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<p>Cornell, being a larger school, will generate much more research activity, but that does not necessarily mean that the research opportunities for undergraduates will be better.</p>
<p>From 2006-2010, Cornell graduates earned 412 PhDs in the biological sciences. Williams College graduates earned 57. After adjusting for school sizes, the per capita rate is about the same for the two schools. A better adjustment would be based on the number of graduating biology majors at Williams and in the Cornell CAS. I don’t have those exact numbers, but about 12% of Cornell students major in biological/life sciences compared to about 7% at Williams. Therefore, it appears that Williams generates more biology/life science PhDs per capita than Cornell does.</p>
<p>On the one hand, Cornell alumni do have a larger presence than Williams College alumni among people with PhDs in the life sciences. On the other hand, it appears that at least as many Williams College bio majors, per capita, go on to earn the highest degree in their field. Once you get your doctorate, employers should care much more about your PhD-granting institution (and the work you’ve done there) than the name on your undergraduate diploma.</p>
<p>So, I agree with UCBChemEGrad. The numbers suggest that either school can get you where you want to go. It really comes down to which environment would be a better fit for you (and then, of course, what you make of the opportunities at either school).</p>
<p>Sources:
<a href=“https://webcaspar.nsf.gov/[/url]”>https://webcaspar.nsf.gov/</a>
(and the Common Data Set files, Section J, for each school)</p>