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<p>I think you are taking a short view of this. You will get research experience at the LACs you listed. And a known route to PhD programs. You have your whole career to research in a university setting… don’t be in such a rush to do it all right now. You could lose more by going the UK route and having trouble getting your work recognized for PhD program acceptance. Plus, the large class sizes of the UK university are a really disadvantage, IMHO. If you are struggling, it is a lot harder to right yourself and get the help you need in that environment (which I know from having attended a large US research university for undergrad).</p>
<p>Also, you mentioned the mandatory dissertation for the UK college. Reed has the same, and I think most of the other colleges on your list offer the opportunity for an honors thesis that can be research based. Almost all LACs do these days. So if you plan to do it anyway, the ‘mandatory’ component doesn’t matter, it is available at the LACs as well. And likely with more faculty time and support given the smaller class sizes.</p>