<p>I was thinking about going into the sciences more specifically neuroscience.
I've heard that Grinnell has an overall better Biology department but it doesn't have a neuroscience major.</p>
<p>Also, I was wondering just general and subtle differences between the two colleges in terms of overall experience, social atmosphere, general academics, and activities.</p>
<p>Macalester is in a big city, which is a great environment I’ve heard. Schools are equal in academics, prestige, etc. It is personal preference. Grinnell leans more toward the nerdy side, while mac tends to lean towards the activist side. Though that is a very small leaning, as they both pretty much attract the same students.</p>
<p>From Grinnell’s website:</p>
<p>"The Neuroscience Concentration was introduced in spring 2006. The new concentration will expose students to the major problems in the field of neuroscience and give them some experience in the various modes of inquiry that are used to solve these problems. The concentration provides students a unique opportunity to integrate diverse approaches and principles from across the natural sciences and beyond the natural sciences to address complex questions about the function of the nervous system. </p>
<p>The core course NRS 250 – Neuroscience: Foundations, Future, and Fallacies – will be offered for the first time in the spring of 2007; however, if you think the Neuroscience Concentration is of interest, you should begin thinking about the various requirements, which include two laboratory-based 100-level science courses (pre-requisites for NRS 250) and any introductory-level prequisites for the cross-divisional elective course."</p>
<p>The biggest difference is that Grinnell is out in the sticks (typical for a small LAC), but Mac is in a big city. Grinnell is known for its huge endowment, which tends to make more money available for new facilities and financial aid. Mac is known for admitting a relatively large percentage of international students.</p>
<p>As for the Neuroscience major, many schools have been adding it. It is a new, interdisciplinary field that draws on several traditional majors for its foundation (biology, psychology, philosophy). Unless you are really committed to it, I would not let the lack of a formal program be a show-stopper.</p>