<p>Personally speaking, that’s what I would do as well. Smith’s STRIDE program provides paid research assistantships in the first two years, many of them in their Center for Molecular Biosciences. It is a national center for genomics research -</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/faculty_swilliams.html[/url]”>http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/faculty_swilliams.html</a></p>
<p>and has a substantial neuroscience program as well, with research opportunities also through STRIDE. It is also the center for the five-college dance scene (I think, but am not sure, that Amherst ballet students take their courses there.) </p>
<p>The new Williams center for theatre and dance looks wonderful (you probably saw it), and I imagine they will be beefing up programs to go with. Does Williams have a neuroscience major? </p>
<p>You won’t go wrong with any of them. What did your d. feel about the campuses, student bodies, etc.? Compatibility might be as important as department specifics for some students.</p>