<p>I'm a probable biology major (though other majors and minors in chemistry, journalism, English, and such aren't out of the question) and I'm finally done with the task of Getting Accepted. This means it's time for the really arduous part--choosing.</p>
<p>Schools I've seen and liked:
-Lawrence University
-Beloit College
-UW Eau Claire (they're also willing to throw a lot of National Merit money my way, which is rather important)</p>
<p>Schools that sound good, though I haven't seen them:
-Grinnell
-Carleton</p>
<p>So I'm wondering: Which schools, in your collective esperience, are the best fit for my major? If you can tell me a bit about the schools' personalities, 'twould be good.</p>
<p>One other thing--I've been offered some scholarships and aid at the private schools, but it looks like Eau Claire will be roughly $6000 cheaper. Is springing for a private school worth it? </p>
<p>I am looking at several of the schools you mentioned. Beloit I thought was okay--but just okay. There wasn't much that seemed special about it. Grinnell is my number one choice right now. It seems like the students there have a lot of fun, and the academics there are very good. They have a lot of great programs in regard clubs and campus events. Carelton, I think, is a lot like Grinnell, except it's not in the middle of a cornfield (I like that, but you may not). Have you checked out MacAlester? It's in the middle of Minneapolis, and it's got a huge endowment (as does Grinnell) and lots of life/academic rigor. Lawrence is really centered on music, but I hear other parts of it are good, too. People have said that it's right now building itself up to be "the new Grinnell" or something along those lines.</p>
<p>Welcome to CC! We applied to many of the same places. In fact, I applied to all of those schools except UW Eau Claire. Personally, I would pay the extra money for the personalized education you would get at these small liberal arts colleges. I think the most important factor in deciding were to go is the feel of the colleges. Is there any possible way can visit these places in the next month? I think that doing so would give you a much better idea where you want to be in the fall.</p>
<p>There really is no comparison between Grinnell/Carleton and everything else on your list. The others are fine - but academically, reputation for grad school, Grinnell & Carleton are superior. Grinnell has new science facilities - in addition to new student center, new rec sports facility. Grinnell is a little more remote location than Carleton.</p>
<p>Grinnell and Carleton are great schools as well. Similar ethos as most of the colleges on your list.</p>
<p>Not sure by your first post whether thses to are choices or not?! If they are, you should look at those as well. You can't go wrong with any of the colleges.</p>
<p>Even though it is a state school and not talked about on these boards, if money is an issue, you could do a lot worse than UW-Eau Claire. In 2004, they even had a Rhodes Scholar named.</p>
<p>It does not have the prestige of the others, but you can get a fine education there. With 10,000 students, it is obviously significantly bigger than the other schools you are looking at. However, it has a undergrad focus, having less than 500 grad students. They have a strong science focus.</p>
<p>Visit them if you can. Those schools will all give great education but they are so different in student body and general feelings. Also you have to remember that all small LAC are just that they are small so if you do not fit- there will be nowhere to go so you have to choose carefully.</p>
<p>My daughter will be attending Beloit next year, but even I would say that Grinnell or Carleton would be best for the sciences. (Grinnell has INCREDIBLE science facilities and Carleton is just all around top notch academically). After that, I'd give a slight edge to Lawrence for biology. Beloit is a great school, but for science, I'd lean towards the others, all things being equal. I don't know enough about UW Eau Claire to comment. However, I also agree with Linda: try to visit them all if you can, to see where you feel most comfortable. </p>
<p>Since we're on this topic, I will go ahead and say my dilemma: I really want to go to school in the midwest, but I am constricted by the tuition exchange list. It had Beloit, Lawrence, Gustavus Adolphus, and other schools like that, a couple steps under the Grinnell, MacAlester, and Carleton crowd. My top two choices are Grinnell and MacAlester, and I know I could get in. But, the other ones would very likely be free or almost free for me. Do you think it's worth it to go to Beloit or another school like that instead of one that I really like? My intended major is international relations/human rights.</p>
<p>Actually this touches on a little known fact. LAC's like to brag that most professors send their kids to LAC's. What is not said is that profs get free or discounted tuition at many LAC's.</p>
<p>I applied to Lawrence and was accepted, but I sent in my class deposit to the U. of C. as soon as I received my acceptance letter. I didn't hesitate a moment, and I know I will never regret my decision.</p>
<p>You also might want to check out St. Olaf College, as long as you are thinking about Northfield, Minnesota.</p>