<p>I was recently accepted to both UC Boulder Honors College and Colorado College and am having difficulty decided which one is best suited for me. I know that they are extremely different but I would like some advice from you CCers. I'm interested in science, although I'm not sure exactly what I would like to study. My main interests are psychology, environmental science, and geology. I would really appreciate some help. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m not surprised at the lack of response so far.
These two are so different that it largely comes down to personal fit issues that only you can resolve. Go visit both. Attend as many classes as you can in your areas of interest. Stay overnight in the dorms and share a few meals with students. </p>
<p>Colorado College is the most selective school in the state and easily the best small liberal arts college within hundreds of miles. It is arguably the best school in Colorado. The only other contenders (Air Force and Mines) are specialty schools. Geology is one of CC’s best departments.</p>
<p>UC Boulder seems to be about average or a little better among flagship state universities. Outside the honors college, it won’t have the same intellectual atmosphere or easy access to professors as at CC. However, the honors college presumably closes that gap somewhat (by how much, I have no idea). You may find the campus atmosphere much more exciting at Boulder. And the CC “block plan” definitely is not for everyone. I think it is especially suited for programs that benefit from lots of field work, including geology and ES, but not all students would adapt well to the fast-paced 3.5 week course schedule.</p>
<p>What about costs? For an in-state student at full price, there’s a huge difference, but aid might have narrowed it for you.</p>
<p>I agree that the two schools are extremely different. I happen to love both. The block scheduling is not for everyone, so think hard about your personal work/study habits. It requires a LOT of work in a short period of time and you have to really keep up with things on a daily basis. That said, CU Boulder is about as fun of a place as there is in this country.</p>
<p>My science-geek son was in love with CC but ultimately chose another school. He didn’t apply to CU (we live in CO) because he wanted a small school. You know how the schools are different; what you need to do (and we can’t do this for you) is figure out what is most important to you. </p>
<p>Do you need academic peers in almost all your classes, or is it good enough to have them in some of your classes? Does CC have enough choices in all the varied things you might decide you want to study? Does it matter that you get a BS or is a BA good enough? Could you stand having only your least-favorite class for a whole month with no fun classes to break up the agony? Do you want all your profs to know your name or would you rather the excitement of having hundreds of classes to choose from?</p>
<p>thank you for all your advice.
ill be visiting probably in march or april so I can get a better feel for which school I like better.
I’m out of state and have only received estimates for aid from CC so far, so I’ll have to wait for CU’s projections. this will definitely be a major factor.</p>