<p>These are the three schools I'm deciding between right now. I'm interested in double majoring--one of the majors would be either Cognitive Science, Psychology, or Neuroscience. The other could be something like International Relations (or another social science).</p>
<p>I come from a very small private school and am a bit unsure of how I'll adapt to a large school atmosphere. You might say, then, that UMich is out, but I don't see it that way. </p>
<p>I'm from New York, got no financial aid unfortunately, so don't factor cost into your discussion.</p>
<p>Which of these schools fit me best? Which should I choose?</p>
<p>All three schools are excellent, but they have three utterly different “feel.”<br>
As for IR, Tufts wins going away.
I suspect that there is less of a distinction, especially at the undergrad level, in CogSci, Psych or NeuroSci, but I don’t know that much about Mich and Carleton on those fronts.</p>
<p>Whoops, I feel kinda bad now reading my post, lol. I didn’t even answer your question :o</p>
<p>Anyway, IMO - Tufts. Mich, like you said, is kind of large. However if you’re thinking about pursuing in the sciences maybe Mich is best. But Tufts is smaller and thus can cater to each individual’s needs better than a big state school can. Besides, Tufts is right near Boston… how awesome is that?! Don’t know anything about Carleton, so can’t help you there.</p>
<p>I’d advise you to make a pro/con list. That’s what I do when I need to make a decision :P</p>
<p>All I know about Carleton is that it is in the middle of the cornfields in Minnesota and there is a generic cereal factory a mile or so away that makes all of Walmart’s private label knock-off cereals so if the wind is right, you get to smell (generic) Cocoa Puffs for 5 days straight.</p>
<p>Then at some point it changes to Lucky Charms for the next 5 days.</p>
<p>Oh, and they are trying to groom themselves to become the "Harvard of the Heartland’ and so they (are rumored to) give super finaid to high-ranked Ivy-and-elite-type students from the two coasts to attract them.</p>
<p>But, like I said, you have to live amongst the cornfields, so it’s kind of a trade-off thing. I bagged applying to it once I watched the video that they sent my guidance office.</p>
<p>To the OP, you’d be surprised at how little undergrad programs vary from school to school. Academic quality should not be the deciding factor for you in this particular situation. That being said, does Michigan even have an IR program?</p>
<p>My sister is at Carleton and I have been admitted to Tufts. I was talking to my sister last night when I found out the results and she claims that Tufts is better than Carleton, so yea.</p>
<p>But yea, Carleton is a top notch liberal arts school.</p>
<p>I’m still struggling with my decision. It’s now between Carleton and Tufts. My major turnoff with Carleton is its location. Which school is better known? Which is stronger in the fields I was mentioning? It seems like Tufts is, unless I’m mistaken. And why is Tufts so far back in the rankings?</p>
Peer rankings, because Tufts has a tiny grad school network compared to other national universities. If Tufts was ranked with the LA schools it’ll probably be up there.</p>
<p>Carleton is very strong, especially in sciences. They have a neuro concentration which you can do with a bio or psych major.<br>
Northfield is a really nice college town. Carleton is walking distance from downtown, St Olaf is across town. Minneapolis-St Paul are ~45 away. Carleton is a residential college, so the social life is on campus, rather than in town or the Cities.
Unlike Tufts and Mich, Carleton is all about the undergraduate experience. 100% of the faculty attention, research opportunities and resources are for undergrads. In four years, Tufts and Mich will still be available to you, along with many other fabulous research universities and at that time, they’ll be focused on you as a grad student. </p>
<p>Other things to consider - do you want to stay on the East Coast, or try a new part of the country for a few years? Do you like an urban environment or would you prefer suburban/rural? All 3 schools you’re considering are cold in the winter - I can’t speak to MI, but personally I prefer MN winter to the Northeast. It’s cold, but often clear, sunny and lovely. Plus at MI only 1/3 undergrads live on campus, Tufts has 2/3; Carleton has almost everyone living on campus - no need to shovel snow, slog to the grocery store, etc. Carleton also has the highest graduation rate, quite a bit higher than MI.</p>
<p>Carleton has a beautiful arboretum and prairie restoration if you like to go running. The town is small but very safe. There is a good Indian restaurant about half a block from campus. Yes, there are farms nearby but I don’t see how that would be considered a negative. Farmer does not equal brain dead. Farming is a global industry now and I have learned a lot by asking questions.</p>
<p>I graduated from Tufts. I did really like how I could take a break and go out into Cambridge or Boston for a day, esp when I was feeling burned out. There are so many things to do or places to volunteer at. Senior year I volunteered at the aquarium.</p>
<p>bingle-
Don’t compare Tufts to UMich. Tufts is the small university that feels like a LAC and, like Carleton, it is really all about the undergraduate experience, largely because the med, dental, vet and nutrition schools are all elsewhere (either downtown Boston or in a more rural setting for the vet school).
Carleton is a terrific LAC, but it is in a remote location, so it’s a matter of taste; for those who will enjoy quick access to the great city of Boston, there’s nothing like it (as twomules points out); if you like a more rural setting, there are few LACs better than Carleton.</p>
<p>Carleton is the best academically of your three choices and would be viewed as such by most graduate schools/programs. It is better known in academic circles. It has a very nice campus. My Dad taught there when I was young.</p>
<p>BalletGirl - I personally dont think that is true. I would surely put Carleton and Tufts on the same academic level. UMich is a big university, and I feel that the education you receive at smallers colleges is better than one received at bigger universities. That is why I personally place UMich below Carleton and Tufts.</p>
<p>Back to my main point, I believe the education you will receive at Tufts will be equal to or even better than one you will receive at Carleton. But both still are amazing schools!</p>
<p>Data have also shown that (competitive) grad schools view GPA as GPA, regardless of where it was earned, which makes your argument moot point to begin with.</p>
<p>Edit:
The average quality of education for the entire student body may be slightly better, but someone at Michigan who actually wants to learn will be able to receive a similar if not superior education, because Mich offers a wider variety of classes and on-campus opportunities.</p>
<p>I stand by my point – Carleton is the best academically of the OP’s three choices and would be viewed as such by most graduate schools/programs. It is better known in academic circles. </p>
<p>Detail – Your point is wrong – “Data have also shown that (competitive) grad schools view GPA as GPA, regardless of where it was earned.” That’s simply not true. Graduate schools look both at the rigor of the applicant’s program and the school from which they have earned their degree. All schools are not created equal in the eyes of graduate schools. </p>
<p>Tuft is a great school academically; Carleton is better and viewed as such.</p>
<p>Looking at 165+ LSAT applicants, it’s clear that graduating from a top undergrad institution will give you a minimal (insignificant) boost at best.</p>
<p>Those who have already gone through the process share their 2 cents:</p>