<p>I’m currently facing the decision between Harvard and Bowdoin. I really hope to go into a science field-likely biochemistry or biology. I know that Harvard has excellent programs in this area, but I am not totally sure about Bowdoin. I’ve read their website, but I feel that just tells me what they want me to hear and not the truth about the strength of their programs.</p>
<p>As far as LACs go, Bowdoin is one of the best if not the best for the sciences. Amherst and Middlebury have good humanities, but Bowdoin and Williams have the best sciences.
Right now I’m trying to make the tough choice between Bowdoin and UChicago, so I have the same problem. It seems like at Bowdoin its easier to talk to professors than it is at large research institutions, and I’ve heard its not difficult at all to begin working with faculty. Also, since there are little to no graduate students, Bowdoin has a better undergraduate education and experience than any Ivy (other than maybe Dartmouth). That said, no LAC can match a research institution’s resources.
So it basically boils down to a research universities resources versus and undergraduate educational experience.
Just me saying, it would be hard to turn down Harvard just because of the name.</p>
<p>if i were seriously considering bowdoin against one of the best research institutions in the world (harvard or chicago), i’d inquire with students at each what opportunities they have as undergrads and what they’re working on, specifically. bowdoin has a great reputation in biochemistry especially, but i would be curious if the personal attention at a top LAC matched working at the graduate level at top uni. i wasn’t a science student at bowdoin, but i did have the sense that the research in science there was often high level. again, i’d ask students from each. and then visit.</p>
<p>Comparing a vibrant small town with a vibrant principal world city.</p>