Opportunities in top universities vs. LACs

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I had always aimed to go to a large university, because I thought that they present more possibilities and opportunities for students. However, recently I visited Williams and Amherst and loved them. I'm somewhat concerned about the isolated "bubble" of the social scene, but the academics are indeed stellar, and the communities are very tight-knit.</p>

<p>Because I've never visited a large university, I'm concerned that although there are many opportunities at research universities, the average student has no chance. I believe I am smart and competent, but in environments where everyone else is too, I'm not sure I'd be able to receive the same opportunities as I would in a LAC, where the close interaction with staff and the smaller number of students could make a difference.</p>

<p>TL;DR: What's the percentage/likelihood of undergrad students (non science/math majors) who receive academic opportunities (such as research/internship) at top universities (Ivies/Stanford/etc) versus at top LACs (Williams/Amherst/Swarthmore)? Thanks a lot guys.</p>

2

<p>Its about the same</p>

3

<p>Well, depends on what you mean by “research,” especially if you’re a non-science major, but I’d say that the close faculty-student interaction will allow you to start doing “research” as early as your freshman year at a LAC, which may be more difficult to do or less meaningful at a university, though it’s entirely possible to do so. Internship-wise, it’s probably the same.</p>