Deciding between a research university and a liberal arts college

[warblersrule]

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@gonzo1

I want to do a Physics major ( I am persistent on my decision), and I am confused about whether to choose between a liberal arts college or a research university.

Why are you under the misapprehension you have to decide now?</p>

<p>Think about what you’d like in a college – Caltech, Reed, Cornell, and UT Austin may all have great physics programs, but they are tremendously different in other ways. Apply to a mix of LACs and universities. Compare financial and merit aid packages in the spring and decide then. </p>

<p>Focus especially on finding an affordable safety. </p>

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@gonzo1

I do know that both of the curricula have their own sets of merits and demerits, but what I think is that by choosing a liberal arts college over a research university, I might miss the golden opportunity to get involved in extensive research and project activities in stead of diverting my minds on several things at once( which is the essence of a liberal arts curriculum).

That has nothing whatsoever to do with the type of college one chooses. There are LACs and universities with core curricula (e.g. Columbia), distribution requirements (e.g. Swarthmore and Johns Hopkins), and no requirements whatsoever (e.g. Amherst and Brown). </p>

<p>Size differs, yes. Undergraduate focus differs, yes. Curriculum, not so much. I have no idea where students get the impression that LAC students study all sorts of things while university students are super specialized. </p>