<p>You asked about research opportunities. Carleton has more majors, but also more faculty who hire students or are available to advise on independent research projects. On the Physics Dept website, there are lists of summer research positions with faculty (they are hiring 12-19 for this summer; see [Carleton</a> College: Physics and Astronomy: Summer Research at Carleton](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/physics/for_students/ResearchatCarleton/summer_carl_opps/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/physics/for_students/ResearchatCarleton/summer_carl_opps/)). They also list areas of research for Special Projects (2-3 credits) or Independent Study (1-6 credits) at [Carleton</a> College: Physics and Astronomy: Special Project Ideas](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/physics/for_students/ResearchatCarleton/projects/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/physics/for_students/ResearchatCarleton/projects/) which would be during the academic year.
I didn’t see obvious stuff about student research on the Bowdoin site (they had links to AIP and NSF opportunities), but a call or email to the dept head could give you specific info.
It appears that Bowdoin students can choose to do Honors which includes a project. At Carleton all students do comps (integrative excercise) in their major.</p>