wedgedrive

Any thoughts anyone?

SmithieandProud

I'm not a science major, so I say this as an outsider, but Smith's programs are reputed to be very good. Though I'm sure Bowdoin's are as well.

One thing to think about will be your research opportunities. If you want to study physics and chemistry, your chances to do research work either alone or with a professor are important. Both for you own education and for your grad school opportunities. Smith has a lot of these opportunities on campus (as does Bowdoin), but Smith is closer to major cities with large science communities and research opportunities such as Boston and New York. Also, with a large research institution right down the road in the valley at UMASS, you might have a greater wealth of opportunities to do research.

This is just my observation, I'm not all that accquainted with Portland's research community. But it is a smaller city and you are at least a half hour from Portland in Brunswick, and four-five hours on the bus from Portland to Boston. So something to think about.

Bustles

I don't think that Bowdoin is overall as academically rigorous as Smith, though I'm sure that the programs are indeed very good--perhaps as good.

pb2002

how is bowdoin not academically as rigorous as smith?

wedgedrive

Bustles,

That is interesting. I had the impression that Bowdoin was stronger...I hope you are right because D has almost decided on Smith. She prefers Smith's atmosphere, the supportive environment and the musical opportunites she will have in the 5 college consortium. My husband was impressed with the head of the physics dept. at Smith, but wished the dept were bigger, with more courses, profs, etc

Smithie&Proud, D hadn't thought about the possibiltiy of science courses at UMass. You are right, it does open up the field.
BTW, I have read many of your posts about Smith and have appreciated them. You do a good job!

SmithieandProud

I try to show the flag :-)

Bustles

Pb--I don't know, really. I don't claim that what I said was anything more than a general impression based on students I know and things I hear floating around... I'm not trying to knock Bowdoin. In fact, I'll probably apply, and would feel very fortunate to be accepted!

smithiegr

I've had really good experiences with both the chemistry and the physics departments. Both are really small, but you'll see higher numbers of students in the Chem I-IV sequence due to pre-med requirements. Chemistry classes can run up to 60-70 students, and physics classes usually have about 30 or so, but labs are limited to 16. Even with the (relatively) larger class sizes, I've felt that my professors really got to know me as a person; they know my strengths and weaknesses, and are quick to notice when things are tougher.

Research opportunities here are abundant, and they're yours for the asking. Professors are eager to attract students to labs, and they know that since first-years typically come in with little to no lab experience, they'll do a solid job in teaching you the ABCs of research. We have plenty of students who, after working with professors, go on to get really good research opportunities elsewhere.

Like I said above, the departments are small, but there are numerous opportunities for your D if she wants to study something that isn't offered here. A class may not be offered, but there's probably a professor here with expertise in that area. She could do a special studies (essentially a self-designed independent study project overseen by a professor), an honors thesis, or take one of the Advanced Topics courses (the topics varies by year).