I worked very hard in high school to achieve an over 4.0 grade pt averge every year. I want to go to a school that reflects my hard work. I also want to go to a top grad school for a PhD in research science. In your opinion, which school should I choose?
_<em>Whitman
_</em>Carleton (waitlist)
_<em>Bucknell
_</em>Grinnell
_<em>Oberlin
_</em>UPS, Lewis and Clark, Willamette (Pacific NW Colleges)
Thanks!
<p>Grinnell, if you're a little quirky</p>
<p>Of all of those - since waitlist at Carleton is not a sure thing - Grinnell has probably the best science program and opportunties.</p>
<p>I agree that Grinnell probably has the greatest academic strength out of your acceptances. Oberlin wouldn't be a bad choice either; they produce quite a lot of PhD's.</p>
<p>YOu didn't say which science, but here's some data:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.earlham.edu/%7Eir/bac_origins_report/biosci.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.earlham.edu/~ir/bac_origins_report/biosci.html</a>
<a href="http://www.earlham.edu/%7Eir/bac_origins_report/chem.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.earlham.edu/~ir/bac_origins_report/chem.html</a>
<a href="http://www.earlham.edu/%7Eir/bac_origins_report/physics.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.earlham.edu/~ir/bac_origins_report/physics.html</a></p>
<p>From what I've read, personally I doubt that the academic quality of the science education at the first five schools is different enough to materially influence whether you achieve your objectives.(Except: I know nothing about Whitman) . However, these schools differ in: size; location; distance to a major city; predominant social character of student body. </p>
<p>So if I were you I'd also give some consideration to which environment you'd prefer to be in for the next four years.</p>
<p>By the way Bucknell is (or at least used to be) very strong in the physical sciences. It probably doesn't show up on these % PhD lists because they have a lot of science-oriented students who become engineers and go into industry, instead of going the PhD route; it is the only college on your list that has an engineering program.</p>
<p>Also: not sure, but I would guess that Oberlin's % is artificially weighted down because it has a large music conservatory, and none of the conservatory students go on to get science PhDs.</p>
<p>I vote for Grinnell, with maintaining active interest in the Carleton waitlist. Grinnell is a great school for preparing for grad schools, although you have many great admissions. Grinnell is an excellent foundation experience with top access to top teachers. I agree that you could just choose your personal mental health and regional fit, work hard and have great outcomes at several school on your list. Congrats!</p>