<p>What the title says :) What are good LACs for a chemistry major? I am hoping for small class sizes, the smaller the better? It would be nice if you can tell me the average class size for schools that you suggest. Also, I understand that workloads are higher/tougher at some colleges than others. Could that be addressed too? I'm hoping to devote at least 2 hours a days to sporting hobbies, and I also need some relaxation time! Thanks to all who replies!</p>
<p>Quick rundown of stats: chinese, CA resident, 4.01W GPA, 3.87UW GPA, 33 ACT, 2 APs soph, 3 APs jr, 3 APs sr, wide variety of extracurricular (music, sports, etc), will spend this summer either in a lab at an university</p>
<p>I think the majority of LACs would be “well-rounded” in a sense that they are strong in many different disciplines, science included.</p>
<p>That said, I’ve heard that Haverford has a great science department. I’ve also heard that, as lolcats4 said, Pomona is strong in the sciences (though with Harvey Mudd so close, it’s kind of overshadowed at times).</p>
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<p>There will obviously be a discrepancy between the top 30 colleges and 3rd/4th tier colleges. I’ve often heard though that within the top 30-40 schools in the nation, the education and workload is comparable.</p>
<p>I always have to throw Rhodes into the mix. Avg class size is 13. The Buckman family of Buckman Laboratories has a very long and close relationship with the college. There are also good research opportunities at St. Jude and elsewhere in Memphis.</p>
<p>The academics are serious, but most students seem to strike a great balance of work and play. That’s probably one of the things you could judge well from a visit, particularly an overnight one.</p>
<p>I would be looking at places more like Brown, Rice, Harvey-Mudd, or Reed for chemistry. I know the first two aren’t LACs, but you really want a robust research experience as a chemist-in-training so some of the smaller universities with small grad schools are really worth checking out.</p>
<p>Chemistry at Grinnell is awesome according to S. Brand new state of the art facilities, great professors with lots of interest in mentoring students, a huge endowment for research and internships, generous merit aid. Check it out.</p>
<p>Carleton has about the highest percentage of chemistry and physical sciences majors of ANY general college/uni in the country and is always right on the heels of pure tech schools like Caltech and Mudd in phd productivity in the field (both of which should be on your list if you’d consider a specialized LAC). Profs are always available with office doors that never close and tons of after hour interaction academically and even socially. “Huge” intro chem classes (presuming you don’t place out) still typically have only 30-50 enrolled with upper levels at 10-30.</p>
<p>“I’m hoping to devote at least 2 hours a days to sporting hobbies”</p>
<p>“Everyone Plays Intramural Sports” - or so says the PR rankings (for what their worth) - but so also says anyone you speak to on the Carleton campus. Prepare to learn to play Ultimate (if you don’t already) and broomball (probably don’t already) but a ton of available P/NC organized classes from aikido to yoga to sailing to skiing to folk dancing to backcountry hiking to rock climbing …</p>
<p>Chemistry is one of the very strongest majors found at Carleton along with rest of the physical sciences (esp physics/geology).</p>
<p>Depends on what you mean by isolated. S can’t walk across campus or enter the dining hall without running into a dozen friends. He has social relationships with several faculty members. There is so much to do on campus (Grinnell brings in outstanding performing artists, speakers, etc…) that he doesn’t have time to do it all-his biggest complaint, in fact. </p>
<p>But it is rural. They have an observatory because the light pollution is so low. You are an hour from Des Moines and an hour from Iowa City. You could go on the weekend-he has-but it’s not a quick trip. Ditto Carleton which is, I believe, 45 minutes from Minneapolis (although in a slightly larger town which it shares with St. Olaf). I think this is an advantage in some ways-students all live on campus and make it their focal point. Everyone does something-sings, plays sports, acts-and most people do several of these things. No bystanders. </p>
<p>If that’s your kind of place, then no, you will not feel isolated.</p>
<p>Oops, yes, I meant isolated as in rural. I kind of like that idea, except for the fact that there aren’t any jiu jitsu schools around there! If only someone will open a jiu jitsu school around Carlton or Grinnell; they both sound like great schools!</p>
<p>Thanks! Are those national honors a really big deal? Im kind of new to this stuff. And it seems like Oxy was good back around 1990…but what about now?</p>