<p>I think that's just about right. In terms of challenging vs. not challenging, I think it depends entirely on how green the grass is academically on the other side. People inside CSS may envy non-CSSers their access to the rest of the Wesleyan curriculum; remember, from sophomore year on, you will have almost no room in your schedule for electives (a language course or studio art course, perhaps.) People outside CSS may envy those on the inside their access to some of the best teachers in the social sciences and some of the most interesting courses; CSSers don't have to worry about being locked out of a CSS course. Add the fact that CSS is on a different calendar (trimester vs. semester) and you see that the decision-making can get quite complicated.</p>
<p>In terms of grad schools, Jumble<em>J has laid it out very succinctly; basically, if your aim is an arts and science degree, COL's reputation is superb. But, whether it is more superb than Wesleyan's rep as a whole? That's a matter of debate. Same for CSS. Wesleyan students have no trouble placing in the top arts and science grad programs in the country. Where CSS may have an advantage is in its traditional role as a _de facto</em> pre-law and pre-business program. A generation ago, certain CSS faculty were said to have connections with the University of Chicago. I'm not sure that's still true. There may be different connections with different law schools, depending on which faculty are nesting at CSS these days.</p>