betweenschools

After applying to a bunch of places, and getting rejected from many, i've narrowed my top two choices down to Carleton and Carnegie Mellon. While I understand that the two have very different "feels" and "moods," i'm still at a lost as to how to choose between the two.

I want to major in biological sciences and apparently CMU has a good program where i can concentrate in either biophysics or neuroscience. in addition, they have numerous research programs that run throughout the year.

Carleton has an excellent biology program i'm sure but only offers research programs in the summer. The physics department, on the other hand, has many opportunities and Christensen is supposedly famous.

I suppose research is my main concern, but i may be wrong. How much do medical schools care about research? I don't know.

I'm visiting Carleton April 20-22 and CMU April 18. If anyone else is going those days my AIM is Rubbersoul615

eddiec

This is wierd, my son is down to these same two schools, but he is interested in computer science. Wish I could give you some help in the science area. It is my understanding that Carleton is a great school for launching into a good med school. It is certainly well respected academically in all arena. I don't think you could go wrong with undergrad from either as a prep for med school. Like I am encouraging my son, go where you will be yourself the most for the next 4 years. You will study your ass off and received a top-notch, nationally respected degree either place. Whether it is fact or just reputation, CMU would certainly be considered the research school of the two. But I am not sure that matters undergrad, especially if you are going into medicine. Seems like one of those marketing tools that is being used heavily right now "undergra dresearch at our school".

We just returned from Northfield and Carleton certainly seems like the more socially engaging of the two student bodies. Good luck in your choice. Let us know how it goes.

fireflyscout

In the typical comparison of universities to LACs, it is always mentioned that at a university, you may very well be taught by TAs. I don't know enough about CMU to advise you how often that occurs, but it is something to consider.

singuy77

Cmu..............

Californiadreaming

I only know about the opportunities my son has had at Carleton. They have been amazing. He did research for a professor last summer and stayed in Northfield for the summer. He is in Asia now with a group from Carleton. We only had to pay the airfare. This summer he has won another fellowship from Carleton through a foundation to do research in yet another country.My only problem is I don't get to see enough of him as he is exploring the world and earning money.

eddiec

Let me restart this discussion. My s was just admitted to Northwestern McCormick from the waitlist. He loved Carleton at the visit, such a fun place. But NW was always sort of his dream school-loved the idea of living in Chi. What's a dad to advise?

Sam Lee

If majoring in some kind of engineering or business-related fields is important, go to Northwestern. Otherwise, choose the one that "fits". NU, being a bigger school, offers more variety of programs that may not be available at Carleton but Carleton likely has better prof-student interaction. By the way, I do love Chicago.

eddiec

Following up. He stuck with Carleton. And it was because of fit and feel. He liked everything about the place and felt welcome. I think he made a great choice-I am just glad he had the option; it confirmed his decision. Thanks for the advice Sam Lee.

katka193

Just to respond to the research question - I'm a sophomore (future) chemistry major at Carleton and I do research throughout the school year with a biology professor. I stayed on campus last summer to continue the work. It is unbelievably amazing.

My brother went to CMU and also loved it, though he was a chemical engineer.
Carleton is definitely more fun!

OldbatesieDoc

I love CMU-the energy there is amazing!but I am also a big Carleton fan. My S had overnights at both-very different vibe and feel. I would go based on whether you want a large, bustling campus in a city(I include the resources of Pitt), or the more individual approach but subdued atmosphere of Northfield... You should pick your heart, because you can be a great success from either.

mflevity

(FYI--this thread is over three years old. I'm pretty sure that betweenschools has made his/her choice by now )

OldbatesieDoc

I know...just putting it out there for other searchers.
Most people look but don't post...unlike moi...