<p>I have been accepted to Chicago, Williams, amd Amherst. I am interested in physics, but by no means plan on becoming a physicist. The idea of me researching for the rest of my life gives me the chills. Yet, I still am interested in it, and I definitely want a healthy dose of physics, math, and computer science. Unfortunately, Amherst does not <em>seem</em> like it has a very strong physics department; yet, because of the consortium, there is a huge amount of research nearby. Please prove me wrong. I have to make a decision between these schools, and I am strongly considering Amherst, yet I want to know that it has strong science departments (in case something crazy happens to me in college, and I decide against my better judgment to go to graduate school for physics). Some physics major alumni have posted on the Amherst website that the program left gaps in their education. Can anyone comment? Or at least compare these three school’s departments?</p>
<p>I am visiting each school next week (Willaims: April 11-12, Chicago: 14-15, and Amherst: 17-18), and hopefully by the end of my tour, I could iron out some of my reservations about attending each college.</p>
<p>P.S. I am also very interested in majoring in philosophy. I do not have any specific career interests, but I have been thinking about law school, about international politics, and about other interests similar to other prospective philosophy majors.</p>
<p>I was wondering the same thing. I am a junior now, but I was thinking of applying to Amherst in the fall (I live like 15 minutes away). I would assume that their physics department is good, just due to the fact that it's Amherst College, but I can't say for sure.</p>
<p>I'm sure Amherst has a strong physics department (there are few programs that aren't strong at Amherst), but Williams has stronger programs in physics, math, and comp-sci. Both Williams and Amherst do phenomenally at getting students into law/grad schools. Both Amherst and Williams have great philosophy programs. Amherst is probably a little more recognized in philosophy, but not so much that it would even matter for philo grad school. Williams offers tutorials which are ideal for philosophy, and has an exchange program with Oxford (which has arguably the strongest philosophy department in the world). </p>
<p>Chicago is a very different school from Amherst and Williams...for one, it is a university. Your classes will tend to be larger, and you will run into TAs occasionally. UChicago is in a city, and has a very different atmosphere than both Williams and Amherst. Chicago is strong in all of the areas you're interested in, but as a believer in liberal arts colleges, I really don't think that you can do better than Amherst or Williams.</p>
<p>Hello everyone, I am also considering a major in science...in particular physics or astrophysics. I am currently on the waitlist at both Amherst and Williams, and have been wondering how the science departments compare. Amherst, having the benefits of the consortium, has access to one of the nicest telescopes in the area...however I'm not sure how great their physics department as a whole is. Anyone have any advice on how to get off waitlists?</p>