<p>Hi, I’m in the middle of making my college list. I will be going on a college visit this summer in the New England area, but I won’t be able to visit all the schools because I will be going with a friend, and we’ve had to come to a compromise. </p>
<p>I am considering becoming both an English literature major and a physics major. But I’m thinking that’s more of a concern for graduate school? I don’t know where to start for my undergraduate. I have picked out a few colleges. Here are my questions: </p>
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<li>Is Tufts a well-recognized school? Is it an underrated liberal arts school? Should this be an undergraduate or graduate option?</li>
</ol>
<p>1.5. Tufts vs Middlebury?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Do you know anything about Amherst college? </p></li>
<li><p>UC Berkley vs UCLA?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>First, you’re from TX and your looking at the UCs? Can you afford those? Tufts is certainly well known for its great education. I doubt it’s underrated - #29 Nat’l U in the USNews listing. Amherst is one of the top LACs in the country.</p>
<p>If your goal is to visit different kinds of colleges then visit Tufts and either Amherst or Middlebury. Amherst and Tufts are very different vibes, while Middlebury is much like Amherst. Amherst College and Williams College, both in western Massachusetts, are considered by many the top two liberal arts colleges in the USA. In terms of cachet, Middlebury, in Vermont, is easily in the top 10 of LAC. You can major in Lit or Physics at both. </p>
<p>I don’t consider Tufts a liberal arts college; 5000+ undergrads and 10000+ total students. Don’t think Tufts is a top 10 in reputation for its size/type. </p>
<p>Amherst and Middlebury are rural/small town. Tufts is urban/suburban. Admission rates: Amherst 13%; Middlebury 17% and Tufts 22%, so all are very selective. </p>
<p>You could see a lot of colleges near Tufts and Amherst. Tufts is in essence in Boston and Amherst is in rural western Massachusetts. Drive time between the two is about 2 hours. There are a lot of colleges near Boston. Near Amherst College are Smith, Mt. Holyoke and Hampshire Colleges as well as the the University of Massachusetts at Amherst [flagship of UMass system]. Williams College is about 60 miles from Amherst. Middlebury is about 3 to 4 hour drive from Boston or Amherst. </p>
<p>If your choice is to visit either Amherst or Middlebury, perhaps read more about both to see which best fits you.</p>