I’m interested in the small class sizes/personalized attention at LACs (as opposed to orgo classes with 200+ students), but in terms of admission to top-tier LACs, how does it look for me to have mostly STEM-related ECs in terms of admissions? Would they think that I would be unlikely to attend if admitted, since my profile (I’ve published research in a medical field, etc.) seems more suited towards that of a research university?
They probably think it’s great.
The sciences are among the liberal arts majors.
I would disagree with your premise that having a background in research will make you more suited to a research university. It is not unusual for students to get involved in research at LAC’s and a bonus is there are no grad students to compete with to get those research positions. My D went to a LAC and did research (got paid for about half of it) with two professors (one of which led to a published article in a peer reviewed journal).
When you look at LACs ask about the opportunities to do research with professors. Look online at the backgrounds and research done by professors at the LACs you are considering to see if you can pinpoint some professors/schools that do research work which is a match your interests.
But elsewhere you said you plan to apply ED to Penn so you need to consider what you want in a college.
You can be a math, bio, chemistry, or physics major at a LAC. So STEM activities are fine.
@happy1 Thank you for the insight - I’m building a school list in the event that I am rejected/deferred; Penn CAS seems for me to meet a balance between liberal arts and high-impact research. I was, although, very intrigued by William’s tutorial classes - I would have loved to study abroad at Oxbridge, but alas pre-med requirements must be taken in the US.
- You can finish pre-med requirements before junior year.
- Lots of schools allow you to study-abroad at Oxbridge.
- NCF, Sarah Lawrence, and William Jewell Oxbridge Honors also feature tutorials.
You might increase your research activities by picking schools with required senior research, including thesis, where research is part of campus culture.
Some LACS also offer special research fellowships, even for freshmen.