because most of the articles I’ve read have leaned more toward matching these schools, and ranking them to a lucrative career in Econ or something rather than a career in Japanese, Chinese, or other social sciences.
I’ve applied to Midd., Bates, Hamilton, Bowdoin and Williams(as a reach).
Cost has no impact on my decision and it’s purely contingent on my gut feeling (and wherever I get in, haha) which, right now, is leaning toward Bates. I really loved the campus and the people and I know it’s still a great school. Are Bowdoin/Williams THAT much better?
Thanks in advance
THE NESCAC is an athletic conference. All the schools are excellent academic institutions but they are different schools with different vibes and different focuses and strengths. All have strong alumni networks.
Tufts is notable in the conference because of its engineering program. Williams has its tutorials. Wesleyan is known for its strong theater. Colby has an incredible environmental studies. Bates has had a long tradition of being a very intentional community. Hamilton has its emphasis on study what you like. Etc. Etc.
If Bates is the one calling your name, go! It’s a wonderful school with excellent academics. There is no need to create a hierarchy. Just find the one that offers what YOU want and has a community you’d like to be a part of.
As said above, the schools differ in various things. You, yourself, have noted a preference for the environment of one of those schools over others. There also are rankings in various publications and selectivity which vary among schools.
Your grades and courses taken, skills learned will be far more valuable than which school you attended. A “B” at the most selective schoolS does not equate to an “A” elsewhere.
Many times it’s advantageous to go to a school that is less selective as the competition from your classmates can be less fierce. My son’s close friend found himself on the bottom ring of the ladder in getting prime opportunities as a Harvard student because of so many other highly qualified kids from his school, many with very top academic and skill credentials that were just out of this world. Not to mention the connections a lot of his classmates had.
Certainly those schools are “ranked” differently but some of the rankings just make me laugh. In the end you need to choose the school that you will be happy at and the school where the vibe fits you. I seriously doubt going to Bowdoin over Bates will matter very much once you’re out of school.
Conn Coll has a real theatre, arts and dance culture.
Trinity has always been a highly regarded school with a strong alumni network. Some of the issues of being super high ses, a bit too much partying and not as ethnically diverse are being addressed in real time. The school is on a mission in these areas.
So I think they have their own meaningless internal rankings but compared to the broader universe of schools across the country they are all spectacular. In fact, they are are all such a privilege to attend, it’s really hard to answer your question when viewed in a national and global lens of what most young people in the world would consider options in their lives.
Short answer: nope
Longer answer: see all the above comments- and note the unanimity of the responses. HS applicants (& their parents) parse college rankings differently than anybody else- including grad schools and employers. These are effectively peer schools. What matters is that you are in a place where you thrive- and what you do while you are there.
For an opinion on some of these schools, see reply #12:
I appreciate the way all of you have worded your replies! The commonality I’m finding is whatever school is calling my name will be my best chance to thrive and that throughout all of the schools I applied to, stellar academics are present! As long as I can have an equal chance at a job that I am looking for coming out of Bates as opposed to Williams, I’m happy. While that might not be entirely true in every case, I really think Bates will be the best choice for me!
Thank you all!
You might look at Tufts (a NESCAC school too)–it has a well-respected international relations major. Tufts is probably a little larger and more urban than the other NESCAC schools.
Passing Trinity over as bottom tier is just short sighted and relying on lack of information. Trinity is highly regarded for its political science department and major. Trinity is the only NESCAC school in a state capital which positions it exactly correctly for expanded internships and a well regarded Public Policy and Political Science major. Moreover it is one of the few NESCAC Schools offering a Graduate degree in Public Policy. Since Trinity College is the only NESCAC school where the president of the college is an african american female neuroscientist it is really on the forefront of increased diversity. They are all fantastic schools and you should be congratulated for being accepted into any one of them. Please update and let us know how your decision goes.