Searching for Science Colleges

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hi all!</p>

<p>I am a junior looking for a college that has a good overall science deparment. Biology and chemistry are the two most important fields to me right now, but who knows how I may change in a few years - I would prefer if all of the math and science departments are strong, and research opporunities for undergraduates in the sciences are somewhat common. </p>

<p>In college I would like an intellectual environment where ideas are thought over and discussed, and students are encouraged to think. A school where everyone is obsessed with grades instead of learning is not a place I would like to be. </p>

<p>Location is not an issue; I'll go anywhere in the country, though I would prefer to not be in a completely rural setting. Size is also unimportant to me, though a place like Deep Springs with around 26 students would be much too small (and I am also female, so I can rule that out immediately!) </p>

<p>Some other requirements of mine: co-ed school, not commuter, non-religious (past religious associations are fine, just not religious today), few TAs teaching classes. </p>

<p>If you need my statistics to help narrow down the list, I am in the top 10% of my class (we don't rank), 4.0 unweighted with many honors and APs, 236 PSAT, involved in community service but nothing 'I'm singlehandedly saving the world!' remarkable! I'm very involved in the classroom setting, and will probably have excellent teacher recs. </p>

<p>Some that have been reccomended to me are Caltech, Chicago, Colorado, Harvey Mudd, Pomona, Reed, Stanford, UC San Diego. If you could comment on if these fit my search, and add on to the list, I would be extremely appreciative!</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>fairlights</p>

2

<p>236 PSAT</p>

<p>Congrats. You’ll make NMSF!</p>

<p>When will you take the ACT and SAT?</p>

<p>What state are you in?</p>

<p>What is your college budget? How much will your parents pay for your education each year?</p>

<p>What is your likely career goal?</p>

<p>What else do you want in a school?</p>

<p>Warm weather?</p>

<p>Cold/snowy weather?</p>

<p>Greeks as an option?</p>

<p>Big sports rah rah spirit?</p>

<p>lots of clubs?</p>

3

<p>fairlights, the schools you mention are good suggestions but span big differences in size, location, culture, selectivity. Which do you prefer?</p>

<p>Among LACs, I suggest you check out (from more to less selective by row):
Swarthmore, Williams, Harvey Mudd
Haverford, Wesleyan
Carleton, Grinnell, Reed
Colorado College (but this has an unusual one-course-at-a-time “block” schedule)
Earlham College</p>

<p>Among universities, you have many options. Any of the Ivies (esp. Harvard and Yale), Stanford, Chicago, Johns Hopkins. Match school? U.Rochester. Safety? Your state flagship.</p>

<p>But you’ll get better-tailored advice if you first address some of mom2collegekids’ issues.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the responses mom2collegekids and tk21769! </p>

<p>When will you take the ACT and SAT?
SAT this March. The past few days I’ve actually considered taking the ACT, will be looking into dates for that.</p>

<p>What state are you in?
Sunny California :)</p>

<p>What is your college budget? How much will your parents pay for your education each year?
Cost is basically not an issue; my parents have put aside a good amount for my education. </p>

<p>What is your likely career goal?
At this point I am thinking medical research of some sort. I’m very interested in neuroscience and stem cell research, but I also have times when I think I want to research black holes! Pretty certain I’ll end up in some sort of biological/medical field though.</p>

<p>What else do you want in a school?
It’s hard to really know, as I’ve never been to college and don’t know what there might be to want! I’d like to have teachers who care about teaching, students who are intelligent and interesting to talk to. I think I want a close-knit environment; though some people warn that it could be claustrophobic, I enjoy having a close relationship with my teachers and classmates. I want a place where I can discover more about myself (don’t we all?) and my beliefs. I’d like to be exposed to some of the different subjects that exist that I couldn’t find in my high school; who knows what passions I might develop! </p>

<p>Warm weather? Cold/snowy weather?
If I had to pick one, it would be warm weather all the way. California born and raised, I’m very used to warm sunshine and no snow. However, I won’t cross off a school just because of the weather. I enjoy visiting the snow, though if all else was equal I’d choose a winter without it. </p>

<p>Greeks as an option?
My first reaction is to say no, none at all, I’m not a Greek girl in any way, shape or form. But if I’m being honest with myself, my experience with Greek life starts and ends with books and movie, which probably isn’t a fair way to judge them. I’m not completely against them, but chances are I won’t be joining any.</p>

<p>Big sports rah rah spirit?
Pretty unimportant. I’m not into sports, though I’d like it if there were some noncompetitive intramurals to participate in. Spirit is great, but I’d rather it be because people love their school, not because people love their athletic teams. </p>

<p>lots of clubs?
I’d like to have lots of opportunities to participate in clubs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there have to be a ton of different clubs. One or two active and involved clubs could probably do it for me! If there weren’t any clubs I’m interested in, I could always start a new one. </p>

<p>All of the schools I listed vary so widely because I have a hard time deciding what kind of school I really do want! Sometimes I feel certain I want a small liberal arts college, while other times a university seems like the way to go. I don’t think that there’s really one ‘right’ college for me; happiness can be found in a wide variety of ways. It will probably come down to the type of people, professors and students, at the college more than anything else, which is hard to determine from college guides and viewbooks. I’m looking to create a list of colleges to go and visit so I can get a feel for the culture and atmosphere there.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help!</p>

5

<p>Yes, be sure to also take the ACT. Some kids do better on it and colleges will accept which one is highest. :)</p>

<p>Glad to hear money isn’t an issue. :slight_smile: You’re lucky!! </p>

<p>The privates that you’ve selected cost about $55k per year, so if your parents are fine with that then money won’t be any concern for you. :)</p>

<p>What about Johns Hopkins, Duke, or Vanderbilt?</p>

<p>You’ll also need some match schools because your list is mostly reaches, and your EC’s might be a little lacking. </p>

<p>I realize that UC San Diego is probably your match school (or may be your safety if you’re guaranteed admission), but have you visited and do you LOVE it? You need to have match/safeties that you LOVE. :)</p>

<p>BTW…Greek tv stereotypes are just that… But, greek life isn’t for everyone :)</p>

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<p>The list I’ve posted is an assortment of colleges that have been reccomended to me by people that know me personally, not necessarily ones that I am in love with or have spent a huge amount of time researching. I thought it would be helpful to know what I’ve already been reccomended so I don’t get too many repeats! I’m definitely looking for more match/safety schools. :slight_smile: Extra curricular wise, I’d say I’m probably in the top 15% in involvement for my high school. Definitely involved in several activities, but nothing so remarkable as to make it really be a ‘hook’ of any kind. No businesses created or non-profits founded :stuck_out_tongue: If it’s relevant, I go to one of the better public schools in my area.</p>

<p>Name isn’t important to me - I’m looking for the perfect place for me, not the perfect name for a resume. </p>

<p>Thanks again for the help, mom2collegekids! I’ll add those colleges to my list to look at.</p>

7

<p>Hey fairlights</p>

<p>I would say Emory sounds pretty right for you… wonderful academics, great research opportunities (CDC is available)… warm weather… not too big of a school but not too small, great facilities… lots of clubs and oppotunities to make a difference such as “Volunteer Emory”… Don’t hesitate to ask if you have more questions!</p>

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<p>I would suggest taking a look at Brown University. The graduate programs are relatively small, so undergraduates have access to phenomenal research opportunities. Math and applied math are some of the strongest departments, and neuroscience is unbelievably amazing here (often said to be the best undergraduate neuroscience program in the country). The classes are small, with great professors who know how to teach, and Providence is a pretty nice city (that said, New England weather can be pretty tough if you’re from Cali). </p>

<p>

I felt exactly the same way when looking for colleges. From my experience, Brown students are cooperative, friendly, and genuinely passionate about learning. I refer you to this post <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/385841-brown-curriculum-university-college-explained.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/385841-brown-curriculum-university-college-explained.html&lt;/a&gt; which I found to be extremely helpful when making my decisions (and explains everything much better than I would be able to). Good luck!</p>

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<p>I strongly recommend you visit the Claremont consortium schools (Pomona, CMC, Harvey Mudd) and, if possible, the Philadelphia-area Quaker schools (the Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore “Tri-College” consortium). These schools balance the intimacy of a small LAC with the variety that a consortium brings. Both sets of schools have strong science programs. Both have schools that span a fairly wide range of selective-very selective-super selective (Bryn Mawr,Haverford, Swarthmore; Pitzer,CMC, Pomona). Neither has a big rah rah sports or Greek scene, but both have healthy levels of intramural, D3 intercollegiate, or recreational sports activities. Both attract many learning-for-learning’s sake students (in addition to many pre-professional types). Both are at arms length from major cities.</p>

<p>Harvard, Yale, or Stanford will give you more access to bleeding edge science research with the facilities, money, and famous professors to match. Harvard in particular will not necessarily be a happier place for you to go. And of course, there’s the competition to get in (the challenge in your case probably being to show more than “involvement” in your ECs).</p>

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<p>My 5 suggestions:</p>

<p>Carleton College, see [Carleton</a> College Admissions Video](<a href=“http://studentobserver.com/2009/11/23/carleton-college-admissions-video/]Carleton”>http://studentobserver.com/2009/11/23/carleton-college-admissions-video/)
Haverford College, see [Haverford</a> College Office of Admission: Admission Videos](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/admission/videos/]Haverford”>http://www.haverford.edu/admission/videos/)
Wesleyan University see <a href=“http://www.wesleyan.edu/virtualtour/[/url]”>http://www.wesleyan.edu/virtualtour/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Also Grinnell College and Williams College</p>

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<p>Davidson is one of the first schools to come to mind for warm weather and strong sciences. It gets overshadowed by people stampeding to suggest the Claremont colleges and other typical suspects.</p>

<p>Rice is the other obvious suggestion. No Greek life, warm weather, huge medical center, great social scene, and strong science programs.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the suggestions! It’s nice to have a long list of possibilities; based on chatter at my school, it often feels like there are about five colleges total!</p>

<p>mom2collegekids and alam1 (and anyone else who can answer!), do you think a California girl would feel out of south at a ‘southern’ school like Duke or Emory? The idea of girls wearing sundresses out to every football game, as one guidebook describes it, doesn’t fit me. I’m almost certain that I’m just reading too much into the stereotypes, but it’s better to ask and laugh about it than to go and regret it!</p>

<p>wewet, the open curriculum at Brown sounds great! That’s the kind of program I wish I had at my high school, though there aren’t really a wide variety of classes here, so I’m fine for now. I’m glad to hear that there are ample research opportunities available at larger colleges as well. </p>

<p>pointoforder, hippo2718 and tk21769, thanks for the additions! I’ve never heard that Haverford, Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore were a consortium; I’ll definitely have to research them.</p>

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<p>If that’s the case, you might want to think twice before applying to University of Chicago, which has a very restrictive core curriculum until you become an upperclassman. By how you have described yourself, you sound like you could adapt yourself, but it’s still something to consider.</p>

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<p>*do you think a California girl would feel out of south at a ‘southern’ school like Duke or Emory? The idea of girls wearing sundresses out to every football game, as one guidebook describes it, doesn’t fit me. I’m almost certain that I’m just reading too much into the stereotypes, but it’s better to ask and laugh about it than to go and regret it!
*</p>

<p>LOL…</p>

<p>Many girls do not wear sundresses to southern football games. The sorority girls (who are often on dates) do wear sundresses. The sundress aspect is related to the heat of the stadium and the fact that many are on dates.</p>

<p>However, most girls (on hot days) where a spirit T or tank top and shorts. On cold days, they wear spirit hoodies and pants. </p>

<p>If you look at youtube videos of their football games, you will see many girls dressed in regular spirit clothes. Alabama has the same reputation of having girls wearing sundresses to games, but I know for a fact that many girls don’t wear sundresses to those games either. Here’s a video of the combination of things that girls wear to Bama games <a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0F37B0F0XE&feature=related[/url]”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0F37B0F0XE&feature=related&lt;/a&gt; :slight_smile: ( a guy definitely put this together judging by the few pics of endowed girls. LOL) Yes, there are some sundresses, but a mix of clothing as you’ll see. The same would be at Emory or Duke games.</p>

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<p>

I go to one of the Claremont colleges, Harvey Mudd to be exact. Second the suggestion of Pomona and Harvey Mudd. I’m not elaborating now because I’m kinda tired :S</p>

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<p>It really sounds like you are describing Rice University. Casual, friendly atmosphere, intellectual but not cut-throat, extremely talented students, beautiful campus and facilities, great science programs, a focus on undergraduate education including substantial research opportunities, a residential college system instead of a Greek scene – and no snow. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>I don’t mind a core curriculum, but I’d prefer to not be in a class where the students and teachers are just trying to get it over with. I would imagine that whether or not this happens in core classes depends on the school and the individual class.</p>

<p>Rice looks like a good option; from what I’ve read about it so far, I’m surprised that virtually no one has even mentioned it at my school!</p>

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<p>Edit: You should definitely consider attending a smaller university or an LAC. They tend to focus on undergrads.</p>

<p>Chemistry majors earn more than Biology majors, so just a heads up on that.</p>

<p>UC Berkeley- #1 in the nation for Chem
Harvard
MIT
Columbia
Stanford- you already know
UI Urbana Champaign
UWSTL
UCLA
Hopkins- this should definitely be on your list
Northwestern- as should this
UCSD- great, but you can reach higher</p>

<p>Reed- great, but its student body is pretty peculiar. Make sure you would feel comfortable there. Also, its classes are ridiculously difficult.
Caltech- amazing, but highly selective</p>

<p>Harvey Mudd- excellent school. very underrated
Rice- doesn’t cost too much and is right next to the largest medical center in the world. also, it focuses a lot on innovation, so if you’re creative, it might be the place for you. it’s also relatively cheap, although it has suffered a blow to its endowment</p>

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<p>

Although its medical school is arguably the best, JHU’s true strength lies in the humanities, not the sciences. Its science programs are decent but not superb, with the exception of neuroscience and molecular biology.</p>

<p>It’s a good suggestion, of course, but it does not “definitely” have to be on any list.</p>

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<p>fairlights… I’m from Canada and I am going next year to a “southern” school (Emory)… but I hear that it is not that much of a southern school… with many people from north east and even from the west. So you should have no problems fitting in. Also, as I mentioned the biological sciences and chemistry at Emory is top notch! Good luck!</p>