Schools for the Sciences (Chemistry) and Music?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I posted this about a week ago, but didn't get any feedback (probably posted too much information), so thought I'd try again. This is for my sister, a second semester junior who's having trouble coming up with a list (basically, one doesn't exist at the moment). Reaches, good fits, and likelies are all appreciated.</p>

<p>A bit about what she's interested in for college...</p>

<p>~ A school strong in the sciences (particularly Chemistry, but not just for pre-med/biology majors) and music.
~ Strong academics are important (less partying, more work is her preference)
~Doesn't care whether the school is a LAC, University, or Technology Institute.
~ Under 15,000 students
~ Rural, urban, suburban are all fine... for states New York (not too far upstate), Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois (Chicago area). Would also consider Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
~ Field hockey at some level would be a nice option to have, as well as a variety of instrumental groups in which to participate. </p>

<p>And a bit about her, for reach, match, likely purposes...</p>

<p>~ She has an SAT I score of 2230 (V:690, M: 760, W: 780) and a uwGPA around 3.96.
~ Her school doesn't rank, although she's currently the valedictorian.
~ Important ECs involve some low-level research with her chemistry teacher, field hockey (captain), her school's newspaper (editor), piano and flute playing (including accompanying and orchestral/band involvement)
~ She's a National Merit Semi-Finalist and has taken all honors courses in high school as well as six or seven APs (yet to decide on Statistics). Lastly, she's planning on taking multivariable calculus her senior year (currently in AP BC Calc).</p>

<p>Thanks for the input... all help is appreciated.</p>

2

<p>There are too many schools in this geographic area that would meet her criteria to list them all here-which is probably why you aren't getting much response. She needs to figure out whether she wants to go to a LAC or a medium-sized school for starters. And whether she prefers an urban, rural or suburban location. Once she's narrowed it down a bit more, you will get more helpful feedback.</p>

3

<p>Off the top of my head (ha), Oberlin fits that description perfectly. But M's Mom is right - so do countless other schools.</p>

4

<p>Wow, you could be describing my daughter. She is a senior and awaiting admission decisions. I hijacked her screen name but promised her I would identify myself as "mom" of purplegirl. Anyway her stats are very similar to your sisters. She is very interested in music and science (not pre-med). During our year long search she came full circle from large universities to liking more of the LAC feel. She found larger universities wouldn't be the best place for nonmusic majors to play in the band and liked the smaller campuses. She preferred the less than 5000 student campuses. The schools that your sister may like to look at are Williams, Bucknell and MIT. I think Vasser is worth a look. You might like Middlebury, Weslyan and Colgate and Oberlin (Ohio) although my D nixed them for her own reasons! I thought they were good. Just start looking and you'd be amazed how fast you'll figure it out! My D's final list was her own and each school she applied to was for a specific reason. I am hopeful things will work out and she will be happy wherever she goes. I think looking at different schools, big and small, rural and urban helped alot. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>Carnegie Mellon.
Johns Hopkins.
Bucknell.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the suggestions thus far... I will definitely pass them on to her!</p>

<p>M's Mom, you bring up a great point and I definitely agree with you. I chatted with her a little while ago and a few things became more specific... the criteria is still very broad, but it's an improvement for sure...</p>

<p>~ Strong chemistry and music programs
~ Field hockey as an option... DII, DIII, intramural or club
~ Connecticut, New York (minus the snowbelt), Ohio, Chicago area, Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts (again, not too far upstate), New Jersey, Rhode Island
~ Academic, intellectual atmosphere with a focus on studying as opposed to parties and frats (although frats can exist... they just can't dominate the campus life)
~ 2,000-10,000 students, although exceptions would be made for schools that fit her exceptionally well
~ If an LAC, it needs to be known for its science programs other than for pre-med/biology (so Vassar is out, although I agree purplegirl's mom that it would be great for the music part of her interest)
~ Suburban would be best, although urban is fine (rural is out now)
~ No schools with a religious connection, even if its minimal (so Georgetown, BC, etc. are out)
~ "Popped collar" schools (ie, places with a "preppy" feel) aren't too interesting
~ A private university/college as opposed to a public one</p>

<p>With that in mind... any more ideas for places to add to the list? Once again, the help is appreciated!</p>

7

<p>I think my school, Wesleyan, sounds like a great fit. It is all around strong in the sciences (grad school funding + very few grad students = lots of opportunity for undergrads), also has a good music program, and fits her social wants (plus is DIII). Tufts might be another good one, though I don’t know much about their music program.</p>

8

<p>My school, Northwestern, sounds like a great fit too. It's 2nd among privates (behind MIT and tied with Cornell/Stanford) in terms of #NSF Career Award from 2001 through 2006 and quite a few of the winners are in Chemistry department. The research is very vibrant with all these young rising stars. The graduate program is ranked the 9th, if that matters. Research opportunities for undergrads seem to be plenty during the school year and summer (the summer opportunites under Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) are open to students from other schools also but I'd imagine NU students may have the edge in a tie-break).
Welcome</a> to the NU Nanoscale Science & Engineering Center
REU:</a> Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates at Northwestern</p>

<p>Non-Majors</a> Classes, Programs of Study, School of Music, Northwestern University shows a list of what the music school offers for non-majors.<br>
Let</a> the music play, Observer Online (February 22, 2007), Northwestern University</p>

9

<p>I would also highly recommend University of Rochester - very good in all areas of science, including chemistry, field hockey, and the Eastman School of Music. There are lots of music opportunities for non-music majors plus students can take lessons for free as Eastman from a grad student there. They also have a program specifically designed to get freshman involved with research. And Rochester offers merit aid.</p>

10

<p>Thanks for those suggestions... I'll be sure to pass them along! Any other ideas?</p>

11

<p>Oberlin is THE number one choice here.</p>

<p>Johns Hopkins is up there, too. Plus, JHU has Peabody for music.</p>

<p>Rochester is worth looking in to as well, but I dunno about how safe it is (just anecdotally, don't quote me).</p>

<p>You have to visit the schools, though!</p>

12

<p>The main campus of Rochester is fine saftey wise. The Eastman campus is also fine as long as you stay in the immediate area. And as always in larger cities, there is safety in numbers.</p>