muhlenberg college vs clark university??

<p>B/B+ guy-very creative, not atheletic, intellectual writer desires business or psych likes both of these schools alot but concerned about rumors that muhkenberg is a party school and academics at clark very tough looking for a school that does offer support for some llearning issue. any thoughts??</p>

<p>I have not heard anyone call Muhlenberg a “party school” before. It has a good Psych program and an exceptional performing arts facility. I don’t know if they have business. It is one of the friendliest campuses I have ever visited, up there with Dayton and St. Olaf. I don’t know much about Clark but the academics at Muhlenberg are also tough.</p>

<p>Clark (wife went there) has what I’d call semi-urban campus. Clark is in Worcester (medium-size decaying New England manufacturing town) but has a well-defined campus - you don’t step out of a dorm or academic building directly onto a city street. While Worcester itself is a bit run-down, the surrounding region is pretty nice and you’re within a reasonable distance of Boston for both intern opportunities and socializing. From reading wife’s alumni mailings, I think Clark has made a push to strengthen their business offerings and they’ve been strong or at least decent in sociology and pysch areas. I’d try to visit both or at least talk to current students to get a better perspective.</p>

<p>Choosing what college to go to based on rumors is probably the stupidest thing somebody can possibly do. Muhlenberg is not a party school. I can see it being more of a party school than Clark, but it’s definitely not some big jockey rah rah place. I really doubt it’s more of a party school than the average college, escpecially since it’s a small liberal arts and I’ve actually heard rumors about it being a place for weird kids who were losers in high school, which is almost the exact opposite of a party school (shows you how unreliable these rumors are)</p>

<p>And about academics being tough at Clark, well, it’s college. Academics EVERYWHERE are tough. At any college you go to, even if its one of the easier ones, if you ask any of the students, they would say their school is academically rigorous. If you’re thinking Clark is a pressure cooker, don’t worry, it’s not.</p>

<p>In my opinion I think Clark is your best choice. Clark is world famous for its psychology, and it has a great business program too. Also Clark scores higher on academics than Muhlenberg. Clark is known as one of those schools that’s easier to get into than it should be. It is better than it seems. I wouldn’t be surprised if it rises up to become almost as good as an Ivy League some time in the future. It’s a real up and coming school</p>

<p>The only bad thing about Clark, which is probably the reason why not as many people apply and it is the underrated school it is today, is the area it’s in. It’s in a poor, gritty, industrial part of Worcester. You will hear a lot of complaints about the town if you look into Clark. People will say it’s dangerous and the worst town they have ever seen. But I have seen it myself, and trust me, IT"S NOT THAT BAD! I seriously did not see what all the fuss was about. I mean yeah, it’s definitely not the nicest town in the world, but it’s 100% livable in. There are still shops and things you can go to to find everything you would need. Really the only thing I thought that you could complain about it with was that it was ugly. But that’s really it. Plus, there are advantages to the town. Since it’s poor, everything is cheaper. Also it’s diverse so there’s some great ethnic food. It gives opportunities for community service, which many people at Clark do (they are all really friendly there) And finally, it shows you more of what the “real world” is like. Many people at Clark actually like the town. Again, IT"S NOT THAT BAD. But I guess you really just have to visit yourself and see</p>

<p>I don’t know as much about Muhlenberg. Although I found that it’s not as good academically as places like Clark, a lot of people who get really good grades and some who are even almost Ivy league level want to go here. Just for some reason, many people loooove muhlenberg. I don’t really know why. Muhlenberg is a big theater place, and it’s best known for preprofessional stuff (premed, prelaw, etc.) (don’t think those are the only things it offers though) I think it also has good programs in psych and business too. Also, I think Muhlenburg is a little religious, but this I’m really not too sure on. Muhlenberg College is also a very nurturing college. It is known as “The Caring College”. That may seem nice but remember, a place like Clark where you’re constantly fighting your way through a run down city gives you more real world preparation than a place that nurtures you in a little bubble.</p>

<p>And both Clark and Muhlenberg have extremely friendly people so don’t worry about that.</p>

<p>Oh yeah I forgot to mention, Clark has very strong support for students with learning disabilities. Muhlenberg not as much as Clark</p>

<p>The best possible thing you can do is visit both schools, look at the kids, get a feel for where you will fit in best, try to sit in on a class or two in your prospective major, walk around the campus and the surrounding area etc. The colleges are pretty close in reputation etc. Pick the school that feels right to you.</p>

<p>I’d say Clark is certainly more well-known for psych - but it really depends on what area of psych your focus is when talking about “world famous”. For the type of research I did, I don’t think I ever came across an article from Clark because my type of research wasn’t being done there. That isn’t really a problem at the undergrad level, since even if you are interested in research you probably won’t have an idea of what specific area you like until about junior year. But if grad school is your aim, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have good recommendation letters from better-known faculty at a better-known school. </p>

<p>Muhlenberg is not a party school in comparison to larger state schools. It has an excellent reputation in my area (I live near it, visited it, applied, but did not attend). The area directly surrounding the school seems more like a small town setting, with a city right around the corner, and Cedar Crest College very nearby. Personally I loved the school when I visited, everyone seemed very friendly, the psych department seemed strong. But in the end I was a transfer student (which means less aid) and it was too pricey for me. Otherwise, I would have loved to attend Muhlenberg. And I am NOT a partier in any way. I never got that vibe.</p>

<p>Muhlenberg is not religious. It has roots in the Lutheran Church, but is entirely secular. (It drives me crazy when people post stuff they’re “not too sure on”–if you aren’t sure, don’t say it, it’s pointless.) As for location, while Allentown is a nicer location than Worcester, it isn’t exactly the Paris of Pennsylvania. That said, I know three current Muhlenberg students who seem to be perfectly content there. The school’s reputation for warmth and friendliness is cited over and over–it’s possible that’s partly a function of great PR.</p>

<p>Meuhlenberg is definitely not what I would call a “religious” school. Not that it matters, but the number of students who call themselves Lutheran is miniscule. About a third of the student body, on the other hand, is Jewish. But I think most students would describe the vibe as secular.</p>