@ucbalumnus
I would like to attend a LAC because I like small settings — I was raised in a town of ~40k and like quiet places especially — and because I want to develop a personal relationship with my professors to not only develop my skills, but to also be taken under their wing in assisting with research. The dream, of course, would be to get published.
At a large state school, I feel like I would not get to work with professors, but rather with their graduate students, therefore getting less and hindering my academic development.
On the other hand, you have a good point about running out of classes to take, especially if I am looking to rack up research experience before graduation. Do you if UMN-TC or any other college has an accelerated master’s program in biology? The only one I have been able to find is at the University of Tulsa, a school that greatly interests me with its funding, smaller size, and before mentioned master’s program. Do you think they would fit my needs? I saw some full ride programs on their website.
My parents have told me, really nonchalantly, that they will contribute 10-20k per year IF NECESSARY, but “we would like to save that for graduate school” (PhD). I mean, I think they would pay 20-30k per year if I persuaded them enough, but in all reality, I would love to save as much as I can in undergrad as well. We both want a full ride scholarship, which probably is more important than an LAC. Graduate school, I’ve heard, is not dependent on your college, but what you put into your undergraduate years — connections, research, TA positions, etc. Do you think UMN-TC offer me a merit based full tuition/full ride scholarship? They would be one of my prospects if so.
Thanks!