<p>Apologies for my keypad’s autocorrect and having to turn my phone off for a while. It should have said Emory and its joint biomed program with ga tech</p>
<p>Oh haha… I can usually decipher autocorrect but that one was not too obvious!! Thanks. He’s not interested in Atlanta (my sister lives there and he’s just not crazy about it). If he goes South it would only be to U of M for the marine bio program. Otherwise he wants to stay pretty much in the Northeast.</p>
<p>I’ll be curious to hear what your S thinks of UMiami. My S2 is a 2009 UM Microbiology and Immunology grad and had a fabulous college experience there. The science disciplines are very strong and you won’t find a better marine bio program. I have also toured UNE and liked it, but the two schools definitely have very different atmospheres and feels. Enjoy your visit.</p>
<p>Thanks so much. Our trip is booked!! We’ll be going down the first week in April. I’m almost afraid he’ll like it TOO much… no guarantees of getting in, you know!</p>
<p>I agree with crazed. An engineering school might not be a good choice. </p>
<p>Clark is a city school, but does have a campus and no Greek life. There certainly are parties, but imbibing is not socially “required.” S2 attends Clark, where professors seem to understand and expect that entering freshman need to explore areas of interest before choosing a major. All freshman take an advisory class, which is an academic class, such as an English or poli-sci. The prof becomes their advisor until they declare a major. S2 took a course on literature in baseball. The prof organized a baseball game for the class. She pitched! S2 has appreciated this prof’s effort to connect with students. Also, Clark offers a tuition-free master’s degree for those who qualify.</p>
<p>I know several young men who have attended WPI; one is S2’s friend, since childhood. Freshman academic course work is clearly more rigorous at WPI than at Clark. WPI is on a trimester system and there is not much time to “adjust” before getting down to business. Clark nurtures freshman a bit more. </p>
<p>I am also familiar with UNE. It is much smaller, in an idyllic setting, similar to Roger Williams in RI. Both schools have a small beach on campus. I would predict that students at either school will want a car after freshman year, as both campuses are fairly isolated. Also, I live near UNE and am adjunctive faculty at the grad school. I think the Biddeford campus is quiet on weekends. Many kids go home. Portland is a great small city, about 30 minutes by car. I know a freshman bio/nursing major who loves UNE, but she has a car.</p>
<p>BTW, coastal Maine winters have been less severe than weather in NY/NJ. In 2010, we drove south to tour colleges in NY and NJ. We were glad to get home to Maine where there was less snow! I think S2 chose Clark thinking it would be warmer than Maine. I am not sure if he realized that coastal weather can be warmer than inland. Maybe he’ll catch on before he graduates from Clark. :-)</p>
<p>OP, good luck with the process.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the insights, Merlin! Really appreciate your first-hand experience with these schools.</p>
<p>Everyone has been so helpful here!</p>
<p>And it was definitely warmer in Maine than in Worcester where it was SO WINDY and chilly!!</p>