<p>My S wants to major in physics or chemistry, possibly at a top LAC, with a view to going on to grad school at a top research university. Which of the following LAC's, all of whom he is considering, is the best in physics and chemistry? Or is it impossible to split them? </p>
<p>Swarthmore
Haverford
Bowdoin
Wesleyan
Williams
Amherst
Grinnell</p>
<p>Note: He will also be applying to Harvey Mudd and Caltech and some larger schools but is attracted to the idea of studying at an LAC. So, how do these LAC's rank?</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd is usually viewed as a LAC.</p>
<p>Note that physics has better job and career prospects than chemistry.</p>
<p>I have to agree with ucbalumnus with regard to the relative job prospects. I was told two years ago by a Wesleyan economist that Wall Street was now a major destination for many physics majors because of their familiarity with algorithms and the fact that so much of what passes for private equity these days comes in the form of complicated derivative packages.</p>
<p>That being said, it is hard to put much sunshine between such fine academic institutions; they all have their superlatives, but, I would have to single out these two: </p>
<p>Swarthmore - Swat has an engineering program which probably dovetails nicely with its physics department (should have a nice machine shop).</p>
<p>Wesleyan - Wes, of course, is the only Carnegie classified LAC (a majority baccalaureate producing institution) with a doctoral program in physics. That should insure your son won’t “outgrow” the department’s offerings.</p>
<p>Carleton and Reed are two other good science LACs.</p>