<p>Hi everyone! =)
I have an idea of what I'd like in a college, but I've only found a few that have come close.. and I'm still looking for more suggestions. Most importantly, I'd like a liberal arts school with an excellent undergrad science program (ie - all resources aren't sent straight to the grad students) that provides opportunities for undergrad research AND a reputable music program. I'd like to major in chemistry (or another physical science) and minor in music, so I'm looking for the best of both.
I'd also love:
*Less than 10,000 undergrads
*An actual (not inter-city) campus
*Students who are involved and passionate about their studies... not to mention friendly, nonjudgmental, and open to new things
*Entertainment outside of class that doesn't involve partying... I'm not into the whole drinking scene, so I'd love other social opportunities to be available
I really appreciate any input you may have. Thanks so much!! =)</p>
<p>Oberlin...</p>
<p>Hey there... I'd be happy to give you some suggestions of schools to try. I've also included on this list a few small-to-medium-sized universities with a liberal arts feel, which might still work for you...</p>
<p>Claremont McKenna College (CA), Haverford College (PA), Bryn Mawr College (PA), Lawrence University (WI), Reed College (OR), Swarthmore College (PA), Pomona College (CA), Bates College (ME), Amherst College (MA), Bowdoin College (ME), Bard College (NY), Connecticut College (CT), Hamilton College (NY), Colby College (ME), Macalester College (MN), Williams College (MA), Carleton College (MN), Trinity College (CT), Wellesley College (MA), Dickinson College (PA), Vassar College (NY), Middlebury College (VT), Oberlin College (OH), Wesleyan University (CT), Brandeis University (MA), Princeton University (NJ), University of Rochester (NY), Tufts University (MA).</p>
<p>Williams is outstanding in both these areas. I would also suggest Wesleyan, Vassar and Bard. The five-college consortium has awesome opportunities if one is willing to give up practice time to shuttle between them. I have also heard great t hings about Grinnell for music and science.</p>
<p>Lawrence, like Oberlin, has a Conservatory.</p>
<p>The others have small departments, although they may be good.</p>
<p>Bucknell and Gettysburg have by audition music majors.</p>
<p>Holy Cross and Colgate. Holy Cross has nice location near Boston.</p>
<p>Connecticut College is really big on art and music, University of Rochester has Eastman</p>
<p>Carleton is the school you are describing. However, it is really tough to get into.</p>
<p>It's not really a LAC, but CMU is a small research university with a top-notch engineering/science program and also a very well known school of fine arts. One of my good friends from undergrad got a dual degree in materials science and music, and he loved both departments.</p>
<p>I just wrote a pretty decent-sized post about the school [url=<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1061081995-post22.html%5Dhere%5B/url">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1061081995-post22.html]here[/url</a>].</p>
<p>I agree with everyone who suggested Oberlin...it's the obvious choice for you, OP.</p>
<p>What LAC other than the ones that are part of Universities like Penn or Cornell have more than 10,000 people?</p>
<p>Check out Grinnell. Great sciences and great music.</p>
<p>WOW. Thanks so much everyone for all the schools they suggested. I'm going to start researching these schools right now =)
And somni, hahaha, that's a good point - I can't imagine there being one.
Of the schools mentioned... does anyone know which ones provide the best merit aid? I forgot to include that in my last post...</p>
<p>Ah, never mind on the merit aid thing. I found the spot on College Board that told me =)
Thanks again!</p>
<p>Take a look at Smith College. It is strong in both sciences and music. Smith has great academics, wonderful mentoring, and a strong sense of community. Smith is part of a 5-college consortium (with Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke and Univ Mass). You can take classes at any, and there is a free shuttle bus to get to classes and activities at the other campuses. </p>
<p>Smith has good financial aid and merit scholarships. Also, Smith no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for US applicants.</p>
<p>I'd agree with Oberlin as a great choice but, as mythmom points out, it's music strength lies in its conservatory. Be careful and do some homework. Classroom and performance options are often limited for non-music majors. I'd also suggest you look at Rice, another otherwise good fit I'm surprised wasn't discussed more. Like Oberlin the sciences will be strong and the campus will be "alive with the sound of music" but be careful you don't find yourself left out on the proverbial doorstep playing second fiddle to conservatory students.</p>
<p>Academically and socially, I'd agree with DunninLA that the school that probably fits best is Carleton. Their chemistry program and physical sciences are among the best anywhere. "Students who are involved and passionate about their studies... not to mention friendly, nonjudgmental, and open to new things" fits the scene at Carleton perfectly.</p>
<p>Be careful looking at a school's physical science departments. Some strong schools have weak departments. At least two of those mentioned, Bard and Claremont McKenna, don't even offer ACS (American Chemical Society) certified chemistry majors. Not too surprising given these school's orientation to non-science strengths.</p>
<p>Forgot about Skidmore.</p>
<p>Holy Cross is nearing completion of a 60 million dollar science complex.</p>