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Some of you may have seen me asking this question elsewhere, but I thought I'd start a discussion on it. I LOVE LAC's. I think I'm leaning more towards them than large state and private universities. The downside is that LAC's are not very well known for the sciences. Now, I've read a lot of them have strong science programs and offer excellent educations in the sciences, but what are some of these schools? I know of one: Harvey Mudd, but thats in Cali and I live in Jersey, so I'm not so sure.

By Spiffybrownboy (Spiffybrownboy) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 06:16 pm: Edit

bump

By Pisces (Pisces) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 07:19 pm: Edit

i'll be attending middlebury for a science major. Even though it's more well known for english and language, it still has a good science dept. The largest building in vermont is their science building (bicentennical hall) plus, they have their own science library. Other schools that are pretty good too: Colby, Bowdoin, and Bates. It may also depend on what sciences you're into. As of right now, i'm majoring in biology, maybe changing to pre-med later. If you want physics or biomedical engineering, you might not be able to find too many LACs for it.

By Spiffybrownboy (Spiffybrownboy) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 08:10 pm: Edit

I'm interested in biology as well (genetics, behavioral science). I'm totally into the natural sciences, engineering and physics are not really strongpoints for me so I don't plan on pursuing them. You've named some good schools. Anyone have any others?

By Liz (Liz) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 09:10 pm: Edit

check out Kenyon.

By Spiffybrownboy (Spiffybrownboy) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 09:27 pm: Edit

I really like Wesleyan. They seem to have a good program in genetics (lots of research). Any thoughts on this school? (I am aware of Wesleyan's liberal reputation, I'm quite liberal myself).

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 10:35 pm: Edit

Any of the top lib arts schools are good places for scientists
Bio is very hot right now and will remain so for some time.

This is where my daughter has chosen to begin her career
http://www.hhmi.org/BeyondBio101/reed.htm

By Batman (Batman) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 01:25 am: Edit

A couple of schools you may want to consider at lesser known but very good LAC's for science:

Hope College
Juniata College
College of Wooster

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 11:45 am: Edit

One of the top LAC's for sciences is Carleton - they have an outstanding reputation among graduate schools. Another school worth looking at is Rice University in Texas. Although not quite an LAC, it is small enough to feel like one and is top notch for all sciences.

Other possibilities not already mentioned who are usually listed among the top science prgrams(esp. for bio): Haverford (PA), Hamilton (NY), Macalester (Minn), Grinnell(Iowa), Lawrence University(Wisc), Colgate(NY), Dickinson(PA), Davidson(NC), Franklin and Marshall C.(PA), Gettysburg (PA), Bates (ME), Bowdoin (ME), Bucknell (PA), Lafayette (PA), Rhodes College(Tn,
Union (NY)

Your decision to look at Liberal Arts Colleges first is a good one - undergrads usually have much greater chance of doing hands-on research at these top quality LAC's than at huge universities.

By Spiffybrownboy (Spiffybrownboy) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:04 pm: Edit

Thanks for the responses. I was afraid that LAC's may not offer great science programs, but I now think I might have an advantage if I go there for science.

By Dream5 (Dream5) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 05:32 pm: Edit

How is Amherst in science?

By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 06:24 pm: Edit

Tufts is awesome in biology, chemistry, and pre-med. Engineering isn't too bad, either. look into the NESCAC schools - New England Small College Athletic Conference - as they are all small, academically focused, and good.

By Spiffybrownboy (Spiffybrownboy) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 08:29 pm: Edit

Tufts, really? I was thinking of applying there. Nice to know biology is good there. Dream5, I don't KNOW but I've heard that Amherst isn't so great in the sciences, or maybe that was just physics and engineering. It must be decent though, as it's a top LAC.

By Anonrs (Anonrs) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 02:21 am: Edit

Here is a very interesting article entitled "Science Education at Liberal Arts Colleges: Why They Do It So Well"

http://www.lawrence.edu/news/pubs/steitz.shtml

Re the speaker:

"Thomas A. Steitz describes his research of the past 20 years as "determining the structures of the proteins and nucleic acids involved in copying the genome and turning genes into proteins." The author of two widely acclaimed recent articles on the molecular structure of the mechanism that makes proteins, Steitz calls the year 2000 "the most exciting I have ever had in research." A 1962 cum laude graduate of Lawrence, he earned the Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry from Harvard University. A member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he is Sterling Professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1970. The following is excerpted from his keynote address at dedicatory ceremonies for Science Hall at Lawrence, October 19, 2000."

By Fiza (Fiza) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 01:35 pm: Edit

Smith- or so i thot

By Spiffybrownboy (Spiffybrownboy) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 03:17 pm: Edit

I have a 1320 SAT. Am I totally out of the running for Wesleyan? I hope to get a 30 ACT but I'm not sure...

By Localmooer (Localmooer) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 03:46 pm: Edit

Since it's kind of similar, I was kind of curious; which LAC's have good engineering? (I'm going to be at Columbia SEAS btw) I know Bucknell and Harvey Mudd do, and Swarthmore's General BA isn't the greatest preparation...