I’ve been admitted to all these schools, anything to distinguish them from each other? I am interested in biology and neuroscience. I want smaller classes and if possible a close relationship with professors. I hope to be involved in scientific research. I don’t want to spend 12 hours a day studying but I do want to be in an atmosphere where students are serious about their learning. I also hope to have some fun, but I’m not a drinker/partier and I’m a bit wary of fraternities. I love playing football (ex-captain at U18 level) and sports in general both for practice and for spectator opportunities, but that could be professional sports as well as college sports. Being able to “walk on” the football team would be a plus if the team’s commitment is academics, otherwise a strong intramural program is important. Finally, I hope for a strong culture of volunteering and philanthropy. Thank you for any opinion, advice, or anecdotes you may have!
Is that Wheaton, IL or Wheaton, MA?
Northeastern has the research and the great hospitals but it doesn’t have as much of that “small environment” you seem to want too. Penn State doesn’t have that small environment either (Schreyer). Rhodes has that LAC feel.
Cross out Lake Forest and Wheaton and weight your priorities. Great science program, close relationship with professors, or football?
Good football/sports scene: Penn State
Great science program: Northeastern
Close relationship with professors: Rhodes.
Maybe someone else can comment on the sports scene at either Northeastern or Rhodes? I don’t know.
Penn State is an excellent place for research and State College is a great town - but if you want smaller classes, and if you want to be a walk-on to the football team - it’s probably not the best place for you. Schreyer can help with the small classes, but only so much, especially as a biology major. However, there IS a strong intramural sports scene here, and you can play arena football (indoor flag football on astroturf). I’m not sure how much Greek life and partying dominate the social scene; the undergrads sure do seem to party a lot, and Greek life seems pretty strong here (they have one of the largest Greek systems in the country and I see lots of kids wearing their letters on campus all the time, but the size of Greek life might just be due to Penn State’s sheer size - less than 20% of the student body is in a fraternity or sorority) - but that’s only from outside observation. There’s definitely a strong culture of philanthropy, as one of the biggest events of the year is THON, the 46-hour dance marathon that raises money for pediatric cancer research. (THON is actually a year-long activity - teams organize early in the year to raise money and there are entire student organizations that revolve just around THON).
Rhodes will give you the small classes and close personal relationships with professors. It’s a top tier liberal arts college. However, it does have a strong Greek scene - 50% of Rhodes students are in a Greek org. Greek scenes are different at different schools, though; the Greek scene at my own SLAC didn’t really focus on partying so much as student leadership and philanthropy (the Greeks were always competing to be president of the SGA, homecoming queen, have the highest chapter GPA, etc.) so I would check it out before dismissing out of hand. I doubt that 50% of the students at Rhodes are hard partiers.
So will Wheaton and Lake Forest - both Wheatons are well-regarded (they are about mid-ranked in USNWR, although the Illinois Christian Wheaton is slightly higher than the one in MA), but keep in mind that the Wheaton in IL is an evangelical Christian college; they seem to be relatively moderate leaning conservative. Lake Forest is a top 100 liberal arts college so I wouldn’t rule it out automatically.
Schreyer is one of the best honors colleges in the country. I know that PSU is a big school, but being in Schreyer will automatically reduce the size. Size is a relative thing - a school is only too big if you allow it to be. Finding groups of people that have similar interests will give you that close-knit environment you’re looking for.
Hope this helps!
As someone very familiar with Rhodes, I would not classify it as a party school. Greek life is popular but relatively low-key since it’s nonresidential. Each Greek organization has a building on campus, but the students live in the dorms with other students or in apartments off-campus. The student body is moderate in outlook (similar to Davidson) and has a bit of an artsy/quirky streak to it, though a preppy southern vibe is certainly present. Student life revolves around campus, unusually for an urban school, but students do get out and explore Memphis. Memphis is actually a really great and fun city for college kids, largely since it’s so affordable (unlike a lot of big cities). Parties tend to be small and low key, with a few friends getting together on Friday nights. The college has some traditions (e.g. riding the lynx statue), like most small schools, and does a good job of fostering a community feeling. There’s always student events like poetry slams, battle of the bands, riverboat rides, plays, board game nights, etc.
The sciences are very strong at Rhodes, and its facilities are good for a college of its size. Students really get involved in some impressive research from the get-go, which is great for those interested in graduate study. Of course, the campus is absolutely stunning, especially the new(ish) library. If it’s affordable, I think it’s a better option than Wheaton or Lake Forest. Northeastern and Penn State are different enough that fit becomes the key issue.
Given your interests, I’m surprised to see Pitt not on your list. Much more urban, stronger in neuroscience, and less of a party school than Penn State.
@MrSamford It is Wheaton, Ma!
Also, I don’t really need a small environment. I am looking for small classes and accessible faculties.
Which one do you think is the strongest academically? Schreyer, Rhodes or Northeastern?
@warbler Pitt wasn’t on my list because I had no chance of getting into their honors college (so no small classes) and they required an higher TOEFL than I made.