I’m trying to choose between these two colleges and would appreciate any and all advice I can get (both of which guarantee me a research position).
I’m interested in medical related research (perhaps neuroscience, public health, or biology).
So far this is what I have come up with.
Pros Smith:
-small classes and closer relationships with professors
-no grad students in the labs
-closely bonded community
-women’s college
-Northhampton
Cons Smith:
-less research opportunities
-no additional benefits to STRIDE other than the merit aid and research (see regents to contrast below)
-no hospitals within reasonable walking distance
Pros UCSD:
-huge amount of research opportunities available (including the chance to do research at the med school)
-opportunities to volunteer at nearby hospitals
-regents get priority registration (guarantee the classes I want)
-perfect weather
Cons UCSD
-need to drive/take a bus to get to San Diego
-huge classes (especially intro science)
-quarter system (not sure if this is a pro or a con)
-grad students in labs (less opportunities for undergrads?)
-dorms, not houses
-community doesn’t seem as tightly bonded
Thoughts?
What’s your definition of reasonable? Cooley Dickenson Hospital is 1mile from the Smith Campus Center.
Is your EFC the same at both schools?
How is that more inconvenient than flying across country and then having to take a cab or shared van from the airport to Smith?
Well I wasn’t planning on bringing a bike and I would imagine it would be difficult to walk there in the snow. Does anyone know if there’s a shuttle that goes to the hospital?
EFC is not a concern for my family.
I meant the access to the city during the school year (vs having Northampton right next door).
Ah, that makes sense. I’d forgotten UCSD is north of the city.
Walking is not an issue. All sidewalks are required by law to be kept free of snow. The high school is 3/4 of a mile from Smith on the same road as the hospital. High school students take courses at Smith and daily walk back and forth.
Is this what you’re interested in? http://www.cooley-dickinson.org/main/our-volunteer-program.aspx
Crew Dad, do Smith students do interns at Cooley-Dickinson?
No, unless there has been a change since Cooley merged with Massachusetts General Hospital. I doubt it though.
Edit:I talked to a former Cooley senior executive. She doubts very much Cooley has an internship program with Smith. Talk to the STRIDE coordinator about your alteratives.
Yes that’s what I was looking for. Thanks, CrewDad!