Interesting point. They are brining in Dr. Nirav Shah to build a Public Health Major. I think that could be a path to the infectious disease research.
Everything you’ve written says you would prefer to go to Colby. My son attended Colby, and opportunities on every front were plentiful and varied, whether it was in labs, state offices, on the stage, or for foreign experiences. Jan Plan creates flexibility - whether for doing something immersive in your own field, trying something different, for travel, and just changing the pace. The professors were very accessible – some even inviting students to their homes. It’s a place where you really can customize your experience.
Hopefully, you’ll get a better sense of this when you visit and it’ll make your decision easier. Congratulations on such good options.
What was his major and how was the quality of the research?
DS majored in Econ, so different interest than yours. If you search through the news on their site, you may be able to get a feel for the types of research students have pursued. It appears to be meaningful.