I am currently deciding between two schools in the New England area - Clark University in Worcester and the women’s college, Simmons College, in Boston. I have a hard time choosing between the two, since I feel like Clark is better academically, but Simmons has the better location. I don’t care too much for Worcester, but I really love Boston, and the fact that so many different experiences can be found so close to the Simmons campus.
I have thoroughly researced the two schools, so obviously there are many things, both socially and academically, that I love about both schools, which only makes this decision even more difficult. My net cost is approximately the same at the two schools, so that isn’t the primary factor.
Can anyone shed some light on this issue? Can you tell me anything about the two schools, the Worcester area, or possibly advice me as to what I should do? - I know that it is ultimately a choice only I can make, but I would like some of your opinions as well, as I know I am not the only one questioning whether to choose location or academics. What would you choose?
The purpose of attending college is academic study, so shouldn’t academics be much more heavily weighted than other non-affordability considerations when choosing?
Make your decision on your opinion of the campus, how you fit in, academics and cost. The surrounding location should be a minor consideration, especially in this case.
If you go to Simmons and being in Boston defined your four years, then you made the wrong choice.
What’s your intended major? If its in the medical field, I would go with Simmons, just the location in the midst of all those hospitals and potential internships makes it the right place. There’s also the all girls v. co-ed dilemma.
Worcester is filled with medical extracurriculars. It’s the second largest city in New England.
I just want to clarify that I do indeed think Simmons has a lot to offer academically, so it’s not solely down to a decision between academics and location, Clark is just higher ranked and seems to generally be regarded as better academically - I just don’t know if I would thrive in Worcester as much as I would in Boston.
I am currently undecided, but I might want to study political science or economics. Simmons and Boston seem to be great for internships within this field, for instance with state legislators - does anyone know if internships within this field are readily available in Worcester as well?
Throw out rankings (although I think they are comparable anyways) and pick for fit. 1) Girls v. co-ed, 2) Boston v. Worcester, 3) Overall vibe you got when visiting.
And I don’t want to hound on this as I’ve mentioned it a few times over the last two years and it seems to strike some personally, but I REALLY disliked the neighborhood around Clark and I didn’t want me D to attend there based on that, nothing else.
@NEPatsGirl Thank you so much for your honest opinion, that was exactly what I was looking for, since I unfortunately won’t be able to visit because of the long distance (I live in Europe).
I will think long and hard about it for the next few days, and hopefully I’ll be equipped to make the right decision on May 1. But I would appreciate if others with any knowledge of these two schools would comment on their experiences, since I primarily have to rely on what people tell me about the schools, when I won’t have the opportunity to visit myself.
If I were choosing based on locale, I would definitely choose Boston. Boston has lots to offer and extensive public transportation to get you around, even to outlying areas such as Concord that you might want to explore.
Clark U has a lot going for it but Worcester is not one of them, regardless of opportunities mentioned above. It is an old semi-depressed industrial city. Boston is a vibrant urban center with many educational centers, museums, etc. It is a place people go to on vacation.
Also, most likely your travel arrangements will be much easier and simpler with Boston as your final destination.
I don’t know anything about either school, but empathize with you. My son, too, is facing a similar decision between two state universities.
If the academics are relatively good at both, I’d choose the Boston school. I have numerous family members in that area and Boston is a neat city (as long as you can handle the cold which is a non-issue with your choice since Worcester is also cold).
Good luck with your decision - it’s so tough isn’t it?!?
My advice is pick the school that makes you the happiest! We were advised by a Physics professor that happy students are successful students. It’s so true.
At Simmons you can WALK to:
Museum of Fine Arts
Fenway Park
Charles River
The T station (which connects to anywhere in Boston)
Back Bay Fens
Emmanuel College
Northeastern University
Wheelock College
Boston University
Or you can BIKE to:
Boston Common
Aquarium
MIT
Harvard
Downtown Boston
The North End
The places you can explore and learn during your moments of free time are unlimited.
I don’t know much about Worchester, but I don’t think it comes close.